Sifatus Salaah: Hanafi Prayer Method In Light Of Sunnah

"Sifatus Salaah" is an excellent booklet originally written in Urdu by Shaikh Muhammad Ilyas Faisal dealing with the aspects of Salaah according to Hanafi Madhab and the evidences used by Hanafi scholars. Unfortunately, other brothers often criticise performing the prayers the Hanafi method and even leave us with doubts in the back of our mind, because we simply don't know. Now, you don't have to learn all these evidences by heart, but at least be convinced that there's nothing wrong with performing Salaat the Hanafi way - or matter fact as described by the other three great Imams.

Introduction
Very often the following question is posed to many people: "Do you follow the Deen of Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) or the Deen of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?" "Obviously the Deen of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)," comes the instant reply. The second question is then posed: "Why then do you call yourself a Hanafi?" The person not well versed is perplexed by this question. Doubts are then created in his mind. He soon starts gradually drifting towards the abandoning of taqleed i.e. following one of the four illustrious Imaams viz. Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.), Imaam Shafi'i (R.A.), Imaam Malik (R.A.) and Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.).

By means of the type of questions that have been mentioned above, a deliberate attempt is made to create a misconception in the minds of the unwary — that if you are a Hanafi, you are following the Deen of Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.), NOT the Deen of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). This is an absolute fallacy. Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.), Imaam Shafi'i (R.A.) and the other Imaams did not invent any Deen of their own. They strictly followed the one and only Deen — the Deen of Islam brought by Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Their followers are hence also following the same Deen — the Deen of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

• Sifatus Salaah

The Method of Salaah in the Light of Authentic Ahadith
by Shaikh Muhammad Ilyas Faisal, Madina al-Munawwara

A Non-Muslim's Rights

This chapter is taken from Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.)'s "The Rights of Others in Islam". The eBook is a little brief, but deals with most aspects of Huqooq-ul-Ibad in general.

"As a great deal of rights have been ordained in Islam, due to a person being close to you or due to having the same religion, so too some rights are ordained due to us being from the same species. That is, due to being human it is necessary to be considerate of them, even though they may not be Muslims. Their rights are:

i.Without reason do not give trouble to or harm anyone, neither in his person nor in his wealth.
ii.Without any Shari' reason do not speak evil or insult anyone.
iii.If you see someone afflicted with difficulty, poverty or sickness, then help him, give him food and drink, and give him medical treatment.
iv.Even in those cases where Shari'at has given permission to punish someone, do not be cruel or excessive, nor should you threaten him unjustly."

The Language Of The Friday Khutbah

Today, in our local mosque I think a young man led the Jumu'ah prayer the first time and it was a debut for me, too. Because I always heard about Jumu'ah Khutbahs in other languages than Arabic, but I never witnessed it live so to speak - until some hours ago. I don't think my Jumu'ah Salah is now invalid, since it isn't even invalid if you completely miss the Khutbahs. Never the less I want to clear this point: Jumu'ah Khutbahs have to be in Arabic language - if the crowd understands Arabic or not doesn't matter. He did it exactly in the fashion explained below by Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Usmani (db) in his booklet "The Language of The Friday Khutbah":

It is sometimes argued that even if the Khutbah is delivered in a local language, it is always started by some Arabic words containing Hamd (praise to Allah Subhanahu) and Salah (prayer for Allah's blessing) for the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and at least one verse from the Holy Qur'an. This much is enough for fulfilling the necessary requirements of a valid Arabic Khutbah. After this necessary requirements, the rest of the Khutbah may be delivered in any language.

But this argument overlooks the point that it is a Sunnah that the Arabic Khutbah is followed by the Jumu'ah prayer immediately without considerable gap between the two. Therefore, this practice, too, is not in harmony with the masnoon way of delivering a Khutbah.

Our brothers who insist that the Friday Khutbah must be delivered in a local language are requested to consider the following points in the light of the foregoing discussion:

1. The consistent practice of the Ummah throughout centuries has been to deliver the Friday Khutbah in Arabic even in the non-Arab countries. Why should the contemporary Muslims deviate from the consistent practice?

2. Khutbah is a part of the Jumu`ah prayer, hence a mode of worship. The modes of worship are not open to our rational opinion. They have certain prescribed forms which must permanent act and should never be changed through our rational arguments. Once this door is opened in one form of worship, there is no reason why other forms are not subjected to similar changes. The argument in favor of an Urdu or English Khutbah may open the door for an Urdu or English Adhan and Salah also on the same analogy. The ways of worship are meant for creating a sense of obedience and submission. A Muslim is supposed to perform these acts as an obedient slave of Allah, without questioning the rationality of these acts, otherwise throwing stones on the Jamarat of Mina or rushing across Safa and Marwah are all apparently irrational acts; but, being the slaves of Allah, we have to perform these acts as modes of worship. This is exactly what the word 'Ibadah' means. Any alteration in these ways on the basis of one's opinion is contrary to the very sense and philosophy of 'Ibadah' or worship.

3. All the recognized schools of Islamic jurisprudence are unanimous on the point that delivering Friday Khutbah in Arabic is obligatory. Most of the jurists have gone to the extent that in case the Khutbah is delivered in any other language, no Jumu`ah prayer offered after it is valid. Some others (like Imam Abu Hanifah) hold the non-Arabic Khutbah as valid in the sense that the Jumu'ah, prayers offered after it is- not void, yet at the same time they hold this practice to be impermissible, which means that the impermissibility of a non-Arabic Khutbah is a point of consensus between all the recognized schools of Islamic Fiqh.

A deviation from such a consensus can hardly render a service to the Muslim community except to create differences and disputes between them. It may be seen that practically, this deviation has divided Muslims and their mosques into two groups. Even if it is accepted for the sake of argument that the non-Arabic Khutbah is permissible, it is at the most permissible and not obligatory, and if a permissible act may cause disunity among the Muslims, the greater interest of the Muslim Ummah requires that it should be abandoned. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم , dropped the idea of rebuilding the kabah on Abrahamic foundation merely because it might have created disputes, even though the proposed construction of the kabah was not only permissible, but also advisable. If such a pious act may be avoided for the sake of unity, the newly invented custom of delivering Khutbah in a non-Arabic language deserves all the more to be avoided for maintaining unity.

4. Those who believe that the Khutbah may be delivered in a non-Arabic language do not believe that the Arabic Khutbah is not permissible, while the followers of the four recognized schools of Islamic Fiqh believe that a non-Arabic Khutbah is not permissible. It means that an Arabic Khutbah is permissible according to all, while a non-Arabic Khutbah is not permissible . according to the majority of the Muslims in the world. Obviously, in such a situation, the preferable practice would be the one which is permissible according to all the Muslims, so that every individual may be satisfied that he is performing the required worship in a permissible manner.

Instead of making it a matter of prestige we should mould our ways in accordance with the interest of the Ummah as a whole. May Allah grant us Taufiq to act according to His pleasure.

Ameen.

• Read the whole Booklet

The Authority Of Sunnah

This is a small booklet written by Mufti Justice Maulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani Sahab (db) published in the year 1991. Mufti Taqi Usmani Sahab (db) himself writes the following in the Foreword:

In October 1989, I was invited to present a paper on the “Authority of Sunnah” in an international conference held in Chicago by an international Islamic organization.

Since long, I had felt the need of a brief English booklet containing basic information on “The Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.),” its general features, the nature of its authority and the standard of its authenticity.

I took the opportunity to fulfil this need and wrote on the subject a little more detail than was required in a conference of this type.

The present work is the result of the above endeavor. This book is meant for the general reader who wants to know what the “Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.)” is, how does it have a binding authority over all the Muslims for all times to come, what status has the Holy Qur’ân given to it and what measures has the Ummah adopted to preserve it for the coming generations.

I hope that this humble effort will provide brief, yet clear, answers to questions of similar nature and will help understanding the true status of the “Sunnah” as a source of Islamic Law and as a source of guidance for all Muslims in their practical lives. It will also assist, I hope, in removing certain doubts inculcated by a few contemporary writers in respect of the authority of the Sunnah.

May Almighty Allâh approve of this humble effort, adorn it with His pleasure and make it beneficial to the readers.

• Chapter 1: Sunnah: The Second Source of Islamic Law
• Chapter 2: The Scope of the Prophetic Authority
• Chapter 3: The Authenticity of the Sunnah: Its Historical Aspect
• Conclusion

>> Download the whole Booklet

Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

So much literature and other material about the Seerah of our beloved Messanger of Allah Ta'ala Muhammad (s.a.w.) is out there, that I'll only bring you here a list of links to biographies, e-Books and audios. It would've just felt wrong, if I would've posted anyone else's biographies before his - so, at the end I'm happy I made this decision.

e-Books:

• Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) | PDF by Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri
  
• Life of Prophet (s.a.w.) by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.)
• The Biography of the Prophet and the Orientalists Part I | Part II by Muhammad Mohar Ali

Audios:

• Seerat-e-Do Alam Part I | Part II by Maulana Tariq Jamil (db)
• Sirat-un-Nabi Part I | Part II by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani (db)
• The Prophet's Seerah Part I | Part II by Abdur-Rehman Sheikhpuri

That's not all I found, but I'm trying to bring you only the quality stuff. Maybe I'll add more to this later...

Hajj: Merits and Precepts

"If a person has wealth which is over and above his basic necessities and which will be sufficient for him to make the onward and return journey for hajj, then hajj becomes fard upon him. There are great virtues in performing hajj. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "There is nothing in return for a hajj that is free of sins and evils except paradise." Similarly, great rewards have been mentioned for performing umrah. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Hajj and umrah wipe out sins just as a furnace removes the rust that has settled on steel."

Severe warnings have been mentioned with regard to the one who does not perform his hajj despite it being fard upon him. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The person who has food, drink, and the means of transportation in order to undertake the journey of hajj and still does not go - Allah Ta'ala has no concern if the person dies as a Jew or a Christian." He has also said that the abandoning of hajj is not the way of Islam." (Bahishti Zewar, p. 278)

Since Hajj is coming nearer and nearer, I'm planning to post a series on it. An eBook written by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani Sahab (db) titled as "Hajj: Merits and Precepts" makes the start. In an easy language and comprehensive ways this book covers large parts of the Fiqh and Masa'il concering Hajj, Umrah and visiting Medina Munawwarah.

>> "Hajj: Merits and Precepts" by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani Sahab (db)
>> PDF File

Review: Faza'il-e-A'maal

The Faza'il-e-A'maal was written by the world famous Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Kandhalvi (r.a.). An English translation of the title is Virtuous Deeds. The text consists of selected verses of the Qur'an, Ahadith, commentary thereon, and other material. It was originally written in Urdu but has been translated into English, Arabic, Persian, Bengali, and many other languages. It is particularly popular in Pakistan and India.

Faza'il-e-A'maal is a compilation of seven books and each book has been divided into several Chapters. The first part is 'Stories of Sahabah' which presents an account of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). In the foreword Shaikhul Hadith Sahab (r.a.) writes:

"The main idea underlying this behest was that Muslim mothers, while going to bed at night, instead of telling myths and fables to their children, may narrate to them such real and true tales of the golden age of Islam that would create in them an Islamic spirit of love and esteem for Sahabah, and thereby improve their 'Imaan'; and the proposed book may, thus, be a useful substitute for the current story books."

He concludes the book with a epilogue about the 'Sahabah's Virtues and Privileges'.

Other parts are about the 'Virtues of The Holy Qur'an', 'Virtues of Salaat' (prayers), 'Virtues of Zikr' (rememberance), 'Virtues of Tableegh' (calling to Islam) & 'Virtues of Ramadhan' (fasting). Qur'anic verses, selected Ahadith and intelligent still simple to understand commentary point out the great rewards of worships, which seek the pleasure of Allah, and are supposed to seed the love for good and righteous deeds in the heart of the reader.

The last book is a reasonable analysis of Maulana Ehtesham-ul-Hassan Kandhalvi (r.a.) titled as "Muslim degeneration and Its only Remedy". He writes not only a detailed diagnosis of the Ummah's disease but as well supplies the solution. Maulana Ehtesham-ul-Hassan Sahab (r.a.) concludes the summary with the following words:

"In these few pages, an analysis of the present situation and a practical solution for improving it has been given; in fact the solution is nothing else than the actual Islamic way of life, which belonged to our forefathers and early Muslims."

Different people often critisize this book for containing weak Ahadith, but most of today's Ulemas (scholars) agree upon that weak hadith naaration is allowed for teaching virtues of already establised practices in Islam. Overall this book is not only the perfect compilation for Taleem at your local mosque but as well at home. It's a reminder of the Islamic obligations and encourages every single Muslim to seek the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala through righteous deeds.

Aqaa'idul Islam

"Islamic Beliefs" is an english translation of Shaykhut Tafseer Allama Muhammad Idris Saheb Kandhlavi (r.a.)'s "Aqaa'idul Islam" translated and prepared by Madrassa In'aamiyyah Camperdown, South Africa. The forward of Mufti H. Elias gives you a better insight of the great content then I possibly could.

In this age of trials and tribulations, every so often, one hears and reads about a new unheard of fabricated belief floating around or denial of a standard belief of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

Furthermore, due to our world becoming a global village because of the latest advanced communications system at large, there erroneous and fallacious beliefs circulate viciously and rapidly. We have translated, "Aqaaidul Islaam", of Hadhrat Moulana Idris Khandhelvi (A.R), who was a senior authority in Darul Uloom Deoband for many years. He wrote extensively on most aspects of Islaam. Later he migrated to Lahore.

Thus in this book, the original (Beliefs) of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have been listed and explained. It is essential for every Muslim to have valid, reliable and authentic beliefs in conformity to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

>> Read this eBook! (PDF)

Correct Performance of Salah

Salah is the biggest order of Allah and we learn from a Hadith that Salah is the seperating line between a Muslim and Kafir. On the other hand Salah has great virtuos and will be the key to Jannah for many. But since Allah accepts only those acts of worship that are done in accordance with Sunnah, it's important that we take care of how we are performing our Salah. Remember Allah doesn't depend on our Salah, but we depend on his mercy.

So, here are some eBooks regarding this important subject:

>> How to Offer the Salah Correctly by Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (r.a.)
>> Perform Salah Correctly by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani
>> Some Serious Mistakes in Salāh by Mufti Abdur Rauf of Sakhar
>> My Salah in the Light of Sunnah by Shaykh Muhammad Ilyas Faisal
>> Juma and Eid Salāhs by Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (r.a.)

May Allah reward Maktaba al-Ashrafia for uploading these.

Ramadan of the Pious

After the 15th fasting day has came to an end now too, this is another post on this blessed month Ramadan. But this time I don't want to annoy you with my thoughts and ramblings, but redirect you to the English translation of Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlavi (r.a.)'s 'Akaabir Ka Ramadhan' (translated 'Ramadan of the Pious'). Compared to that booklet my writings are really a waste of paper... or actually space.

He already wrote much on this subject in the 'Virtous of Ramadan' chapter of his notorious book - 'Faza'il-e-A'maal'. But because of some demanding friends he wrote this booklet to go further in detail about the practices, habits and routines of the saintly elders in this blessed month, ranging from Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (r.a.) over Hakeemul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.) till Shaikhul-Islam Maulana Madani (r.a.) and many others. Of course his late father Maulana Yahya Sahab (r.a.) and his late uncle Hazrat Maulana Ilyaas Sahab (r.a.) haven't been left out.

Maulana Zakariyya Sahab (r.a.) concludes the booklet with a short Du'a (supplication) of his own, which I want to quote here.

“O Lord, through the blessings of the great guides,
Let mine ending be a righteous one,
Through the intercession of the family of the Rasul
And his companions let Thy Grace be my companion;
Grant to me, O Lord of All, that strength and might
That full control over myself I shall have;
Let it be that at the final hour the Kalimah be on my tongue,
And that on Judgement Day among the righteous I be raised
Grant me Thy Helping Hand in this world and the next
Through the blessings of every saintly, pious one.”

Ameen!
Finally read the english translation of the booklet typed up here:
'Ramadan of the Pious' ('Akaabir Ka Ramadan')

May Allah give us the strength and motivation out of this nice literature to spend the remaining half of Ramadan in a better way than the first. May Allah forgive our sins and neglectfullness, we indeed can't give this blessed month his rights like those before us did. Ameen.

Bahishti Zewar (Heavenly Ornaments)

The author Moulana Ashraf Thanwi (r.a.) himself served Islam in many different fields during the 83 years he lived. Being one of the biggest traditional scholars of his time specialised on Islamic jurisprudence he has been given the title Hakeem-ul-Ummat.

When Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (r.a.) saw how uneducated the Muslim girls and women were, he decided to write this classic book on Fiqh & Masa'il (jurisprudence & regulations). The tradition is still holding on in the Indo-Pak to give this comprehensive handbook as a gift to a new bride. So, while her new life in a new family begins, she knows about the Islamic traditions, regulations and rituals.

Women and men should get their own copy of this book. To have a look from what topics it ranges, here you can read it online. Leave comments and thoughts on the book in the following comment section.

Rahmatulil Alameen

Allah Ta'ala is 'Rabbil Alameen', which means Lord of jinns, mankind and everything that exists or 'Cherisher and Sustainer of the world' in the translation of Yousuf Ali, and he has sent our beloved Prophet Muhammad as 'Rahmatulil Alameen', as a mercy to jinns, mankind and everything that exists. So, this is an appeal to the Muslims and a reminder to myself to bring this great quality in our life. As soon as we do so, we will see that people will come to Islam in masses.

Unfortunately, Muslims worldwide are fast to label things as Haram or people as Kafir. Islam teaches us the purposes of both our eyes, one is for seeing the good qualities of others and the second is for seeing your own faults. But we do it the other way around, we only point out faults of others and hide our own faults from ourselves' sight. And what about finding 70 excuses for your brother before judging him? Anyone even practising that? In my opinion this is one of the biggest diseases among the Ummah today. Especially on the Internet it's a trend to shoot with Fatwas to establish reputation and show how wrong others are.

This is not how Allah's Messenger taught us to spread Allah's message. And he has not to be misunderstood as 'Rahmatulil Muslimeen' or 'RahmatulilMomineen', but as 'Rahmatulil Alameen'... as mercy to the whole mankind, jinns and everything that exists. It can't be repeated often enough: 'Rahmatulil Alameen'. Islamic literature is full of stories, in which our beloved Prophet Mohammad sets an example of spreading Islam with soft and forgiving attitude. Yeah, I said forgiving. Didn't he was the one forgiving the people of Ta'eef, although angels were ready to smash the tale between the two mountains? Was it Muhammad or some one else who forgave the murderer of his uncle Hamza (r.a.a.), although he had the chance to punish him? Weren't those people who he forgave the same Jews who gave him poison, which showed effect on his body at his last days? The answers to all of these questions is in the affirmative, now why did he do this? Was it personal advantage he was thinking about when spreading mercy through his whole life or the worry of him how every human could be saved from the fire of Jahannam and enter Jannah? Indeed, it's got to be the latter one.

If you want to read more examples, then check out the eBook by Mufti Shabbir Ahmad Qasmi, which I have already posted before: Post-Emigration Islamic Conduct with the Enemy. On a side note let me say, when Muhammad sent someone as governor of some country or land, he always advised them to be not hard to others instead always spread good new. Like he did it, because he was not just a warner but as well messenger of good news.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas (r.a.) said, that don't speak against someone's favourite, but give him something he can love more. This is great wisdom by a great scholar of all time. So, from now on we should think about what we say or write before actually doing so. Am I just pointing out faults and sins or am I actually helping someone to get back on the right track? Let's use wisdom instead novel long Fatwas.

This all counts even for the dialogue with non-muslims. It's a big mercy that we are Muslims, but it shouldn't come Takabbur into the game. Because it's not our strength which brought us Iman or the understanding to perfom good deeds, it's only the mercy of Allah. We should feel sorry for them like our Pophet did, he shed tears even for Jews who died, because he knew where there destination would be.

FAQ On Islam By Dr. Zakir Naik

Most of you probably know Dr. Zakir Naik, Ahmed Deedat's stundent, who is popular around the whole world for preaching on video.

"Invite to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious."

(16:125)

Definitly that's what Zakir Naik does in an amazing manner when he argues with clerics of comparative religions in front of hundreds or even thousand of people.

"A medical doctor by professional training, Dr. Zakir Naik is renowed as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Dr. Zakir Naik clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Qur'an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts.", says his biography on his website.

Dr. Zakir Naik is the President of the Islamic Research Foundation, which has a special Da'wah Training Programme to form new Da'is and whose orators are big names like Ahmed Deedat, Bilal Phillips, Israr Ahmed & Yusuf Islam.

Besides giving lectures Dr. Zakir Naik is as well engaged in writing literature and I want you to take a look at his FAQ on Islam. Wherein he gives replies to the most common questions asked by non-muslims. Beginning with questions that we all heared already enough like why it is allowed for man to be married with 4 wives at the same time and not scared from responding to christian missionaries who preach against Islam. This is a really important read, especially for Muslims not living in islamic countries and being confrontated with these questions and other misconceptions in the daily the life.

>>Download 'FAQ on Islam' by Dr. Zakir Naik

On the official website of the IRF you can download even more eBooks not only authored by Dr. Zakir Naik, but by Ahmed Deedat and Bilal Phillips, too. And the video gallery contains downloads from many other international orators next to notorious videos of Dr. Zakir Naik. Definitly worth a peak.

IRF Links: eBooks

eBooks Written By Deobandi Ulama

These eBooks are really good if you want to expand your knowledge about islamic regulations and they can anwser a few questions, too... if not many. And the authors aren't just your average practising muslims, but they are highly respected ulama from the Darul Uloom Deoband (India) like Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.), who is still remembered as 'Hakeem-ul-Ummah' even years after his death. By the way if you're interested in more Masail (islamic regulations) lecture, you should get your own copy of his classic work named 'Bahishti Zewar' (Heavenly Ornaments) in Urdu or translated into English.

Now, here are the links to the free eBooks I found on the website of Darul Uloom Deoband:

They are really worth the time to read them. It's very important that we learn our religion, so we can practise it right and show the real Islam to others. Not the Islam that we often see mixed with culture and traditions especially in our islamic countries.

May Allah save us from Jahaliyat and the fire of Hell and grand us entry to the gardens of Paradise. Ameen.