In the case where a person walks in front of a Namaazi – Ahkaam E Shariat Part 1

Question: 23rd Rabi ul Aakhir Shareef 1320 Hijri

What is the ruling of the Ulama-e-Shariat in the case where a person walks in front of a Namaazi. Is such a personal sinful or not? Does this interfere with the persons Namaaz in any way? From how far away from the Namaazi are we not allowed to pass?

The Answer: This does not interfere with the Namaaz. If the Namaaz is being read in a house or in a small Musjid, then one is not allowed to pass up to the wall in the direction of the Qibla unless there is an object in between. If he is reading on a plain (open area) or in a huge Musjid, then he is not allowed to pass as far as the place of sajdah. He may pass further than this. The place of Sajdah means, when a person is standing in salaah like the true sincere worshippers and his sight is falling upon the area that his forehead will touch when he makes sajdah, then the rule of ones sight refers to where the sight falls without any hindrance and just a little further than this, is known as the point or place of sajdah. Up to the point where the sight falls and one is able to make sajdah, is known as the point of sajdah and to pass within this area is haraam and to pass beyond this is allowed. It is in Durr-e-Mukhtar as follows: “The legality of a person passing in a forest (open area) or in a huge Musjid beyond the Sajdah point is evident from proper narrations or to pass in front of him in this manner, up to the wall of the Qibla in a small Musjid and in the house, as it is regarded as one place.”

It is in Raddul Muhtaar: “The statement about the area of sajdah refers to the area from the area where the feet (of the namaazi) are placed, up to the point where sajdah will be made, just as it has been mentioned in Durar. And this second condition is to show the sinful act of the person that passes in front. As for the issue of the Namaaz, then definitely it is not invalid. This statement is correct. Tamartaashi and Sahib-e-Bada’i have regarded this as correct. Fakhrul Islam has given it even more preference, and it has been well clarified with research in Nihaaya and Fath. It means that as far as his sight falls on the one who is passing, if he reads with completely sincerity and being engrossed. In other words the sight falls there where one is to make sajdah.”

It is in Munhatul Khaaliq as follows: “The proper area of the falling of the sight is where on will make sajdah. Abu Nasr has stated that the distance is the same as there is between the Imam and the first saff (line). Or between this, which I have read from my Sheikh Minhajul A’ima (rahmatullahi alaih), in other words, to pass there where the sight of the Namaazi falls, when he is reading Namaaz with complete sincerity and being totally engrossed. This statement is clearer than the first one.”

To recite Durood Sharif before and after Adhan

1. Some people say that it is Bid’ah (innovation) to read the Durood Shareef before and after the Azaan.

2. The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama’at believes that it is permissible to recite the Durood Shareef before and after the Azaan. This is a current practice in many of the Arab countries.

3. The following Quranic verse commands us to send Durood and Salaam upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and no specified time has been set aside for this. Allah Ta’ala says: “O ye who Believe! Send Durood and Salaams upon him in abundance.” (Part 22, Ruku 4)

4. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that when we hear the voice of the Mu’azzin, we should repeat whatever he has said and then send Durood Shareef upon him. He said that the person who sends one Durood upon him, Allah Ta’ala will send ten mercies upon that person. (Sahih Muslim, Al-Qaulul Badi) In this Hadith Shareef, proof is found here that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) asked us to recite the Durood Shareef after the Azaan.

5. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “If, when performing any good deed you do not commence with the praise of Allah and send Durood upon me, then that deed is empty of blessings.” (Al Jaame Sagheer) Which Muslim is there who does not consider the Azaan to be a good deed?

6. In fact it was Salahud’deen Ayubi (radi Allahu anhu) who gave the command of Durood Shareef to be recited before and after the Azaan. Hazrat Salahud’deen Ayubi (radi Allahu anhu) was a very great and pious King who liberated the Baitul Muqaddas. Great Muhaqiqeen and Muhaditheen made Du’as for him.

THE PERMISSIBILITY OF RECITING AZAAN AT THE GRAVESIDE – “Izaanul Khabar fi Izaanul Qabar” by A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Bareilwi

QUESTION:

What do the learned Scholars of Islam say about the following question: Is it permissible to recite the Azaan at the graveside of any individual? If it is, please supply ample proof from authentic sources so that the doubt the Muslims face at this moment could be eradicated. May Allah reward you for your effort. Aameen.

THE LEGAL OPINION:

All Praise is due to Allah, Peace and Salutations upon His beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), upon his blessed family and beloved Companions, upon the great Scholars and Saints, till the Day of Judgement. Aameen.

Some Scholars have stated that the recitation of the Azaan at the graveside is an act of Sunnat. Scholars who have done so include ibn Hajar Makki, the teacher of the author of “Durre Muhtaar”, etc. We should clearly bear in mind that in the great volumes of Islamic Jurisprudence, the prohibition of this action is definitely not stated, which in itself is a clear indication of it’s permissibility. However, this servant of Islam (Imam Ahmed Raza), has been called upon to state proofs certifying its permission, and through the Grace of the Great Creator, I will proceed to do so. There in fact numerous authentic material that can be put forward by this servant of Islam proving the benefits and advantages of this blessed act. Let us, therefore, proceed by the Grace of Almighty Allah.

PROOF NO. 1

It is reported that when a person is placed in the grave and about to face the two Angels, Munkar and Nakeer, at that crucial moment Shaitaan also appears with the intention of misleading and robbing that person of great spiritual bliss. The great Scholar, Imam Tirmidhi (rahmatullahi alaih), in his famous book, “Nawaa dirul Usool”, reports the words of Hadrat Sufyaan Sourie (rahmatullahi alaih), who states: “When the person is being questioned, the first question being, ‘Who is your Lord?’ At this specific moment, the Shaitaan appears and indicating to himself, he says to the person, ‘I am your Lord!'”

It is due solely to this state of affairs that it has been recommended that one should make Du’a for the deceased so that he may, through the Grace of Allah, remain steadfast when answering these crucial questions.

AQEEQAH

1. The word “Aqeeqah” in Arabic means, “the hair on the head of a new born child.”
2. In Islamic Shariah, ( Islamic Law), Aqeeqah means to sacrifice an animal on the seventh day after the birth of a child.
3. Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has instructed us to give Azaan in the right ear and Iqaamah in the left ear of a child that is newly born.
4. It is also Mustahab to name the child on the seventh day and to shave the child’s hair.
5. The Aqeeqah for a boy is 2 sheep or goats and for a girl, is one sheep or goat.
6. After the child’s hair has been shaved, silver or its value in money should be given in charity.
7. The meat of the Qurbaani can be eaten by all members of the family, friends and relatives.
8. If one is not able to make Aqeeqah on the 7th day, then one is allowed to make Aqeeqah when one is able to afford it.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SALAAH

Salaah is the soul of all our Ibaadaat (prayers). The Pious predecessors have stated that if a person does not perform his Salaah, then no other Ibaadat performed by him or her is accepted and if a person loves Salaah and is punctual in his Salaah then Allah Willing, his or her wrongs will all be forgiven. We should thus try our best to perform our Salaah and also show strictness in our homes so that our families may also perform their Salaah.Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam) once passed by a river. There he saw a beautiful and elegant looking bird lying in a puddle of mud and dirt. The bird’s entire body was covered with filth. He then noticed this bird come out of the mud and then dive into the river until it was clean and beautiful again. Thereafter, the bird once again flew into the dirt and mud and became covered with filth. Once more, the bird left the mud and flew into the river again until it was clean and beautiful again. This astonishing act was repeated five times. Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam) began to wonder as to the reason for this strange sequence of events. Sayyiduna Jibraeel-e-Amin (alaihis salaam) descended and told him: “This bird is equal to a human from the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Each time he sins he becomes unclean, and when he performs his Salaah, then Almighty Allah purifies him just like the mud and dirt that was cleansed from the bird”.

It has been narrated that when a persons Salaah is accepted, then as a reward Almighty Allah creates an Angel that remains in Ruku and Sujood making Tasbeeh until the Day of Qiyamah. The Sawaab of all the Ibaadat of this Angel is recorded in the books of the Salaahi.

It has been stated in authentic sources that on the Day of Qiyamah as the people will be passing over Pul-Siraat, which is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, there will be a group of people who will say that they are too scared to cross over the bridge. Sayyiduna Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) will ask them how they used to cross the oceans in the world. They they will say that they did so with ships. On hearing their answer, the Musjids that they worshipped in will be brought and they will sit in these Musjids and pass safely over Pul-Siraat.

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) once asked the Sahaba if any dirt would remain on the body of a person who bathed five times daily in a stream in front of his home. They said that no dirt would remain. He then said: “This is the example of the five daily Salaah. Any person who reads his five daily Salaah, is purified of his sins and bad doings by Allah”.

Hazrat Abu Zar (radi allahu anhu) states that it was winter and the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) came out of his Hujra. He went to a tree, held it’s branch and shook it. This caused it’s leaves to fall off easily. He then said, “O Abu Air and I replied, ‘I am present Ya Rasoolallah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)'”. He said: “When a Muslim reads Salaah for Allah, then his sins fall like the leaves of a tree”.

Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was questioned concerning which actions were the most loved and closest to Allah. He replied by saying: “To perform Salaah in its appointed time, and he who leaves Salaah has no Deen.” Salaah is the pillar of Deen, the Me’raj of a Mu’min and a sign of success. An intelligent man is one who goes from a low position to a higher position, and an ignorant man is one who proceeds from a high position to a low position. Mustahab is greater than Mubah. Sunnah is greater than Mustahab. Waajib is greater than Sunnah. Fard is greater than Waajib. Greater than all Faraa’idh is Salaah. Even though we make Urs, Fateha, etc, we should remember that the greatest Ibaadat is Salaah. Without this, all our other Ibaadaat is incomplete. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated: “When your child reaches the age of seven teach him Salaah. When he reaches ten, shun him if he does not read his Salaah”. He also said: “Read your Salaah before your Janazah is read”.

It has been stated that on the Day of Qiyamah, will come in the form of white camels whose feet will be made from Amber, their necks from Saffron, their heads from musk, and their reigns from emeralds. Those who gave Azaan will be in front, the Imams of Musjids will guide them forward from behind and behind the Imaams will be the musallees who sincerely read Salaah in Jamaat behind the Imaam. When the others will see this on the Day of Qiyamah they will enquire whether these people are Angels or Prophets. It will be said to them that they are neither. They will be told that such are the Ummah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who were punctual in their Salaah.

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters! Perform your Salaah, for Salaah will assist us in this world, in our graves, and on the Day of Qiyamah.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERFORMING SALAAH WITH CONGREGATION (JAMAAH)

Salaah is obligatory upon every mature Muslim male and female. Whether a Muslim is black, white, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, Salaah is Fardh upon him or her five times a day. Salaah is not Maaf at any time. Salaah is a pillar of religion, recognition of faith and the key to Jannah. Salaah is the Sunnah of the Ambiya, coolness of the eyes of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Me’raj of the Believers.

Salaah is the greatest of all Ibaadah and the most important obligation. It washes away sins and builds good deeds. It saves one from Hell and guides one towards Paradise. By reading Salaah, one gains the Pleasure of Almighty Allah and the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), love of Angels, safety from calamities, good health, healthy life, Barakah in sustenance and blessings in all aspects of life. The grave of the Salaahi will be enlightened with Noor. On the Day of Reckoning, he shall rise close to the Prophets, Saints, Martyrs and Pious Ones.

If a child is seven years of age, he should be taught to read Salaah, and when he or she reaches the age of ten years, they should be warned and shunned if they do not comply. Laziness in Salaah is a sign of hypocrisy. To leave out Salaah completely is a sign of Kufr and to refute or make a mockery of it is Kufr. A non-Salaahi is disliked by Almighty Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). There is great torment for him in the grave. His grave will be cramped and reckoning will be harsh. He will rise with Qaroon, Firawn, Hamaan and Ubayy ibn Khalf. No other good deed of his will be accepted.

Salaah should be read sincerely with congregation in the masjid. To leave out the Jamaah without reason is a major sin. To read Salaah in Jamaah is 27 times more excellent than reading alone. In Jummah and in Eidain, the Jamaah is a pre-condition without which there is no Salaah. In Taraweeh, congregational prayers is Sunnat-e-Kifaayah. To read Witr Salaah with Jamaah in Ramadaan is Mustahab (desirable). Congregation for Nafil and Sunnah is Makrooh. For women to be present in any congregational prayer is disallowed.

For Jamaah, the Imam has to be present. The Imam should be a Sunni – Sahihul Aqeedah. He should know the laws pertaining to Salaah and he should recite the Quran correctly. Salaah behind open sinners, clean shaven persons, those who do not keep a Shar’i beard, etc. is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi and Waajib to repeat. In other words, Salaah read behind such persons should be repeated.

Salaah read behind hypocrites, misled persons, Dushman (Enemy)-e-Rasool, non-Mazhabites, insulters of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in any way, be it by saying that he is mixed in the sand (Ma’azallah), he does not possess sufficient knowledge (Ma’azallah), he is an ordinary human being like us (Ma’azallah), he is unaware of the happenings in this world (Ma’azallah), he is not the Final Messenger (Ma’azallah), etc. – all these statements lead a person out of Islam and Salaah behind such persons is totally forbidden since there is no Salaah behind such a persons. Salaah is not just any worldly transaction, but it is for Allah. Thus, one should not read Salaah behind just anyone, but should be satisfied with the Imam’s character and Aqeedah.

After Salaah, it is of great blessing to make Du’a. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that Dua is the crux and soul of Ibaadah. To lift up your hands after Azaan and Salaah to make Dua for the Believers is loved by Almighty Allah, a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), a practice of the Sahaba and a means of mercy and reward. To shake hands, and make Salaam to one another after Salaah is also permitted.

Remember: Only stand for Salaah after hearing “Hayya alas Salaah” and “Hayya alal Falah” in the Iqaamah. To stand before this is Makrooh and to follow the proper practice of sitting is Mustahab (desirable) and a sign of the Ahle Sunnah.

THE PROHIBITION OF WEARING FOLDED CLOTHES IN SALAAH

Those people who fold their hems of their pants over their ankles believe that by doing this they are making their Salaah proper, but by doing this they are making their Salaah Makrooh Tahrimee (undesirable).

According to the Shari’ah to read (perform) Salaah with folded clothes is Makrooh. The following Ahadith are very explicit on this matter.

“I was ordered to prostrate on seven parts and not to fold clothes and not to coil hair.” (Sihah Sittah) “I was ordered not to fold clothes and not to coil hair.” (Bukhari & Muslim) “To fold (gather or lift) clothes for Salaah is Makrooh.” (Quoted in most Kitaabs)

“To fold clothes in Salaah or to lift clothes with both hands from front or back at the time of sajdah with a small action is Makrooh or to enter (Salaah) Salaah with folded clothes is Makrooh.” (Ghoonyha- quoted in Fatawa Razvia)

To read Salaah with folded clothes is Makrooh Tahrimee (necessary to repeat the Salaah) and to read Salaah with pants hanging over the ankle and below the ankle is Makrooh Tanzeehi (not necessary to repeat the Salaah).

It is not necessary to repeat the Salaah as A’la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahle Sunnat (radi Allahu anhu) has stated in “Fatawa Razvia,” Vol.3: “To leave the pants hanging below the ankle with pride is Haraam and to perform Salaah with this intention is Makrooh Tahrimee, otherwise it is Makrooh Tanzeehi.”

THE EASY WAY TO PERFORM SALAAH THAT ONE HAS MISSED OF THE PAST AGE

It is compulsory upon each and every adult Muslim male and female to perform Salaah. If a person started performing Salaah after a few years of his or her adult age, the balance of the Salaah due is compulsory upon him or her. For example: If Abdullah has become an adult at the age of 14, but at the age of 20 he started reading his Salaah, the balance of 6 years of Salaah is due on him. If the person does not remember the date of his adulthood, that person should consider 12 years as being their adult age. According to Islamic Fiqah, boys become adults at the age of 14 years.

If the female does not know when her adult age is, she can consider 9 years as being her adult age. Over and above she can further reduce her days by considering her monthly course period. Salaah is not compulsory in this time. In this way she can perform the balance of the Salaah that she had missed.

Each and every person should perform the balance of the Salaah immediately. Nobody knows when death will come or sickness and other work necessary in life. Salaah should be performed in time. Instead of performing Sunnat-e-Ghair- Muakkidah and Nawaafil Salaah, it is essential to perform the Salaah that are due. Instead of performing Nawaafil Salaah on important nights, it is better to perform the Salaah that are due. One must have hope on Almighty Allah that we will benefit from both the fard and Nawaafil Salaah together.

There are 20 Rakaahs of Fard Salaah in a day: Fajr (2), Zohar (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3), Esha (4) and Witr (3). These Salaah can be performed any time accept during Zawaal, sunrise and sunset (During these period Salaah is Haraam). You should perform all balance of Salaah quickly without laziness. Nawaafil will not be accepted by Almighty Allah if the balance of the Salaah that have to be performed are still due.

When you stand to perform your due Salaah, you must say that you are performing the due Salaah for say, Fajr, for the sake of Allah, facing the Kaaba, Allahu-Akbar. The same way for the other Fard and Witr Salaah. If a perform has a lot of balance Salaah to be performed, then A’la Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu) has shown an easy way:-

In the Fard Salaah, while performing the 3rd and 4th Rakaah, instead of reading the Alhamdu Shareef, say Subhanallah 3 times and go for Ruku. This rule is only for the 3rd and 4th Rakaah of Fard Salaah. Witr must be performed fully.

While in Ruku and Sajdah, say only one time Subhana-Rabbi-al Azeem and Subhana-Rabbi-al A’la, saying these words properly.

While performing the Fard and Witr Salaah, after the At-tahiyat, say only Durood.

During Witr Salaah, instead of reading the Dua-e-Qunoot, say 3 times Rabbigh Firlee. (Fatawa Razvia, Vol.3, pages 621-2 & Al- Malfoozat Shareef, Vol.1, page 60-1)

WHY DOES TARAWEEH HAVE TWENTY RAKAAH?

From the Ahadith, there is proof that Salaatul Taraweeh consists of 20 Rakaah of which 8 Rakaah make up Salaatul Layl and not Salaatul Taraweeh.

A specific point shown to us by the Ulema is that the entire Quran consists of 540 Rukus. Hazrat Uthman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) used to perform 20 Rakaah of Taraweeh every night in Ramadaan and with one Ruku recited for each Rakaah, the entire Quran used to be completed by the 27th night of Ramadaan. Wherever Hazrat Uthman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) had stopped to make Ruku in Salaah, that stopping point was marked in the Quran with a Ruku sign. This is proof that the Khulafa-e-Rashideen performed 20 Rakaah of Taraweeh and that we have to follow the example of the Khulafa-e-Rashideen (ridwanullahi ta’ala ajma’in).

The Benefits of Salaah

The Holy Quran says: “Establish Salaah to remember Me (Allah).” (20:14)

Before we explain how Salaah should be read, we will list some of the benefits of Salaah to help you gain a better understanding of this very important form of Ibaadah.

1. Salaah with Jamaah increases Muslim Brotherhood.
2. Salaah makes us remember that Almighty Allah Sees and Hears us.
3. Salaah builds love for Almighty Allah and for His special servants, the Ambiya (Prophets) and Awliya (Saints).
4. Salaah destroys the evil within us.
5. Salaah acts like a light and leads us away from darkness and trouble.
6. Salaah teaches us discipline.
7. Salaah builds “Taqwa” or “Piety” in us.
8. Just as food maintains our body, Salaah maintain our Soul (Ruh).