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What is the second Principle of Islam?
The second Principle of Islam is to
offer the Obligatory Prayers five times
a day.
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2 What do you understand by
Prayer?
Prayer is the act of worshipping Allah
according to the teaching of the Holy
Prophet.
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3 What are the essential requisites
for offering Prayer?
The essential requisites for offering
Prayer are:
- The worshipper must be a Muslim
- The
worshipper's clothes and body
must be free from all impurities
- The place
where the Prayer is to be offered
should be pure and clean
- The part of
the body between the navel and
the knees of a male worshipper
must be fully covered, and
the whole body excepting the hands
and
face of
a female worshipper.
- The worshipper
must face the Ka'ba in the Great
Mosque at Mecca and
the direction of Ka'ba outside
Mecca.
- The
worshipper must form the Niyyat
(i.e., intention) in his or her
mind of the particular Prayer,
Fard (Obligatory)
or Sunnat or Nafl (Optional),
he or she is about to offer.
- The worshipper
must observe the times and rules
prescribed for the respective
Prayers.
- The worshipper must have
performed the Wudu (i.e., ablution).
- The
worshipper must have performed
Ghusl (i.e., the washing of the
whole body), if he or she was
in a state
of grave impurity.
Note: In order to keep
the body clean from dirt and all minor
impurities and
to be even ready for prayer, a Muslim
must wash the private parts of his or
her body with water whenever any impure
matter
issues from the body.
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Wudu (Ablution)
4 What is Wudu?
Wudu is the act of washing those parts
of the body which are generally exposed.
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5 How do you perform the Wudu?
I perform the Wudu in the following
manner:
- I make myself sure that the water
with which I am going to perform
Wudu is pure, clean and fresh (not
used
before) and its color, taste
and smell are unchanged
- I form and have
the full intention of performing
the Wudu for offering
prayer
- I recite "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim" i.e.,
in the Name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
- I then wash my hands
upto the wrists three times,
passing the in between
each other
- I cleanse my mouth with brush or
finger, and gargle with water
three times
- Then I rinse the nostrils
thrice
with water
- I wash the face from
the forehead to the chin bone
and from ear to
ear three times
- I then wash the right
hand arm followed by the left
upto the elbows three
times.
- I then brush up the whole head
with wet hands, pass the wet
tips of the index finger inside and
the
wet
tips
of the thumb outside the
ears, and pass over the other surface
of
the
hands over the nape and the
sides of the neck.
- I then wash the feet
upto the ankles, the right foot
first and then the
left, taking care to wash in
between the
toes, each three times.
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6 What are the Obligatory
Acts in the performance of Wudu?
The obligatory Acts in the performance
of Wudu are four:
- Washing the face
- Washing both the arms upto the elbows.
- Brushing over a quarter of the head
with wet hands
- Washing both feet up to the ankles
Notes:
- If the water to be used for Wudu
be stagnant, one should make sure
that the cistern measures ten yards
by ten
yards by one foot and is full of
water
- If a person wears impermeable
foot-gear after the performance of
the Wudu,
it is not necessary to remove
it for a fresh Wudu. One may just pass
over
it wet fingers as if one were
tracing
lines on it. Travelers can take
advantage of this concession for
three days and
three nights, others for one
day and one night.
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Ghusl (Bath)
7 When does Ghusl become obligatory?
Ghusl becomes obligatory after:
- Sexual intercourse
- Discharge or effusion
of semen
- Completion of menses and
confinement
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8 Can you name the obligatory
conditions that must be fulfilled for
a valid performance of an obligatory
Ghusl?
The obligatory condition that must be
fulfilled for a valid performance of
an obligatory Ghusl are:
- To rinse the mouth thoroughly, so
that all the parts are cleaned
properly.
- To rinse the nose right upto
the nasal bone
- To wash all parts of
the body thoroughly, including
the hair.
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9 What is the best way of
performing an obligatory Ghusl?
The best way of performing in obligatory
Ghusl is:
- The person should have the intention
(Niyyat) to cleanse the body
from grave impurity at the time of
performing
the bath
- He or she should wash the
hands upto the wrists thrice
- Then
the private parts must be washed
thoroughly thrice
- Filth must be removed,
if there be any, from any of
the parts of the
body.
- One should then perform an ablution
- One
should lastly wash thrice all
the parts of the body, including
the hair thoroughly.
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Tayammum
10 What should a person do
in place of Wudu or Ghusl, if one is
sick or access cannot be had to water?
When a person is sick or access cannot
be had to water, one may perform what
is called Tayammum in place of Wudu or
Ghusl.
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11 What are the essential
requisites for the performance of a
Tayammum?
The essential requisites for the performance
of a Tayammum are:
- To have the intention in mind to
perform the Tayammum for the
removal of impurities
- To strike pure earth lightly with
the palms of both the hands
- To pass the palms of the hands over
the face once
- To again strike
lightly pure earth with the palms
of both hands and rub alternately
from the tips of the fingers to the
elbows, the forearms and the hands.
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12 Do you know the acts or
circumstances which make Wudu void?
Yes, the acts or circumstances which
make the Wudu void are:
- Answering the call of nature; discharge
of semen or issue of worm or sandy
stone or any impure matter from the
front or the hind private parts
- The passage of wind from the hind
private part
- The act of vomiting a mouthful of
matter
- Emission of blood, puss or yellow
matter from a wound, boil, pimple,
etc., to such an extent that is passes
the limits of the mouth of the wound,
etc.
- Loss of consciousness through sleep,
drowsiness, etc.
- Temporary insanity, fainting fit,
hysteria or intoxication.
- Audible laughter during prayer
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13 Do the same occurrences
nullify tayammum also?
Yes; the same occurrences nullify Tayammum
also, but in addition Tayammum is nullified
as soon as the cause for performing it
is removed i.e., if the sick person removers,
or, if recourse has been taken to it
for lack of water, and access to water
becomes possible.
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14 What acts are forbidden
without the performance of Wudu or
Tayammum as the case may be?
The following three acts are forbidden
without the performance of Wudu or Tayammum
as the case may be:
- Prayer
- Walking round the Holy Ka'ba
in Mecca
- Carrying or touching the
Holy Quran
Note: Children who have not attained
the age of discretion, i.e., about seven
years, can carry the Holy Quran for the
purpose of studying.
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15 Does Wudu convey any inner
meaning besides the cleanliness of
the body?
Yes, the primary object is cleanliness
or purity, but spiritual cleanliness
and purity, i.e., freedom from sins which
is the main object of religion. It is
preferable, therefore, to recite the
following after Wudu:
Allahummaj'alni minattawwabeena waj'alni minal mutatahahhireen.
'O Allah! make me from among those who repent for their sins
and from among those who keep themselves pure.
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Azan (Listen
to Azan) click here
16 What is Azan?
Azan is the first call to Prayer
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17 When and why is the Azan
uttered?
The Azan is uttered in a loud voice
to announce to the faithful that it is
time for the Obligatory Prayer and to
invite them to offer the same.
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18 How is Azan recited?
Azan is recited in a loud voice by the
Muezzin (the crier) facing the direction
of Ka'ba in the following words which
are said in the order mentioned:
Listen
to Azan click
here
(1) Allahu Akbar
i.e. "Allah is Most Great" (four
times).
(2) Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah
i.e., "I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped
except Allah" (twice)
(3) Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-rasoolullah
i.e., "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah" (twice)
(4) Hayya 'alas-Salah
i.e., "Come to Prayer" (turning
the face alone to the right and saying
it twice)
(5) Hayya 'alal-falah
i.e., "come to Success" (turning
the face alone to the left and saying
it twice)
(6) Allahu Akbar
i.e., " Allah is Most Great" (twice)
(7) La illaha ill-Allah,
i.e., "There
is no deity but Allah (once)
Note:- The following phrase is added
after item (5) in the Azan of the early
morning prayer:
As-salatu khairum minannaum
i.e., "Prayer is better than sleep" (to
be said twice)
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IQAMAT
19 What is Iqamat and when
is it uttered?
Iqamat is the
second call to prayer and is uttered
immediately before the
beginning of the Obligatory (fard) Prayer.
It is similar to Azan but with the addition
of the sentence, "Qad qama-tis-Salah"
i.e., "Prayer has indeed begun",
to be uttered twice after item (5) above.
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20 What are the Obligatory
(Fard) Factors in Prayer?
The Obligatory Factors in a Prayer are
seven in number:
- To say takbir-i-tahrimah
- Qiyam, i.e.,
standing erect and placing the
right hand upon left below
the navel
- To recite some verses from
the Holy Quran
- Ruku', i.e., bowing
down in such a way as to grasp
the knees with
the hands keeping the back in
a straight line so as to for a right
angle
with
the legs
- Sajdah, i.e., prostrating
in such a way that both the palms
of the
hands, the forehead, the nasal
bone, the knees
and the toes of both feet
touch the ground; there must be sufficient
space
between the arms and the
chest
and the legs and the belly so
that they
do not touch each other but
remain separate.
- Qa'dah i.e., sitting
down in a reverential posture,
keeping the right foot
erect on the toes and the left
one in a reclining
position under the rumps
- To signify
the completion of prayer by work
or action.
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21 Can you name some of the
essentials (Wajib) of Prayer?
The observance of the following eight
points are very essential in any prayer
- To say takbir-i-tahrima, "Allahu-Akbar"
- To
recite the opening chapter of
the Holy Quran (the Fatihah)
- To recite any
of the other chapters or at least
three consecutive verses
of the Holy Quran
- The recitation
of the opening chapter must precede
the recitation of
any other chapter or three consecutive
verses of the Holy Quran
- To avoid
a pause between the recitation
of the opening chapter and any
other chapter or three consecutive
verses
of the Holy Quran
- To assume all
the postures correctly, i.e.,
undignified haste must not
be practiced in changing the
postures and reasonable pauses must
be
observed at each stage.
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Performance of Prayer
22 Can you give a complete
description of the performance of Prayer?
Yes, A Prayer consists of either two,
three or four Rak'ats, and a Rak'at is
performed thus:-
- I stand erect, facing the direction
of Ka'ba in Mecca, and after having
the Niyyat, i.e., the intention in
my mind of what prayer I am about to
offer and preferably uttering it to
myself;
- I raise
both of my hands upto the ears and
saying "Allahu Akbar", bring
them down and place the right hand
upon the left below the navel.
- I then recite:-
(a)
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Subhanak-Alla-humma wa bihamdika
wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka |
i.e., 'All Glory be to Thee, O Allah! and Praise be to
Thee; blessed is Thy Name and exalted Thy Majesty; and
there is none worthy of worship besides Three.'
(b)
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A'oozu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajeem |
i.e., 'I betake myself to Allah for refuge from the accursed
Satan.'
(c)
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Bismillah-i-Rah-man-
ir-Raheem. |
i.e., (I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.'
(d) I then recite the Opening Chapter of the Holy Quran (the
Fatiha),
|
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-'aalameen ar-Rahman-ir-Rahim,
Maliki yaum-id-deen, iyyakt na'-budu wa iyyaka nasta'een;
ihdinas-sirat-al-mustaqeema sirat-all-zeena an'amta
'alaihim ghairil maghdoobi 'alai-him wal-lad-dalleen.
Ameen! |
i.e., 'All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds,
the Beneficent, the Merciful, Owner of the Day of Judgment.
Thee alone we worship and Thee alone we ask for help. Show
us the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast
favoured, not (the path of) those who earn Thine anger
nor (of) those who go astray, Amen!'
(e) I immediately follow up this
by reciting some passage from the Holy Quran, which should
not consist of less than
three consecutive verses. For this purpose any one of the
small chapters may be selected, as for instance, the chapter
termed " The Unity":-
|
Qul huw-allahu Ahad,
Allahus-Samad, lam yalid wa lam yoolad,
wa lam yakum
lahoo kufuwan
ahad. |
i.e., 'Say: He is Allah, the One-Allah, the eternally
besought of all! He begets not, nor is He begotten. And
there is none comparable unto Him.'
Note:- If a small chapter be recited, it is preferable
to precede it by: " Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem,:
(f) Then saying "Allahu Akbar", I
bow down in Ruku' and say thrice:-
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Subhana Rabbiyal-Azeem |
i.e., 'How glorious is my
Lord, the Great!'
(g) I again assume the standing position, letting the hands
remain on the sides and say:
 |
Sami' Allahu liman hamidah.
Rabbana lakal-hamd. |
i.e., 'Allah has listened
to him who has praised him; Our Lord praise be to Thee.'
(h) Then saying "Allahu Akbar", I
prostrate myself and perform the Sajdah, saying thrice:-
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Subhana Rabbiyal-a'la. |
i.e., 'All glory be to my
Lord, the Most High.'
(i) I then raise myself and, sitting for a while in a reverential
posture, termed Jalsah, say once:-
 |
Allahummaghfirli
war-hamni. |
i.e., 'O Allah! forgive
me and have mercy upon me.'
(j) I then perform the second Sajdah exactly in the same
way as the first one.
This finishes one Rak'at. I then say "Allahu Akbar",
and standing erect once again, repeat
all that I had done in
the performance of the first Rak'at with the exception of
items (a) and (b), which are meant to be recited in the first
Rak'at only.
(k) After the second Rak'at's second
sajdah is over, I saying "Allahu
Akbar, "sit down in the reverential posture called, Qa'da-tul-Oola
(first sitting) or Qa'ada-tul-Akhira (last sitting) as the
case may be, and recite Tashahhud alone in the former case
:-
 |
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salwaytu wat-taiyyabatu
assalamu 'alaika ayyu-hannabiyyu wa rahma-tullahi
wa barrakatuhu assalamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibadillah-is-sali-heen,
ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allahu wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammad-dan 'abduhoo wa rasooluh. |
i.e., 'All reverence, all
worship, all sancity are due to Allah. Peace be on you
O Prophet! and Mercy of Allah
and His Blessings, Peace be on us and all the righteous
servants of Allah. I bear witness to the fact that none
is deserving of worship except Allah and I bear witness
to the fact that Muhammad is His Servant and Apostle.
(l) If more
than tow Rak'ats are to be performed,
I, Saying Allahu Akbar", stand up again, and completing one or two
Rak'ats, as the case may be, sit down in the reverential
posture called "Qa'datul-Akhira, which is also obviously
adopted if the prayer consists of two Rak'ats only. In the
reverential posture, I recite in addition to tashahhud, the
salawat,
 |
Allahumma salli 'ala sayyidina Muhammadin
wa 'ala ali say-yidina Muhammadin kam sallaita 'ala
say-yidina Ibrahima wa 'ala ali sayyidina Ibrahim
innaka Ham-dun Majeed.
Allahumma barik 'ala sayyidina Muhammadin wa 'ala ali
say-yidina Muhammadin kam barakta 'ala say-ydiina Ibrahim
wa 'ala ali sayyidina Ibrahima innaka Hami-dun Majeed. |
i.e., 'O Allah! Shower Thy
blessings on our leader Muhammad and his descendants as
Thous showeredest Thy blessings
on our leader Abraham and his descendants; verily, Thou
art the Praise-worthy, the Glorious.
'O Allah! bless our leader Muhammad and his descendents
as Thou blessedest our leader Abraham and his descendants;
verily,
Thou are the Praise-worthy, the Glorious'.
(m) I then recite the following du'a:-
 |
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman
kaseeran wa la yagh-firuz-zunooba illa anta faghfirli
maghfiratan min'indika war-hamni, innaka antal-Ghafoor-
ur-Raheem. |
i.e., 'O Allah! I have been extremely
unjust to myself and none grants forgiveness against
sins but Thou; therefore
forgive me Thou with the forgiveness that comes from Thee
and have mercy upon me. Verily, Thou art the Forgiver,
the Merciful.'
(n) I then turn my face to the right and say the salam:-
 |
Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah |
i.e., 'Peace be upon you
and mercy of Allah'. Then I turn my face to the left and
repeat the same.
Here the Prayer is completed.
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23 What should a worshipper
do if he or she unconsciously omits
any of the essentials of prayer or
suspects that he or she has performed
more than the prescribed number of
ruku's, sajdahs, rak'ats, etc.?
If a worshipper omits any of the essentials
of a prayer or suspects that he or she
has performed more than the required
number of Ruku's, Sjdahs, Rek'ats, etc.,
he or she should perform one salam after
reciting Tashahud and, making two Sajdahs,
should again recite Tashahhud, Salawat
and Du'a and complete the prayer with
the usual tow Salams. (This is called
sajdatus-Sahw)
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24 What acts nullify a prayer?
The acts that nullify one's prayer are:
- Talking
- Doing any three acts in succession
- Emission
of impure matter from the body
or annulment of Wudu in any
way.
- Drinking or eating during prayer
- Turning
the chest away from the direction
of Ka'ba.
- Committing breach of any of
the obligatory factors of a prayer
- If
the body between the navel and
the knees becomes uncovered in
the case of males, or any part
of the body
excepting the hands and the
face in the case of females.
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25 What does the term Qa'da-tul-Oala
mean?
The reverential sitting posture that
one adopts after the completion of the
two Rak'ats of a prayer, consisting of
three or four, for reciting tashahhud
is called Qa'datul-Oola
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26 What is Qa'datul-Akhira?
The final reverential sitting posture
which a worshipper assumes after the
completion of the prescribed number of
Rak'ats of any particular prayer, for
the recitation of tashahhud, salawat
and du'a is called Qa'datul Akhira.
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27 How many kinds of Prayers
are there?
There are five kinds of Prayers:
- Fard al'-ain, i.e., the compulsory
prayer that must not be missed on any
account whatsoever. This obligatory
prayer must be offered at any cost
for if one fails to do so he or she
will be liable to severe punishment.
The nature of its importance is evident
from the fact that if one denies its
obligatory nature, he or she is classed
as an unbeliever.
- Fard al-kifayah is the kind of prayer
which should preferably be offered
by all those present at the time, but
one at least out of the group must
offer it to free the others from responsibility;
for example, if any one individual
from amongst the inhabitants of a locality
where Death of a Muslim has taken place
or from those who join the funeral
procession to the cemetery offer the
'Funeral Prayer', the obligation of
all concerned is fulfilled.
- Wajib is a prayer which comes next
in rank of Fard al'ain in accordance
with the importance attached to if
by the Holy Prophet.
- Sunnat-ul-mu'akkadah is the class
of prayer which the Holy Prophet used
to offer daily without fail and has
ordered his followers to do so. One
is liable to be questioned for neglecting
to offer the same without some very
cogent reasons.
- Sunnatu ghairil-mu'akkadah is the
kind of prayer which the Prophet offered
occasionally and desired his followers
to do so.
- Nafl is a voluntary prayer and it
is commended for the uplift of one's
soul, and for the acquirement of spiritual
benefits.
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28 How may kinds of Fard
prayers are there?
There are only two kinds of Fard prayers:
- The daily obligatory
Prayers.
- The
special congregational Prayers
on Fridays.
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29 Can you name the daily
Obligatory Prayers?
Yes, the daily Obligatory Prayers are
five in number:
- Salatul-Fajr, i.e., the early morning
prayer which must be offered after
dawn and before sunrise
- Salatus-Zuhr, i.e., the early afternoon
prayer, the time time for which commences
immediately after the sun begins to
decline, and lasts till it is about
midway on its course to setting.
- Salatul-Asr, i.e., the late afternoon
prayer which must be offered sometime
after the sun is bout midway on its
course to setting, until a little before
it actually begins to set.
- Salatul-Maghrib, i.e., the evening
prayer which must be offered between
the sunset and the disappearance of
the light similar to the light at dawn,
which follows when the red glow from
the horizon in the West has vanished.
- Salatul-Isha, i.e., the night prayer
which must be offered any time after
the time for Salatul-Maghrib comes
to an end, and before the break of
dawn, but it should preferably be offered
before midnight.
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30 How many Rak'ats are compulsory
in each of the five daily Obligatory
Prayers?
The number of Rak'ats compulsory in
the five daily Obligatory Prayers are:
- Two in Salatul-Fajr (the early morning
prayer)
- Four in Salatul-Zuhr (the afternoon
prayer)
- Four in Salatul-Asr (the late afternoon
prayer)
- Three in Salatul-Maghrib (the evening
prayer)
- Four in Salatul-Isha (the night prayer)
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31 How many Rak'ats of Sunnatul-mu'akkadah
should be offered along with each of
the five daily Obligatory Prayers?
The number of Rak'ats is as follows:-
- Two before the Fard of Salatul-Fajr.
- four before and two after the Fard
of Salauz-Zuhr
- None before or after the Fard of
Salatul-Asr
- two after the Fard of Salatul-Maghrib
- Two after the Fard of Salatul-Isha
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32 When is Wajib-ul-witr
prayer to be offered?
It should be offered after the Fard
and and sunnatul-ku'akkadah of Salatul-Isha
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33 Of how many Rak'ats does
Wajib-ul-witr consist?
It consists of three Rak'ats
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34 How does it differ from
other prayers?
It differs from
other prayers in this respect, that,
in the third rak'at, before
one bows down for the performance of
Ruku, one should say "Allahu Akbar",
raising the hands unto the ears and after
placing them in the former position below
the navel, one should recite the following
du'a called du'aal-Qanoot:-
Allahumma inna nasta'eenuka wa nastaghfiruka
wa nu'minu bika wa natawakkalu 'alaika
wa nusni 'alaikal khair wa nashkuruka
wa la nakfuruka wa nakhla'u wa natruku
manyyafjuruka : Allahumma iyyaka na'bud.
we laka nusalli wa nasjudu wa ilaika
nas'aa wa nahfidu wa narggo rahmataka,
wa nakhsha 'azabaka inna 'azabaka bilkuffari
mulhiq.
i.e., 'O Allah! we beseech Thy help
and ask Thy pardon and believe in Thee
and trust in thee, and we praise Thee
in the best manner and we thank Thee
and we are not ungrateful to Thee, and
we cast off and forsake one who disobeys
Thee. O Allah! Thee alone do we serve
and to Thee do we pray and make obeisance
and to Thee do we flee and we are quick
(in doing so), and we hope for Thy mercy
and fear thy chastisement; surely thy
chastisement overtakes the unbelievers.'
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Salat-ul-Janazah (Funeral Prayers)
35 How is Salat-ul-Janazah
offered?
Salat-ul-Janazah is offered in the congregation
as follows:
- The body
of the deceased is placed in a coffin
and with its face turned
towards the ka'ba and the Imam standing
by its side with the intention (Niyyat)
of offering Salat-ul-Janazah for the
particular dead person raises both
hands up to the ears and says "Allahu
Akbar", the congregation following
his lead. The usual Niyyat for the
Salat-ul-Janazah is:
 |
Navaitu
an uwaddiya lillahi ta'ala
araba'a takbiraati salatiljana-zati,
ath-thanaau lillahi ta'ala
was-salatu lirra-sooli wad-du'au
lihazal mayyiti (lihazihil
mayyiti, in case the deceased
is a female), iqtadaitu bihaz
al-Imami mutawajjihan ila jihatil
Ka'ba-tish-Sharifah |
i.e.,
I
intend
to
offer
for
Allah,
the
Sublime,
four
takbirs
of
Funeral
Prayer,
Praise
for
Allah,
the
Sublime,
and
Blessings
(of
Allah)
for
the
Apostle
and
prayer
for
this
deceased
person;
I adopt
the
lead
of
this
Imam,
with
my
face
turned
in
the
direction
of
the
honored
Ka'ba
- The Imam and the congregation then
join their hands below the navel and
recite:-
|
Subhanak
- Allahumma
wa bihamddika wa
taba-rakasmuk wa ta'ala jadduka
wa jalla tha-nu'uka wa la
ilaha ghairuka. |
- The
Imam and the congregation then
say "Allahu Akbar", (this time without
raising their hands), and recite the
salawat.
- The
Imam and the congregation then
say Allahu Akbar", as in (2) and recite:-
(a) If the deceased hand attained the age of puberty, then
the following Du'a:-
|
Allahummaghfir
li hay-yina wa mayyatina wa shahidina
wa gha'ibina wa saghirina wa kabi-rina
wa zakarina wa unthana; Allahumma
man ahyaitahu minna fa-ahyihee 'alal
Islam, wa man tawaffaitahu minna
fatawaffahu 'alal Iman. |
i.e., 'O Allah! Pardon our living and
our dead, the present and the absent, the
young and the old, the males and the females.
O Allah! (he or she) to whom Thou accordest
life, cause him to live in the observation
of Islam, and he to whom Thou givest death,
cause him to die in the state of Iman.'
(b) If the deceased is a minor and a boy, then the following
Du'a:-
|
Allahummaj'alhu lana
fartan waj'alhu lana ajran wa zakhran
waj-'alhu lana shafi'an wa mushaffa'an |
i.e., 'O
Allah! make him our fore-runner, and make
him, for us, a reward and treasure,
and make him, for us, a pleader, and accept
his pleading.
(c) If the deceased is a minor and a girl, then the following
Du'a:-
|
Allahummaj'alha lana
fartan waj'alha lana ajran wa zukhran
waj-'alha lana shafi'atan wa mushaffa'atan. |
i.e., 'O Allah! make her our fore-runner,
and make her, for us, a reward and a treasure,
and make her, for us, a pleader and accept
her pleading.'
- Then the Imam and the congregation
say "Allahu Akbar', as in (3). then
turning their faces alone to the right
they say: "Assallamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah".
then they turn their faces (alone)
to the left and say: "Assalamu 'alaikum
wa rahmatullah'.
Back to Top
36 When should one curtail
the Obligatory Prayers?
When one is travelling with the intention
of proceeding forty eight miles or over
from the home, one should offer two Rak'ats
of Fard Prayers for those which comprise
four, and continue to do the same after
one's arrival at a destination if one
does not intent to prolong his or her
stay there for fifteen days or more.
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37 At what time is one prohibited
to offer Fard, Sunnat or Nafl prayers?
One is forbidden to offer either Fard,
Sunnat or Nafl prayers at:
- The time when the Sun is rising
- The time when the Sun is at its zenith
- the time when the Sun is setting
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38 Are there any other times
when one should not offer the Nafl
prayers?
Yes. One should not offer Nafl prayers
during:-
- The interval between the offering
of the Fard of Salatul-Fajr and the
rising of the sun.
- After the Iqamat is called for any
congregational prayer at a mosque.
- The time between the offering of
the Fard of Salatul-'Asr and the setting
of the sun.
- The time between the setting of the
sun and the offering of the Fard of
Maghrib prayers
- The time between the Imam's getting
up from his place for delivering the
Khutba, i.e., the sermon, and the completion
of Friday congregational Prayers.
- At the time of any Khutba, e.g.,
Friday, 'Id, etc.
- The time between the fajr prayer
and the 'Id prayers.
- After the 'Id prayers at the premises
where the same have been offered
- At the time of Hajj in Arafat after
the Zuhr and Asr prayers are offered
together
- The time between the Maghrib and
Isha prayers at Muzadalifa
- When there is very little time left
for offering the Fards of any of the
daily prayers
- When one feels the need to answer
a call of nature
Back to Top
Salat-ul-Jumu'a
39 What is Salat-ul-Jumu'a?
It is a congregational Prayer only and
cannot be offered alone. Consequently,
an Imam (i.e., Leader) is necessary to
lead the prayers. The Imam first of all
delivers a Khutba in tow parts consisting
of praise of Allah and Prayers of Blessings
for the Holy Prophet, and some admonition
to the congregation. He then prays to
Allah for the welfare of all Muslims.
After that he leads two rak'ats of the
Fard of Jumu'a and all other follow him,
as usual in congregational prayers.
Back to Top
40 Who should be chosen to
lead the Prayers?
The one most conversant with Islamic
theology among those present should be
requested to lead the Prayers
Back to Top
41 How is the Congregational
Prayer offered?
The Imam stands in front of the congregation
facing the direction of Ka'ba, and all
the other worshippers stand in lines
behind him and follow his lead, i.e.,
they stand when he stands, perform Ruku'
when he does it, and so on.
Back to Top
42 Should a person offering
his prayers with a congregation repeat
all the requisite recitations?
Yes, One should recite everything excepting
the Opening chapter of the Holy Quran
followed by some some other passage from
it which the Imam recites on behalf of
the congregation.
Back to Top
43 What Prayers are offered
in congregation in the daily Prayers?
Only the Fard of each Prayer is offered
in a congregation, and not Sunnat or
Nafl
Back to Top.
44 What should one do if
one misses the congregation for any
Prayer (Fard)?
If one misses congregation for
any Prayer, one should offer it alone
or, if possible, join or arrange to have
another congregation; but one misses
the congregation of Salat-ul-Jumu'a one
should offer by oneself the usual fard
of Sal;at-uz-Zuhr.
Back to Top
45 Of how may rak'ats do
the 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ud-Adha Prayers
consist?
Each one of them consist of two Rak'ats
Back to Top
46 How are those two Rak'ats
offered?
They are offered in the congregation
thus:-
- The
Imam as usual stands in front of
the congregation,
and facing
the direction of the Ka'ba and having
the
intention of offering the particular
prayers says aloud: "Allahu Akbar",
and the congregation follows
his lead.
- Then
the Imam and the congregation place
their
hands below the
navel as usual, and at short intervals
perform three "takbeers", i.e., say "Allahu
Akbar", raising the hands to the ears
and letting them remain at the sides
at the end of each "takbeer". After
the end of third "takbeer", the hands
are placed below the navel, and the
Imam recites Subhanak Allahumma, etc.," inaudibly,
followed by the audible recitation
of Suratul Fatiha (the Opening
chapter) and some other chapter
or passage form
the Holy Quran and finishes
the Rak'at in the prescribed
manner.
- In
the second Rak'at, the order
is reversed, for the recitation
of
Qur'anic passages are made first
and then the
Imam and the congregation perform
the three "takbeers" as in the first one.,
and then saying "Allahu Akbar" for
the fourth time, bow down in
the Ruku' and complete the prayer
as
usual.
- After
the prayer is over, the Imam mounts
the
pulpit
and delivers
two Khutbas or sermons. At the
time of 'Id-ul-Fitr,
the Imam explains the commandements
regarding the payment or
distribution of Sadaqat-ul-fitr an
on the
occasion of 'Id-ud-Adha, the
commandments are about the sacrifice
of animals.
Back to Top
47 What are the daily Sunnatu-ghair-il-mu'ak-kadah
Prayers?
The are :-
- Four Rak'ats before the Fard of Salatul-'Asr.
- Four Rak'ats before the Fard of Saltul-'Isha'.
Back to Top
Nafl Prayers
48 What are the various special
optional (Nafl) Prayers?
They are :-
- Salat-ul-Ishraq, which consists of
two or four Rak'ats and may
be offered after sunrise
- Salat-ud-Duha,
which consists of two to eight
Rak'ats and may be
offered any time after the Salat-ul-Ishraq
till the sun's declination.
- Salat-ul-Tahiyya-tul-Masjid,
which consists of two Rak'ats
and my be offered on entering a mosque
- Salat-ul-tahajjud,
which consists of four to twelve
Rak'ats and may
be offered after mid-night preferably
after having slept for some
time. This
prayer has been specially
recommended in the Holy Quran for attaining
spiritual progress
- Salatul-Kusufain,
which consists of two Rak'ats
and may be offered
during the eclipse of the Sun
or the Moon.
- Salat-ut-Taravih, which consists
of twenty Rak'ats and is
offered in tan Salams of two Rak'ats
each,
each
night in the month of Ramadan
only after the Obligatory 'Isha
Prayers. It is very commendable to
complete
the whole Quran by reciting
consecutive portions of it in each
of its
Rak'ats
after the recitation of Surat-ul-Fatiha,
and thus finish the whole
Quran by the end of Ramadan.
Back to Top
49 In which Rak'ats of the
prayers is the recitation of the Holy
Quran made audibly?
The recitation of Surat-ul-Fatiah and
some other chapter or passage of the
Holy Quran is made audibly in:
- The two Rak'ats of the Fard of Salatud-Fajr.
- The
first two Rak'ats of the Fard
of Salatul-Maghrib.
- The First two Rak'ats
of the Fard of Salaul-'Isha'.
- The
two Rak'ats of Salatul-Jumu'a.
- The
two Rak'ats of both 'Id Prayers.
- In
all the twenty Rak'ats of the
optional Taraveeh Prayers in the
month of Ramadan.
- In the three Rak'ats
of the Wajib-ul-Witr Prayers
in the month of Ramadan
only.
Back to Top
50 In what Rak'ats and what
Prayers is the recitation of the Holy
Quran made inaudible?
In all the Rak'ats of the Fard of Salatuz-Zuhr
and Salat 'Asr and the last one and two
Rak'ats respectively of the Saltul-Maghrib
and the Salatul-Isha. The Fatiha alone
is recited in these Rak'ats as also in
the last two Rak'ats of Saltuz-Zuhr and
Salatul-Asr.
Back to Top
51 What Prayers should be
offered in congregation?
The Prayers that should be offered in
congregation are :-
- All Fards of the five Obligatory
Prayers
- The Fard of Salatul-Jumu'a
- Both the
'Id Prayers
- Salatut-Taraveeh in the
month of ramadan
- Wajib-ul-Witr in
the month of Ramadan only
- Funeral
Prayer
- Salatul-Kausuf
Back to Top
52 Could you provide information
related to ID Prayers ?
ID Prayers (Salatul
'Idain)
'Id prayer is a strongly recommended
and important tradition in Islam and
the Prophet (peace be upon him) never
neglected it. He is reported to have
ordered the men, women and children to
proceed to the 'Id prayer ground.
Even menstruating women are encouraged to go to the 'Id ground
but they should keep away from the actual place of prayer.
SELF PREPARATION FOR 'ID PRAYER
It is highly
recommended to have ablution
(Islamically correct bath or ghusl) and
to use the most beautiful dresses and
the best perfumes one can obtain. The
Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do
so. There is also a tradition that one
should eat something, preferably dates,
before going tot he 'Id ul Fitr prayer
and to eat nothing before the 'Id ul
Adha prayer.
Time:
The time for 'Id ul Adha is when the
sun has risen two meters (7ft.) above
the horizon and the time for 'Id ul Fitr
is while the sun has risen to three meters
(10 ft.) above the horizon. 'Id prayers
cannot be said after midday.
Place:
It is better to hold 'Id prayers in
an open place for ground if there is
no obstacle like rain or bad weather.
The Prophet never performed 'Id prayers
in the mosque except one due to rain.
No Adhan, No Iqamah:
There is neither Adhan nor Iqama for
'Id prayers.
Performance of 'Id Prayers: 'Id prayer consists of two Rak'a with
twelve takbeers, (Allahu Akbar), seven
in the first rak'a and five in the second.
In the first Rak'a just after takbeeratul
Iharm, say seven takbeeras lifting your
hands with each takbeera and after finishing
seven Takbeeras go on with prayer in
the usual way (reading al Fatiha and
surah aloud). In the beginning of the
second Rak'a say five Takbeeras in the
usual way. There is no special Dhikr
between takbeeras - you can say Subhanalla
Walhamdu Lillahi wa Laa Ilaha Illallahu
Wallahu Akbar.
Khutba:
After performing the Salat, the Imam
must deliver khutba just like jum'a khutba.
But Imam Nawwai and some other scholars
say that the khutba of 'Id is not broken
up into two parts and a period of sitting
in between
Returning:
On returning from the salat, it is recommended
to take a different route than that which
was taken to the prayer.
Takbir:
It is strongly recommended to repeat
in a loud voice (a)Allahu akbar, on the
way to the salat and while waiting for
the imam; (b) to repeat Allahu Akbar,
Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa allahu, wa
Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi-I-hamd after
every congregational prayer starting
from the fajr, (dawn prayer) on the day
of Arafat (ninth day of Zhul Hijja),
to the 'asr (afternoon prayer) on the
last of the Days of Tashriq (the thirteenth
day of Dhul Hijja). For the Pilgrims,
the starting time is the dhur, (noon
prayer) of the Day of Nahr (tenth of
Dhul Hijja).
It is clear that this takbir applies only to 'Id ul Adha while
the first applies to both.
Zakatul Fitr:
Zakatul Fitr is obligatory for every
Muslim man and woman, adult and child.
It should be distributed before the prayer
of 'Id. Every person, having savings
beyond his own and his family's feeding
for one day and night should give for
himself and everyone he looks after.
Zakatul Fitr is meant to purify the fasting
(saum) and to keep everybody in society
happy and pleasant - rich and poor equally
- so that nobody should go hungry on
that day. Thus, it presents a magnificent
example of comprehensive social justice
in Islam.
Sacrificial
Slaughter (Udhhiya)
Udhhiya or sacrificial slaughter on
'Id ul Ahda is a strongly recommended
tradition. It reflects the fact that
the Muslim is being a committed, obedient
servant of Allah is always ready to sacrifice
anything, even his life, in Allah's way.
Udhhiya is a imitation and remembrance
of the great sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim
submitted to God by attempting to sacrifice
his own son, Isma'il, to fulfil the command
of Allah Almighty.
The following are essentials of sacrifice:
- Allah's name (Bismillahi Allahu Akbar)
must be said while slaughtering.
- Udhiya
cannot be slaughtered before
'Id prayer. It should be done immediately
after prayers or in the three
days
after 'Id: Dhul hajj 11,
12,
13.
- Udhhiya can be a goat, sheep, cow,
bull, buffalo, or camel of
either sex. Pregnant female animals
should
not
be slaughtered. Seven persons
can share in the last named four
animals.
- The
meat of the slaughtered animal
should be divided into three parts.
It is essential to give one
third
as gift to the poor and the needy.
One
third should be given to
friends and relatives and one third
kept
to oneself.
- For one who intends to make
the sacrificial slaughter it
is sunnah not to share
his hair or clip his nails
after Dhul Hajj moon is sighted, until
the time
of slaughter. (Sahih Muslim)
Enjoyment in 'Id Days:
Islam urges us to enjoy life with every
lawful means of enjoyment. Especially
on 'Id days the Islamic spirit of enjoyment
and brotherhood becomes manifest. Thus
Islam nourishes the spiritual aspirations
of mankind along with is physical abilities.
On these days everyone should be happy with his wife, his children,
his Muslim brothers and sisters. Show mutual concern by exchanging
gifts, smiling on the face of each other and expressing sincere
love and affection to show the bondage of real brotherhood which
stems from the belief in Allah. All Muslims should cherish brotherly
feeling in their hearts towards each other, avoid talking behind
each other's backs, avoid blaming one another and avoid causing
disruption in the Muslim community. These are days when we should
glorify the symbols of Allah and observe His signs to have piety
in our hearts.
Back to Top
53 How to prepare the Deceased
and perform Janazah Prayers?
Preparation of the Deceased
and Janazah Prayers
There are five main points for the preparation
of a Muslim's body for burial; we present
briefly the procedure involved in each
of them:
(I) Body
Washing or "Ghusl"
Washing the deceased's body is obligatory on Muslims; it is a
Fard Kafaya,
i.e., if
some members take the responsibility of doing it the need is
fulfilled, but if on one fulfills it
then all Muslims will be accountable. Washing can be carried
out in the following way:
- A man's body should be washed by
men and a women's by women,
but a child's body may be washed by
either
sex. A
husband can wash his wife's
body and vice-versa if the need arises.
- Only
one person is needed for washing
with someone to help him.
- It is better
to choose for this the person
who knows best how to perform
ghusl.
- Place the body on a high
place, e.g., a table or something
similar.
- Remove the deceased's clothes
(garments) leaving the private
parts covered.
- Press the stomach gently
and clean whatever comes out.
- For
washing use a piece of cloth
or your hands.
- Only clean water my be used;
add some scented oils (non alcoholic)
in the final wash. It is preferable
to
use warm water.
- Perform ablution
(wudu) for the body, cleaning
the teeth and nose from
outside only.
- Wash three times, but
if the body in not yet cleaned,
continue washing
five or seven times - it
must be odd numbers.
Turn the body on its left side
and begin washing the right
side. Then turn it on its right
side
to wash the left side.
This is done in each wash. The first and second washes
are done with water and soap,
while the last one with water
and scent.
- Hair should be unbraided, washed
and combed, For women it
may again be braided in three braids.
- Dry
the body with clean cloth or
towel.
- Add
some perfume on the head, forehead,
nose, hands, knees, eyes,
armpits, and place perfumed cotton
on
the front and rear openings.
(II) Wrapping (Kafan)
- It must be a clean piece of cloth
(preferably white) to cover
the whole body.
- Add some perfume to the
kafan (non-alcoholic).
- Do not use
silk cloth for men.
- Use three pieces
for men and five for women, [but
each one must cover
the whole body.]
- Tie the front
and the rear with a piece of
cloth (from the same kafan)
in such a way that one can
differentiate the head from the legs.
(III) Prayers (Salat)
- It is better that those praying divide
themselves into three rows
facing the qibla with the Imam in front.
- Put
the body (or bodies) in front
of the Imam.
- The Imam should stand by the
middle of the body if the deceased
is
a man and by the shoulder if
she is a woman.
- If there are more than one
one body, then they should be
but one in
front of the other, those of
the men nearest
to the Imam and those of
the women farthest from him.
- Having the
appropriate neeyat in your heart,
raise your hands in
the usual manner and say, Allahu
Akbar.
- Then fold and hold your hands
on your breast in the usual manner,
the right hand on the left.
- Read al
Fatiha quietly.
- Say Allahu Akbar without
raising the hands.
- Pray for the Prophet
in the same way as you do in
tashahud.
- Say
Allahu Akbar (don't raise your
hands).
- Make
du'a for the deceased.
- Say Allahu
Akbar (don't raise your hands).
- Make
du'a for the Muslims.
- Say Assalaamu
'Alaikum, thus finishing the
prayer.
It is clear from this description that
all this prayer is done while one is
standing - there is no ruku or sujud
in it.
(IV) Funeral
- Procession:
Mourners should walk in front or
beside the bier. Those
who are riding or driving should
follow it.
- Silence is recommended.
- It is absolutely
forbidden to accompany the body
with music or crying.
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