Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ‎)

Another Question Regarding Jum`ah Prayer & Congregation

by

Question Here in New York on last Friday of Ramadhan when we arrived at a Mosque the Jum`ah prayer had already been offered so the management said there will be second Jama`at for Zuhr. The person who led the second prayer made it two rakaat and offered it like regular Jum`ah prayer. Then there was […]

The Concept of Istikharah

by

Question What is the concept of Istikhara according to Qur’an and Sunnah.  If someone sees something in the dream after doing Istikhara, how valid – reliable – is it? Should it be followed? Obviously we do Istikhara with the intent to see something in a dream that God SWT wants us to do (traditional concept). […]

The Hadith Regarding Praying Five Times as the Distinction Between Muslims and Non-Muslims

by

Question Please comment on the hadith that goes as follows: A believer is distinguished by a non-believer by praying five times a day. Does this mean that prayer is the only way a believer is determined?  That doesnt seem to follow the Qur’anic injunctions… Answer To fully understand this saying ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), […]

Some Questions on Jum`ah Prayer & Congregation

by

Question Recently it was brought up that if you do not come to Jum`ah1 before the Khutbah2 starts then Jum`ah does not count for you.  Also, at Jum`ah there are angels who record who comes in and stop recording when the Khutbah (address) starts. Finally if one says salam3 to a brother, who walks in […]

Regarding Lailat al-Qadr

by

Question My question concerns Lailat-ul-Qadr. I know that it is in the last ten days of Ramadhan and that it is on one of the odd nights (nights of the even days). However, many people have made it into the night of the 27th. Now they say that if you come and listen to a […]

Can a Person Without Beard Lead Prayers?

by

Question A brother recently suggested that anyone who does not have a beard can not lead the sala’h because the Sunnah of the prophet was keeping a beard. Is this true? Answer There is nothing in the Qur’an or the sahih ahadith (narratives of the sayings) of the Prophet (PBUH) that says that a person, […]

Sala’h & Ramadhan Timings at the Poles…

by

Question I have an interesting question concerning the issue of if a Muslim lives in Alaska or Iceland.  Now there are times in these places where the day never ends and the sun never sets.  How is one supposed to keep the fast then?   How does one know when the time for sala’h is? […]

Supplications in Sala’h in Languages Other than Arabic

by

Question What is the status of saying Duas1 e.g., asking God for personal needs etc.), asking God (SWT)’s forgiveness and refuge from Shaytan,2 praising God (other than the prescribed Kalimaat3) during Sala’h – both Fardh and Sunnah and Nawafil. Please answer in the light of Qur’an, Sunnah and Ahadeeth. Answer Asking God for our worldly […]