[ What can a woman who is menstruating do on Laylat al-Qadr? Q- Is it permissible to read Quran while a women is having mensus (periods)? ]

■ [ What can a woman who is menstruating do on Laylat al-Qadr? Q- Is it permissible to read Quran while a women is having mensus (periods)? ]

Q- I was wondering what a woman can do on laylat al-qadr if she is menstruating at that time. can she earn extra rewards for engaging herself in worship? if so, what is permissible for her to do so that night?.

A- A woman who is menstruating may do all acts of worship apart from praying, fasting, circumambulating the Ka’bah and doing i’tikaaf in the mosque.

It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to stay up at night during the last ten nights of Ramadaan. Al-Bukhaari (2401) and Muslim (1174) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “When the last ten nights of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would refrain from marital relations, stay up at night and wake his family up.”

Staying up at night is not only for prayer, rather it includes all kinds of acts of worship. This is how the scholars interpreted it.

Al-Haafiz said: “Staying up at night” means staying up to do acts of worship.

Al-Nawawi said: spending the night staying up to pray etc.

He said in ‘Awn al-Ma’bood: i.e., in prayer, dhikr and reciting the Qur’aan.

Praying qiyaam is the best act of worship that a person can do on Laylat al-Qadr. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1901; Muslim, 760).

Because the woman who is menstruating is not allowed to pray, she can spend the night in doing other acts of worship apart from prayer, such as:


One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and classed the report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”


2- Dhikr – such as saying Subhaan-Allaah, La ilaaha illa-Allaah, al-Hamdu Lillaah, etc. She can repeat the words “Subhaan-Allaah wa’l-hamdu Lillaah, wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god but Allaah and Allaah is Most Great)” and “Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdihi, subhaan Allaah il-‘Azeem (Glory and praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah the Almighty)” etc.

3- Istighfaar (praying for forgiveness), by repeating the phrase “Astaghfir-Allaah (I ask Allaah for forgiveness).”

4- Du’aa’ (supplication) – she can pray to Allaah and ask Him for what is good in this world and in the Hereafter, for du’aa’ is one of the best acts of worship. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Du’aa’ is ‘ibaadah (worship).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2895; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2370).

The woman who is menstruating can do these acts of worship and others on Laylat al-Qadr.

We ask Allaah to help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. May Allaah accept our righteous deeds.

..............................................................


Reading Qur’aan during menses

Q- Is it permissible to read Quran while a women is having mensus (periods)?


A- Praise be to Allaah.

This is one of the issues on which the scholars, may Allaah have mercy on them, differed.

The majority of fuqahaa’ say that it is haraam for a woman to recite Qur’aan during her period, until she is taahir (pure) again. The only exceptions they make is in the case of dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) and phrases that are not intended as tilaawah (recitation), such as saying “Bismillaahi’r-Rahmaani’r-Raheem” or “Innaa Lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon”, or other phrases from the Qur’aan which are repeated as general du’aa’s.

They base their evidence for forbidding menstruating women to recite Qur’aan on several things, including the following:

Menstruation is seen as coming under the rulings that apply to one who is junub (in a state of impurity following sexual intercourse), because both states require ghusl. This is based on the hadeeth narrated by ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to teach the Qur’aan and he never prevented anyone from learning it except those who were in a state of janaabah (impurity).” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1/281; al-Tirmidhi, 146; al-Nisaa’i, 1/144; Ibn Maajah, 1/207; Ahmad, 1/84; Ibn Khuzaymah [??], 1/104. Al-Tirmidhi said: a saheeh hasan hadeeth. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: the truth is that it is the type of hasan hadeeth that could be used as evidence).

The hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The menstruating woman and the one who is in a state of impurity (janaabah) should not recite anything of the Qur’aan.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 131; Ibn Maajah, 595; al-Daaraqutni (1/117); al-Bayhaqi, 1/89. This is a da’eef hadeeth, because it was reported by Ismaa’eel ibn ‘Ayyaash from the Hijaazis, and his reports from them are da’eef as is well known to those who are conversant with the study of hadeeth. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said (21/460): it is a da’eef hadeeth by the unanimous agreement of the scholars of hadeeth. See Nasb al-Raayah, 1/195; al-Talkhees al-Habeer, 1/183).

Some scholars say that it is permitted for a menstruating woman to recite Qur’aan. This is the opinion of Maalik, and one opinion narrated from Ahmad, which Ibn Taymiyah preferred and which al-Shawkaani believed to be correct. The scholars based the following points on this opinion:

The principle is that things are allowed and permitted unless there is evidence to the contrary. There is no such evidence to say that a menstruating woman is not allowed to recite Qur’aan. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: “There is no clear, saheeh text to indicate that a menstruating woman is forbidden to recite Qur’aan… It is known that women used to menstruate at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he did not forbid them to recite Qur’aan, or to remember Allaah (dhikr) and offer du’aa’.”

Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, commands (Muslims) to recite Qur’aan. He praises the one who does so, and promises him (or her) a great reward. No one is excluded from this except the one concerning whom there is solid evidence (daleel), and there is no such evidence in the case of menstruating women, as stated above.

The analogy between the menstruating woman and the one who is in a state of janaabah is made despite the fact that there are differences between them. The one who is in a state of janaabah has the option of removing the “barrier” by making ghusl, unlike the menstruating woman. A woman’s period usually lasts for some length of time, whereas the person who is in a state of janaabah is required to do ghusl when the time for prayer comes.

Preventing a menstruating woman from reciting Qur’aan deprives her of the chance to earn reward, and it may make her forget something of the Qur’aan, or she may need to recite it for the purposes of teaching or learning.

From the above, it is clear that the evidence of those who allow a menstruating woman to recite Qur’aan is stronger. If a woman wants to err on the side of caution, she can limit her recitation to the passages which she is afraid of forgetting.

It is very important to note that what we have been discussing here is restricted to what a menstruating woman recites from memory. When it comes to reading from the Mus-haf (the Arabic text itself), a different rule applies. The correct view of the scholars is that it is forbidden to touch the mus-haf when one is in any kind of state of impurity, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… which none can touch except the purified.” [al-Waaqi’ah 56:79]. In a letter to ‘Amr ibn Hazm, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told the people of Yemen: “No one should touch the Qur’aan except one who is taahir (pure).” (Reported by Maalik, 1/199; al-Nisaa’i, 8/57; Ibn Hibbaan, 793; al-Bayhaqi, 1/87. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: A group of scholars classed this hadeeth as saheeh because it is so well known. Al-Shaafi’i said: It is proven by them that it was a letter sent by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: “This letter is famous among the scholars of seerah, and is so well known among the scholars that it does not need an isnaad. It is like tawaatur because the people accepted and recognized it. Shaykh al-Albani said that its is saheeh. Al-Talkhees al-Habeer, 4/17. See also: Nasb al-Raayah, 1/196; Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel, 1/158).

(Haashiyat Ibn ‘Aabideen, 1/159; al-Majmoo’, 1/356; Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’, 1/147; al-Mughni, 3/461; Nayl al-Awtaar, 1/226; Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa, 21/460; al-Sharh al-Mumti’ li’l-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 1/291)

And Allaah knows best.

Sheikh Muhammed

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18 COMMON MISTAKES MADE DURING RAMADAN PART TWO

Asalaam Alaikhum Warahmatullah Wabaraktuh,

18 COMMON MISTAKES MADE DURING RAMADAN
PART TWO: A Reminder to myself first and foremost

10. DELAYING OPENING FAST
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before). Aa’ishah (Radi allahu anha) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do. [Muslim]

The Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah SWT.

11. EATING CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE TIME FOR MAGHRIB IS UP
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, then he would hasten to the prayer. Once you finish prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

12. MISSING THE GOLDEN CHANCE OF HAVING YOUR DUA'A ACCEPTED
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Instead of sitting down and making Dua’a at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it… Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Dua’as.

13. FASTING BUT NOT PRAYING
The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.’ [Muslim]

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

‘Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.’ [Bukhaari]

14. NOT FASTING BECAUSE OF EXAMS OR WORK
Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do it during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make your studies and other activities easy for you and help you in everything you do.

‘Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. [Qur’an, Surah at-Talaaq :2-3]

15. MIXING FASTING AND DIETING
DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (especially sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.

16. PRAYING ONLY ON THE NIGHT OF 27TH RAMADAN
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

17. WASTING THE LAST PART OF RAMADAN PREPARING FOR EID
Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim]. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost.

Aa’ishah (Radiallahu anha) said: ‘When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i..e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.’ [Bukhaari and Muslim]

18. EXTREME IN IFTAAR SHARING OR PARTIES
It is good practice to contribute and share food towards IFTAR. Although inviting each other for breaking fast is good however encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ .

It’s not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah.

Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Qur’an, al-Hijr:49]

Lastly, as we are nearing the end of Ramadan (yes the end), there is a special dua to make in the night of Laylatul Qadr. Since no one knows when it is exactly but we are told to seek it in the last 10 ODD nights, we should all be involved heavily in invoking the following dua:"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"
Aisha (Radianlahu Anha), may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) : 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He (Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"

May Allah accept our fasts, our duas and our good deeds.

AMEEN YA MUJIB

A reminder to myself first and foremost.

REVIVE THE SUNNAH "ACTIONS UPON HEARING ATHAAN - CALL FOR A PRAYER"

There are five Sunnah actions (i.e. Prophetic actions) recommended by the Prophet – Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam - Upon hearing the call for the prayer, as mentioned in Zad Al Ma'ad Book, by Ibn Al Qayyem:

1 ➲ The hearer should repeat after the Mo'athen (The one who calls for prayer) all words except when the Mo'athen says:

"حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ وَحَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ" ~ Hayya 'alas-Salaah (come to prayer) and Hayya 'alal-Falaah (come to prosperity).

Here you should say:

"لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ" (Laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa billaah ~ There is no might, or power, except with Allah)

[Al-Bukharee, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 613; Muslim, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 385. The wording is according to Muslim]


2 ➲ The hearer should say:

"وَأَنَا أَشَْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبَّاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رِسُولاً وَبِالإِْسلاَمِ دِيناً".

Wa 'anaa 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu, radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bi-Muhammadin Rasoolan wa bil'islaami deenan.

(And I also bear witness that there is no deity has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Muhammad as my Messenger and with Islam as my religion.)

[To be recited in Arabic after the Mu'aththin’s Tashahhud or the words of affirmation of Faith]) [Muslim, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 386]

3 ➲ After the Mo'athen finishes the Athan (The call for prayer), you should ask Allah's blessings upon the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and the best supplication which can be said in this regard is the "As-Salawat Al Ibrahimiah" – as mentioned below.

The Prophet – Peace be upon him – said:
"When you hear the Mo'athen calling for the prayer, repeat his words then ask Allah's blessings upon me, because the one who asks Allah's blessings upon me once will be rewarded ten blessings by Allah." [Muslim, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 384]

The benefit of this Sunnah: Allah will send ten blessings to the believer

The text of As-Salawat Al-Ibrahimiah is:
(Allaahumma salli alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma Baarik alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Mohammadin kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed - i.e. O Allah, bestow your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Mohammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious)
[Al-Bukharee, The Book of Stories of the Prophet, Hadith 3370]

4 ➲ After asking Allah's blessings upon the Prophet – Peace be upon him – you should say:

"اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّداً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ، [إَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ].

(Allaahumma Rabba haathihid-da 'watit-taammati wassalaatil-qaa'imati, 'aati Muhammadanil-waseelata walfadheelata, wab 'ath-hu maqaamam-mahmoodanil-lathee wa'adtahu, ['innaka laa tukhliful-mee'aad])

After replying to the call of Mu'aththin. you should recite in Arabic (right above) Allah's blessings on the Prophet.

Translation of above dua: (O Allah, Lord of this Perfect Call and Owner of this Prayer to be performed, bestow on Muhammad Al-Waseelah and Al-Fadeelah that You promised him) [Al-Bukharee, The Book of Al-Adhaan, Hadith 614]

The benefit of this supplication: The one who says this supplication will deserve the intercession of the Prophet – Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salam.

5 ➲ Finally, you can ask Allah The Almighty anything for yourself and ask the grace of Allah because your supplication will be answered this time.

The Prophet – Peace be upon him – said:
"Repeat the words of the Mo'athen and when you finish, ask Allah what you want and you will get it) [Aboo Daawood, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 524. Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar graded the Hadeeth as Hasan and Ibn Hibbaan gave it a grading of authentic]

➲ The total number of such Sunnah actions if applied upon hearing the Athan (The call for prayer) is ➲ (25) actions of Sunnah.

From I love Allah

A reminder to myself first and foremost