why did Allah command 50 prayers before shortening it to 5?
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Why did Allah originally command 50 prayers before reducing it to 5 prayers?

Anas ibn Malik reported: Fifty prayers were obligated upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he was taken on his night journey. Then, it was reduced until it was set at five and an announcement was made, “O Muhammad, My word is never changed, so these five prayers will be counted as…

Ghazali on how to bring light to your heart. Tips on following the Sunnah
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Ghazali on how to bring light to your heart. Tips on following the Sunnah

We are still reading from the book of Imam Ghazali Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, which is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din.    In his chapter on Following the Sunnah, he talks about the importance of following the Prophet (peace be on him) and establishing…

Do you have to make up missed salah (qada salah)?
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Do you have to make up missed salah (qada salah)?

The obligation of salah Praying at the specified time is obligatory for all sane Muslims over the age of puberty. Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. (Surah Nisa’ 4:103) Allah allocated specific times for acts of worship for reasons that are known to Him. We know some of…

What are the pillars of salah?
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What are the pillars of salah?

Salah has pillars (arkan) which are essential components. If any of these are missing, then the salah must be repeated. Salah also has obligatory components (wajib parts), however if these are missed, they can be rectified by making the prostration of forgetfulness, sajda al sahw. The Pillars of Salah (arkan) 1.     The forbidding takbeer You…

Is it permissible to pray tarawih online?
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Is it permissible to pray tarawih online?

Praying tarawih in your home while following an imam who is performing the tarawih prayer online is a relatively new phenomenon, which was adopted by some imams, including myself during the unprecedented global pandemic of 2020. No doubt this raised eyebrows and many people have wondered whether it is permissible and why we never performed…

How many rakahs should I pray for Tarawih?
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How many rakahs should I pray for Tarawih?

Ramadan is a month of ibadah and increasing our closeness to Allah Almighty by increasing in our worship. Whether it is our recitation of the Quran or by doing additional salah. One of these is the tarawih prayer. The tarawih prayer is a sunnah prayer. Abu Huraira narrated: I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be on…

What is the meaning and significance of At-Tahiyyat in the salah?
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What is the meaning and significance of At-Tahiyyat in the salah?

We recite the at-tahiyyat in our salah in our sitting position after sujjud, after every two rakahs in all our prayers. What is the significance of the words we recite? The Tashahhud التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ…

What distance must you travel before you can shorten your salah?
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When can I shorten and combine prayers while travelling?

How many miles do you have to travel to be a traveller? Scholars take the view that when you travel the distance of approximately 55-60 miles you are considered a mussafir – a traveller. Though there is a variation of opinion on the distance, a minority of scholars say that once you leave the boundary…

Should I recite the Fatiha behind the imam in congregation?
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Should I recite the Fatiha behind the imam in congregation?

There are different opinions and evidences in the four schools of thought. 1. Hanafi: Do not recite the Fatiha in any congregational prayer According to the Hanafi school of thought, you do not recite the Fatiha behind the imam, whether it is a silent prayer (Dhur and Asr) or a vocalised prayer (Fajr, Maghrib, Isha)….

glimpsing how the Prophet (peace be on him) prayed in private
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Glimpsing how the Prophet (peace be on him) prayed in private

There is a very sweet narration by Hudhaifah ibn al-Yaman which gives us beautiful insight into how the Prophet (peace be on him) prayed. We can glimpse the quality of his prayer. Hudhaifah tells us of the occasion he was praying with the Prophet (peace be on him), and we see this prayer unfold through…

The Coronavirus: Protect your self. Do not attend Jummah until it is safe.
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The Coronavirus: Protect yourself. Do not attend Jummuah until it is safe.

  Allah Almighty said: We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155) وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ   The Coronavirus is a test for us all Without doubt…

fix your salah
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Fix your salah

  Total connectivity to Allah During one moonlit night, there was an extraordinary episode, when Abbad bin Bishr, one of companions guarding an army of believers was praying as they slept. Through the darkness a stranger shot an arrow at him, which pierced him. What happened next? Abbad pulled out the arrow and continued to…