Tips on safeguarding and improving your prayers

　　The following is some advice to help you preserve and safeguard your prayer, and perform it in a proper manner, which makes it more likely to be accepted, 　　• Perform Wudhoo’ (ablution) properly because the Prophet said: “Allah made compulsory upon Himself to Admit into Paradise any Muslim who properly...

The bestowal of Friday upon the Ummah of Muhammad

　　Allah the Exalted, endowed the Ummah (Nation) of Muhammad with distinct characteristics – in this worldly life and the Hereafter – that were not conferred upon any of the nations before it. Although it is the last nation to arise in this worldly life, it surpasses all preceding nations in...

The audacity of faith

　　The prayer has never been this hard 　　Libraries are like studios. No sound goes unheard. No noise passes without someone looking up or, in this case, a librarian hissing and excitedly shushing the disturber of the peace, silencing the noise polluter. 　　Nervously flitting and creeping about the bookshelves, I was...

The virtues and rewards of prayer in Islam

　　The obligatory five daily prayers were prescribed during the night the Prophet ascended to the heavens, while the commands for the remaining acts of worship were revealed to the Prophet on earth. This indicates the special status and importance of prayer as an act of worship. 　　Prayer: the backbone of...

The Prayer: Its prerequisites and essentials – II

　　The essentials of prayer 　　The essentials of prayer are: 　　(1) Saying the opening takbeer: It is done when one commences with prayer by saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) while raising the hands to shoulder level with the palms facing forward. The Prophet said: “The key to prayer is...

Rain Prayer

　　This prayer is a means of seeking rain from Allah, the Exalted, during times of drought. That is, people are naturally disposed to ask help from the One Who is able to support them; Allah Alone. This prayer was known among the previous nations. It is regarded also as one...

The Prayer: Its prerequisites and essentials – I

　　In Islam, performing the Prayer is the most important, mandatory act after the testimony of faith. The Prophet said: “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the Prayer...”[At-Tirmithi] 　　It is the last thing, the Prophet recommended to his nation before he died, saying: “The Prayer, the Prayer...

Combining two prayers

　　It is allowed for a person to combine the Thuhr (noon) and 'Asr (afternoon) prayers, or the Maghrib (sunset) and 'Ishaa' (night) prayers, during the time of either prayer, if he is in one of the following circumstances: 　　1. Combining two prayers at 'Arafah and Al-Muzdalifah: 　　When one is performing...

The ‘Eed Prayer

　　First: The ‘Eed Prayer consists of two Rak’ahs (units of prayer). Ibn ‘Umar said: “The traveller's prayer consists of two Rak’ahs; the Al-Adh-ha ('Eed) prayer consists of two Rak’ahs and the Al-Fitr ('Eed) prayer consists of two Rak’ahs. They are complete prayers (in this form) and not shortened, and (we...

The congregational prayer

　　The virtues of the congregational prayer: 　　Performing the obligatory prayers in congregation is mandatory and required of every believing adult male who has no excuse for not doing so. Many authentic Hadeeths highlight the superiority and excellence of praying in congregation. Among these Hadeeths are: 　　The Prophet said: "The prayer...