Wajibats of Prayers

Namaaz in the view of Masumeen (a.s)

1.       Hadith Qudsi: The slave has not obtained proximity to Me with anything except through the fulfilment of obligatory acts. And the salve becomes so close to me through supererogatory prayers. – Usul-e-Kafi Vol. 1, pg. 352

2.       The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “When Ulul Azm Prophet of Allah used to be in difficulties, they used to take refuge in namaaz.” 

Amirul Momimeen (a.s) says: “One who desires proximity to Allah through obligatory and recommended prayers get twice the reward.”

3.       Imam Ali (a.s) says, “When a person prays, his body, clothes and whatever is around him will glorify Allah. “

4.       Janabe Fatima (s.a) said: “Allah has established the prayer to keep away pride and selfishness from you.”

5.       Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “The truth is with namaaz. You should know that reciting prayer is being presented in the court of Allah and you should consider Namaaz as the means of going before the Almighty.” – Beharul Anwaar

6.       Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “One who recites the prayers with attention, his prayer is as much acceptable below the heavens as much attentive he is.” – Muhajjatul Baizaa

7.       Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) said: “When you have a need perform two rakat namaz and invoke blessings on Muhammad and Ale Muhammad (saw). Then pray for your needs and they shall be fulfilled.”

8.       Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) said: “When your child is seven years old, prepare him for prayers.”

9.       Imam Husa Kazim (a.s) said: “The recommended prayers bring every be;iever closer to Allah.”

10.   Imam Jawad (a.s) says: “Presence of mind and humility are the embellishments of prayers.”

Why do the Shi’ah avoid Tarawih congregations?

Brothers and sisters from the Ahl al-Sunnah come together in Tarawih congregations during the early evenings of the month of Ramadan.  They stand in prayer and recite the Qur’an, and may Allah (swt) reward them for their sincere intentions and actions.  However, the word Tarawih was never mentioned by the Qur’an or the Prophet (s) to describe these extra congregational prayers during the evenings of the month of Ramadan. It is a term developed later amongst Muslims.  Linguistically, the word “Tarawih” is the plural of the word ‘tarwiha’ referring to the short period of rest between every four units of the prayer. Later, the entire congregational prayers in the nights of Ramadan were called by this term.

Origins of Tarawih as a Congregational Prayer

It is a well-established fact that the Tarawih, as a congregational night prayer of Ramadan, owes its existence to the order of the second caliph, ‘Umar b. al-Khattab.

q  Narrated Abu Hurayra: Allah's Apostle said, “Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, “When Allah's Apostle died, the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as such during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of ‘Umar's Caliphate.” ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Abdul Qari said, “I went out in the company of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups – a man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. Then, ‘Umar said, ‘In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (reciter) [i.e. let them pray in congregation!]'. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubayy bin Ka’b. Then, on another night, I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, ‘Umar remarked, 'What an excellent bid'a (innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but rather sleep at its time, is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 3, book 32, number 227]

q  “It was called bid’ah because the Prophet (s) did not use to pray it in congregation, and neither was it prayed like that in the time of al-Siddiq (referring to the first Caliph), nor in the early part of night or with these number of units.”

[al-Qastallani, Irshad al-Sari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 5, page 4]

[al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, volume 6, page 287]

q  “‘Umar was the first who set the example of the night prayer of Ramadan, the Tarawih, and gathered people for it, and instructed different regions regarding it.  This was during the month of Ramadhan of the year 14 (hijri).  He appointed for the people reciters of the Qur’an who led the Tarawih prayer for men and women.”

[Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat, volume 3, page 281]

[al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa', page 137]

[al-‘Ayni, ‘Umdat al-Qari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 6, page 125]

Congregation in Mosque or Individually at Home?

Offering the optional prayers individually inside the home and away from congregation in mosque is highly recommended by the Prophet (s) as it brings more blessings for the home and family and helps in the Islamic upbringing of children.

q  The Prophet (s) said: “O people! Perform your prayers at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is what he performs at his home, except the compulsory (congregational) prayer."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 9, book 92, number 393]

[al-Nasa’i, Sunan, volume 3, p. 161, p. 198]

q  Once Abdullah bin Mas’ud asked the Prophet (s): “Which is better; to pray in my house or in the mosque?” The Prophet (s) replied: “Do you not see how near to the mosque my house is? To pray in my house is more beloved to me than to pray in the mosque except for the obligatory prayers.”

[Ibn Majah, Sunan, volume 1, page 439, number 1378]

q  Narrated Zayd bin Thabit: Allah's Apostle (s) made a small room (with a palm leaf mat). He (s) came out (of his house) and prayed in it. Some men came and joined him in his prayer. Then again the next night they came for the prayer, but the Prophet (s) delayed and did not come out to them. So they raised their voices and knocked the door with small stones (to draw his attention). He came out to them in a state of anger, saying, “You are still insisting (on your deed) that I fear this prayer might become obligatory on you. So, O you people! offer this prayer at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is the one which he offers at home, except the compulsory (congregational) prayer.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 8, book 73, number 134]

Didn’t the Shi’ah Imams Pray Tarawih ?

Imam al-Baqir (‘a) and Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) were asked about the permissibility of praying optional prayers in congregation during the nights of Ramadan.  They both narrated a tradition of the Prophet (s) where he said:

q   “Verily, the offering of nafila (recommended prayers) in congregation during the nights of Ramadan is an innovation… O people! do not say nafila prayers of Ramadan in congregation…. Without doubt, performing a minor act of worship which is according to the sunna is better than performing a major act of worship which is an innovation.”

[al-Hurr al-`Amili, Wasa’il al-Shi`ah, volume 8, page 45]

This view of the Imams from the Prophet’s progeny is confirmed by a scholar well-known amongst the Ahl al-Sunnah who writes:

q  “The progeny of the Prophet (s) say that congregation in Tarawih is an innovation”.

[al-Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtar, volume 3, page 50]

What do Sunni scholars say about praying Tarawih at home ?

q  “The scholars agree on its merit, but they differ on whether it is better to pray it in one’s home individually or in congregation in a mosque.”  Al-Nawawi, the famous commentator of Sahih Muslim, then goes on to list scholars who support the second and dominant view.  He then writes: “Malik, Abu Yusuf, some Shafi’i scholars, and others say that it is better to pray it individually in the home”.

[al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, volume 6, page 286]

Conclusion

The Shi’ah always aspire to pray the night prayer – called the Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl or Salat al-Layl – in the last part of the nights of every month, particularly during Ramadan.  They are also commended to offer additional nawafil prayers during the nights of Ramadan.  However, they offer these optional prayers mostly in their homes and never in congregation.  By doing so they abide by the Qur’an and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (s).

Namaz-e-tawbah (Isteghfar)

Messenger of Allah (s) emerged from his house on Sunday the 2nd of Zilqad and said: O people! Who among you intends to perform Tawbah? 

The people replied: All of us would like to do Tawbah. 

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Perform the Ghusl (bath) and Wuzu (ablution) and recite four rakats prayer. In each rakat after Surah Hamd recite Surah Tawheed thrice and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once each and after the prayer do Isteghfar and then say: Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billaahil a'liyyil a'zeem. Then say: Yaa A'zeezo yaa ghaffooro ighfirli zunoobi wa zunooba Jamee'il mo-mineena wal mo-minaate. Fa innahu laa yaghfiro illa ant.

 

And the Holy Prophet (s.) said: No servant of my Ummat performs this prayer that a caller does not call out from the sky: O slave of Allah! This deed has been elevated and your repentance (Tawbah) has been accepted and your sins are forgiven. An angel will call out beneath the heavens: O slave of Allah! Congratulations to you and your family members. 

An angel would call out: Your enemy would be satisfied with you on the day of Judgment. Another angel would call out: O slave of Allah! You would leave this world with faith. You would not be arrested. Your grave shall be expansive and illuminated. 

Another angel would call out: O slave of Allah! Your parents are happy with you though they were dissatisfied with you before. Your parents and your descendants shall get salvation and there shall be increase in the livelihood in the world and the hereafter. 

Hazrat Jibraeel (a.s.) would call out: At the time of death I would come with the Angel of death and would be kind to you and you shall not have any problem. Your body would not be pained at the time the soul is taken out.

 

The people asked: O Messenger of Allah (s.), how should one perform this if one desires to perform it in any other month? The Prophet (s.) replied: In the same way with the merits. And said: Jibraeel has taught me these words on the night of ascension (Shab-e-Me'raj).(Ref;dua.org)

The Importance of Salat al-Jamaat

The Salat is the most important act of worship in Islam, and if it is accepted by Allah (SWT), then all other acts of worship are accepted as well. However, if the Salat is not accepted, then all other actions also will not be accepted. It has been narrated from the 6th Imam, Ja 'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq, peace be upon him, quoting his forefathers up to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, that he said:
“If there was a strem at the house of any one of you in which he washes himself five times a day, will ther remain any dirt on your body? Verily, the likeness of the Salat is the same as the stream. The Person who establishes the ritual prayers clears out his sins thereby, execpt for the sin that take him out from the faith that he believes in”. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 82, Pg. 236)
In Islam, perhaps there is no other Mustahab act that carries such benefits and results as Salat al-Jamaat. As for the importance of it, we quote one narration in which it has been mentioned that:
· If two people form a Jama'at, the reward for one Rak'at will be equal to one hundred and fifty prayers.
· If there are three people, the reward for one Rak'at will be equal to six hundred prayers.
· If there are four people, the reward for one Rak'at will be equal to one thousand two hundred prayers.
· If there are five people, the reward for one Rak'at will be equal to two thousand four hundred prayers, & such does the reward multiply, that if there are more than ten people in the Jama'at, then if all the skies were paper, all the seas were ink, all the trees were pens, and all the men, Jinn, and Angels got together as scribes to record the reward of one Rak'at, they would not be able to do it.
In the same narration, it is mentioned that the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) that the believers say after the leader of the ~alat is better and more beloved to Allah that sixty thousand Hajj and 'Umrah, and better than this world and all that is in it- sixty times over! Each Rak'at that the believer performs in Jama'at is better than offering one hundred thousand dinars in charity to the poor, and his sajdah is better than if he was to free one hundred slaves.

It has been emphatically recommended that all obligatory Salat, with special emphasis on Salat al-Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha be offered in congregation. More stress has been laid upon those who live in the neighborhood of a Masjid, and upon those who can normally hear the Adhan from their homes.

It is therefore, reprehensible to underestimate or ignore Salat al-Jama'at, and according to the Islamic rulings, it is not permitted to keep away oneself from the Salat al-Jama'at unduly, nor is it proper to abandon it without a justifiable excuse.

It is further Mustahab to wait for some time until the Salat al-Jama'at begins with the intention to participate in the Salat, since a short congregational Salat is better than a prolonged Salat offered alone. It is also better to wait for the Salat al-Jama'at to be established, even if it is offered after the prime time rather than to pray alone. In fact, if a person realizes that the Salat al-Jama'at has been established but he has already read his Salat, it is Mustahab to repeat the prayers again in Jama'at.

1]. The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, said: "Verily, when one of Allah's servants establishes the Salat in congregation and asks Him something which He does not grant him, Allah will be ashamed until He fulfills it.”

2]. Imam' Ali ibn Musa al-Riza, peace be upon him, said: "The excellence of the congregation Salat compared to a solitary Salat, is one Rak'at to two thousand Rak'at

3]. The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, said: "One prayer of a man in congregation is worthier than his forty years of prayers at home (alone).”

4]. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, said: "The person who abandons the congregation (Salat) without having an excuse, and only for unwillingness or in order to avoid attending the gathering of Muslims, has no Salat (his Salat will not be accepted).”

5]. Once a blind man came to the Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, and said that there was not anyone to take him to the Masjid to attend the congregational Salat with him (the Prophet), when he heard the call to prayer. The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him said, "Stretch a rope from your house up to the Masjid and attend the congregational Salat.

(F) LIMITLESS REWARD  

Allah has put a big reward for congregational prayers:
Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w.) & the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) have laid great stress on Cngregational Payer.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said that if there are only 2 persons (Imam & only one Mamum) in Congregational Prayer, every Rak’at gets the reward of 150 prayers. The reward is increased by the increase in the number of persons. Thus, in a Congregational Prayer of 3 persons, every Rak’at gets reward of 600 persons.

If there are 4, every Rak’at gets reward of  1,200 prayers.
If there are 5, every Rak’at gets reward of  2,400 prayers.
If there are 6, every Rak’at gets reward of  4,800 prayers.
If there are 7, every Rak’at gets reward of  9,600 prayers.
If there are 8, every Rak’at gets reward of  19,200 prayers.
If there are 9, every Rak’at gets reward of  38,400 prayers.
If there are 10, every Rak’at gets reward of 76,800 prayers.

If there are more than 10, then nobody can estimate its reward except Allah. (Marhum Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi – Elements of Islamic Studies)
It is Mustahab that obligatory prayers, especially the daily prayers, are performed in congregation, & more emphasis has been laid on congregational prayers for Fajr, Maghrib & Isha, & also for those who live in the neighborhood of a Mosque, & are able to hears its Adhan.
It is not permissible to absent oneself from the Congregational Prayers unduly, & it is not proper to abandon Congregational Prayers without a justifiable excuse.

A position of great glory

By Mohammad Ehsan Rangiha

 

Tahajjud comes from the root word hujod which literally means ‘sleep’. However when it is constructed in a different form, tahajjud means to put away sleep and to stay up. Allah (swt) instructs the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to stay up part of the night to establish the night prayer (1).
Nafila has been taken from the word nafl which means extra, and this verse refers to the extra prayers that Allah (swt) asks the Prophet to establish during the night. Many commentators have explained this to mean that the night prayer was obligatory upon the Prophet (pbuh). Others believe the night prayer was initially obligatory upon the Prophet (pbuh) based on the verses in chapter 79 (Surat al-Muzzammil); the above verse (Quran 17:79) abrogated this by declaring the night prayer was recommended on the messenger and not incumbent.
At the end of the verse Allah (swt) says maybe your Lord will raise you to maqam mahmud as a result of the night prayer. Mahmud is extracted from the word hamd and means the station of glory and praise which is the highest position the servant can reach. Other traditions refer to it to mean the station of great intercession as the Holy Prophet is the greatest intercessor in the hereafter (2). This shows the greatness and the high position of the night prayer.  The prophet (pbuh) says:

“Two units of prayer in the middle of night is more beloved to me than the world and whatsoever it may contain”

“When the servant of Allah turns to his Lord in the middle of the dark night, and whispers to Him, Allah establishes His light in his heart . . . then He tells the angels: O my angels, look at my servant. He has turned to Me in the middle of the dark night while the false ones are playing, and the heedless ones are sleeping; bear witness that I have forgiven him. “

Many might think it is hard to wake up in the night to communicate and pray to Allah (swt) and search for a solution of how to overcome this difficulty. If we understand the greatness, kindness and absoluteness of Allah (swt) and comprehend the reality of worship which results in tasting the sweetness of communicating to our Master, the difficulty and challenges involved will be insignificant compared to the sweetness of worship and obedience. It has been narrated from the Imam (as):

“My God, who can have tasted the sweetness of Thy love, then wanted another in place of thee? Who can have become intimate with Thy nearness, then sought removal from thee?”

We spend long hours speaking to our friends, spouses and parents, but when it comes to the One who has gifted us with all these people and blessings many of us fall short and don’t even spend a portion of this time communicating and supplicating to Him (swt). We have to start knowing ourselves and discover the treasure which is hidden within us so it can be a means by which we can know Allah (swt), and to taste the sweetness of worshiping him by which we can reach perfection and fulfil the goal and purpose of our creation.
The night is the best time for this as everyone has gone to sleep and the true servant and lover of Allah (swt) makes the most of this golden opportunity to purify himself, discover his purpose of creation and communicate with Allah (swt). It would be a lie for us to say we love Allah (swt) and bear to sleep the whole night. What type of lover sleeps the whole night when he or she can be talking to their Beloved?
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References
(1) Tafseer Nemoone
(2) Tafseer al -Mizan

Sajda-e-Shukr

"Sajda-e-Shukr is of the most necessary and obligatory recommended actions."

(Bihar ul Anwar, Vol.53, P.161)

Namaaz ka Tarika

Namaz ki halat me ankhe band karna makroh hai,Namaz me jab kadmo par khade ho to nazre sajde ki jagah rakho kyo ki hame isi zamin me jana hai, Jab ruku me jao to pav dekho ki hamari jan pav se nikalna suru hogi, jab sajda karo to naak ki simat me deko ki mar ne ke bad sab se pehle naak khatam hogi,Aur jab beth jao to nazre johli me honi chahiye ki meri johli ab bhi khali hai.Ye sab ko bataye, kya pata aap ki wajah se kisi ki namaz sahi ho jaye.

Wuzu, Namaaz, and Dua ka Tarika

Imam Ali (a.s) 

"Jab Wuzoo karo to Jawan shakhs ki tarah, 

Jab Namaz padho to Boodhon ki tarah, 

Aur jab Dua mango to Bachon ki tarah zid kar ke mango."