Ritual

Question:

Assalamu alaikum, I used not to pray for about 6 to 7 years , but then I started praying ,alhamdulillah, and I try my best not to miss a prayer and always try to pray them on time. However, what should I do about the prayers that I missed? Should I make them all up or would performing as many sunnah prayers as possible make up for them? Also, if I would have to make up those prayers, then can I still continue praying the sunnah prayers and in what order would I have to perform them in? For example,there is 2 raka’as sunnah before fajr prayer,so should I pray sunnah first and then make up for the missed fajr prayer and then pray the regular fajr prayer? Thank you and our feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Question:

As-Salaam `Alaykum. Is there any evidence from the sayings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he used to say collective Du`a or supplications after each obligatory prayer. In our community we have different opinions regarding the issue. Basically, our Arab brothers are saying that Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not say the Du`a collectively, therefore, we should not do it, while others say that he has done it. I would really appreciate if you could clarify this matter.

And when My servant question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them bear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright. (Al-Baqarah: 186)

With the du'a (praying), human communicating with his creator and with the du'a human admitted his weakness in front of his creator. The du'a is a weapon for those who believe because they believe that Allah will listen and grant their du'a.

Question:

What is the reason why a woman is not allowed to observe a nafil fast without her husband’s permission even though that is an act of worship, and there is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience towards the Creator?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allah.

Al-Bukhari (5191) and Muslim (1026) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman to fast when her husband is present except with his permission.”

Question:

I have a question about where to place our hands after the opening takbir (takbirat al-ihram) in Salah (Prayer): Are we supposed to place our hands below the navel or above or on our chest? Someone told me the other day that it was incorrect to place the hands below the navel as we are required to place it on our chest? I have been brought up in the Hanafi school, and I have been taught all along to place my hands on below my navel while praying. I would like you to clarify this issue for me.

Sesungguhnya beruntunglah orang-orang yang beriman, (yaitu) orang-orang yang khusyu' dalam sembahyangnya. (QS Al-Mukminun [23]:1-2)

Jadikanlah sabar dan shalat sebagai penolongmu. Dan sesungguhnya yang demikian itu sungguh berat, kecuali bagi orang-orang yang khusyu', (yaitu) orang-orang yang meyakini, bahwa mereka akan menemui Tuhannya, dan bahwa mereka akan kembali kepada-Nya. (QS Al Baqarah [2] 45-46).

Dari kedua ayat diatas, dapat disimpulkan khusyu' bukanlah konsentrasi, tetapi keyakinan sedang menghadap Allah. Shalat secara bahasa berarti do’a. Dan doa pada hakikatnya merupakan bentuk dialog antara manusia dengan Allah Swt. Ketika seseorang shalat, hakekatnya ia sedang bertemu dan berdialog dengan Allah Swt.

Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah). It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. It is the fifth pillar of Islam. Like other pillars, it was instituted by the all-Wise and all-Knowing to help humans realize their full potential.

Hajj is an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. It is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah. And they are primarily intended to instill true consciousness of Almighty Allah in us and to make us aware of our real purpose in life. 

The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.