The HOly Qur'an

# Posté le lundi 09 novembre 2009 07:05

People 0N The Day Of Judgement

PEOPLE ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT


All of the events related so far begin with hearing a previously unrecognized sound at an unexpected time. All people who had thought until that moment that everything would remain unchanged and undamaged will be proven wrong.

Everything that takes place just before the trumpet sounds is no different from the day before. Earth is revolving at the same pace, the Sun is illuminating our planet, life goes on, and many people continue to live according to their habitual routines without wondering why and by whom they were created and what end they will meet. People will be thinking about the meal to be served that night, focusing on an upcoming business meeting, shopping, or sleeping, and many will be denying Allah's existence when they hear this sound. Everything will begin and end in one instant.

Their bodies, which people think of as strong and brag about, will be unexpectedly gripped by death from all sides. Their only concern will be for survival. Out of sheer terror, people will cease to care about the things that they so valued, craved, and took risks for while alive.



All of this fear, terror, and shock results from their living in ignorance. The Day's unbearable hardship will never cease to pursue the unbelievers. Each unfolding event will increase their panic and terror, and each passing moment will bring fresh suffering and peril. The awesome events they encounter will demonstrate Allah's majesty, Whom they had denied until then. Humanity, who will be utterly weak and helpless in the face of this power, will be able to do nothing but feel remorse, helplessness, and fear. As the seconds pass, their realization of the frightening punishment that Allah has prepared for them in the Hereafter will only increase. During these frightening minutes, they will encounter only a fraction of the suffering awaiting them. The Qur'an recounts this fear in some detail.

People's Fear


Allah tells people that although they passionately cling to the worldly life, their passion will not benefit them in the Hereafter. All of the things that they value, hold dear, and take risks for will bring nothing but loss if they were not done to win Allah's good pleasure. Every worldly attraction has been created as a test for humanity. The true life is in the Hereafter as the Qur'an reveals:

To mankind the love of worldly appetites is painted in glowing colors: women and children, heaped-up mounds of gold and silver, horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile farmland. All of that is merely the enjoyment of the life of this world. The best homecoming is in the presence of Allah. (Surah Al 'Imran, 14)

People desperately desire the worldly attractions mentioned in the verses, and can spend their entire lives pursuing them. The Qur'an says the following about the worldly life:

Know that the life of this world is merely a game and a diversion, and ostentation and a cause of boasting among yourselves, and trying to outdo one another in wealth and children: like the plant-growth after rain, which delights the cultivators, but then it withers and you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes broken stubble. In the Hereafter, there is terrible punishment but also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion. (Surat al-Hadid, 20)



For some, one of life's biggest ambitions is to show off one's wealth, sons and daughters, and other valuables. One of the most highly prized possessions is children. This is true for all societies and is pointed out specifically in the Qur'an. The desire to have children is learned at a young age. Children are simultaneously a cause for unnecessary competition between people as well as a source of reassurance for their future.

Another ambition is the craving for property and wealth. As we know, people's aims, plans and efforts center around these ambitions. The craving for money and wealth clouds people's vision, moral values lose their importance, and materialism becomes the defining factor for their character. The Qur'an's morality, together with its commands and prohibitions, lose their precedence; amassing wealth becomes a goal itself, and personal gain becomes preeminent in relationships.

On the Day of Judgment, however, everything will be reversed. People will forget all about what they used to value, for now they will realize that the objects of their desires have no more meaning. Their values will alter in moments, for wealth and children will have no value and parental emotions will lose their meaning. In the face of this Day's terror, they will forget their most loved people: their children. No one will remember his or her children, much less inquiring about their well-being. In every way, this will be a very hard Day for the unbelievers.

On the Day, the sky is like molten brass and the mountains like tufts of colored wool. No good friend will ask about his friend, even though they can see each other. An evildoer will wish that he could ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by means of his sons, his wife, his brother, or his family who sheltered him or everyone else on Earth, if that only meant that he could save himself. (Surat al-Ma'arij, 8-14)

The Day when Heaven is split apart in clouds, and the angels are sent down rank upon rank. The Kingdom that Day will belong in truth to the All-Merciful. It will be a hard Day for the unbelievers. (Surat al-Furqan, 25-26)

Families will desert infants, and people will be confused as to what to do. The fear will strike so suddenly and forcefully that pregnant women will miscarry and mothers will forget about their breast-feeding children:

On the day they see it, every nursing woman will be oblivious of the baby at her breast, and every pregnant woman will abort the contents of her womb... (Surat al-Hajj, 2)

All people who rejected the appeals to believe and so became oblivious to their only true friend and creator, Allah, will want to avoid one another. They will be so preoccupied with themselves, that friendship, lineage, and family bonds will cease to exist:

The Day a man will flee from his brother and his mother and his father, and his wife and his children. On that Day every man among them will have concerns enough of his own. (Surah 'Abasa, 34-37)



People Will Act as if Drunk


People will lose all their calmness, self-control, and, self-confidence. When death is met, everything loses its value, and facial expressions, behavior, and speech all change.

We witness people's fear and terror in the face of death in films. Their responses are enough to explain their state of mind. In most scenarios, people have a hope, no matter how slim, of escaping. Even those who realize that death has come do not know what is awaiting them, or they simply believe that they will become nothingness. However, this Day's events will leave no doubt in people's mind that escape is impossible, even before death comes to them. The unbelievers will find themselves confronted with a Day that they did not expect to meet, despite being warned of it, a Day on which the existence of a Creator and a Sustainer of the universe will become clear for everyone to see, but also on which everything will be destroyed in submission to His will.

They never reflected on what comes after death, because they did not believe in Allah's or the Hereafter's existence, but they will come to realize clearly Allah's existence and power. They also will realize that there is no hope for salvation and that their new life is eternal. Their eternal suffering and sorrow will be incomparably worse than that Day's events, and the Qur'an says that the unbelievers will prefer death over such a life:

We have warned you of an imminent punishment on the Day when a man will see what he has done, and the unbeliever will say: "Oh, if only I were dust!" (Surat an-Naba', 40)

People's panic, terror and astonishment will make them appear drunk, for:

. . . And you will think people drunk when they are not drunk; it is just that the punishment of Allah is so severe. (Surat al-Hajj, 2)

The physical and behavioral changes in people experiencing extreme fear are very similar to those of drunken people. In such instances, dizziness, hysteria, and impeded sight are common.

As we see from what has been revealed so far, people will experience great panic on that hard day. Allah compares this chilling fear and the resulting behavior to drunkenness, for people will display uncontrolled behavior and run from place to place as if drunk. Allah makes a comparison in the Qur'an:

It is the Day when mankind will be like scattered moths. (Surat al-Qari'a, 4)



The Terror in Their Eyes


And [when] the True Promise is very close, the eyes of those who did not believe will be transfixed: "Alas for us! We were unmindful of this! No, rather we were definitely wrongdoers." (Surat al-Anbiya', 97)

The eyes are the first organs to reveal people's fear. The eyes of people who witness the fearful events of that Day will spring from their sockets in terror. The phrase "the eyes of those who did not believe will be transfixed" describes the scale of their fear. Instantly, the pupils widen, the whites of the eyes are exposed, and they freeze. All people will taste this fear, and nothing can prevent what is coming in the face of hair-raising events. The only thing they feel will be terror.


Children


How will you safeguard yourselves, if you disbelieve, against a Day that will turn children gray. (Surat al-Muzzammil, 17)

This fear will even grip small children. Children who do not understand this Day's true nature and that this is the first day of eternal damnation for unbelievers will have a different kind of fear. People will be full of remorse for their wrongdoings during their temporary worldly lives; but children, who lack the capacity to comprehend what is happening, will have their hair turned gray. Such a physical change is an important illustration of that Day's severity. People have seen many calamities, and they have instilled a deep fear into their hearts and affected them severely. But none of these, when compared to this Day's events, will be shocking enough to turn the children's hair gray.



Animals


Try to imagine wild animals, leopards, lions, wolves, jackals, bears... These animals will cease to fight with one another and come together due to these events. It is clearly an awe-inspiring sight to see thousands of wild animals like this. Allah reveals in many verses that major changes will affect Earth and humanity on the Day of Judgment. Likewise, wild animals will be completely affected, as the Qur'an relates:

When the camels in foal are neglected, when the wild beasts are all herded together. (Surat at-Takwir, 4-5)

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 13:15

Modifié le dimanche 01 novembre 2009 15:42

" Quran "Surah Al Mulk (Part 1) : Abdul Baset Abdul Samad

# Posté le lundi 26 octobre 2009 17:47

Modifié le lundi 09 novembre 2009 06:55

"Quran "Surah Al Mulk (Part 2) : Abdul Baset Abdul Samad

# Posté le mardi 20 octobre 2009 19:17

Modifié le lundi 09 novembre 2009 06:48

The Right Way To Pray:

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 19:20

Modifié le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 19:37

The status of prayer in Islam

The status of prayer in Islam

Q: I hope that you can explain to us the status of prayer in Islam.

A: Praise be to Allaah.

Prayer occupies a great status in Islam that is not shared by any other act of worship. This is indicated by the following:

1 – It is the pillar of the religion, which cannot stand without it.

According to a hadeeth narrated by Mu'aadh ibn Jabal (may Allaah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Shall I not tell you of the head of the whole matter and its pillar and top?» I [Mu'aadh] said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.” He said, «The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer and its top is jihad» [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2616; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2110].

2 – It is second in status to the Shahaadatayn (twin testimony of faith) as further proof of the soundness of a person's belief and as visible evidence of the beliefs that reside in the heart.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Islam is built on five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, paying zakaah, performing pilgrimage to the House, and fasting Ramadaan» [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16].

Establishing prayer means performing prayer in full with all its words and actions, at the appointed times, as it says in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours” [al-Nisa' 4:103].
{إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَاباً مَّوْقُوتاً}
Transliteration: 'Inna Aş-Şalāata Kānat `Alá Al-Mu'uminīna Kitābāan Mawqūtāan

i.e., at defined times.

3 – Prayer occupies a special position among other acts of worship because of the way in which it was enjoined.

It was not brought down to earth by an angel, rather Allaah wanted to bless His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) by taking him up to heaven and addressing him directly concerning the obligation of prayer. This is something that is unique to prayer among all the rituals of Islam.

Prayer was enjoined on the night of the Mi'raaj [Prophet's ascent to heaven], approximately three years before the Hijrah.

Fifty prayers (per day) were enjoined at first, then the number was reduced to five, but the reward of fifty remains. This is indicative of Allaah's love of prayer and its great status.

4 – Allaah erases sins by means of prayer

Al-Bukhaari (528) and Muslim (667) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – and in the hadeeth of Bakr it is narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say – «What do you think if there was a river by the door of any one of you and he bathed in it five times a day, would there be any trace of dirt left on him?» They said, “No trace of dirt would be left on him'' He said, «That is like the five daily prayers, by means of which Allaah erases sin».

5 – Prayer is the last part of religion to be lost, and if it is lost the whole religion is lost.

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Between a man and shirk [associating others with Allaah] and kufr [disbelief] there stands his giving up prayer» [Narrated by Muslim, 82].

Hence the Muslim should be keen to perform the prayers on time, and not be lazy or take the matter lightly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers) (hypocrites),
Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)” [al-Maa'oon 107:4-5].
{فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ (4) الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ}
Transliteration: Fawaylun Lilmuşallīna, Al-Ladhīna Hum `An Şalātihim Sāhūna

And Allaah warns those who cause their prayers to be lost by saying (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaat (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell” [Maryam 19:59].
{فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيّاً}
Transliteration: Fakhalafa Min Ba`dihim Khalfun 'Ađā`ū Aş-Şalāata Wa Attaba`ū Ash-Shahawāti Fasawfa Yalqawna Ghayyāan

6 – Prayer is the first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection:

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: «The first deed for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is good then he will have prospered and succeeded, but if it is bad then he will be doomed and have lost. If anything is lacking from his obligatory prayers, the Lord will say, 'Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary prayers, and make up the shortfall in his obligatory prayers from that.' Then all his deeds will be dealt with likewise» [Narrated by al-Nasaa'i, 465; al-Tirmidhi, 413. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 2573].

We ask Allaah to help us to remember Him, give thanks to Him and to worship Him properly.

Reference: al-Salaah by Dr. al-Tayyaar, p. 16; Tawdeeh al-Ahkaam by al-Bassaam, 1/371; Taareekh Mashroo'iyyat al-Salaah by al-Balooshi, p. 31.


Islam Q&A

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 16:39

Modifié le mardi 20 octobre 2009 12:06

Prayer .....What Prayer means to me?

Five times a day I retreat from life, pause and renew my intention for living. It's not just kids and work, fun and problems. There's more, much more .....



Lying just beneath the surface of our everyday thoughts. If we dare to peer within, we'll find it, the home of peace; of truth ; an acute awareness of what is wrong and right, of what is worthwhile and what is wasted.
I stand still and concentrate on the spot on the carpet where my forehead will soon rest, casting aside all worries, fears and hopes, and focusing on the only One Who can help, Who can forgive, Who is Well-Aware of everything. Quietly, so only myself can hear, I recite the verses of Qu'ran that remind us, in every prayer, of the One Who showers Mercy of those who deserve it and those who don't. The One to whom, all Judgment lies and Whom we are all to return to, at an appointed time. I remember that no one can help me, no one can waylay my fears, no one can turn the tide of events, except the One to Whom all help is sought.

When anger strikes my heart, I recite the verses that remind us of mercy, tolerance and forgiveness; raising the consciousness to see through the empty words that people speak, to the meaning that may have been intended. So I forgive.

When worries cloud my mind and I'm busy planning what I should do, I recite those verses telling of good deeds and trust in the Lord of all. The best of planners, the Subduer of evil and the Exalter of Whom He pleases. So , I try my best, ask for help and leave the rest to Allah s.w.t.

When I feel sad and lost, I recite the verses promising victory to those who strive to uphold piety, that place of rest and peace that lies not so far ahead and the Source of all Peace Whose help is always near. So, I wipe away my tears and keep on trying, never giving up.

My prayer, is a way of life. It comes five times a day but the rest of the time is in preparation for the next, awareness of the passing time, remembering my duty to my Creator and my responsibility to my own soul. So whatever I'm doing, I stop and put it aside, wash and stand in prayer, trying to look within, at the faults that follow me around in my life, of the evil my hands have sent forth, and seek guidance, forgiveness and escape from the evil consequences of what I may have done.

I think of the marvels of the universe, how infinately beautiful and amazing as they are. The wonders of my own self, the physical human body and the wonders it contains. The depth and breadth of the mind, that few of us can compass and then I look to the trivial pleasures of life, the transient nature of our existence and I feel an urge to do more, to try harder, to be better than I was the day before.

And so I bow before my Creator, acknowledging the fact that only He deserves my sincerity, my obedience and my love. All else in life, is secondary to the fact that if He hadn't chosen to create me, I would never have existed. Here I am! Here's my duty. Worship is not only prayer and fasting but the way we live, the way we speak, the way we treat people and the way we solve problems. Knowing that we weren't only Created and left to discern truth for ourselves, I adhere to the guidance given to me , to steady me on the path that leads to success in this life and the next.

I continue in my prayer, whether well or ill, tired or wakeful, sad or hopeful, I continue, knowing that success doesn't lie in the amount of money, weapons or strenth one thinks one has, but in ones morality.


by : Velma Cook, Australia

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 16:49

Modifié le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 16:59

Prophet's Manner of Performing Prayers

Full Description of the Prophet Peace be upon him way of praying.

All praise be to Allah alone, and may His peace and blessings be upon His messenger and bondsman our Prophet Mohammed, his family and his companions.

The objective of this concise pamphlet is to explain how prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to perform his prayers. I would like to present this explanation to every male and female Muslim so that they may strive to take up the Prophet's manner in performing their prayers as a model for them. It was narrated by A1 Bukhari that Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had said:

"Perform your prayers in the same manner you had seen me doing."

Therefore, here is the explanation for the Prophet's manner of prayer:

1. To perform completely the ablution, adopting the method commanded by Allah in the Quran:

"O ye who believe, when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub your heads(with water) and (wash) your feet to the ankles."(S:6)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: "Prayer without ablution is invalid."

2. To turn one's face and whole body towards the Ka'aba, The Holy House at Makkah, intending by heart to perform the prayer which he wants to fulfill, whether it is an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory prayer, the worshipper in all cases, should not pronounce his intention openly, because neither the Prophet nor his companions used to utter the intention for prayer. Thus, pronouncing the intention for prayer in audible voice is a heresy and an illicit action. Whether the individual be an Imam or performs his prayer individually, he should make (A Sutra) i.e. a curtain for his prayer. Directing the face towards the Qibla (The Ka'aba at Makkah) is an imperative condition for every prayer. However, there are few exceptions for this rule explained in authoritative books for whom who wish to refer.

3. To pronounce "Takbirat Al Ihram" that is to say "Allahu Akbar" celebrating by that the greatness of Allah and looking meanwhile, downwards to the place where he will prostrate.

4. To raise one's hands up to the level of the shoulders or near to the lobes of his ears, while pronouncing "Takbirat Al-Ihram".

5. To put one's right hand over his left hand and left wrist, and put them both over his chest, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do.

6. It is advisable that the worshipper recite this opening supplication saying:

"Allahumma bald bayni wa bayena khatayaya kama boadta bayena al-mashriki wal maghribi, Allahumma naqqiniy min khatayaya kama yonaqa al thawbo alabyndo min aldans.. Allahumma igysilniy min khatayaya bilmai wathalgi walbarad."

This supplication means: "O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the east and west. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as the white rope is cleansed from dirt. O Allah, wash off my sins with water, snow and hail."

Or, may say instead: "Sobhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa~abaraka Ismoka wata'la jaddoka wala ilaha ghayroka"

"Praise and glory be to Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no god but You."

Or he may say any other supplications which the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say in his prayers. It is better to recite these supplications alternately, the first one in the morning prayer "Fajr", the second in the noon prayer "Zuhr", each one by turn. in conformity with what the Prophet used to do.

After reciting the opening supplication, the worshipper says: "Aouzo billahi min al-shaytani-r-ragim"

Which means: "I seek protection of Allah against the accursed Satan."

Then says: "Bism illahi-Rahmani Raheem"

Which means: "In the name of Allah, the All Merciful, the All Compassionate."

and recites the Fatiha (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran). Prophet Mohammed, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Prayer without reciting the Fatiha is invalid".

The worshipper should say "A'meen" after reciting the Fatiha loudly if the prayer is said loudly, and whisper it in inaudible prayers. To be in conformity with the traditions of the Prophet, the worshipper is advised to recite verses from medium size Suras of the Quran in the Zuhr (noon), Asr (late afternoon), and Isha (night) prayers. As for the Fajr (morning) prayer, the worshipper is advised to recite a passage from the long Suras of the Quran. He has the choice in Maghrib prayer (Evening prayer) either to recite passages from the long Suras or from the short Suras 6 of the Quran.

7. Then, the worshipper bows in "Ruku" raising his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears while saying "Allahu Akbar" "Allah is Great" then bends down, making his head and back on one level and putting his hands with the fingers spread on his knees. The worshipper should feel serenity and tranquillity while bowing, he should say thrice at least: "Subhana Rabbiayl A'zim"

Which means: "Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty."

It is advisable to say while bowing in addition to that: "Subhanak-Allahumma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahumma Ighfir liy"

Which means: "Glory be to Thee, O Allah, and I praise Thee, forgive me my sins."

8. To raise one's head up from bowing, raising one's hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying, in case of being Imam or praying alone: "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah"

Which means: "Allah listens to him who praises Him"

While resuming the standing position, he should say: "Rabbana wa laka al hamdu hamdan katheera'n tayyiban mobarakan feehiy mil'a ssamawati wa mila alardhi wa mil'a ma baynahoma wa mil'a ma Shita min shiyin ba'ad"

This supplication means: "Our Lord, praise be fore Thee only, praises plentiful and blessed as to fill the heavens, the earth, what in between, and fill that which will please Thee besides them."

But if the worshipper is a follower, and led in his prayer by the Imam he should say when rising up "Rabbana wa lake alhamd... etc.

It is advisable for the Imam, the follower, or who prays alone to add also: "You Allah who deserve all praises and all glory, your praising is the best and most true of whatever Your servant can say, we all are Your servants, Our Lord, no one can ever deprive aught of what You have bestowed and no one can ever give aught of what You have deprived."

The worshipper is advised to put his hands on his chest, as he had done before he bowed. Both Wa'il Ibn Haggar and Sahl Ibn Sai'yd reported that this was the manner of the Prophet when he used to raise his head up after bowing.

9. To prostrate saying "Allahu Akbar" "Allah is Great". He should touch the ground with his knees before touching it with his hands, if that is possible to him. If not, he is permitted to touch the ground by his hand before his knees. His fingers and toes should be directed towards the Qibla Makkah, and his hands should be stretched, and the fingers close together and not separated. In prostration, the worshipper should use these seven organs:

The forehead, the nose, both hands, both knees and the internal parts of the toes.

These seven organs should touch the ground. Then the worshipper should say thrice or more: "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala"

Which means: "Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted."

It is advisable to say: "Subhanaka Allahuma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahuma Ighfir-liy."

This means: "Glory be to Thee, Our Lord, and I praise Thee. Our Lord, forgive me my sins."

It is recommendable for the worshipper to exceed more and more in supplications and ask for more from his Lord, because the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said: "As for bowing "Ruku" you should glorify your Lord during performing it, as for prostration, you should do your best to supplicate and ask for more from Him, because your supplications during prostration are more worthy to be accepted."

The worshipper should ask his Lord for prosperity both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Whether it is an obligatory prayer or an optional prayer, the worshipper, while prostrating, should neither bring his hands close to his sides, nor stick his abdomen to his thighs, or his thighs to his legs. The worshipper's arms should be raised up from the ground because the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, prohibited putting the arms and stretching them on the ground, ordering that "adjust your prostration, keep straight in it, and stretch not your hands on the ground as dogs do."

10. He should raise his head from prostration saying: "Allahu Akbar" and lays his left foot Jlat on the ground and sits upon it, keeping his right foot erected, his hands on his thighs and knees, and says: "O my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, provide me with your blessings and console me."

The worshipper should feel tranquillity during this pause.

11. To prostrate again saying "Allahu Akbar" and repeating during his prostration what he did and said in the first prostration.

12. Then the worshipper raises his head saying "Allahu Akbar" taking a pause similar to the pause between the two prostration; this is called "the pause for rest." It is recommended for the worshipper to do such a pause, but there is no sin if he desists from it. Then the worshipper rises up and stands supporting on his knees, or on the ground if he cannot support himself on the knees, reads the Fatihah (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran) and some other verses of the Quran and do as just as he did in the first Rakaah (unit of prayer). Those who pray behind the Imam should not compete with him in the prayer actions as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

Which means:

The Imam is to be followed, if he says: "Allahu Akbar" which means "Allah is Great" then say the same after him. If he bows in "Ruku" bow after him. If he says "Samia-l-lahu liman hamidah" which means "Allah hears him who praises Him", then say: "Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd" which means "Our Lord! All praises are for Thee"; and if he prostrates, then prostrate after him". (Bukhari V:1 P.37)

13. If the prayer consists of two Rakaat (two units of prayer) as the morning prayer "Fajr", Feast prayer "Eid", or the Friday prayer "Jumu'a", the worshipper sits after the second prostration, with his right foot erect, sitting on his left foot laid down, putting his right hand on his right thigh, all his fingers close-fisted save the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign for his monotheistic belief, and his left hand is put on his left thigh. There is nothing in the way, if the worshipper keeps both the little and ring fingers closed, while rounding his thumb and middle finger in a ring-shape, and uses his index finger to point out as a sign for his monotheistic belief. It has been related that the Prophet, may peace and blessings of A1lah be on him, had practiced both of these ways, thus, it is advisable for the worshipper to perform the first way once and the other on the second time.

The worshipper reads the Tashahud while sitting and says:

"Al-tahiyatu lilahi wasalawatu watayibatu Assalamu alayha ayuha-n-nabiyu wa rahmat-u-llahi wa barakatuhu. Assalamu alayina wa ala ibadi-l-lahi-s-salalihiyn. Ashadu ala ilaha ila lahu wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abdoho wa raswuloh. Allahuma salliy ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhamad, kama salayata ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahim. Inaka Hamidon Majid. Wa barik ala Mohammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barkta ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Inaka Hamidon Majid."

This means: "Greetings, prayers and the good things of life belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Mohammed is His slave and messenger. O Allah, bless Mohammed and his family as You blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The Most glorious. O Allah, bestow Your grace on Mohammed and his family as You bestwoed it on lbrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious."

After reciting the Tashahud, the worshipper asks Allah's protection from four evils, he should say:

"My Lord, I ask your protection from torment of the Hell, torment of the grave the trials in life time and after death, and from the impostor Antichrist." The worshipper may ask Allah for prosperity in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, supplicate Allah to bestow His favors on his parents and other Muslims. He could do this in both obligatory and optional prayers. It has been reported by Ibn Massoud that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, taught him how to recite the Tashahud and told him that the worshipper should invoke Allah and ask Him for the more beloved wishes which he likes, or, as it has been related in other wordings, the worshipper should ask Allah for whatever he wishes. In this manner, the servant can ask Allah for all the prosperity of this worldly life and the life to come. The worshipper terminates his prayer by turning his face to the right saying:

"As-salamu alai kum wa rahmatu Allah" and to the left saying this salutation which means "Peace and mercy of Allah be on you."

14. In case of a three Rakaat prayer (prayer consisting of three units) as that of Maghrib prayer, (evening prayer), or a four Rakaat prayer like that of noon prayer (Zuhr), Asr prayer (late afternoon prayer) or, Isha prayer (night prayer), the worshipper stands up after reciting the Tashahud according to the manner stated before, and raises his hands up to the level of his shoulders saying (Allahu Akbar). The worshipper puts his hands over his chest as it had been explained before, and recites only the Fatiha. There is no objection if he adds to the Fatiha some other verses of the Quran while performing the third or fourth Rakaat (units of prayer) of noon prayer (Zuhr), because this was stated to be one of the manners adopted by the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, according to the tradition reported by Abi Saied.

After the third Rakaah of Maghrib prayer (evening prayer), and the fourth Rakaah of Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon) and Isha (night) prayers, the worshipper recites the Tashahud and terminates his prayers by saying:

"Assalamu-alaikum wa rahmatu Allah"

while turning first to the right, and second to the left as it has been explained before.

It is not an obligatory duty, but it is a recommendable prophetic tradition to invoke Allah after terminating the prayer by asking Him forgiveness thrice and saying before turning one's face towards his followers if he is the Imam:

"O Allah, Thou art peace and from Thee is peace, Thou art blessed, O possessor of Glory and Honour."

It is advisable for the worshipper to say:

"There is no god but Allah. He is the One. He has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise. He has power over all things. O Lord, none may withhold what You have given and none may give what You have withheld and the riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee. There is no might or power except by the support of Allah, There is no god but Allah and we do not worship but Him alone. To Him alone belong all bounties, to Him alone belong all grace, and to Him worthy praise is accorded. There is no god but Allah, to Whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the unbelievers may detest it."

It is also advisable to the worshipper to extol Allah 33 times by saying (Subhana Allah). Praise Him by saying (Al Hamdu El-Allah) 33 times also by saying "Allahu Akbar" and the worshipper completes his supplications to be one hundred by saying once:

"There is no god but Allah. He is the One. He has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise. He has power over all things."

The worshipper adds to that the recitation of the verse of the Throne "Ayat Al-Kursiy", Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat El-Falaq, and Surat Al-Nas. It is recommendable to recite these Suras thrice after the Fajr prayer (Morning prayer), and the Maghrib prayer (evening prayer) because this was reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him. As it had been stated before, all these after prayer supplications are optional and not obligatory.

Every Muslim, whether be male or female, is recommended to pray 12 Rakaat of supererogatory prayers every day: four of these Rakaat (units of prayers) are before noon prayer, two after it, two after Maghrib prayer, two after Isha (night) prayer and two before the morning prayer These super rogatory prayers are called (Rawatib) which means: "Certain supererogatory exercises of optional prayers." The Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be on him, preserved the performance of these optional prayers

wherever he settled. During his travels, he used to practice the two optional Rakaat before the morning prayer and also the Witr prayer (after the Isha prayer). There is no objection to perform these optional prayers in the mosque, but it is better to perform it at home, because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said "The best of the prayers are those which are furfilled at one's own home, with exception to obligatory prayers which should be performed in congregation at the mosque."

Observance of fulfilling these optional prayers is a means for gaining admission to paradise. The Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said: "Whoever prays optionally twelve Rakoat every one day and night, Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in the paradise. "

It is also advisable to the Muslim to pray four optional Rakaat before Asr prayer (afternoon prayer), two before Maghrib prayer (evening prayer), and two before Isha prayer (night prayer), because this manner was reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet. Allah, the Almighty says: "Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar" (33:21).

And the Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Perform your prayer in the same manner as you had seen me doing."

Allah is He Who is Able to render us success and prosperity, and may Allah give His blessings and peace to our Prophet Mohammed son of Abdellah, his family, his companions and whoever follows his way till doomsday.


President of
Supreme Head Office for Religious Researches, Ifta, Call and Guidance Departments.

(Shiekh Abdul Aziz Abdullah Bin Baz May Allah bless him )

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 16:52

Prayer in Islam

Prayer in Islam, is 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.

The Muslim must seek to remember Allah at all times. He must be mindful that everything he is, everything he does, everything he knows and understands, is due to the Mercy of Allah. In acknowledging this, he remembers the fact that death lies in wait and he does not know when he will depart from this worldly life.

Five times a day, he stands in prayer. Focusing all his thoughts on the Creator. He praises, thanks and acknowledges the Greatness of Allah and seeks His forgiveness. His sins pass before his consciousness and render him humble before the Majesty of the One who owns all things, including the Day of Judgement. He stands, conscious that Allah Sees Him at all times and that in prostration he is the closest to His Maker.

The Muslim realizes that the Angel of death could be behind him at any time, that Jannah (Paradise) lies on his right and the fire of hell is on his left. The truth of his actions and their consequences are unknown to him and as he prayers, his heart is moved by sincere intent to strive harder, work more, study more, forgive more and share more.

He comes out of the state of prayer, feeling renewed; more determined to use what remains of his time in the most beneficial way. An angry shout or unkind word, stops on the same lips that recite the Qu'ran and remembers Allah. Hands reaching forth in greed and hate, retreat to find better solutions. Hasty careless words, dismal thoughts and attitudes disappear beneath the light that shrouds the mind of the one who prays because of their love and fear of Allah.


Contributed by : Velma Cook, Australia

# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 16:58

Praying Fajr reflects how much you love Allah the Almighty

The happiness of that guy was tremendous when a well-known company accepted him to work for it. He was over the moon as he was the only accepted candidate.

He signed the contract that implies that he should agree on respecting the company working hours, delivering weekly reports about his work and activities, and accepting to be punished for any delinquency ..... read more

Soon later, the guy met his manager and said to him, "From tomorrow onwards, I will not come in time. And I will not deliver my weekly reports in time either; instead they will be delayed for a while. In spite of all that, I will not allow you to punish me, and you don't have the right to kick me out from work."

If we imagine such a situation, we will laugh at the behaviour of that guy. No-one will see him but an insane and a fool person. How come can someone want to take his rights whereas he is not committed to his own obligations?!

So, why most of us do the same strange action or even worse?
(As we commit a worse sin against the Law of Allah the Almighty.) How can a sane person allow himself to enjoy all Allah's graces: such as food, drink, clothes and life pleasures; whereas he doesn't offer Allah the simplest obligatory He obligates him to do, viz. Praying?!
And even if he prays, then he doesn't pray in time or he prays like a rooster (i.e. he prays too hastily and carelessly). He neither complies with his praying nor apprehends what he says.

According to our web site visitors survey in the arabic section of IslamWay.com that included more than 4000 persons:
14% of them never pray Fajr in its time
16% of them rarely pray Fajr in its time
33% of them often pray Fajr in its time
35% of them always pray Fajr in its time


Subhan Allah!! (*) We are not talking about jurisprudence about which scholars disagreed or even a Sunnah that one has a choice to do or not. We are talking about ABC Islam. We are talking about praying that Allah Almighty obligates on all Muslims - whatever their conditions are.

When Allah the Almighty ordered Muslims to pray He warned those who delay the prayer after its designated time, saying:


"So woe to the worshippers Who are neglectful Of their prayers" [Surat Al-ma'oon 107:4-5]


The interpreters said that what is meant by this verse is delaying prayer after its designated time.They also said : "woe" is a very deep sheer black valley in Hell. Don't we believe in Allah's Words?

A lot of Muslims nowadays neglect Fajr prayer as if they it was not there. That's why they pray it much later than its time. In addition, some of them pray it immediately before the Noon prayer. Others may never pray it even for compensation (Qaddaa). So why all this laziness against what Allah the Almighty deserves? Don't we proclaim that we love Allah the Almighty more than any thing else? Once one of us loves someone a true love, he will be willing to meet him. He may keep thinking of him most of the time. Once he has a date with him, he canNOT sleep until he meets the one he loves. So, do those lazy prayers who do not pray Fajr prayer really love Allah? Do they really respect His Orders? Are they willing to meet Him?.

Let's imagine that a multi-millionaire offered one of his employees $1000 every day, just on one condition, viz. the employee must call daily at his employer's house in the morning as to wake him up then leave. Such a simple task may take the employee 10 minutes only. This marvellously generous offer will be valid as long as the employee keeps awaking his employer regularly. On the other hand, this offer will be cancelled permanently, and the employee will be asked to return all the money he received, if he neglects to awake his employer once without an excuse.

So, if you, my Muslim brother, were that employee , will you neglect to call at your employer's house? Won't you carefully intend to wake up daily to get the one thousand dollar? Won't you - once you failed one morning - try with all means to prove that you were truly unable to wake up?.

Allah has the higher example, so what about you my dear brother towards your Lord, Allah the Almighty? He is the ONLY ONE who gives you your means of living and who bestowed you with every thing, whose blessings on you are utterly much more than millions of dollars daily. It is Him Who says:

"...if you try to count the blessings of Allah , you will fail...." [Surat Ibrahim: 14 : 34]


Doesn't this Lord, the The Most Merciful, the Most Generous deserve that you wake up for Him every morning at about 5.30 a.m. so as to thank Him just in 5 or 10 minutes for His great blessings and his generous favours?


The judgement against those who neglect praying Fajr Prayer in time:
Allah the Almighty says:

"...for such prayers are enjoined on Believers at stated times." [Surat Annesaa: 4 : 103]
Islam is a comprehensive way of life... It is like an agreement between The Great Lord and His humble servant. According to this agreement, the servant commits to certain obligations before Allah. With respect to these obligations, Allah would grant the servant rights and privileges. It is insensible that you agree to this contract, then, soon afterwards, you do whatever you like and neglect whatever you do not like. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
" O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy." [Surat Al-baqara: 2 : 208]
The interpreters said: this means to accept Islam with all its legislation and rules. Allah got exasperated with the people of Israel when they performed what they liked from His religion and neglected the rest. That's why He addresses them saying:
"...Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do." [Surat Al-baqara: 2 : 85]
As far as one's punctuality on attending prayers is considered, The Prophet (peace be upon him) sees those who do not punctually attend Fajr (dawn) and Ishaa (night) Salat in congregation as being sheer hypocrites "Munafeqeen". So what do you think of those who do not pray Fajr at all, neither in congregation nor alone (at home)?


The Prophet (pbuh) said: "There is no prayer more difficult to attend for hypocrites than Fajr and Ishaa. And if they knew what's in them (i.e. the good reward - thawab) they would attend them even if they had to come crawling." (Narrated by Bukhari)


Allah Almighty mentions that He disavows whosoever neglects the obligatory Salat. Besides, The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Do not ever leave Salat on purpose because whoever does so then he is disavowed by Allah and His Messenger." (Narrated by Imam Ahmad)
So do you like, Oh Muslim brother and sister, for the closest one to you to disavow you? So how do you neglect the Salat and cause Allah to be disavow you?


Well....now what have I to do?
Every one us should set an alarm clock to wake him for Fajr Salat daily.


We should give Salat its status in our lives, and we should discipline our jobs according to the Salat regular times. (Unfortunately, we simply do the opposite!)


We should sleep early and wake up for Fajr and then leave for work. Soon after Fajr, Allah distributes people's sustenance (Arzaq).


Each one of us should seek a good companionship that would call to wake him at Fajr Salat. Moreover, they would help one another to adhere to such a good deed.


We should keep on saying our nightly Duaa (that we say just after before going to sleep) asking Allah to help us do our Salat.


To feel guilty if we missed a single obligatory Salat. Furthermore, we should vow never to repeat this big sin.
May Allah make us all be among those who truly love Him. May He give us sincerity in both words and deeds. (Amen) Finally, whatever is right in this article then it is a gift from Allah. And whatever mistakes or shortcomings then they are due to myself or Shytan (Satan).

** Written By:
A member of the team work in IANA.

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(*) Subhan Allah!!: This is an Islamic way of exclamation.



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# Posté le vendredi 16 octobre 2009 17:03