Very Beautiful Hadith and Forgiveness in Islam

This is truly a beautiful hadith. Very touching.  Many non Muslims think our religion is too hard and that we view Allah as only to be feared. Wheras, in reality Islam combines an equal amount of Love, Fear, and Hope.  We are only humans so inevitably we will make mistakes and sin from time to time. Often, we tend to despair when we commit a sin. But Alhamdullilah, our forgiveness is only a prayer away. We don’t need any intercessors. We don’t have to pray to anyone else. We have a direct link. Mash’Allah what a beautiful religion…….a beautiful Way of Life!

On the authority of Anas, who said: I heard the messenger of Allah say:

Allah the Almighty has said: “O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as its.”

 To receive forgiveness from God there are three requirements:

1. Recognizing the offense itself and its admission before God.
2. Making a commitment not to repeat the offense.
3. Asking for forgiveness from God.

If the offense was committed against another human being, or against society, a fourth condition is added:

1. Recognizing the offense before those against whom offense was committed and before God.
2. Committing oneself not to repeat the offense.
3. Doing whatever needs to be done to rectify the offense (within reason) and asking pardon of the offended party.
4. Asking God for forgiveness.

There are no particular words to say for asking forgiveness. However, Muslims are taught many phrases and words to keep repeating daily asking God’s forgiveness. For example:

• Astaghfiru-Allah, “I ask forgiveness from Allah”
• Subhanaka-Allah humma wa bi hamdika wa ash-hadu al la Ilaha illa Anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk, “Glory be to You, Allah, and with You Praise (thanks) and I bear witness that there is no deity but You, I ask Your forgiveness and I return to You (in obedience)”.

Islamic teaching presents the prophet Muhammad as an example of someone who would forgive others for their ignorance, even those who might have once considered themselves to be his enemies. One example of Muhammad’s practice of forgiveness can be found in the Hadith, the body of early Islamic literature about the life of Muhammad. This account is as follows:
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Ta’if to preach the message of Allah, its people mistreated him, abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Ta’if because of their sin of maltreating their Prophet. Muhammad (may peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to save the people of Ta’if, because what they did was out of their ignorance.

The Doors of Repentance
by Imâm al-Madîna al-Munawarrah ‘Alî Abd-ur-Rahmân al-Hudhaifî


Allaah says:
 ”Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allaah belong all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by worshipping Allaah(Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words i.e. and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by by good deeds), but those who plot evils, -theirs will be a severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish.” (Faatir 35:10).

He also says: “And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation.” (Ghaafir 40:60). 

Humbleness to and love for Allaah can only be actualised through worshipping Allaah in all aspects. Among the major acts of worship isrepentance. Even the greatest repentance which is the highest and the most compulsory act of worship is repentance from disbelief. Allaah says regarding what Prophet Hood as told his people:
 ”And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strenght to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah).” (Hood 11:52) 

Allaah also stressed while inviting the unbelievers unto repentance:
 ”If they then repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful torment in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And there is none for them on earth as a Wali (supporter, protector) or a helper.” (At-Tawbah 9:74) 

Repentance from all sins is obligatory on every adult Muslim. This is emphasized by Allaah is His saying: “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (An-Noor 24:31) The meaning of ‘ Tawbah’ is to turn back to Allaah by abandoning all major and minor sins and to repent to Allaah from all known and unknown sins. Al-Agharr Al-Muzanee narrated that the Messenger of Allaah saws said:
 “O people! Repent to Allaah and seek for His forgiveness. I repent to Him in a day 100 times.” (Reported by Muslim).

A sincere repentance according to the scholars has conditions:

1. To discontinue the sin.

2. To regret over its occurrence.

3. To determine never to go back to that sin again.

4. To give back the right to whom it is due if the sin involves a man.

The Prophet saws has also informed us that repentance can be done any time during the day or night. Aboo Moosaa Al-Ash‘aree narrated that the Prophet saws said:
 “Allaah holds out His Hand during the night to receive the repentance of the one who has committed wrong during the day and holds outs His Hand during the day to receive the repentance of the one who has committed wrong during the night.” (Muslim)

Indeed, Allaah is very happy when any of His slaves repents. If he responds to the call of his Lord and repents, he will have a prosperous life in this world and the good rewards in the hereafter. If he however does not repent, Allaah will punish him for his sins and He is not unjust with anyone.
Be aware also dear brother, that, among the logical reasons behind Allaah’s love for His slaves’s repentance is that one of His attributes is ‘At-Tawwaab’ (the One who accepts repentance). It indicates that Allaah accepts the repentance even if it is done repeatedly. And this attribute necessitates the existence of a sinner who repents from his sins so that Allaah will accept his repentance and forgive him. All other beautiful names of Allaah are like that. Each name demonstrates a great attribute of Allaah that the name contains and each of Allaah’s Beautiful Names necessitates the appearance of its signs on the universe.
Another reason behind His love for His slave’s repentance is that Allaah Himself is the Benefactor, Master of Infinite Goodness; whoever obeys Him through repentance He will be kind to him and reward him in this world and the next and whoever neglects repentance, Allaah will be kind to him in this world and will punish him in the hereafter for his evil deeds; for your Lord is not unjust towards His slaves.
Further, it is alright to repent from some sins though one will be held responsible for sins that are not repented from.
Dear Muslims! Door of repentance is open to all and sundry until the sun rises from the west. It is then that the door of repentance will be closed and faith will be of no avail to a soul which has not believed before. Safwaan ‘Assaal narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allaah saws saying:
 “Allaah opened a door west side for seventy years for the purpose of repentance, it will not be closed until the sun will rises from the west.” (At-Tirmidhee)

Allaah has also promised the best reward and good abode for the repentant when He says
 : “(The believers whose Allaah has purchased are) those who repent to Allaah (from polytheism and hypocrisy, etc.), who worship Him, who praise Him, who fast (or go out in Allaah’s cause), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (people) for Al-Ma‘ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all what Islam has ordained) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and who observe the limits set by Allah (do all that Allah has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden). and give glad tidings to the believers.” (At-Tawbah 9:112) 

To emphasize Allaah’s love for the repentance of His servant, the Prophet saws said:
 “Allaah is happier when a servant of His repents to Him than a man who was on his camel in a waterless desert and the camel escaped from him with his food and water. When he has lost hope of finding it, he retired to a tree and lied down under its shade. As he was there, the camel suddenly appeared in front of him. He took hold of its halter and said in his state of excessive joy: ‘O my Lord You are my servant and I am Your Lord’. He uttered this erronious statement as a result of his being over-joyed.”(Muslim)

Fellow Muslims! Repentance is an act of worship done by the Prophets, Messengers and pious people. Allaah says:
 “Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajirun (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to A-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition, etc.), after the hearts of a party or them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful.” (At-Tawbah 9:117) 

Muslim as a matter of necessity needs repentance every second of his life; he needs it after performing righteous deeds or after perpetrating forbidden acts. The Almighty says:
 “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, tahat He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” (Hood 11:3) 

Brothers in faith! Fear Allaah that you may attain His Pleasure and Paradise and be saved from His wrath and punishment. Allaah says:
 “ But as for him who repented (from polytheism and sins, etc.), believed (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad), and did righteous deeds (in the life or this world), then he will be among those who are successful.” (Qasas 28:67) 

The Prophet saws also said:
 “Indeed, Allaah accepts the repentance of man as long as he hasnt started gargling (i.e. dying).”

Hasten to repentance and be consistent on that after every good deeds and bad ones. Allaah says:
 “And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped. And follow the best of that which is sent downto you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not.” (Az-Zumar 39:54-55). 

Beware or wishful thinking that is caused by Satan and delusions of this finite world for, death can come suddenly. Some are indeed denied repentance by their unprepared ness for death and there are others who are lucky enough to repent sincerely before their death hence they are admitted among the righteous people by their Lord.

The Fiqh of Friday Prayer

The Fiqh of Friday Prayer

Edited from: Heavenly Ornaments, by Imam Ashraf Ali al-Tahanawi

Allah Most High does not like anything more than prayer.

It is for this reason that we do not find such great emphasis for any other form of worship in the pure Shariah. It is for this reason that Allah Most High has specified this worship five times daily as a form of gratitude for His endless bounties. These bounties which commence from birth right until death - in fact they continue after death and commence even before birth.

Since Friday has been accorded the most amount of merits as opposed to other days, so much so that the father of all mankind Hadrat Adam (peace be upon him) was created on this day, a special prayer was therefore ordered for this day. We have already mentioned the benefits and wisdom of congregation.

It has also been made clear that the bigger the congregation the more those benefits will become apparent. This will only be possible if the people of all the different areas and the residents of that place get together and offer their prayer collectively. This would have been extremely difficult if it were to be done five times daily. Because of all this, the Shariah has specified such a day in the week in which the people of all the different residential areas and villages can get together and fulfill this worship.

Since Friday is the most virtuous and noble of days, this worship has been specified for this day. Allah Most High had also specified this day as a day of worship for the previous nations. But because of their bad-luck, they disputed and differed with regards to it. The result of this dispute was that they were deprived of this great bounty and this ummah has been favoured with this bounty. The Jews set aside Saturday on the basis that Allah Most High had completed creating the entire creation on this day. The Christians set aside Sunday thinking that this is the day when Allah Most High commenced with the creation. Because of this, both these groups make numerous arrangements on both these days - leaving all work on these days and spending it in worship. It is because of this that all the offices are closed on Sundays in Christian countries.

The Virtues of Friday

1. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Hadrat Adam (peace be upon him) was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into Paradise, it was on this day that he was removed from Paradise (which became the cause for man's existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day." (Sahih Muslim)
    
2. It is related from Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him) that he said that in certain aspects the rank of the night of Friday is even higher than Laylatul Qadr. One of the reasons for this is that it was on this night that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) appeared in the womb of his mother. The Messenger of Allah's (Allah bless him and give him peace) appearance in this world was a cause of so much good and blessings both in this world and in the hereafter that they cannot be enumerated. (Ash'atul Lama'aat)
    
3. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted." (Bukhari, Muslim)
   The ulama have differed in specifying that hour which has been mentioned in the Hadith. Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi (Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned 40 different opinions in his book Sharh Sifrus Sa'adah. However, from among all these opinions he has given preference to two opinions:
    
   1. That time is from the commencement of the khutbah till the end of the prayer, 
   2. That time is towards the end of the day.  
   3. A big group of ulama have given preference to this second opinion and there are many Hadiths which support this opinion. Shaykh Dehlawi (Allah have mercy on him) says that this narration is correct that Hadrat Fatimah (Allah be pleased with her) used to order her maid on Fridays to inform her when the day is about to end so that she could occupy herself in making zikr and duas. (Ash'atul Lama'aat)
       
4. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant blessings upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day." The Companions (Allah be pleased with them) asked: "O the Messenger of Allah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?" The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied: "Allah Most High has made the earth forbidden upon the prophets forever." (Abu Dawud)
    
5. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "The word witnesses refers to Friday. There is no day more virtuous than Friday. There is such an hour in this day that no Muslim will make dua in it except that his dua will be accepted. And he does not seek protection from anything except that Allah Most High will grant him protection." (Tirmidhi) The word "shahid" appears in Surah Burooj. Allah Most High has taken an oath of that day. He says in the Quran:
   "By the sky in which there are constellations. By the promised day (of judgement). By the day that witnesses [Friday], and the day that is witnessed [day of Arafah]."
    
6. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "Friday is the best of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah Most High. In the sight of Allah Most High it has more greatness than Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Ad'haa." (Ibn Majah)
    
7. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "The Muslim who passes away on the night or during the day of Friday, Allah Most High saves him from the punishment of the grave." (Tirmidhi)
    
8. Once Hadrat Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) recited the following verse:"This day, I have completed your Deen for you." A Jew was sitting near him. On hearing this verse being recited he remarked: "If this verse was revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day as a day of eid." Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) replied: "This verse was revealed on two eids, i.e. on the day of Friday and the day of arafah." In other words, what is the need for us to make that day into a day of eid when it was already a day of two eids?
    
9. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to say that the night of Friday is a lustrous night, and the day of Friday is a lustrous day.(Mishkaat)
    
10. After Resurrection, Allah Most High will send those who deserve paradise into paradise, and those who deserve hell into hell. The days that we have in this world will also be there. Although there will be no day and night, Allah Most High will show us the extent of days and nights and also the number of hours. So when Friday will come and that hour when the people used to go for Friday will approach, a person will call out saying: "O dwellers of Paradise! Go into the jungles of abundance, the length and breadth of which are not known to anyone besides Allah Most High. There will be mounds of musk which will be as high as the skies. The prophets (peace be upon them) will be made to sit on towers of light, and the believers on chairs of sapphires. Once everyone is seated in their respective places, Allah Most High will send a breeze which will carry that musk. That breeze will carry the musk and apply it to their clothing, faces and hair. That breeze will know how to apply that musk even better than that woman who is given all the different perfumes of the world. Allah Most High will then order the carriers of His throne to go and place His throne among all these people. He will then address them saying: "O my servants who have brought faith in the unseen despite not seeing Me, who have attested My Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), and who have obeyed My laws! Ask Me whatever you wish for. This day is the day of giving abundantly." they will all exclaim in one voice: "O Allah! We are pleased with You, You also be pleased with us." Allah Most High will reply: "O dwellers of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you all, I would not have kept you in My Paradise. Ask for something because this is the day of giving in abundance." they will all say in one voice: "O Allah! Show us Your beauty, that we may be able to look at Your noble being with our very eyes." Allah Most High will lift the veil and will become apparent to these people and His beauty will engulf them from all sides. If this order was not given from before hand that the people of paradise will never get burnt, without doubt they would not have endured the heat of this light and they would all have got burnt. He will then ask them to go back to their respective places. Their beauty and attractiveness will double through the effects of that Real beauty. These people will then go to their wives. They will not be able to see their wives nor will their wives be able to see them. After a little while, the nur which was concealing them will be removed and they will now be able to see each other. Their wives will tell them that how is it that you do not have the same appearance which you had left with? That is, your appearance is a thousand times better now. They will reply that the reason for this is that the noble being of Allah Most High was made apparent to us and we saw His beauty with our very eyes. (Sharh Sifrus - Sa'aadah) See what a great bounty they received on the day of Friday.
     
11. Every afternoon, the heat of hell is increased. However, through the blessings of Friday, this will not be done on Fridays. (Ihya' `Ulum al-Din)
12. On one Friday, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "O Muslims! Allah Most High has made this day a day of eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak."(Ibn Majah)

The Adab of Friday

1. Every Muslim should make preparations for Friday from Thursday. After the asr prayer of Thursday, he should make a lot of istighfaar. He should clean his clothes and keep them ready. If he does not have any perfume in his house, then if it is possible he should try and obtain some and keep it ready so that he will not get distracted with these things on Friday. The pious people of the past have stated that the person to receive the most benefit on Friday will be that person who waits for it and who makes preparations for it from Thursday. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Friday will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is. Some pious people used to go and stay in the congregational mosque from the night of Friday in order to make full preparations for the following day. (Ihya' `Ulum al-Din, vol. 1, page 161)
    
2. On the day of Friday, ghusl should be made and the hair of the head and the rest of the body should be thoroughly washed. It is also very virtuous to use the miswaak on this day.
    
3. After making ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and if possible he should also apply some perfume. He should also clip his nails.
    
4. He should try and go very early to the congregational mosque. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "On the day of Friday, the angels stand at the entrance of that mosque in which Friday prayer is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the mosque first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah, the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah." (Bukhari and Muslim)
   In olden times, the roads and alleys used to be extremely busy in the mornings and at fajr time. All the people used to go so early to the congregational mosque and there used to be such a large crowd that it used to look like the days of eid. Later, when this habit was given up, people began saying that this is the first innovation in Islam. After writing this, Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) says: "Aren't the Muslims ashamed of themselves that the Jews and Christians go so early in the morning to their synagogues and churches on Saturdays and Sundays. Those who are businessmen go so early to the bazaars in order to do their buying and selling. Why don't the Muslims do the same?" the reality of the situation is that the Muslims have totally reduced the value of this blessed day. They do not even know what day this is, and what a high status it has. How sad it is that the day which was more valuable than eid in the eyes of Muslims of the past, which the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was proud of and the day which was not granted to the previous nations has become so dishonoured at the hands of Muslims today and it is such a great ingratitude to the favour of Allah Most High that the consequence of all this can be seen with our very eyes."
    
5. By going walking for the Friday prayer, one gets the reward of fasting for one year for every step that he takes. (Tirmidhi)
    
6. On Fridays, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to recite Surah Alif Laam Meem Prostration and Surah Hal Ataa, in the fajr prayer. These Surahs should therefore be occasionally recited in the fajr prayer on Fridays. Occasionally, they should be left out so that people do not regard their recitation as necessary.
7. For the Friday prayer, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to recite the following Surahs: al-Friday and al-Munaafiqun, or al-A'la and al-Ghaashiyah.
8. There is a lot of reward in reciting Surah Kahf either before the Friday prayer or after it. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the person who recites Surah Kahf on Fridays, a nur will appear for him from below the arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the day of resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven." (Sharh Sifrus-Sa'aadah) the ulama have written that this Hadith refers to minor sins because major sins are not forgiven without making taubah.
9. There is more reward in reciting blessings on Fridays than on other days. It has been mentioned in the Hadith that blessings should be recited abundantly on Fridays.

The Virtues and Importance of Friday Prayer
Friday prayer is personally obligatory. It has been established from the Quran, Hadith and the consensus of the ummah. It is one of the most salient features of Islam. The person who rejects Friday prayer is a kaafir. The one who misses it without any valid excuse is a faasiq.

1. Allah Most High says in the Quran:
   "O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah Most High and leave all transactions. This is best for you if only you know."
   In this verse, "remembrance" refers to the Friday prayer and khutbah. "Hasten" means that one should go with great concern and care.
    
2. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the mosque, when he arrives at the mosque he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many nafl prayers as possible, when the imam delivers the khutbah he remains silent - then his sins from the previous Friday till now will be forgiven." (Bukhari)
    
3. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the person who has a bath on Friday and goes early to the mosque on foot, and not by a vehicle, listens to the khutbah and does not do any foolish act while it is being delivered, will get the reward of one year's worship, one year's fasting, and one year's prayer; for every step that he takes." (Tirmidhi)
    
4. Hadrat Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with them) a narrate that they heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying: "People should abstain from leaving out Friday prayer. If not, Allah Most High will put a seal over their hearts whereby they will fall into severe negligence." (Muslim)
    
5. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the person who misses out three Friday's without any valid reason, Allah Most High puts a seal over his heart." (Tirmidhi) In another narration it is mentioned that Allah Most High becomes displeased with him.
    
6. Taariq bin Shihaab (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the Friday prayer with congregation is a duty which is necessary for every Muslim with the exception of the following four persons: (i) a slave, that is the one who is owned by someone according to the rules laid down by the Shariah, (ii) a woman, (iii) an immature boy, (iv) a sick person." (Abu Dawud)
    
7. Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said the following in regard to those who leave out Friday: "It is my earnest desire that I appoint someone as imam in my place while I go and burn the homes of those who do not attend the Friday prayer." (Muslim) A similar Hadith has also been related with regard to leaving out congregation. We have mentioned this Hadith previously.
    
8. Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "the person who leaves out Friday prayer without a valid reason is written down as a hypocrite in a book that is absolutely protected from any changes and modifications." (Mishkaat) In other words, he will be labeled as a hypocrite forever. However, if he repents or Allah forgives him solely out of His mercy, then this is another matter.
    
9. Hadrat Jaabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "Friday prayer becomes obligatory on the person who believes in Allah Most High and the last day, except for the sick, musafir, woman, child, and a slave. If a person occupies himself in something unnecessary, or in some transaction, Allah Most High also turns away from him and does not worry about him and Allah is worthy of all praise." (Mishkaat) In other words, He is not affected by anyone's worship nor does He benefit in any way. His essence and being will remain the same irrespective of whether anyone praises Him and worships Him or not.
    
10. Hadrat Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) says that the person who leaves out several Friday prayers consecutively has in fact turned away from Islam. (Ash'atul Lama'aat)
     
11. A person asked Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) regarding a person who passed away and who should not join the Friday and congregation prayers: "What do you have to say regarding such a person?" He replied: "That person is in hell." This person continued asking him this question for a full month and he gave him the same reply. (Ihya' `Ulum al-Din)

Even by merely glancing at these Hadiths, one can come to the conclusion that the Shariah has laid great stress on Friday prayer and that severe warnings have been given to the one who leaves out Friday. Can a person who claims to be a Muslim still have the audacity of leaving out this fard duty?

The Method of Offering Friday Prayer

After the first adhan of Friday and before the second adhan, four rakats of sunnah prayer should be offered. This sunnah is confirmed sunnah (sunna mu'akkada). After the khutbah, two rakats fard Friday prayer should be offered with the imam. Thereafter, four rakats sunnah should be offered. These are also a confirmed sunnah (sunna mu'akkada). Thereafter, another two rakats should be offered. According to some ulama these two rakats are also confirmed sunnah (sunna mu'akkada).

Prerequisites which make Friday Prayer Necessary

1. To be a muqeem. Friday prayer is not necessary for a musafir.
    
2. To be sound and healthy. Friday is not necessary for a person who is sick. That sickness which prevents a person from going to the congregational mosque on foot will be considered. If a person is very weak due to old-age, is unable to go to the mosque or is blind, then all these people will fall under the category of the sick and Friday prayer will not be necessary for them.
    
3. To be a free person. Friday prayer is not necessary for a slave.
    
4. To be a male. Friday prayer is not necessary for a female.
    
5. To be free from those excuses which allow one from leaving out the congregation. These have been mentioned previously. If any of these excuses are found, Friday prayer will not be necessary. Examples: (i) It is raining very heavily. (ii) One is taking care of a sick person. (iii) By going to the mosque there is a fear of a certain enemy. (iv) the prerequisites which we mentioned in order for prayer to be necessary are also considered here. That is, to be sane, mature, and to be a Muslim.

All these prerequisites which have been mentioned make Friday prayer necessary. If any of these prerequisites are not found in a person and he still offers Friday prayer, then his prayer will be valid. That is, the duty of offering Zuhr prayer will fall off. For example, a certain musafir or woman offers Friday prayer.

Prerequisites for the Friday Prayer to be Valid

1. The place has to be a city or town. Friday prayer is not valid in a village or jungle. However, Friday will be valid in a village if its population is equal to that of a town. For example, if there is a population of three to four thousand, Friday prayer will be valid.
    
2. It has to be at the time of Zuhr. Friday prayer is not valid before Zuhr time or after the expiry of Zuhr. So much so, that if the Zuhr time expires while Friday prayer is being offered, then that prayer will become invalid even if the last sitting equal to the tashahhud has been completed. It is for this reason that qada is not made for Friday prayer.
    
3. The khutbah has to be delivered. That is, to face the people and remind them of Allah Most High even if it means merely saying Sub'haanallah or Alhamdo lillah. However, it is makruh to suffice with this alone because it is contrary to the sunnah.
    
4. The khutbah has to be before the prayer. If the khutbah is delivered after the prayer, the prayer will not be valid. 
5. The khutbah has to be delivered within the time of Zuhr. If the khutbah is delivered before the time of Zuhr, the prayer will not be valid.
    
6. Congregation. That is, there has to be at least three persons apart from the imam who are present from the beginning of the khutbah till the prostration of the first rakaat. This is irrespective of whether those who were present for the khutbah are different from those who are present for the prayer. But this is on the condition that these three persons are such that they are eligible for imamate. Therefore, if there are only women or immature children, the prayer will not be valid.
    
7. If the people go away before the prostration and less than three persons remain or no one remains, the prayer will become invalid. However, if they go after the prostration, the prayer will not be invalid.
    
8. To offer Friday prayer openly and with full permission. It will not be permissible to offer Friday prayer in any private and secluded place. If Friday prayer is offered at such a place where the general public is not allowed to come or the doors of the mosque are closed at the time of Friday, the prayer will not be valid.
   If a person offers Friday prayer despite any of the above-mentioned prerequisites not being met, his prayer will not be valid. He will have to offer Zuhr prayer. Since this prayer of his will become a nafl prayer, and since nafl prayer is not offered with such preparations, in such a case it will be prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to offer Friday prayer.

Rules for the Friday Khutbah

1. Once all the people have gathered together, the imam should sit on the minbar and the mu'azzin should call out the adhaan in front of him. Immediately after the adhan, the imam should stand up and deliver the khutbah.
    
2. Twelve things are sunnah in the khutbah:
    
   1. the person delivering the khutbah should be standing, 
   2. Two khutbahs should be delivered,  
   3. He must sit in between both the khutbahs to such an extent that Sub'haanallah could be recited three times,  
   4. He must be pure from major ritual impurity (hadath akbar) and minor ritual impurity (hadath asghar), 
   5. While delivering the khutbah, he must face the people, 
   6. He must recite A'udhu billahi minash shaytaanir rajeem in his heart before commencing with the khutbah, 
   7. He must deliver the khutbah in such a way that all the people can hear his voice,  
   8. the subject matter of the khutbah must comprise of the following eight things:
       
      1. gratitude to Allah Most High, 
      2. praise to Allah Most High, 
      3. testifying the Oneness of Allah Most High and the prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), 
      4. salutations to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace),
      5. admonition and advice,  
      6. recitation of verses or a Surah from the Quran,  
      7. to repeat all these things in the second khutbah as well, 
      8. to make dua for the Muslims instead of giving advice and admonition in the second khutbah. This was a list of the subject matter.  
      We will now go back to those factors which are sunnah for the khutbah itself.
   9. the khutbah should not be too lengthy. Instead, it should be shorter than the prayer. 
   10. To deliver the khutbah from the minbar. If there is no minbar, one should stand up by taking support from a staff or rod. To take support from a staff or rod or to place one hand over the other while one is on the minbar, which is the habit of some people; has not been reported. 
   11. Both the khutbahs have to be in Arabic. To deliver the khutbah in any other language or to add any poetry or idioms of another language as is prevalent today at some places is contrary to confirmed sunnah (sunna mu'akkada) and is in fact prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman). 
   12. Those listening to the khutbah should face the qiblah.
       In the second khutbah it is recommended (mustahabb) to make dua for the Messenger of Allah's (Allah bless him and give him peace) family, companions, wives, and specifically for the khulafaa-e-raashidin and Hadrat Hamzah and Abbas (Allah be pleased with them). It is also permissible to make dua for the leader of the Islamic state. But it is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to praise him for things which are not true. 
3. Once the imam stands up to deliver the khutbah, it is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to offer any prayer or to speak with each other. However, it is permissible for the saahib-e-tarteeb to offer his qada prayer at that time. In fact, it is necessary for him to offer his qada prayer. As long as the imam does not complete his khutbah, all these things will be prohibited.
    
4. Once the khutbah commences, it is necessary for all those present to listen to the khutbah. This is irrespective of whether they are sitting near the imam or far away from him. It is also prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to do such a thing which will distract one from listening. Just as eating, drinking, talking, walking, making salaam, answering to a salaam, reading some tasbeeh, showing someone a masa'ala of the Shariah is prohibited while one is in prayer, it is also prohibited while the khutbah is being delivered. However, it is permissible for the one who is delivering the khutbah to show a issue of the Shariah while he is delivering his khutbah.
    
5. If the khutbah commences while one is offering one's prayer, it is better to complete it if it is confirmed sunnah (sunna mu'akkada). If it is a nafl prayer, one should make salaam after two rakaats.
    
6. It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) for the muqtadis as well as the imam to raise their hands and make dua in-between the two khutbahs when the imam is sitting. However, it is permissible to make dua in one's heart without raising one's hands as long as one does not say anything with one's tongue - neither silently nor loudly.
   Nothing has been related from the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his companions with regard to delivering khutbahs on the last Friday of Ramadan which contain matters related to the departure of Ramadan. Nor is there any mention of this in the books of Islamic jurisprudence. In doing so, there is the danger of the masses thinking that this is necessary. It is therefore a bid'ah. Note: these days undue attention is given to this sort of khutbahs. If anyone does not deliver such khutbahs, he is accused and mocked at. Special preparations are made in listening to such khutbahs. 
7. It is permissible to deliver a khutbah while looking into a book.
    
8. If the Messenger of Allah's (Allah bless him and give him peace) name is mentioned in the khutbah, it is permissible for the muqtadis to send blessings to him in their hearts.

The Friday Khutbah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)

By quoting the Friday khutbah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) it is not intended that people should start restricting themselves to this khutbah. This khutbah should be delivered occasionally as a source of barakah and with the intention of following the sunnah. It was the habit of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) that once all the people had gathered, he used to enter the mosque and make salaam to all those present. Hadrat Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) used to call out the adhaan. On the completion of the adhaan, he used to immediately stand up and deliver his khutbah. Until the minbar was not constructed, he used to take support from a staff. Occasionally, he used to place the staff against a pillar which was near the prayer niche (mihrab) from where he used to deliver his khutbah, and then lean against it. After the construction of the minbar, there is no evidence that he used to take support from a staff.
He used to deliver two khutbahs and sit down for a little while in-between the two khutbahs. When sitting down, he did not engage in any conversation nor should he make any dua. On completing the second khutbah, Hadrat Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) used to call out the iqaamah and the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to commence the prayer.
While delivering the khutbah, the Messenger of Allah's (Allah bless him and give him peace) voice used to get loud and his blessed eyes used to get red. It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim that when the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to deliver the khutbah his condition used to be as if he is warning the people of an invasion of an enemy that is very nearby. In most of the khutbahs he used to say: "Resurrection and I have been sent just as these two fingers are!" And he used to join his middle and forefinger together. ....
A Sahabi says that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to recite Surah Qaaf very regularly in his khutbahs so much so that I learnt Surah Qaaf merely by listening to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) reciting it on the minbar. At times he used to recite Surah al-Asr, ...

Rules Related to Friday Prayer

1. It is preferable that the person who delivers the khutbah also performs the prayer. However, it is permissible for someone else to perform the prayer.
    
2. It is sunnah to call out the iqaamah and commence with the prayer immediately after the completion of the khutbah. It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to engage in any worldly activity between the khutbah and the prayer. If there is a very lengthy gap between the khutbah and the prayer, it will be necessary to repeat the khutbah. However, if the delay is caused because of a Deeni reason, e.g. To show someone a issue, or the wudu of the imam broke and he went to make wudu, or after delivering the khutbah he realized that he had to have a bath, so he went to have a bath - in all these cases it will not be makruh nor will it be necessary to repeat the khutbah.
    
3. Friday prayer should be offered with the following intention: "I intend offering two rakaats fard of Friday prayer."
    
4. It is preferable for all the people to get together and offer Friday prayer in one mosque. However, it is permissible for the people of one place to offer their Friday prayer in several mosques.
    
5. If a person joins the prayer in the last sitting at the time of reciting the at-tahiyyaat or after prostration-e-sahw, his joining the congregation will be correct and he will have to complete his Friday prayer. He will not have to offer Zuhr prayer.
    
6. Some people offer Zuhr prayer after the Friday prayer as a precaution. Since the belief of the masses has become corrupted in this regard, they should be strictly stopped from this. However, if a knowledgeable person wishes to offer the Zuhr prayer due to some doubt, he should do so without letting anyone come to know of it.

All about Jummah prayer

All about Jummu’ah (Friday Prayer) The Essentials! Salat al-Jumu’ah is a congregational prayer performed on Friday and which replaces the Dhuhr prayer. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Friday prayer’. It consists of a sermon (khutba) given by the imam after which he will lead the people in 2 rakahs. Upon whom salatul Jumu’ah is obligatory Salatul Jumu’ah is an obligation upon every free, adult, sane, resident Muslim man who has the ability to attend the salah and does not have a valid excuse to miss it. Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning: “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 they but knew!” (Surah Al-Juma, 62:9) It can be found from the sunnah, that the Prophet Muhammad (sa) explained that it is not fard for the women to go jummuah and are therefore excluded from the ayat above. Salatul Jumu’ah, is not obligatory on the following: Women and children The person who is ill and faces hardship if he goes to the mosque, or who fears that his illness will be increased by going to the mosque For the traveller, even if he is staying at a certain place during the time of the beginning of salatul Jumu’ah, it is not obligatory One who is in debt and cannot repay his debt and therefore fears that he will be imprisoned, and one who fears that he will be harmed by an oppressive ruler Environmental restraints like rain, mud, extreme cold, and so on. All of these people are not obliged to pray the Friday salah although they are obliged to pray the Dhuhr. Should one of them pray salatul Jumu’ah, it will still be valid for them and will no longer be obliged to pray the Dhuhr. I thought women are not allowed to attend the Masjid? Even though women are not obliged to perform Jumu’ah, however it is important to note that the women during the time of the Prophet (sa) attended the mosque and used to pray al-Jumu’ah with him! There is not a single verse in the Qur’an, which prohibits ladies from entering mosques. There is not a single authentic Hadith which I am aware of which states that the Prophet (pbuh) prevented or forbade women from going to mosques; rather the opposite: The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque of Allah.’ [Sahih Muslim] “If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her.” (Sahih Bukhari) There is only one Hadith, which perhaps could have been misunderstood to mean that women should not go to the mosque. That Hadith is as follows: Abdullah Bin Mas’ud reported the Prophet (pbuh) as saying: It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house. [Sunan Abu Dawood] The Prophet (pbuh) said that if a person prays in the mosque he gets 27 times more blessings (Sawab). Some women argued that they had infants at home and other household work and therefore could not go to the mosque. Thus, the men would have a greater advantage than women for receiving such blessings. It is then that the Prophet (pbuh) said the above Hadith.  So although it is better for women to pray at home - they still can however attend the masjid if they wish to after taking the following factors into consideration: Not apply perfume The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who has put on bukhoor (incense, fragrance) should not attend this ‘Isha’ prayer with us.” (Reported by Muslim, 675). To be dressed appropriately Sahih Bukhari Book 8 #347. Narrated Umm Atiyya: We were ordered to bring out our menstruating women and screened women to the religious gatherings and invocation of the Muslims on the two Eid festivals. These menstruating women were to keep away from the musalla. A woman asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What about one who does not have a Jilbab*?”. He said, “Let her borrow the Jilbab of her companion”. Allah says (in the interpretation of the meaning): “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms.” [24:31] *Jilbab is a loose outer garment / clothing which covers the woman from head to toe only showing the face and hands (nb.some scholars are of the opinion that even the face should be covered), the Hijab should drape down over the bosoms. The Jilbab should not show the shape of the woman’s body and nor be see through, etc. Merits of Friday Aus ibn Aus reports that the Prophet 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.” [This is related by the five, except for at-Tirmizhi.] The Messenger of Allah said while talking about the merits of Friday, “There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he or she is performing prayer and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he or she is supplicating for.” And the Prophet indicated with his hand that this period of time is very short. [Bukhari & Muslim] Allah said: “O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on the day of Friday,  come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you but knew! Then when the prayer is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much, thatyou may be successful.” [62:9-10] The Prophet said, “The five daily prayers and Friday  prayer to the next Friday prayer, and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” [Muslim] Reward for Performing prayers in congregation The Messenger of Allah (sa) said, “Prayer in congregation is superior to praying individually twenty-seven times.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The Messenger of Allah (sa) said, “Whoever leaves his home in a state of purity to perform obligatory prayer, his reward is like that of a pilgrim (while) in the state of ihram [i.e. he receives reward similar to that of spending time in ihram during Hajj].” [Abu Dawud, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani] Sunnah prayers before the Jummuah? (1) PERFORM 2 RAKAATS SUNNAH PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE MASJID CALLED Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) said, “When anyone of you enters the mosque, he should perform two Rak`ah (of voluntary prayer) before sitting.” [Bukhari and Muslim]. Even if you come to Jumu’ah late, and the imam is giving the khutbah still pray those 2 rakaats for the mosque (make them quick). The only time you do not read them is if you come really late and the imam has started to read the Jumu’ah - as the fard (obligatory) takes precedence over the sunnah (voluntary). Jabir reports that a man came to the mosque on Jumu’ah while the Prophet was delivering the khutbah. The Prophet inquired of him: “Did you offer the salah?” The man replied: “No!” He told him: “Pray two rak’at.” [This is related by the group.] In another narration it states, the Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “If one of you comes to the mosque on the day of Jumu’ah and the imam is delivering the khutbah, he should pray two rak’at and make them quick.” This is related by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud. (2) NO SPECIFIC NUMBER OF SUNNAH PRESCRIBED Concerning any other sunnah prayer before the Friday salah, Ibn Taimiyyah writes: The Prophet (sa) never offered any salah after the athan and before the Friday salah, and no one has ever related such an act from him. Also we have no evidence to show that the Prophet (sa) prayed any sunnahs in his house before going out to the mosque on Friday. He did not specify any time for any salah before the Friday salah. What he did do is encourage those going early to the mosque on Friday to engage themselves in prayer: Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Whoever makes ghusl on the day of Jumu’ah and then goes to the mosque and prays what has been prescribed for him, and remains quiet while the imam delivers the khutbah, and then prays with the imam, he will have forgiven for him what is between that Jumu’ah and the next and an additional three days.” [Muslim]. When the Prophet’s companions would reach the mosque on Friday, they would pray whatever amount was easy for them. Some of them prayed ten rak’at and some prayed twelve and some only eight and others less than that. For this reason most of the scholars are of the opinion that there is no sunnah prayer with a specified number of rak’ah or time, before Jumu’ah, for there is nothing either in the actions or statements of the Prophet to support or confirm it. It is forbidden to speak during the khutbah The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that it is obligatory to be silent during the khutbah, and one is not to indulge in conversation during the khutbah, not even if it is to order one to do some good or to stop some evil, even to return a salaam. Ibn ‘Abbas reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Whoever speaks in Jumu’ah while the imam is delivering the khutbah is like a donkey who is carrying books, and for those who tell him to be quiet, there is no [reward] for the Jumu’ah.” [This is related by Ahmad, ibn abi-Shaibah, al-Bazzar, and at-Tabarani. Ibn Hajar said in Bulugh alMaram: "There is no fault in its chain."] Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet (sa) said: “If, during the Jumu’ah while the imam is delivering khutbah, you tell your companion to be quiet, then you have spoken needlessly.” [Related by the group, save Ibn Majah.] Abu ad-Darda’ says: “The Prophet was upon the pulpit and was addressing the people and he recited a verse, and next to me was Ubayy ibn-Ka’b and I asked him: When was that verse revealed?’ He refused to talk to me until the Messenger of Allah came down from the pulpit and then he said to me: ‘You have nothing from your Jumu’ah, except your useless talk.’ When the Prophet had finished, I went to him and informed him of what had happened, and he said: ‘Ubayy has told the truth. If you hear your imam speaking, be quiet until he is finished.”’ [Ahmad and at-Tabarani.] Indulging in conversation when the khutbah is not being delivered, is permissible i.e. before or after the khutbah. Straightening the Rows! Abu Mas`ud reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) used to gently pat our shoulders when we were standing in rows at the time of Salat and say, “Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from each other lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those of you who are mature and prudent be nearer to me, and then those who are next to them.” [Muslim] Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (sa) said, “Straighten your rows for I see you from behind my back.” Anas added, “Everyone of us used to put his shoulder with the shoulder of his companion and his foot with the foot of his companion.” [Bukhari] Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) said: Straighten your rows for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer. [Muslim] Narrated By Abdullah ibn Umar : The Prophet (sa) said: “Arrange the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be accommodating to your brothers, and do not leave gaps for Satan. Whoever joins up a row, he will be joined to Allah (i.e., to the Mercy of Allah); and whoever cuts off a row, he will be cut off from Allah (i.e., from His Mercy).” [Abu Dawud] When it is time for prayer in congregation, it is from the sunnah for the people to stand together in straight lines and keep close i.e. shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot; not keeping big gaps between one another. Praying in congregation is all about unity and we are all part of one ummah regardless to race, nationality, rich or poor, powerful or weak - all standing next to each other in obedience to Allah. NB: If when praying, you try to lesson the gap between you and your companion and they edge away, understand there is nothing you can do, don’t go crazy trying to get close to them - just do what is in your ability. It is obligatory to follow the imam and forbidden to precede him When praying in congregation, the people following the imam must do exactly that ‘follow’ the imam, do not do your actions before him, do them slightly after him. Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “The imam is selected to be followed; therefore, do not differ with him. When he makes the takbir, make the takbir, when he goes into ruku’, make ruku’. When he says ‘Allah hears him who praises Him (Sami’A-l-lahu Liman hamida),’ say ‘O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs the Praise (Rabbana wa-laka-l hamd).’ When he goes into sajdah, make sajdah. If he prays sitting, then all should be sitting.” [This is related by the group.] In the version by Ahmad and Abu Dawud, the wording is “the imam is to be followed. If he makes the takbir, make the takbir, and do not make the takbir until he does so. When he goes into ruku’, make ruku’, and do not perform ruku’ until he does so. When he goes into sajdah, make sajdah, and do not make sajdah until he does so.” Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Do you not fear that if you raise your head before the imam Allah may change your head into that of a donkey!” [This is related by the group.] So this is serious, so do not rush before the imam. Sunnah prayers after the Jummuah `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I performed along with the Prophet (sa) two Rak`ah (Sunnah prayer) after the Jumu’ah prayer. [Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) said, “If anyone of you performs the Friday prayer, he should perform four Rak`ah (Sunnah) after it.” [Muslim]. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sa) would not perform any Salat (in the mosque) after the Friday prayer till he had returned to his house. He would then perform two Rak`ah there. [Muslim]. Imam An-Nawawi Commentary: In one Hadith, there is mention of four Rak`ah, while in the other it is mentioned as two Rak`ah. It can be deduced that both of these are acceptable. `Ulama’ are of the opinion that one who performs them in the mosque, should perform four Rak`ah; whereas the one performing them at home, should perform two Rak`ah. It is better to perform the four Rak’ah in sets of twos as the Prophet (sa) is reported to have said, “Perform the Nawafil of the day and night in twos.” [Bukhari] The reward for performing voluntary prayers at home The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Superiority of a man’s prayer in his home over his prayer when people see him is like the superiority of an obligatory prayer over a voluntary one.” [al-Bayhaqi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] Negligence in regards to the Friday Prayer (for men) Abu al-Ja’d ad-Damari reports that the Prophet said: “Whoever misses three Friday prayers in a row out of negligence will have a seal put over his heart by Allah.” [Muwatta] Sources: http://adly.net/fiqh-us-sunnah/www.adly.net/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah/fus2_38.h

A very touching story of Famous Islamic Scholar of Hadith who was an Alcoholic.

A very touching story of Famous Islamic Scholar of Hadith who was an Alcoholic. Story of how Allah(swt) changed his life completely from an alcoholic to a scholar.

The true understanding of intellect and knowledge....

The true understanding of intellect and knowledge....

Any intellect which does not have three things is overpowered by lust:

1. To give preference to obedience (to Allah Most High) over disobedience.

2. To give preference to knowledge over ignorance.

3. To give preference to Islam over this world.

Any knowledge that does not have three things is even worse:

1. Abstaining from harm by severing desire.

2. Presence of deeds with fear.

3. Meting out justice through generosity and mercy.

An intellect that is overpowered by lust is an intellect that deludes the person. It causes him to look at evil as being something good and vise versa.

No one has been embellished with anything better than intellect. And no one has worn a garment more beautiful than knowledge. This is because Allah Most High can only be truly recognized through the intellect. And He can only be truly obeyed through knowledge.

The great Tabai'i Urwa bin Zubayr (may Allah has mercy on him) said: "The best thing that the servants are given in this world is intellect, and the best thing they are given in the hereafter is the pleasure of Allah Most High." [Imam Harith al Muhasibi]