16- Important Lessons - Chapter 5 - Pillars of Islam part 1 - Belief In Allaah - Salah

Saleh As-Saleh

The pillars of Islam are 5:

1) The Testimony of Tawheed-the Shahada. The testimony of La ilaaha illa lah, Muhammed Rasul Allah which means that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is Allah’s Slave and Messenger.

The meaning of La ilaaha illah lah is to believe in the firm attestation that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and abiding by that and acting accordingly. Worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and staying away from associating partners with Him in worship. This is the real meaning of La ilaaha illah. Allah asserted to his Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam the importance of knowing the meaning of la ilaaha illah lah when He said:

Muhammed (47) 19: So know (O Muhammad ) that Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and ask forgiveness for your sin.

This means that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah the true God. And therefore seek him for forgiveness. The pillars of La ilaaha Illa lah has 2 pillars. First, a negation and second an affirmation. The negation is when we say La ilaaha- there is no god. This negates the ascription of any partner to Allah in any shape or form and rejecting disbelief in anything worshipped or to the exclusion of Allah. After the negation comes the affirmation- illah lah meaning except Allah. This affirms that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. The meaning of this came in the book of Allah:

Al-Baqqarah (2)-256: Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

This is the meaning of La ilaaha illa lah. What it he meaning of shahadatun Muhammedan Rasul Allah-the testimony that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah. It means obeying him in that which he commands and believing him in that which he reported and

keeping away from that which he forbade and called us to stay from, and that Allah is to be worshipped only in that which he (Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam) prescribed. This is the meaning of Muhammedan Rasul Allah. And again this meaning is understood only by the few.

The obedience of the Messenger sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam is from the obedience to Allah. Allah says:

Al-‘Imran (3)-31: Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur'ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

This is a test and commandment from Allah to the believers to follow the one that they claim to love in all that he prescribes; the consequence of which is the Love and Forgiveness upon the believers from Allah.

Also it means ‘Tasdeeq Al-Rasul’- believing in the Messenger in that which he related and informed of the past and future news that which he told about the matters of the unseen which Allah informed him either in detail with respect to some cases or in general with respect to other cases, and this is from the great obligations. Also to keep away from that which he salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam commanded us to stay from. This is vividly stated by Allah’s saying:

Qur’an Al-Hashr (59)-7: And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.

The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: in any matter which I command you to do, then do of it which you are able to do. And that which I forbid for you, then stay away from it.

From this meaning we can extract the fact that we only worship Allah how the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam worshipped Him. The second conditionsof acceptance of deeds is the following of the Messenger sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam. The first is sincerity in deeds for Allah alone.

The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: whoever does something that is not in accordance with our way will have it rejected.

Therefore this is the meaning of the full shahada. La illaha illah lah, Muhammed Rasul Allah. This testimony that Muhammedan Rasul Allah has 2 pillars as well:

Attesting and ascribing to his message Believing that he is a slave-worshipper of Allah as he asserted

in the hadith: and verily I am a slave so therefore say the slave of Allah and His Messenger (when referring to him).

So we don’t raise him above his honorable rank, and we don’t exaggerate in him and one should not be excessive in him ‘alayhi salaatu wasalaam as those who give him divine attributes for example: they fall in the same error done by others who ascribe divinity to certain objects of worship or to humans or angels or other created objects. So we know that the Prophet ‘alayhi salaatu wassalam is a human and a slave of Allah and a Prophet. And we believe that he causes no harm nor brings a benefit when one calls upon him for help so as to execute certain things or lift certain calamities and we believe that he does not know of the unseen in the absolute sense, rather we believe that he knows from that unseen that which Allah enabled him to know. Therefore, this is the real position of the believer towards the Prophet Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam and this is the great honor and respect that is due to the Messenger sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam from the believers.

This testimony of la ilaaha illah lah Muhammed Rasul Allah is the key to Paradise, but this key has ridges without which the door does not open. This constitutes the conditions of La ilaaha illah lah, if fulfilled then this is the great blessing on the believer. These conditions are summarized as follows:

1) Al-’Ilm- knowledge of Allah and about the nature, concept and methodology of worship for the practice as well as the understanding of it. The highest form of knowledge is the one that leads away from shirk. Allah says:

Qur’an 47-19: So know (O Muhammad ) that Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)

‘Uthman narrated: The Prophet Sallah lahu alayhi wassalam asserted that he who dies knowing fully well that there is no

true god worthy of worship except Allah will enter paradise. This hadith is narrated by Muslim.

Even the pagan mushriks knew of its meaning, Allah says:

Qur’an As-Saad (38)-5: "Has he made the âliha (gods) (all) into One Ilâh (God - Allâh). Verily, this is a curious thing!"

It meant unifying the heart with the actions and deeds of the limbs and the tongue in singling Allah alone in worship.

So the knowledge of what this testimony entails is really a vast knowledge that encompasses the whole dean and explains man’s purpose on earth.

2) To fulfill the declaration of la ilaaha illah lah Muhammedan Rasool Allah with certainty al-Yaqeen. The testimony must be made without doubt (with certainty). Allah says:

Qur’an Al-Hujuraat (49)-15: Only those are the believers who have believed in Allâh and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allâh. Those! They are the truthful.

So the believers are without doubt while the hypocrites are full of doubt there in. Allah says:

Qur’an At-Tawbah (9)-45: It is only those who believe not in Allâh and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihâd). So in their doubts they waver.

Narrated Abu Hureirah radi Allahu ta’ala ‘anhu that The Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: ashadu an laa ilaaha illah lah wa Anni Rasool Allah, the slave of Allah who would meet him without harboring any doubt about this (the testimony) would enter Al-Jannah.

3) Al-Ikhlass-purity and sincerity: The intention of accepting Islam and performing all acts of worship must be purely devoted for Allah. The saying of la ilaaha illa lah is of no benefit to the one bearing witness if there isn’t sincerity. Allah says:

Qur’an Al-Bayyinah (98)-5: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât: and that is the right religion.

Narrated Abu Hureirah that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: the happiest people from my intercession will be those who said la ilaaha illah lah and were sincere in their hearts and in themselves (related by Al-Bukhari).

Allah says:

Qu’ran 39-11: Say (O Muhammad ): "Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship;

So one testifies to this should be doing his religious acts solely for Allah and none else. Purity and sincerity is opposite of shirk which is associating with others that which is due to Allah alone. So the one who proclaims this shahada for any worldly gain has failed to meet this condition of la illaha illah and has failed to meet the command of Allah to fulfill it. Say all the worship is purely for Allah. Allah says:

Qur’an 39-14: Say (O Muhammad ) "Allâh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship."

Narrated ‘Utbaan: The Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: Allah has forbidden the fire upon the one who says la illaaha illah lah and says so desiring the face of Allah.

4) As-Sidq, Truthfulness as opposed to Falsehood: truthfulness paves the way for a meaningful understanding of the declaration. It strengthens the drive of man toward achieving knowledge of Allah and we know the hypocrites utter the testimony but they concealed rejection in their heart. Allah says:

Qur’an Al-‘Ankaboot (29) 1-3: AlifLâmMîm.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] 2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. 3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test).

And Allah says:

Qur’an 48-11: Those of the Bedouins who lagged behind will say to you: "Our possessions and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: "Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allâh, if He intends you hurt or intends you benefit? Nay, but Allâh is Ever All-Aware of what you do.

Narrated by Mu’ath bin Jabal that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: no one bears testimony that there is no true god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is his slave and Messenger sincerely from his heart except that Allah makes the Hellfire forbidden for him.

The heart is like the king and the limbs are its soldiers.

The Prophet sallah lahu ‘alayhi wassalam said reported by the sahihayn, truly there is a piece of flesh in the body, if it becomes good, the whole body becomes good but if it becomes spoiled, the whole body becomes spoiled and that is the heart.

When the love of Allah fills the heart truthfulness and honesty fill in too but when desire gets to the heart the way for corruption and hypocrisy becomes open and man will utter what is not in his heart. The whole and sound heart is the one free from associating anyone or anything in worship with Allah. This is the clean and sound heart , free from shirk from false pride and arrogance, free from envy, and free from being miserly, free from strong love and attachment for this life free from love for leadership and

domination, free from lust and free from bid’ah. This is the kind of heart that leads the person to be honest with the declaration the testimony of the shahada. This is known in Qur’an al qalb as-Saleem, the clean sound and safe whole heart and it’s the thing that counts on the day of resurrection. Allah says:

Qur’an 26: 88-89: The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, 89. Except him who brings to Allâh a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifâq (hypocrisy)].

5) Loving this testimony (which is against hating it), loving what it means and loving the people who act upon it. Allah says:

Qur’an Al-Baqqarah (2)-165: And those who believe love Allah more than anything else.

And Allah says:

Qur’an Al-Maidah (5)-54: O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him

So the one who turns away from his religion is harming himself and he is the loser

The conditions of love in Islam are as follows:

The love of the shahadatain to love Allah and the messenger more than all else.

To love what Allah and his Prophet love To hate or dislike what Allah or His Messenger hate or

dislike in all matters related to religion

This is the meaning of love in Islam, allegiance to Islam and dislike for everything that opposes to Allah’s message in particular the message of Tawheed

The Prophet said: Whoever possesses the following 3 qualities will taste the sweetness of faith:

The one to whom Allah and his Messenger become dearer than anything else

He loves a person for the sake of Allah alone, purely seeking the pleasure of Allah

He hates to return to the state of kuffir after Allah has rescued him from it as he hates to be thrown in Jell.

The love of Allah and his Messenger salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam must be translated into: following the order of Allah and his Messenger salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam. Otherwise it will be the superficial false love of the Christians. This negates the following of any innovator also who introduces concepts and/or ways which are contrary to Islamic teachings. The love of Allah and his message to Islam is related to the knowledge of Allah and his names and attributes. The more the person knows Allah the more love he will have for Allah. This makes the believer eager to meet Allah, eager to see Him, and to listen to His words in the Hereafter. This is the goal and all the worldly attachment gets weaker and weaker, the spirit gets lifted up it aims high toward its creator it will not trap itself to any road that will lead it to shirk in any way. The person becomes motivated to comply with Allah’s commands to the best of his ability; this produces the true happiness in this life and in the hereafter. This is the meaning of true love in Islam and this is the 5th condition related to the testimony.

6) The compliance (al-Imqiyaad) meaning that submission to Allah which eliminates rejection. The testimony of Tawheed is fulfilled by the obedience to Allah and his messenger and safeguarding from what Allah forbids. Allah says:

Qur’an Az-Zumar (39)-54: "And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islâmic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islâm), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.

And Allah says:

Qur’an An-Nisaa (4)-125: And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allâh (i.e. follows Allâh's Religion of Islâmic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer - see V.2:112). And follows the religion of Ibrâhim (Abraham) Hanifa (Islâmic Monotheism - to worship none but Allâh Alone). And

Allâh did take Ibrâhim (Abraham) as a Khalil (an intimate friend)

Qur’an Al-Luqmaan (31)-22: And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh [i.e.(follows Allâh's Religion of Islâmic Monotheism), worships Allâh (Alone) with sincere Faith in the (1) Oneness of His Lordship,(2) Oneness of His worship, and (3) Oneness of His Names and Qualities], while he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allâh's sake without any show-off or to gain praise or fame etc. and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh's Messenger Muhammad ), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. And to Allâh return all matters for decision.

And Allah says:

Qur’an An-Nisa’ (4)-65: But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.

The compliance with the declaration of the shahada must not have any feeling of unease or choice but full submission. This is well illustrated by Allah’s saying:

Qur’an 33-36: It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.

The decrees of Allah and his messenger are not subject to human evaluation. The message is the revelation, what it contains is for the benefit of man; therefore man’s submission to Islam is for his own good.

7) Acceptance (Al-Qubool) as opposed to rejection: it is not enough to recognize the greatness of Islam and that it is the truth, but this recognition must be followed by the humble acceptance.

The adherence to the meaning of this declaration safeguards the believer from false pride, arrogance and disdainfulness. Allah says:

Qur’an As-Safaat (37) 35&36: Truly, when it was said to them: Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)," they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).36. And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our âliha (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?

The Muslim must realize therefore this declaration stands against blind imitation and calls for the acceptance of Islam according to the understanding of those whom Allah is pleased with. The sahaba, the companions and those who followed their path from the righteous predecessors, As-Salaf As-Saleh.

The Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam gave amazing parables for those who accept and those who reject the guidance and teachings of Islam.

The Prophet said: the example of guidance and knowledge of which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed the rain water and brought fourth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard and held rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drinking from it and for irrigation and cultivation of the land. And the portion of it was a barren land which could neither hold water nor bring forth vegetation. The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allâh’s religion and gets benefit from knowledge which allah has revealed though me the Prophet and learns and teaches others. The latter example is of the person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me; he is like that of the barren land. Reported by Bukhari

These 7 conditions constitute the proper understanding of la ilaaha illah lah of this key to paradise.

We ask Allah to make us from those who comprehend these conditions and act accordingly.

Conditions of the Shahada Part 2- Muhammedan Rasul Allah

Sheikh Saleh As-Saleh

Muhammedan Rasool Allah. This is the second part of the shahadatain. It is the belief that Muhammed sallah ‘Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam is the final Messenger of Allah. This necessitates the following:

1) Attesting to the message with full belief in the heart and full submissiveness. Whatever Allah told us about Muhammed sallah ‘Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam must be true. Allah says:

Qur’an 10-128: Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad ) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad ) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allâh, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.

And Allah says:

Qur’an (33) 45-46: O Prophet (Muhammad salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a Warner, 46. And as one who invites to Allâh [Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allâh (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur'ân and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet).

And Allah says:

Qur’an 18-110: Say (O Muhammad ): "I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord."

And Allah says:

Qur’an 10-2: Is it wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Inspiration to a man from among themselves (i.e. Prophet Muhammad ) (saying): "Warn mankind (of the coming torment in Hell), and give good news to those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Prophet Muhammad ) that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds?" (But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer (i.e. Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'ân)!

And Allah says:

Qur’an 7-188: Say (O Muhammad ): "I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allâh wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a Warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe."

It shouldn’t be a wonder to mankind that Allah sent a Warner from amongst themselves. This is necessitated in the second part of Muhammedan Rasul Allah.

2) Uttering this and attesting to it by the tongue. We must worship Allah as taught by Muhammed salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam. The obedience to Muhammed sallah lahu alayhi wassalam is an order from Allah. How can we say of those who believe in Allah but not in Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam when allah says

QURAN 59:7 And whatever the Messenger (Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam) gives you you, ACCEPT IT, and from whatever he forbids you, ABSTAIN FROM IT. And fear Allah, verily Allah is severe in punishment.

Allah also says:

Qur’an 4-80: He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad ), has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad ) as a watcher over them.

Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: Whoever obeys me, he obeys Allah. And whoever disobeys me he disobeys Allah. And whoever obeys the ruler I Appoint he obeys me and whoever disobeys the ruler he disobeys me. (Collected by Al-Bukhari)

Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: Everyone in my ummah will enter al-Jannah except those who refuse. The companions said, “oh Allah’s messenger who will refuse”. The Prophet Salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said whoever obeys me will enter al-Jannah, and who ever disobeys me has refused to enter it.

All matters discussing worship of Allah, discipline, order, advice and recommendation as detailed by the Prophet of Allah sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam are collectively know as his Sunnah. The Sunnah is an inspiration of Allah and not the Prophet’s ideas, thoughts or desires. Allah says:

Qur’an 53-3&4: Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. 4. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.

So in believing and obeying the Prophet’s salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam Sunnah we are obeying Allah. There should be no resistance to the way of the prophet sallah lahu alayhi wassalam. He must be taken as a judge in all disputes as Allah commands:

But know by your Lord Allah they can have no complete faith until they make you (Oh Muhammed) judge in all disputes between them and find in themselves no resistance.

Allah says: And find in themselves no resistance against your decisions and accept them fully with submission.

Allah says:

Qur’an 24-63: Make not the calling of the Messenger (Muhammad ) among you as your calling of one another. Allâh knows those of you who slip away under shelter (of

some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger ). And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad ) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.

The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said (reported in the sahihayn): he who does an act in dean which is not agreed upon will have it rejected.

The Sunnah of the prophet Muhammed sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam is surely safeguarded as Allah promised to save the message of Islam from any human corruption. The following from the Sunnah is the manifestation of the declaration of at-Tawheed Muhammedan Rasool Allah, the second part the shahada. Allah says:

Allah says:

QURAN 3:31-32 Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, FOLLOW ME; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (3.32) Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the disbelievers.

In short, the declaration that Muhammed salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam is the Messenger of Allah is an integral part of the shahada and that he must be trusted in all that he informed us about. Muhammed salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam must be obeyed in all that he has commanded and we must stay away from all that he forbade. The obedience to Muhammed salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam is an obedience to Allah and that he Muhammed salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam has left us with all that leads to Jannah and he warned us about all that leads to the fire of Hell.

All of this constitutes of the second part of the shahadatain Muhammedan Rasool Allah. This is the meaning and entailment of it and when it is implied correctly it can bring nothing but good.

3) Following the Messenger Sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam by abiding by the truth he brought and abandoning what he forbade from falsehood.

4) Believing in what he informed in the past and the future news and information.

5) Loving him more then loving ones self, wealth, children and the whole of mankind.

6) Giving precedence to his saying over the saying of anyone else and acting by his Sunnah.

After understanding the correct meaning of it we should be able to understand all that which opposes it. These are acts that nullify one’s Islam, and we have discussed them

May Allah make this a benefit for us, in our hearts, in our actions, from our limbs and our tongues.

Pillars of Salah (Prayers)

The 2nd pillar of Islam is the establishment of as-Salât. Linguistically the term salat means ad-du’at-invocation. Allah says:

Qur’an at-Tawbah (9)-103: And invoke Allâh for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them.

This is the linguistic meaning of as-salat. The Islamic meaning of as-Salat is the worship of Allah through sayings and actions through certain specific sayings and actions beginning with takbir (declaring Allahu Akbar-Allah is Greater) and ending with Tasleem by saying Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatulah-May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you. This is the meaning of as-salat Islamically.

Salat is an obligation. Allah obligated it upon his slaves and made it a criterion between Islam and disbelief. Allah ta’ala says:

Qur’an at-Tawbah (9)-5: But if they repent and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, then leave their way free. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

In the hadith of Mu’adh bin Jabal radi Allahu ta’ala ‘anhu who narrated when the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam sent him to Yemen, he told him: you will come to meet people from the people of the book, so invite them then to the testimony that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, and if they obey you in that then teach them that Allah orders upon them 5 prayers every day and night.

Also in the hadith of Mu’adh radi Allahu ta’ala ‘anhu that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: the head of the matter is Islam and its pillar is as-Salât, and the peak of it is Jihad in the cause of Allah.

Rejection of the obligation of as-salat imputes disbelief on the rejecter by consensus and as to the one who abandons the salat due to negligence and laziness while attesting to its obligation then the correct saying from the people of knowledge is that he commits kuffir by that because of the hadith:

Jabir bin Abdulah radi Allah ta’ala ‘anhuma that he said he heard the Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasalam saying between man and shirk and kuffir is abandoning as-Salat.

Also in the hadith of Abu ‘Ubaida radi Allahu ta’ala ‘anhu who said that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wasalam said: the covenant between them and us is as-salat. So whoever abandons it has disbelieved. (Narrated in Ahmed and the Sunan).

And from the narration of Shaqiq bin Abdulah the tab’iee (successor) upon whom there is agreement on his great status rahimahulah who said: the companions of the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam did not see anything from the actions whose abandonment’s is disbelief accept as-salat.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala had ordained and obligated salaatul Jama’ah, salaat in congregation in the masajid upon men but not upon women; men who reach the state of puberty. Allah ta’ala says:

Qur’an Al-Baqqarah (2)-43: And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, and Irka' (i.e. bow down or submit yourselves with obedience to Allâh) along with ArRaki'ûn.

And Allah says:

Qur’an An-Nisa’ (4)-102: When you (O Messenger Muhammad ) are among them, and lead them in As-Salât (the prayer), let one party of them stand up [in Salât (prayer)] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing arms

The companions of establishing the prayer in congregation are replete and considered those staying behind without joining the congregation and without an excuse as a quality of the hypocrites. Even the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam found no excuse for the blind man to leave to abandon the congregational prayer when he told him: if you hear the athan then respond, I don’t find for you a permit.

The merits of salaatul Jam’ah are numerous and these merits do not in any way negate its obligation. The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: the salat in congregation is better then the salat done alone by a degree of 27 times. From the congregation prayers is the salaat Al-Jum’uah, the Friday congregational prayers and it is binding upon those on whom congregational prayers are binding if they are residing in a town. From it’s conditions are that it’s to be done in it’s time and that its in a town and that its to be proceeded by two sermons. Sufficient to hold salaatul Jum’ah with 3 legally responsible men in residence present. Conditioning for that is weak because the narration is weak. Those who are legally excused from attending the Friday prayer such as women, the ill and those who may miss it due to a legal excuse must pray the 4 rak’aa i.e. they pray the Zhuhr. As to praying the Zhuhr after the Jum’ah, then this is not permissible. Rather it is from the innovated matters in dean. The number of rak’aat for jum’aa are 2. The Imaam leads the prayer reciting the Qur’an loudly in them and it’s the sunnah to recite surah al-A’laa and surah Al-Ghashiya (87 and 88 in the Qur’an) or surah Al-Jum’uah (62) and surah al-Munafiqoon (63).

The 2 khutbah’s take place prior to the salaat as he sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam did; admonishing people in that which is beneficial to them calling them to fear Allah, teaching them their dean. Not

making it a platform for the political agendas as is the case in many masajid unfortunately. The Imaam incites the people to learn their dean teaching them what is beneficial for them in this life and in the next one. And try to address some of the issues that need to be addressed in their lives but not transgressing and making this a platform for political agenda and motives. You can hear some of the sermons where the imaam sounds like he’s reading a newspaper. And it’s the sunnah to shorten the khutbah and lengthen the khutbah-this is from the sign of fiqh of the Imaam as the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said in the hadith narrated by Imam Muslim. It is praiseworthy to take a bath and use perfume for men and come early for the jum’ah prayer and wearing the best of clothes because it is the weekly Eid of the muslim as came from an authentic narration from the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam about its merits.

There is no introductory sunnah specific for the jum’ah as a regular sunnah as is the case with respect to the 5 obligatory prayers rather if the person comes to the masjid, he prays as much as he can. Then he sits and recites Qur’an or makes remembrance until the Imam comes. As to after that, if he prays in the masjid then he prays 4 rak’aa but if he prays at home he prays 2 rak’aa because there is evidence for this. A person is considered to have attained the jum’ah prayer by attaining one rak’aa from the 2. But if he doesn’t attain that then he prays the salaat as 4 rak’aa as Zhuhr.

The 2nd congregational prayer is the prayer of the 2 Eid’s, the 2 islamic festivities- Eid al-Fitr which is the Eid on the day of breaking the fast following the fasting of the entire month of Ramadan. The second is Eid al-Adha-the Eid of sacrifices. It is the sunnah to have it in an open space because this is what the Prophet Sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam did in praying the salawatul Eid. But if there is a necessity then it is permissible to pray it in the Masjid such as too much heat, rain, snow etc. and it’s the sunnah to hasten and do the salaat Al-Adha and delay Salaat Al-Fitr.

As to its manner then it is 2 rak’aa making takbeeratul ihram first, followed by 7 takbeers while standing. Then in the second make 5 takbeers before reciting the Qur’an raising one’s hands with every takbeerah and it’s the sunnah to read surah al-A’la, Al-Ghashiyah and then the Iman gives one khutbah after that. It’s the sunnah to bathe, wear perfume for men, the best of clothes for the Eid prayer. And to go in one direction toward the salaat and return from another. And there is no specific sunnah before or after and if the person misses the Eid prayer he can make it up. And it’s a Sunnah to make takbeer, the night preceding the Eid Day until salaat Al-Eid time in the Eid Al-Fitr. As with the Adha the general open takbeer begins from the first

day which is the tenth of Thul-Hijjah until the last day of tashreek (the 13th of Thul Hijjah).

As to the Thikr (remembrances) restricted after the end of the prayer then this is done by the person who is not performing the Hajj from the Fajr time on the day of Yawm ‘Arafah until the ‘Asr of the last day of Tashrik (the 13th of Thul-Hijjah). As to the person performing the Hajj, then after throwing the Jamratul ‘Aqabah with pebbles until the last day of tashreek (the 13th of Thul-Hijjah). And it’s a sunnah to congratulate each other for the Eid and the sahaba used to say to each other takaballah minna wa mink (May Allah accept from us and from you).

The next salaat in congregation is the salat Al-Qusoof- the salaat pertaining to the Eclipse and this is an affirmed sunnah, legalized if an eclipse of the sun or moon takes place because the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said:

If you see any of that (the eclipses) then perform the salaat until it clears. This is narrated by Muslim. He sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wasalam did not say if you see something of this nature then go and invite people to watch and clap and take pictures and make a festival because this is a sign from Allah for people to contemplate and think about the horrors of the day of resurrection when this world will come to an end. These are close signs for people to think and contemplate to check their sins and seek forgiveness and hasten to give charity. This is what the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam admonished the people about during the eclipses. In our times we see people in happiness inviting tourists to their lands to check for the phenomenon. This salat is 2 rak’aa. In the first one recites openly or loudly the Fatiha plus a long surah. Then he goes in rukoo’ for a long period. Then lifts up from rukoo’ saying sami Allahu liman hamidah and does not make sujood. Rather, stands up and recites the Fatiha and another lengthy surah. And then makes rukoo’ and stands up again then makes 2 lengthy prostrations. This is the complete rak’aa in salaat al-Kusoof. Then he makes the second rak’a in the manner similar to the first one. He then sits for tashahhud and makes tasleem. This Salat is not to be made up for the person missing it. If missed then either he misses a rak’aa from it then he makes up the rak’aa in it’s manner and then completes the salaat.

This salaat can be done at the times when it is prohibited to pray because this salaat is from the salaat that has causes to it-when there are causes then it can be made. And it’s the sunnah for the imaam to admonish the people, to remind them and incite them to make

Tawbah and istighfar seeking to repent to Allah and asking of His forgiveness.

The next congregational prayer is salaat Al-Istisqa’-the salat of seeking rain from Allah and this is an affirmed sunnah in congregation however, it’s to be done by the permit of the Imam. Not for anyone to decide. And the way and manner is like salaat al-eid because of the hadith of Ibn “Abbas radi Allahu ‘anhumah reported in at-Tirmidi that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam prayed 2 rak’aa as he prayed in the 2 Eid’s. And when the Imam goes out for this salaat, he admonishes the people and reminds them of the matter of Tawbah and to relieve themselves of injustices and wrongdoings. And the person cleans himself for that salaat but does not put on perfume. And does not put clothes of beautification because this is a day of calmness and tranquility. The person goes to the sallat as the Messenger salla Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam went to the sallat humble and tranquil seeking Allah subhanahu wata’ala as reported in at-Tirmidhi.

After the salaat, the Imam gives 1 khutbah with abundant istighfar then raises his hands towards the heavens making du’aa. Then he turns toward the Qiblah and says secretly: Allahuma innaka amartuna bi du’aaik wa wa’atanah bi ‘ijaabitik wa qad ‘awnakaka kama amartana fastajib lana kama wa’atana, -Oh Allah, You commanded us to invoke You and You guaranteed us your response, and thus we invoked You as You commanded us, so respond to us and answer us as you have promised. Then he turns and flips his cloth to the other side.

The voluntary salah-salaat at-Tatawa the merits of voluntary salat are numerous because they are considered as completions to the obligatory ones and they can be classified as follows. First, ar-Ruwatib-the regular sunan. And they are 12 rak’a.

Umm Al-Mu’mineen-the mother of the believers said: I heard Allah’s Messenger sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam say: no slave muslim praying for Allah every day (the sunan) except that Allah builds for him a house in Paradise. And as to the way they are done they are as follows:

4 rak’aa before Zhuhr and 2 after and they are to be prayed like 2 and then with tasleem-this constitutes 2 rak’aa. And then 2 with tasleem- this constitutes another 2 rak’aa. Then after the obligatory one, pray the 2 rak’aa with tasleem.

Aisha radi Allahu ta’ala ‘anha reported: the Messenger of Allah used to pray at his home before the Zhuhr 4 rak’aa then lead for the salah and prays leading the people. He then enters the home and prays 2 rak’aa. So the sunnah with respect to these regular prayers is that they be made at home.

Then the second is 2 rak’aa after Maghrib.

Thirdly, 2 rak’aa after ‘Ishaa as reported by Aisha.

Also, 2 rak’aa before praying the obligatory Fajr prayer. These 2 rak’aa before fajr has specific merits and the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wasalam kept doing them in travel and in residence.

The general Nafal (optional) ones are as follows:

1st Between 2 calls (Athans) for prayers there is salaat.

2nd Occasionally 4 rak’aa before Asr, due to the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wasalam said: May Allah’s mercy be upon the person who prays the ‘Asr 4. And the 4 are to be prayed 2 at a time with tasleem.

3rd 2 Rak’aa before Maghrib prayer. In the hadith that the Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam said: Pray before Maghrib forever who wishes.

4th The night and Witr (odd prayer). The night prayer is done in 2’s. The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam did not exceed in Ramadan nor in other than Ramadan 11 rak’aa. And the manner to perform this either that they can be done by five 2’s which equals ten and then do one as odd, or a person can do that in other ways as well. For example he may pray 4 in 2’s then finish with 3 odd to equal 11 and this salaat of witr is from the most affirmed voluntary prayers and of the best and the Muslim should be keen about them. The Prophet sallah Allahu ‘alayhi wassalam held to them in residence and in travel. And when he missed his witr he would pray from the day 12 rak’aa. So if you pray 3 odd each night and you missed them, then during the day you can pray them as 4 (2 and 2). And if you are doing witr as 5, then you would pray them as 6 in the day and so forth.

This concludes the summarized discussion on salaat and the congregation prayers.