Articles

Poses on Enjoining Obligatory Prayer
Author : Dr. Mohammad bani Taha
Date Added : 25-04-2017

 

 

 

Poses on Enjoining Obligatory Prayer, A Flashback to Isra` and Mi`raj

 

 

 

By Dr. Mufti Mohammad Bani Taha

 

All praise be to Allah Who privileged His Slave and Messenger with the miracle of Isra` and Mi`raj. This great event was meant to comfort, support, and honor Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) where he was shown one of Allah`s countless signs and graces, and may peace and blessings be upon him and his followers. 

Just as the Prophet was honored with Isra` and Mi`raj, so was his nation since the five daily prayers were prescribed in that great journey, and what an honor that is!! The following points shed more light on this subject:

• The Prophet (PBUH) was taken on this nocturnal journey during "the year of sorrow" in which his beloved wife Khadijah and his uncle and protector Abu Talib died. Moreover, Allah has prescribed prayer as a refuge for every distressed Muslim. Therefore, when distress befalls a Muslim, he should seek refuge in prayer. Hudhaifah said: "When anything distressed the Prophet (PBUH), he prayed." [Abu Dawood].

 

• Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "While I was at Mecca, the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it." [Al-Bukhari]. Similarly, when a Muslim is about to pray, he should clear his heart and soul from worldly concerns, just as he should wash his body and clothes from impurities.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

• Chapter "Al-Isra`" has mentioned Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa although, at that time, its landmarks were wiped out, and Christians attempted to erase them in order to exasperate the Jews, and no prayer was held there for hundreds of years. Despite all of this, it was called a Masjid since a place dedicated for prayer remains called as such forever due to the greatness of this ritual.

 

 

• The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led the other Prophets in prayer during the Isra’ (Night Journey). This indicates that Islamic Law abrogated former Laws. As a result, prayer, due to its significance, became at the forefront of Islamic Law (Sharia). Just as he (PBUH) led them in prayer, his Law dominated and governed other Laws.

 

 

• The Prophet (PBUH) passed by the Oft-frequented House, which embodies to the people of Heaven what al-Masjid al-Haram embodies to the people of earth. Every day, seventy thousand angels enter that House to pray, but they will return to it only on the Day of Resurrection. Moreover, just as the people of earth observe prayer as an act of worship, so do the people of Heaven.

 

 

• Prayer was prescribed directly from Allah, in the seventh heaven, indicating its greatness and honorable status as the link between the slave and His Lord.

In conclusion, keeping the above points in mind helps the Muslim offer prayers with submissive humbleness that The Lord of The Worlds accepts from him and elevates his status for. We beseech Him to accept our acts of obedience, and the last of our prayers is that All Perfect Praise be to The Lord of The Worlds.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islam on swearing by Allah without intending to take an actual oath?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone swears by Allah without intending to take an actual oath, and without the firm resolve to bind themselves to it, then there is no sin or expiation (Kaffarah) required of them. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.' [Al-Baqarah/225]. However, a Muslim should avoid swearing oaths excessively so that their tongue does not become accustomed to it. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'And make not God’s (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
' [Al-Baqarah/224]. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

Does the intention (niyyah) of the principal (muwakkil) suffice for the sacrifice (dhabḥ) of the udhiyyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a person appoints an agent (wakīl) to perform the slaughter (dhabḥ) on their behalf, the intention (niyyah) of the principal (the one appointing the agent) suffices, and there is no need for the agent to have this intention himself. In fact, even if the agent is unaware that he is performing the sacrifice on someone's behalf as an udhiyyah (sacrificial offering), this does not affect its validity. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

What are the key differences between the 'aqīqah and the uḍḥiyyah?

 All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The following are the key differences between the 'aqīqah and the uḍḥiyyah:
First: The 'aqīqah is slaughtered as an act of drawing closer to Allah the Almighty and expressing gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. The uḍḥiyyah, on the other hand, is slaughtered as an act of drawing closer to Allah and expressing gratitude to Him specifically during the days of slaughter (ayyām al-naḥr).
Second: The 'aqīqah is performed on the seventh day from the birth of the newborn, whereas the uḍḥiyyah is performed on Eid al-Aḍḥā and its time extends for three days after the Eid.
Third: The 'aqīqah is performed once in a lifetime for the newborn, whereas the uḍḥiyyah is recommended every year for the one who is financially capable to offer it.
Fourth: It is Sunnah for the one intending to offer the uḍḥiyyah to refrain from cutting his hair and nails until after he has slaughtered. This is not a Sunnah for the one intending to perform the 'aqīqah.
Fifth: It is Sunnah for the 'aqīqah to be cooked and distributed to the poor in its cooked form. The uḍḥiyyah, by contrast, must be distributed as raw meat. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the amount of food to be given to a needy person for fidyah and kaffarah?

The amount of food to be given to a needy person is 600 grams of wheat or rice.
According to the Hanafi school, it is permissible to give the monetary equivalent instead, and this is the ruling issued by the General Iftaa` Department.