Category: Salah(Prayer)


The benefits and importance of Istikhara

Filed under: Salah(Prayer) — 11 Comments
June 13, 2013

Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,

I would like to share with you a hadith about Salat-al-Istikhara. This prayer is an extremely important volunteer prayer and it was a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) to do this when he needed Allah(SWT) to guide him towards an action. As an example, my friend used to do Istikhara when he was choosing between classes for college. He told me that whenever he did Istikhara for certain classes the end result was always blessed because he would find out later about the other class option and find that his class was much more suited for him. SubhanAllah.

Here is a hadith about how to go about his prayer:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah : The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara (Istikharameans to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): — ‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-‘azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’ (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)–Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need.  (Sahih Bukhari).

 

We have to realize that there may be options in life that we may want but Allah(SWT) knows that the other option is better for us. So it is better to take council with Allah(SWT) then just take a random choice and mess up something.

As Allah(SWT) says, ” . . .But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”( Surah Baqrah 2:216).

Also what should be mentioned is that the Fuqaha(Jurist) say that if the result is not clear it is recommended to do this up to 7 times. Do not just thing you do this once and it is like a magic 8 ball that tells you what to do. The point of this is to get inclination towards an option.

So insh’Allah we all take this knowledge and actually use it to our advantage. Insha’Allah Allah(SWT) will forgive us, guide us, protect us, and give us all Jannah-al-Firdaus.

 

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The Benefits and Importance of Tahajjud

Filed under: Salah(Prayer) — 45 Comments
February 23, 2013

Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,

I would like to share with you some narrations and even an ayat from the Quran to talk to you about the blessings, importance, and benefits of tahajjud prayer( the night prayer). Even though this is not a mandatory prayer, this is the prayer, after the fard(mandatory), as regarded with the highest standard. I know it is hard to wake up for tahajjud and I am guilty of myself for not trying to wake up for tahajjud as much as I should. This prayer is so special and so magnificent that once you read the Quran ayat and all the hadiths that Insha’Allah we will all try to incorporate this prayer in our lives.

Here is the Quran ayat about praying in the night:

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Surah Isra, 17:78-79).

Here are some hadiths about tahajjud:

Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Our Lord Descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: `Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?”[ Bukhari and Muslim.]

Abdullah ibn `Amr reports that the Prophet (saws) said: “The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of (Prophet) Dawood (a.s.). And the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of (Prophet) Dawood (a.s.). He (Prophet Dawood (a.s.)) would sleep half of the night and then pray during the next third of the night and then sleep during the last sixth of the night.And he would fast one day and not fast the next.”[ Bukhari and Muslim.]

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.”[Muslim]

Abd Allah ibn Salam (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “O people! Spread the salams, feed others, maintain family ties, and pray at night when others sleep and you will enter Heaven safely.”[Tirmidhi, Hakim]

Narrated Al-Mughira: The Prophet(SAW) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.” [Bukahri]

Narrated Salim’s father: In the life-time of the Prophet(SAW) whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allah’s Apostle(SAW). I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) I was a grown up boy and used to sleep in the Mosque in the life-time of the Prophet. I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying, “I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire.” Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa who told it to Allah’s Apostle(SAW). The Prophet(SAW) said, “Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that ‘Abdullah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night.  [Bukhari]

Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle(SAW) used to offer eleven Rakat and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakat (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer.  [Bukhari]

As you can see there are an enormous amount of blessings and the great importance to this prayer. Insha’Allah we all turn back to Allah(SWT) and ask for forgiveness, guidance, protection, and Junnah-al-Firdaus.

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One thing in your life that will truly make you a Muslim believer if implemented.

Filed under: Salah(Prayer) — Leave a comment
February 1, 2013

Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,

I would like to share with you the one thing, narrated by the Prophet(SAW), that differentiates the Muslim’s from anyone else: The 5 Prayer’s(Salah).

It may seem difficult to pray 5 times a day but this is our duty and responsibility as a slave and servant of God and it is a sign of being a true believer.

Allah(SWT) says in the Quran: “The believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil, and they establish Salah, and give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them, and surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 71)

Even the Prophet(SAW) emphasised that the Salah is what defines us as a Muslim.

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the abandonment of Salat (prayer).‘‘[Muslim]

Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.”[At-Tirmidhi]

Shaqiq bin `Abdullah reported: The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not consider the abandonment of any action as disbelief except neglecting Salat.[At-Tirmidhi]

Let us all strive to establish our fundamentals and foundations with the Prayer(Salah) and Insha’Allah we ask Allah(SWT) for guidance, protection, forgiveness, and Junnah-al-Firdaus.

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The importance of Salah(Prayer)

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January 30, 2013

Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,

I would like to share with you the importance of one of the most fundamental concepts of Islam: Salah(Prayer).

Salah is extremely important when it comes to being a true Muslim. It provides a gateway towards spiritual enlightenment, contentedness, and peace.

In the Quran it states, “Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”(Surah Baqarah, 2:238).

Allah(SWT) commands us to guard strictly to our prayers, and the Prophet(SAW) clarifies the reasoning behind it by stating how it will be the first thing that will be asked of us on the Day of Judgement.

Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer, Allah will say to His angels (even though he already knows) : “Look at my servants prayers. Were they complete or not?” If they were complete It will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah will say: “See if my servant has voluntary prayers, If he has them Allah will say: Complete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers.” Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner.” (Reported by Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nisa’i, and Al-Hakim)

Insha’Allah we all turn back to Allah(SWT) and hold tight to our prayers and perform them with true conviction. Do not let this world trap you from something that is a great blessing to have. Insha’Allah we all ask for Allah(SWT) to guide us, protect us, forgive us, and grant us Junnah-al-Firdaus.

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