Self Assessment of your prayer

By Ibn Il-Qayyim (d.751H) who said,

"And mankind, with regard to their performance of prayer are in five levels:

The First: The level of the one who is negligent and wrongs his soul. He is the one who falls short in performing ablution properly, performing the prayer upon its time and within its specified limits, and in fulfilling its essential pillars.

The Second: The one who guards his prayers upon their proper times and within their specified limits, fulfils their essential pillars and performs his ablution with care. However, his striving (in achieving the above) is wasted due to whisperings in his prayer so he is taken away by thoughts and ideas.

The Third: The one who guards his prayers within the specified limits, fulfils their essential pillars and strives with himself to repel the whisperings, thoughts and ideas. He is busy struggling against his enemy (shaytaan) so that he does not steal from the prayer. On account of this he is engaged in (both) prayer and jihaad.

The Fourth: The one who stands for the prayer, completes and perfects its due rights, its essential pillars, performs it within its specified limits and his heart becomes engrossed in safeguarding its rights and specified limits, so that nothing is wasted from it. His whole concern is directed towards its establishment, its completion and perfection, as it should be. His heart is immersed in the prayer and in enslavement to his Lord, the Exalted.

The Fifth: The one who stands for the prayer like the one mentioned above. However, on top of this, he has taken and placed his heart in front of his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, looking towards Him with his heart with anticipation, (his heart) filled with His love and His might, as if he sees and witnesses Allaah. The whisperings, thoughts and ideas have vanished and the coverings which are between him and his Lord are raised. What is between this person and others with respect to the prayer, is superior and greater than what is between the heavens and the earth. This person is busy with his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, delighted with Him.

The first type will be punished,

the second type will be held to account,

the third will have his sins and shortcomings expiated,

the fourth will be rewarded,

and the fifth will be close to his Lord, because he will receive the portion of one who makes his prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye.

Whoever makes the prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye, will have the nearness to his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, made the delight and pleasure of his eye in the hereafter. He will also be made a pleasure to the eye in this world since whoever makes Allaah the pleasure of his eye in this world, every other eye will become delighted and pleased with him."

Source: Al-Waabilus- Sayyib pp.23-24.
From: The Path to Guidance, trans. by Amjad Rafiq

Pray as you have seen me praying

The Prophet's Prayer Described by Shaikh Naasir-ud-Deen Al Albaani, answers all or most questions related to prayer. It is a compilation of the hadith (and their explanations) about prayer. It describes the prayer of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihi wa salaam) step by step with evidences, and refutations of weak hadith. It also gives explanations on various innovations in prayer and shows why they are not to be followed.

A key element of Muslim life is the obligatory, ritual prayer. These prayers are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. Prayer in Islam, is the worship of Allah the Almighty, Praising and Thanking Him, acknowledging His Sovereignty and committing oneself to obey and remember Him at all times. It is the central part of a way of life, which is based on submission to the Owner of all and the Lord of the world.

Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) says in the Quran:
“…..And establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt…..” (Quran, 29:45)

The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wa salaam) said to:
...Pray as you have seen me praying.. (Sahih Bukhari Book 1 Vol 1, Hadith 604)
and with the information found in this book we can do just that.

Some Prayer issues from the book:

Obligation for a Sutra (Barrier)

He (sallallaahu a'laihi wa salaam) used to say: "Do not pray except towards a sutra, and do not let anyone pass in front of you, but if someone continues (to try to pass) then fight him, for he has a companion (ie. a shaytaan) with him" (Ibn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh (1/93/1) with a sound Isnad)

Placing Hands on the chest

"He used to place the right arm on the back of his left palm, wrist and forearm (Abu Dawood, Nasaai & Ibn Khuzaimah (1/54/2) ) "and he commanded his companions to do likewise" (Maalik, Bukhari & Abu Awaanah), and (sometimes) "he would grasp his left arm with his right" (Nasaai and Daaraqutni)

"He used to place them on his chest" (Abu Dawood, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ahmad & Abu Shaikh)

Going down in Sajdah on the hands

"He used to place his hands on the ground before his knees." (Ibn Khuzaimah (1/76/1), Daaraqutni & Haakim)

He used to instruct likewise, saying, 'When one of you performs sajdah, he should not kneel like a camel, but should place his hands before his knees" (Abu Dawood, Tammaam, Nasaai)

This book is pretty descriptive of the Prophet's prayer from start to finish and is recommended for every Muslim's bookshelf. It is available online at OnlineIslamicStore

Etiquettes of Jumuah

After reading on 'the truth will set you free blog' about a sisters experience at Jumuah with persons gossiping and chatting during the Khutbah, I decided to post some information about the etiquettes and importance of Jumuah. I found the article below on the internet and modified it slightly, I am not sure who the original writer is but it seemes to have come from a khutbah, may it be a reminder for us all InshaAllah.

al-Jumu’ah or Friday is obviously a significant day for Muslims, but do we (as Muslims) know why it’s significant and do we show this day the respect it deserves? In reality, many of us don’t know much about it, except that it’s a day when we gather for salaat al-Jumu’ah/the Friday prayer.

As for the significance and importance of this day, Allaah(SWT) created the Prophet Adam (AS) on this day, the verse in which we are informed that Allaah perfected our religion for us was revealed on a Friday, and the day of Resurrection will occur on a Friday. We learn of these facts and of the importance and significance of this day from authentic ahaadeeth of the prophet (SAW).

Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The most virtuous of your days is Jumu`ah. On that day, Adam was created and on that day he died, (on that day) the horn will be blown and the people will be dumbfounded! Increase your prayers upon me as your prayers upon me will be presented to me” The people said: “O Messenger of Allah, how will our prayers be presented to you when you have passed away?” He said: “Allah has prohibited the earth from eating the bodies of the Prophets”. (Ahmad, Abu Daawood, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan & Al-Haakim)

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) also said: “It was Friday from which Allah diverted those who were before us. For the Jews (the day set aside for prayer) was Saturday, and for the Christians it was Sunday. In this order they (Jews and Christians) would come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last (of the nations) among the people in this world and the first among the creatures to be judged on the Day of Resurrection”. (Muslim)

It was the practice of our beloved prophet (SAW) to honor this day and hold it in high esteem by performing certain acts of worship on it either in abundance or on it specifically.

It is preferred to pray for Allah’s blessings on the prophet (SAW) in abundance during the day and night of Jumu`ah as the Prophet (SAW) said: “Make many prayers upon me during the day of Friday and the night of Friday” (Al-Bayhaqi).

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) is reported to have said: "People should not neglect Friday Prayers under any circumstances, otherwise their hearts will be sealed, (the will be deprived of Divine Guidance); they will become one with those who are forgetful (of Religion)." (Muslim)

One should take extra care to clean and purify oneself for saying Friday prayers. Islam lays a great deal of emphasis on bathing and adorning oneself for the day which is full of blessing and auspiciousness.

Abu Sa'eed (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:"It is binding upon every one who has attained maturity that he should take a bath (ghusl) on Friday. He should use the siwaak (tooth-stick) and perfume if it is available." (Bukhari)

Salman (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "An individual who bathes on Fridays, performs ablution, oils (grooms his hair), and scents himself, then goes to the mosque in the noon, without disturbing two persons already sitting in the line, offers the prescribed prayer, and listens to the khutba (sermons of the Khatib) attentively, shall have all the sins he may have committed between this Friday and the pervious one pardoned." (Bukhari)

So we should adorn ourselves before going to the Friday prayer, but what do we do once we get to the Masjid? Well, instead of chatting and gossiping, one should keep himself occupied with the remembrance of Allah, supplication, and recitation until the Imaam begins his khutbah. But when the Imam starts his khutbah, one must be completely silent.

Listening to the Khutbah is obligatory, and one should not disturb or talk to others while the Imam is delivering the khutbah. Even saying As-Salamu-Alaikum is not allowed when the khutbah is being delivered.

Allah’s prophet (SAW) said: “When the Imaam is delivering the Khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then, no doubt you have done an evil act”. (Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Maalik, and Abu Daawood)

It is recommended to recite certain surahs/chapters of the Quran on Friday. “The reciter of Surat al-Kahf on Jumu`ah will be blessed with a light that will rise from underneath his feet to the peak of the sky. This will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven for what is between this Jumu`ah (and the next) Jumu`ah” (Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak, Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan, and Ad-Daarami in his Musnad).

The messenger of Allah (SAW) also used to recite Surat al-Jumu`ah and al-Munaafiqoon or al-Ghaashiyah and al-A`la during the Jumu`ah prayer. (Muslim, Tirmithi, and Ibn Maajah)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A man who performs ghusl on Friday, perfumes himself if he has perfume, wears form the best of his clothes, then goes to the mosque covered with calmness until he reaches the mosque, and offers two rak’ahs of prayer if he wishes, and does not harm/disturb anybody, and then listens quietly while the Imaam speaks until he offers the prayer, all his sins between that Friday and the next Friday will be forgiven”(Ahmad)

There are other matters regarding Friday that many of us may be unaware of. The blazing fire is kindled to intensify its heat everyday, except on Friday. On Friday, there is a spell of time when Allah gives to a Muslim servant whatever he asks for. This is reported in the two Saheeh books of hadeeth. Giving Sadaqah (charity) on that day is preferred to giving it on any other day. In paradise, the believers will see Allah and visit Him on Friday. It is the best day which Allah has chosen from the days of the week, just as he has chosen Ramadan as the best of the months and Laylat al Qadr (the night of decree) as the best of the nights and Muhammad as the best of His creatures.

My dear brothers & sisters; as much as we all know Friday is important, it is sad to see that many of us fail to realize that and don’t give Friday the attention it deserves. Some people even try to find excuses to not go to Friday prayer.

And here in the Quran, Allah (SWT) tells us:"O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew!" (al-jumu'a 2-)

So, if you are working, you must make arrangements with your employer and take extra time off so that you can make it to prayer. Note that you should not expect a freebie from your employer. Let them know why you need the extra time off and even offer to make it up. If they give you the extra time without asking you to make that time up, then Alhamdulillaah that is a bonus. But you should not expect it for free.

We should make the extra effort to supplicate to Allaah more abundantly on this day, particularly after ‘Asr and before Maghrib prayer. Teach your kids and show them that it is a special day.

I hope this serves as a reminder for all of us to spend Friday as our beloved Prophet (SAW) used to spend it. Do not make it an empty ritual like some may have with their holy days. Instead, let us utilize it a in a way that it serves as a tool for expiating our sins.

I ask Allah (SWT) to help us so that we may thank Him for the blessings and favors He has bestowed on us, remember Him, and worship Him in the best way. I ask Allah to forgive all of us for our mistakes and our sins. (ameen)

NB: It should be noted that it is not obligatory for women to attend the Jumuah prayer, but if we do we should follow all the proper etiquettes, and we should not wear perfume based on the following hadith:

Zainab, the wife of Abdullah (b. 'Umar), reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to us: When any one of you comes to the mosque, she should not apply perfume. (Sahih Muslim, The Book of Prayer #893)

Dr. Mashooq balances business and worship

Dr. Mashooq balances business and worship