Advice to Those Who Are Not Praying Any Nawaafil Prayers

***A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST***


Assalaamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful
‎~*`InshAllah a Must Read`*~
Advice to Those Who Are Not Praying Any Nawaafil Prayers
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"QUESTION : What is your advice to someone who has stopped praying the Sunnah prayers in the daytime and does not pray anything at night?

ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah


There is nothing more outstanding as advice than the hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), when he said:


"The very first thing a servant will be asked about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is found to be deficient, then it will be said, 'Doesn't he have any optional prayers?' If it is found that he has optional prayers, then they will fill the void, and thus his prayers will be accepted, and the rest of his deeds will also be accepted." [1]

And the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was asked about a dream that Ibn Umar had, so he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:


"What a good man 'Abdullaah ibn Umar is, so long as he prays at night." [2]

So then consistently praying the optional prayers, the most important of them being the Witr prayer and the (12) Sunnahs throughout the day and night, is from the most important of all affairs to the Muslim. This is because you, O Muslim, by way of them, compensate for the lapses found in your obligatory prayers.

And the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) clarified in a hadeeth that a man may pray but he may only be credited with half of it, another may pray but only be credited with one third of it, and another may pray but only be credited with one fourth of it... [3]

The meaning is that it often occurs that the people have shortcomings in their prayers, while it is obligatory to offer them, completing them perfectly. So have you actually offered all of your prayers completely and perfectly according to the Sharee'ah?

So then you must take care to consistently offer optional prayers, you must take care to consistently offer the Witr prayer, you must take care to offer the other optional prayers consistently. It has been related that Imaam Ahmad said about the one who does not consistently pray the Witr prayer, "He is an evil man, his witness is not to be accepted."

So how could a Muslim who has no work keeping him from his worship become lazy and then abandon these (optional) prayers. No doubt, he has caused himself to lose a great amount of good, and to miss an opportunity to obtain tremendous virtues, while being free to do them and try to keep consistency in offering them.

I ask Allaah to excuse us and him, and to be gracious.

There is a hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam):


"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (rak'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." [4]

When you do not pray this prayer, four rak'ahs before the 'Asr prayer, you have prevented your own self from being included in those whom the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) supplicated for, those who pray this prayer.

The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Whoever consistanly prays twelve rak'ahs throughout the day and night, a palace will be built for him in Paradise." [5]

Most of the optional prayers have great virtues attached to them, described by the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam).

"Allaah will build a house in Heaven for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak'aat (as follows): 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr (Midday) Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib (Sunset Prayer), 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ (Evening) Prayer and 2 before the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer." Hadith sahih narrated by at-Tirmidhi No. 379 and by others. Hadith No. 6183 in Sahih al-Jaami’.
‘Anbasah ibn Abi Sufyan quoted Umm Habibah as saying "Allaah’s Messenger (May peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"A house will be built in Heaven for one who prays 12 Rak'aat in a day and evening as follows: 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib Prayer, 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ Prayer and 2 before the Fajr Prayer." Narrated by at-Tirmizi under No. 380. He said: The Hadith narrated by ‘Anbasah quoting Umm Habibah in this chapter is a hassan and sahih hadith. It is under No. 6362 in Sahih al-Jaami’.

The ‘Asr (Late-Afternoon) Prayer has no routine Sunnah (basic recommended voluntary prayer). However, it is mustahab (preferable and recommended) that one prays 4 Rak'aat before the ‘Asr Prayer. The 4 Rak'ahs are of less reward and significance in importance of adhering to them compared to the "sunnan al-rawaatib" described above. The 4 Rak'ahs are the ones intended by the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) in saying: "May Allaah have mercy on one who prays 4 raka’aat before the ‘Asr Prayer." Narrated by at-Tirmidhi no. 395 and he declared it a hassan and ghareeb Hadith. Al-Albany rated the Hadith as hassan in Sahih al-Jami’ No. 3493.
All the foregoing 4-Rak'ah voluntary prayers are to be prayed two at a time according to Imam ash-Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad.

Allaah, the Exalted, knows best.--- last 3 paragraphs from Islamq&a


***A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST***

FOOTNOTES
[1] Collected by At-Tirmithee, Aboo Daawood, An-Nasaa'ee, and others, see Saheeh Al-Jaami'is-Sagheer wa Ziyaadah #2020.
[2] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #1122 (3/10 of Fat-hul-Baaree)
[3] see Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #796
[4] Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #1270
[5] Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #1250
Note: InshAllah please do share!

Fasting on the day of ARAFAT

GOD said: "All deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am The One Who will reward him for it." [BUKHARI]


The day of Arafat is on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah. In this day millions of pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord performing their Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). It is Highly recommended for those who are not in there fast tomorrow. Arafat is the day on which Allah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam (alaihis-salaam), it was reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) related: “(When Allah created Adam (alaihis-salaam) Allah took covenant from him in a place Na'maan on the day of Arafat, then He extracted from him all the descendants who would be born until the end of the world, generation after generation, and spread them out in front of Him in order to take a covenant from them also. He spoke to them face to face saying: “Am I not your Lord?” and they all replied: “Yes, we testify to it.” Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He was their Creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said: “That was in case you (mankind) should say on the Day of Resurrection, 'Surely, we were unaware of this. We had no idea that You, Allah, were our Lord. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship You.” …” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 4, no: 1623]



Indeed, the day of Arafat is a blessed day and there is no other covenant greater than this covenant! Arafat is a day of Forgiveness from sins, freedom from the Hell-Fire for the people who are present in the plain of Arafat. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrated the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels saying, 'What do these people (the Hajis) want?'” [Saheeh Muslim]



This Haadeeth mentions forgiveness for the pilgrims. In addition to this, fasting on the day of Arafat is a Sunnah and an expiation of sins for the residents.


Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, on the day of Aashoorah, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh Abi Dawood vol: 2, no: 462]



It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked about the fasting on the day of Arafat, he said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year.” [Saheeh Muslim] This fasting is Mustahabb only for the non-pilgrims and not for the Hajis (the pilgrims) because it was not the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to fast on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage and in a narration he also forbade doing so. Imaam at-Tirmidhee (rahimahullah) (d. 275H) said: “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended (Mustahabb) to fast on the day of Arafat, except for those at Arafat." [Jaami'ut-Tirmidhee (3/377)]



The Prophet (Sallalahu alayhi wa salam) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said: Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. (continue below)None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things. (At-Tirmithi. 3/184)


“..This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion..” [Quran 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning] This beautiful ayah was revealed to our BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD, SALALAHU ALAIHI WA  SALAAM on a Friday when he was standing on ARAFAH.



Narrated Aisha (radi Allah anha), Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said:


"There is no day when Allah sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these want?'

[Book Number: 7, Hadith Number: 3126, Sahih Al Bukhari]

THE BEST DUA to make on Arafat:
"The best of supplications is the supplication on the day of AAarafah and the best which I and the Prophets before me have said (is):"

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”

Transliteration

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer

Sources: At-Tirmithi No# 3585

*** A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST***

Today's TAFSIR OF THE DAY!

SURAH AL-FATIHA Cont'd

The Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names

This Surah is called Al-Fatihah, that is, the Opener of the Book, the Surah with which prayers are begun. It is also called, Umm Al-Kitab (the Mother of the Book), according to the majority of the scholars. In an authentic Hadith recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who graded it Sahih, Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«الْحَمْدُ للهِ رَبَ الْعَالَمِينَ أُمُّ الْقُرْآنِ وَأُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَالسَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنُ الْعَظِيمُ»

(Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-`Alamin is the Mother of the Qur'an, the Mother of the Book, and the seven repeated Ayat of the Glorious Qur'an.)

It is also called Al-Hamd and As-Salah, because the Prophet said that his Lord said,

«قَسَمْتُ الصَّلَاةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ، فَإِذَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ:الْحَمْدُدِلله رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، قَالَ اللهُ: حَمِدَنِي عَبْدِي»

(`The prayer (i.e., Al-Fatihah) is divided into two halves between Me and My servants.' When the servant says, `All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of existence,' Allah says, 'My servant has praised Me.')

Al-Fatihah was called the Salah, because reciting it is a condition for the correctness of Salah - the prayer. Al-Fatihah was also called Ash-Shifa' (the Cure).

It is also called Ar-Ruqyah (remedy), since in the Sahih, there is the narration of Abu Sa`id telling the the story of the Companion who used Al-Fatihah as a remedy for the tribal chief who was poisoned. Later, the Messenger of Allah said to a Companion,

«وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ أَنَّهَا رُقْيَةٌ»

(How did you know that it is a Ruqyah)

Al-Fatihah was revealed in Makkah as Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah and Abu Al-`Aliyah stated. Allah said,

[وَلَقَدْ ءاتَيْنَـكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي]

(And indeed, We have bestowed upon you the seven Mathani) (seven repeatedly recited verses), (i.e. Surat Al-Fatihah) (15:87). Allah knows best.

Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=1&tid=11

Fasting and Good Deed in the First Ten Days of Thul Hijja

The Two Festivals (Eids) - Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." "There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah Most High, than these ten days. So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (La ilaha ill Allah), and Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdu lillah)." (Reported by Imam Ahmad). "By the dawn; By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hîjjah), And by the even and the odd (of all the creations of Allâh) And by the night when it departs There is indeed in them (the above oaths) sufficient proofs for men of understanding (and that, they should avoid all kinds of sins and disbeliefs)!" [The Qur'an 89:1-5] 1. Allah (swt) swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. 2. The Prophet (Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) testified that these are the best days of this world, and encouraged people to do righteous deeds on these days. Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are: 1. Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. 2. Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allah") during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly. 3. Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honoring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship. 4. Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allah. 5. Sincere repentance. One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allah loves. There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before death strikes, before one can regret one’s negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered, before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.

Source: http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/10Nights/10Nights.shtml A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!

Not going to Hajj? Get closer to Allah in these Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

The Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

In what follows, we will highlight some of the Sunnah regarding these days, hoping by this to provide an incentive to make the best out of them and gain Allah’s reward, insha’ Allah.

Righteous actions in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are dearer to Allah than these ten [days of Dhul Hijjah]." They said, "O Messenger, even jihad in the way of Allah?" He said, "Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who leaves with his wealth, and does not return with any of it (life or wealth)." [al-Bukhari]

All good deeds can be done during these days and the early generations of Muslims used to exert themselves excessively in worshipping Allah. In particular, fasting and dhikr (mentioning and remembering Allaah) are to be done in plenty on these days. Charity , being kind to parents and relatives, neighbors, reciting Quran, are examples of other great deeds.


Dhikr

Ibn Abbas commented on the verse "…and to mention Allah’s name [plentifully] on Known days" [22:28] by saying: "…these known days are the ten days [of Dhul Hijjah]." [Tafseer ibn Katheer]
 

Fasting

One of the wives of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salam, said: "Allah’s Messenger used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashora, and three days of each month. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #2129]

The Day of Arafah - The Best Day of the Whole Year

The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah.

"Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting the day of Ashora expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim]

"There is no day on which Allah azza wa jall frees people from the Fire as He does no the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on `Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: "What are these people seeking?" [Muslim]

The best dua to make on the day of Arafah is:

The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

خير الدعاء دعاء يوم عرفة، وخير ما قلت أنا والنبيون من قبلي: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير

“The best supplication is the one made on the Day of ‘Arafah. The best thing ever said by me and the previous prophets is: There is no deity worthy of worship other than Allaah, who is alone, having no partner. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He is, of everything, All-Capable.”

The hadeeth was collected by Imam at-Tirmithee and others, and it has been authenticated by the scholars.

 

Again:

 

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

"The best of supplications is the supplication on the day of AAarafah and the best which I and the Prophets before me have said (is):

“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer (arabic right above)

Sources: At-Tirmithi No# 3585

 

The Day of Eid al-Adha

The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid ul-Adha or the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering). It marks the conclusion of the major rites of Hajj, and commemorates Allah’s bounty on His Messenger Ibrahim, when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son Ismael, alayhimassalam.

"The day of al-Fitr [i.e. `Eed ul-Fitr], the day of an-Nahr, and the days of Tashreeq are `Eid days for us Muslims. They are days of eating and drinking." [Ahmad, an-Nasae, Saheeh ul-Jaami #8192]


Allahu Aalam!

SOURCE: http://theracetojannah.blogspot.com/2010/11/not-going-to-hajj-get-closer-to-allah.html

A REMINDER TO MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST!