Dhuha

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah alone. And prayers and peace of Allah be upon the last Prophet S.A.W.

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“In the morning charity is due for every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah's glorification (SubhanAllah) is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him (Alhamdulillāh) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness(La Ilaha Illa Allah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness (Allahu Akbar) is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is evil is an act of charity, and two Rak’as which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.”
[Reported by Muslim]


And it is narrated on the authority of Buraida (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) says:

“Everyone has three hundred and sixty joints, so he has to give charity for each one of them.” It was said (to him): “O Messenger of Allah, who can afford that?” “You can bury the mucus that you may find in the Masjid, or remove stumbling block from people's path. If you could not afford that, then two Rak’as at Ad-Duha (forenoon) are enough” The prophet s.a.w replied.

[Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawûd and Authenticated by Al-Albani]


It is an optional prayer that is performed between the full rising of the sun (15 to 20 minutes after sunrise) until it ends approximately 15 minutes before Dhuhr prayer.

And it is better to pray it when the heat of the sun reaches its highest grades, because the Prophet s.a.w says:

“The prayer of those who are penitent is observed when your weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.”

[Reported by Muslim]


The ruling is that Duha prayer is a sunnah mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah), which entails massive rewards and blessings if established, but there is no sin on the one who leaves it.


The minimum of Duha prayer rak'ahs is two rak'ahs, because of the saying of Abu Hurayra: “My companion (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) has advised me to do three things” and mentioned among them “Two Rak’as of Duha prayer.”


And it is said that there is no maximum number of Rak’as for it, because ‘A`ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to pray Duha prayer four Rak’as and then increases as Allah wills.” [Reported by Muslim]


There is nothing clearly authentic narrated about the sūrah to read after surah al-Fātihah. The Shāfiʿi opinion is to recite surah al-Kāfiruun in the first rakʿah and surah al-Ikhlās in the second rakʿah, due to the massive rewards of reciting both surah.


Sayyidina Abu Hurayra (Allah have mercy on him) narrates that my beloved companion (the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) advised me three things: To fast three days of every month, to perform the two rak'ahs of Dhuha, and that I perform my Witr before retiring to bed.(Sahih al-Bukhari: no: 1981)



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Note to self : May Allah SWT grant us the chance to pray Dhuha habitually, give us HIS blessings and protection always...aamiin.

Sujood

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The more you humble yourself and go into sujood, the closer you are getting to Allah; and indeed, He elevates you.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

من تواضع لله رفعه

“Whoever humbles himself before Allah, Allah will elevate him.” (Muslim)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

إن أمتي يومئذ غر من السجود محجلون من الوضوء

“My ummah on that day will surely have bright faces because of sujood, and bright arms and feet because of ablution.” (Ahmad)

It has been narrated that when the son of Adam recites the verse of Sajdah (prostration) and then falls down in prostration, Satan goes into seclusion and weeps and says: “Woe unto me, the son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated and Paradise was entitled to him and I was commanded to prostrate, but I refused and am doomed to Hell.” (Muslim)

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Levels of prayer

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

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

The First:

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

The Second:

The one who guards his prayers upon their proper times and within their specified limits, fulfills their essential pillars and performs his ablution with care.

However, his striving is wasted due to whisperings in his prayer so he is taken away by thoughts and ideas.

The Third:

The one who guards his prayers within the specified limits, fulfills their essential pillars and strives with himself to repel the whisperings, thoughts and ideas.

He is busy struggling against his enemy (Shaitan) so that he does not steal from the prayer. On account of this he is engaged in (both) prayer and jihad.

The Fourth:

The one who stands for the prayer, completes and perfects its due rights, its essential pillars, performs it within its specified limits and his heart becomes engrossed in safeguarding its rights and specified limits, so that nothing is wasted from it.

His whole concern is directed towards its establishment, its completion and its perfection, as it should be. His heart is immersed in the prayer and in enslavement to his Lord, the Exalted.

The Fifth:

The one who stands for the prayer like the one mentioned above. However, on top of this, he has taken and placed his heart in front of his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, looking towards Him with his heart with anticipation, (his heart) filled with His love and His might, as if he sees and witnesses Allah.

The whisperings, thoughts and ideas have vanished and the coverings which are between him and his Lord are raised. What is between this person and others with respect to the prayer, is superior and greater than what is between the heavens and the earth.

This person is busy with his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, delighted with Him.

The first type will be punished;

the second type will be held to account;

the third will have his sins and shortcomings expiated;

the fourth will be rewarded;

the fifth will be close to his Lord,

 because he will receive the portion of the one 

who makes his prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye.

Whoever makes his prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye, will have the nearness to his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, made the delight and pleasure of his eye in the hereafter.

He will also be made a pleasure to the eye in this world since whoever makes Allah the pleasure of his eye in this world, every other eye will become delighted and pleased with him.

(From my mailbox)

I'tidal اعتدال

Sesudah selesai melakukan rukuk diteruskan dengan I`tidal iaitu bangkit berdiri tegak dengan mengangkat kedua tangan sampai ke telinga dengan jari-jari terbuka seperti ketika TAKBIRATULIHRAM seraya membaca TASMI’.

(After completion of the bow do I`tidal namely stood upright with both hands lifted to the ear with the fingers open just like when TAKBIRATULIHRAM while reading TASMI.)

Ketika berdiri tegak, mata tetap ditujukan ke arah sujud .(tempat sujud)

(When standing upright, the eyes must still be directed towards the prostrate. (Place of prostration))

Offering a Two Rak'ah Prayer After Tawaf

It is sunnah to offer a two rak'ah prayer after completing the tawaf at the Station of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), or at any other place in the Sacred Mosque, regardless of whether it is a supererogatory tawaf or obligatory one (as in Hajj or 'Umrah).

Jabir reported that "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Makkah, he went around the Ka'bah seven times, then went to the Station of Ibrahim and recited the verse (Qur'an 2.125): "And take of the Station of Abraham a place of prayer." He prayed behind it, and then went to the Black Stone and kissed it." (Reported by Tirmizhi who considers it a sound hadith)

In this two rak'ah prayer, it is sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun, in the first rak 'ah, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second rak 'ah, after reciting Al-Fatihah. (Reported by Muslim and others) These two rak'ahs may be offered at any time of the day and night including the prohibited times.

Jubair bin Mut'im reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "O Bani Abd Manaf! Do not prevent anyone from performing tawaf around the Ka'bah. One may pray (in the Sacred Mosque) any time during the day or night." (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Tirmizhi who regards it a sound hadith) Ash-Shafi'i and Ahmad hold this view.

Though it is sunnah to offer this two rak'ah prayer after the tawaf in the Sacred Mosque, it may also be offered outside the Mosque. Umm Salamah reported that she performed a tawaf around the House riding, but she did not offer the two rak'ah prayer until she had left the Mosque. (Bukhari) Malik reported from 'Umar that he offered these two rak'ahs at Zhi Tuwa valley. Bukhari also has reported that 'Umar prayed (these two rak'ahs) outside the Sacred Mosque.

If one offered a prescribed prayer after the tawaf then he need not offer this two rak'ah prayer. The Shafi'i school holds this view, which is also in accordance with the well known position of Ahmad. The Maliki and the Hanafi schools are of the opinion that these two rak'ahs must be offered and no other prayer can replace them.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah (here)

Punctuality of Prayer

Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda gives an important reminder about the importance of the five daily prayers. Miraculously, the prayers have the ability to enhance all aspects of our lives (school, work, family, etc.). We should strive to make the prayers an event in our daily schedules, instead of just praying when we get time throughout the day.

(From youtube : Quran Weekly - here)

Here are some tips from Syeikh Abdul Nasir on how to safeguard your prayers:

1. Punctuality.

Treat Solat as a priority. Sometimes we think that we do not get the focus of solat but it is actually because we do not treat solat as number one.

2. Make every Solat an Event.

Abdullah bin Mas’ud had asked the Prophet (PBUH), “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?”

The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “To offer As-Salat (the prayers) at their early stated fixed times.”

3. Treat prayer as a valuable commodity.

Solat is the most valuable asset that we have. It is the basis and foundation of our relationship with Allah. Like a diamond or a hidden pearl in the depths of the ocean, solat is such a valuable asset that we have to protect and safeguard it.

“Guard strictly As-Salat (prayers) especially the middle solat. And stand before Allah with obedience.” – Al-Baqarah, 238

Who passes in front of a praying person...

Abul-Juhaim `Abdullah bin Al-Harith
(May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,

"If the person who passes in front of a praying person,
realizes the enormity of the sinfulness of this act,
it will have been better for him to wait
forty than to pass in front of him.''

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

[The narrator was not sure whether
the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said forty days, months or years.]


Commentary:


We learn from this Hadith that it is a great sin to pass before
a person who is offering Salat. People should also take care that
they do not offer Salat without placing a Sutrah in front of them.
A Sutrah refers to anything that a person sets up in front of him;
this could be a stick, another person praying in front of him or
even a line which he can draw on the ground. The distance between
the person offering his Salat and the Sutrah should not be more
than approximately one meter and a half. If the distance is longer
than this, then it is not unlawful to pass before someone offering Salat.

Mistakes Done In Sujud

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By: Mashhur Hasan Al Salman


(Source: The Clarified Ruling Of Mistakes Done In Salat)


While being in the State of Sujud, some muslims abandon the Sunnah of Tajafi which is to lift one’s belly up wards away from one’s thighs and one’s arms away from one’s sides as far as possible provided one does not cause inconvenience to the one next to him.


It also includes that one lifts one’s arms from the ground putting only his hands on it at the level of his shoulders or ears not at the knees.





However, a muslim must not exaggerate in doing Tajafi by straightening his back to an extent that he looks like the one lying on the ground. This is indeed a detested exaggeration.(3)


Tajafi must be done in a moderate manner; stretching not one’s back too much nor huddling oneself too much.




Some muslims behave like animals in their Salat the thing that indicates their sense of carelessness towards it.


Some of them may look here and there like a fox does, spread their arms on the ground like lions, do their Salat so quickly in the same manner a crow does when eating, stick to a certain place in which one does his Salat like a camel does regarding his resting place, sit on one’s buttocks spreading one’s feet like dogs do when they sit, or moving one’s hands to the left and to the right when reciting Taslim in the same manner horses move their tails.


Ibn Al-Qayyim said: ‘Our Shari‘ah prohibited that a muslim act in the same manner the Kuffar, animals, demons, bedouins or women [as for men] act. While being in Salat, we [muslims] are also forbidden to act in the same manner animals or the ignorants behave.(4)





’Anas (Radhi Allaahu Anhu) related that the prophet (Sallalahu Alahi wa Sallam) said: ‘Straighten your selves when doing Sujud; never spread your arms on the ground as dogs do’.(5)


Explaining this hadith, Imam An-Nawawi said: ‘The hadith means that when prostrating, a muslim must put his hands on the ground lifting his arms a way from it and totally a way from his sides that his armpits could be seen in case they were uncovered. This manner of doing Sujud is recommended by all ‘Ulamah, if it was abandoned one incurs a sin upon himself but his Salat is valid, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) knows best.






The ‘Ulamah stated that the rationale behind such a manner of doing Sujud is to show complete submission [to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)] and it gives a sense of activity. On the other hand, spreading one’s arms on the ground -like dogs do when they sit- cast a sense of carelessness towards Salat and not being fully given to it’.(6)


It is of Sunnah that one’s feet be erected in Sujud, heels be close together and toes be directed to the Qiblah.(1) Unfortunately, this Sunnah has been abandoned by many muslims. I hope that these few lines get them to remember it and put it under application. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) guide us to follow his prophet’s (Sallalahu Alahi wa Sallam) Sunnah.


It is also a mistake to put one’s fists on the ground when doing Sujud as some people do and so is the case with putting one feet on the other.


May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) guide us and them to the right.







(1) Narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah in his “Sahih” (vol. 1 / p. 322) (no. 638), through a good chain of narrators as is mentioned in “Sifat Salatun Naby” (p. 149).

(2) See: “Sifat Salatun Naby” (p. 149).

(3) See: The article titled “Tanbihat ‘Ala Ba’dil ’Akhta’ Allaty Yaf‘aluha Al-Musallin Fi Salatihim” by shaikh ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abdir Rahman Al-Jibrin, published by “Al- Mujtama’ magazine (issue no. 855).

(4) Al-Furusyyah (p. 10). See: “As- Salat wahukmu Tarikiha” (p. 143).

(5) Narrated by Al-Bukhari in his “Sahih” (vol. 2 / p. 301) (no. 822).

(6) “Sahih Muslim” Sharh An-Nawawi, (vol. 4 / p. 209).

How to Seek Laylatul-Qadr

By ~ Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani

(From Islaam.com)

Adapted from "The Night Prayers: Qiyam & Tarawih from works by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albani (and other scholars)"
(Compiled by Muhammad al-Jibali, © 1997 QSS)

Laylat ul-Qadr is the most blessed night.

A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

Praying Qiyaam

It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadeeths, such as the following:

Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates:

"We fasted with Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) left. Then he stood with us (that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed. So we said, 'Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?'

He replied:

'Whoever stands in prayer with the imaam until he (the imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…"
[Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi. Their isnad is authentic.]

[Point of benefit: Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man to pray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with the people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam) with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until he concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. `A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?"

And he instructed her to say:

"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me."
[Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah.

`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported:

"When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And she said:

"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights."
[Muslim ]

Ramadan Kareem - Taraweeh

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The virtues of the Taraweeh Prayer

~ Abu Hurayrah said: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said "He who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven" (Agreed Upon)

~ The time for Taraweeh prayer is between Isha and Fajr. Generally during Ramadan the taraweeh prayer is prayed after the Isha prayer in the Masjids in congregation.

~ ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray eleven rak’ahs at night, and say the tasleem after each two rak’ahs, and he would pray Witr with one rak’ah. Saheeh, (agreed upon)

~ There is no set limit as to how much Quran is recited in each night of the taraweeh prayers.

The Prophet peace be upon him recitation used to vary, sometimes it would be long, at other times short. Sometimes in every rakah he would recite the equivalent of ‘Yaa ayyuha’l-muzammil, which is twenty aayaat; sometimes he would recite the equivalent of fifty aayaat.

He used to say, “Whoever prays at night and reads one hundred aayaat will not be recorded as one of the negligent.”

According to another hadeeth: “…and reads two hundred aayaat, will be recorded as one of the devout and sincere believers.”

Each day after the 8 rak'ahs of the Taraweeh prayers the witr are also prayed.

Du’aa’ which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught to his grandson al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), which is (translation):

(O Allaah, guide me along with those whom You have guided, pardon me along with those whom You have pardoned, be an ally to me along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless for me that which You have bestowed.

Protect me from the evil You have decreed for verily You decree and none can decree over You. For surety, he whom You show allegiance to is never abased and he whom You take an enemy is never honored and mighty.

O our Lord, Blessed and Exalted are You. There is no refuge from You except with You).”

Live broadcast of taraweeh (here)

"When My servants ask about Me, I am indeed close to them. I listen to the prayer of every supplicant, when he calls on Me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, so that they may walk in the right way" (Qur'an 2:186).

Prayers and Du'a videos (here)

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And So I Bow

Running in again, the third time today and just in from Math Honors Society she doesn't even stop to catch her breath before jumping into the restroom to make a quick ablution.

Frantically trying to beat time she runs and almost falls down the stairs, stumbling over her feet.

Finally calm and assembled she assumes her normal composure of sincerity and focus.

As she lifts her hands up over her shoulders to symbolically push all material concerns away, she quietly utters three of the most powerful words she has ever known:

"God is Greatest."

Already absorbed in her prayer her body begins to tremble slightly, as if a rush of emotions is building up waiting to break free.

She bends her head slightly to direct her gaze at the ground and the corner of her head-covering falls softly over her elbow.

In a sincere and humble tone she recites verses of the Holy Qur'an, of which she has so persistently worked long and hard to memorize.

She gives herself up to the power of the occasion as she bows down to her Lord, face on floor in a position of the utmost humility.

"Praise be to my Lord the Most High,"

she repeats to herself three times with only the desire to please her Lord.

Asking forgiveness and giving thanks, she stands up again but this time with teary eyes.

She can not help but be overcome with emotions at the remembrance of His infinite mercy and kindness.

She can not help but feel ashamed of all the hurtful things she has said and done and all the ways in which she has misused His gifts to her.

Like the devoted believers of old she prays her prayer as if it is her last.

As if this is her final chance to seek forgiveness, redeem herself, give thanks, and draw herself closer to the Almighty.

Grief stricken and frightened she suddenly realizes how unworthy and unthankful she is, how wasteful and materialistic she has grown.

In such a state she appeals to her Lord,

"Forgive me, educate me, guide me."

Again she recites from the Qur'an and it lifts her spirit and gives her hope;

"If Allah findeth any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. [Al-Anfal (8):70]

Allah hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein: that is the supreme felicity. [Al-Tawba (9):89]"

She pleads her case, "I've always tried my hardest, challenged myself for the best, advocated service to You and your creations, worked to increase my knowledge, and all for You. Please give me the strength, hope, and willpower to persevere."

As her prayer nears an end she again bows down.

A calmness and peace seem to surround her, encircle her rolled up body and rest upon her arched back.

She suddenly feels as if she can do no wrong, as if nothing evil can touch her.

She sits upright again and turns her head to the right and then the left saying "Peace and blessings be unto you" to the angels perched on her shoulders.

Her spirit and mind is renewed and she is ready to work hard, contribute positively, and achieve the best.

She is ready for the challenge and the sacrifice and suddenly her A.P. Calculus project no longer seems so impossible and uninteresting.


-NNU


from MYNAret Newsletter
Muslim Youth of North America

http://www.jannah.org/articles/soibow.html

Hisham Abas ~ Asma ul Husna

The fajr (dawn) prayer

The fajr (dawn) prayer is amongst the most important acts of worship, being one of the five obligatory prayers.


Unfortunately many have become so used to missing it at its prescribed time which ends at sunrise - have forgotten its position in the religion, and barely feel anything is wrong when waking up in the morning for work or school without having performed the fajr prayer.

Muslims should know the great status of fajr in the sight of Allah. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning) "Establish regular prayers at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the recital of the Qurâan in the fajr prayer, for the recital of the fajr is witnessed". (Al-Israa 17:78)

In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever prays the fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he (or she) had prayed the whole night long".

[Muslim & Tirmidhi].

The Prophet (PBUH) "The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are ishaa and fajr, but if they only knew what they contain, they would come even if they had to crawl."

[Ahmad]

The practical aspect of dealing with the problem includes a number of steps which can be taken in order to get used to praying fajr regularly in congregation:

* Having a sincere intention and being determined (when going to sleep) to get up for fajr;

* Remembering Allaah upon waking up.

Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said, "During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, 'The night is long, so keep on sleeping.' If that person wakes up and remembers Allah, then one knot is undone. When he (or she) performs ablution (wudu) the second knot is undone. And when he (she) prays, all the knots are undone, and he (she) gets up in the morning lively and in a good mood, otherwise he (she) gets up dull and gloomy." [Bukhary]

* Sleeping early. According to an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet (PBUH) used to dislike sleeping before ishaa and talking after it. (The kind of talk that is discouraged in this case, as the commentators explain, is that in which there is no clear benefit.)

* Family members should encourage one another, and likewise roommates sharing the same apartment.

* Avoid eating too much before going to bed. Overeating can cause a deep, heavy sleep.

* Finally, true devotion to Allah is the best thing to motivate a person to get up for prayer, because Allah alone controls all means of help.

May Allah Almighty facilitate this prayer and give guidance to what pleases Him...amiin.

(http://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/five-pillars-of-islam/fajr-prayer-t1934.html)

Q & A : Praying in the Sacred Mosque

Rahma - Poland

Question : Passing in Front of a Praying Person in the Sacred Mosque

Date - 01/Jun/2005


Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible to offer prayer in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah while people pass in front of the those who are praying? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Answer :

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah, the Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake alone.

It is permissible to offer prayer in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah while the people are passing in front of the praying person and this is one of the special characteristics of the Sacred Mosque.

In this regard, we will cite what Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq states in his well-known book, Fiqh As-Sunnah:

It is permissible to offer prayer in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah while the people, male or female, are passing in front of the worshipper. There is no harm in it, and it is one of the special characteristics of the Sacred Mosque.

Kathir Ibn Kathir Ibn Al-Muttalib bin Wida`ah reported from some of his relatives and from his grandfather that he said: "I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offering prayer in the Sacred Mosque in the area adjacent to Bani Sahm while people were passing in front of him but he did not place any sutrah (something that a praying person puts in front of him in order to alert people that they should not pass in front of him while praying) in front of him.”

Sufyan Ibn `Uyainah said, "There was no sutrah between him and the Ka`bah." (Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah)

Solat Tasbeeh

It is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud and other books of hadith that Rasulullah (sallallahu `alayhi wasallam) once said to his uncle Hadrat `Abbas (r.a.) :

"O Abbas!O my uncle! Shall I not give you a gift? Shall I not show you something by means of which Allah Ta`ala will forgive your sins, the first and the last of them, the past and recent, the unintentional and the intentional, the small and huge, the secret and open?"

Rasulullah (sallallahu `alayhi wasallam) then taught him the Solat Tasbeeh.

Furthermore he advised him that it be offered daily, if possible. If not then every Friday or once a month or once a year or at least once in one's life time.

Solat Tasbeehh consists of 4 raka`ahs. It can be performed any time of the day or night except at the makruh times.

The following tasbeeh is recited seventy-five times in each raka`ah totalling 300 in the 4 raka`ah.

(Subhaanallaahi walhamdu lillaahi walaa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar)

The method of this solat is as follows:

* After beginning the solat by saying Allah-u-Akbar recite the thana ', Sura al-Fatiha and a Sura followed by the above tasbeeh 15 times.

* Then go into Ruku and after reciting the usual tasbeeh for ruku` recite the above tasbeeh 10 times.

* After standing up from ruku` recite the usual Rabbana Lakal Hamd and thereafter recite the tasbeeh 10 times.

* Then go into Sajda and after reciting the usual tasbeeh for sajda recite the above tasbeeh 10 times.

* Then sit up from sajda and recite the tasbeeh 10 times between the two sajdas.

* Thereafter go into sajda again and after reciting the usual tasbeeh for sajda recite the above tasbeeh 10 times.

* Then sit after the 2nd sajda (i.e. before standing up for the second raka`ah) and recite the tasbeeh 10 times.

This adds up to 75 times in one raka`ah.

Do the same for the remaining 4 raka`ah.

[Note : If at night, this solat can be performed with 2 salams - 2 raka'ahs each]

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