"And proclaim the pilgrimage among men; they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways."(Surah Hajj - 27)
In a Hadith it is stated: "When Hazrat Ebrahim A.S. completed the erection of the Kaaba he said: 'O Allah, I have completed Your Holy House.' Then Allah replied: 'O Hazrat Ebrahim, announce among mankind that they shall come for pilgrimage' Hazrat Ebrahim A.S inquired: 'O Allah, how shall my voice reach them?' and Allah replied; 'You will announce My command and I shall cause it to reach them.' Thereupon Hazrat Ebrahim A.S. called out to the world announcing the pilgrimage and everything on earth in the heavens heard it.
According to another Hadith we learn that every person heard that voice and replied LABBAIK (I am present) the same cry uttered by the Hajjees whilst in ihraam. Whosoever Allah granted the good fortune to perform Hajj uttered the labbaik at that moment. The Hadith also states that every person, whether born already at that time or still in the worked of souls, to be born at a later time, who recited the Labbaik will surely be granted the opportunity to perform Hajj.
In another Hadith it is stated: whoever recited labbaik once shall perform Hajj once, and whoever recited it twice shall perform Hajj twice, and whatever number of times Labbaik was recited so many times they shall perform Hajj. How fortunate indeed were those souls who recited the Labbaik numerous times.
Hazrat Ali R.A. says Rasulullah' (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said: "Whoever possesses the provisions (for the journey) and the means of transport to bring him to the Hose of Allah yet he does not perform Hajj, then there is no difference in him dying as a Jew or as a Christian."
Hazrat Ibn Abbas R.A. reports that the Messenger of Allah said: "One hundred and twenty (120) mercies descend upon the Ka'ba every day and night; sixty (60) for those performing tawaaf, forty (40) for those performing salaah and twenty (20) for those merely looking at Ka'ba".
Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) once said: "Near the time of Qiyamah the rich ones from amongst my Ummah will perform Hajj for the sake of travel and holidays;
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Solah is a key to Paradise
Hadbrat Abu Qataadah bin Rab'iyy (Radhiyallaho
anho) says, "He heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe
wasallam) saying, Allah has said, "0, Muhammad! I
have ordained five times daily salaat for thy followers.
I have made a covenant with myself that whosoever is
regular in performing his salaat at its fixed hour, he
shall be admitted into the Paradise. Those of thy followers
who do not guard their salaat, are not included
in this covenant."
anho) says, "He heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe
wasallam) saying, Allah has said, "0, Muhammad! I
have ordained five times daily salaat for thy followers.
I have made a covenant with myself that whosoever is
regular in performing his salaat at its fixed hour, he
shall be admitted into the Paradise. Those of thy followers
who do not guard their salaat, are not included
in this covenant."
Wudhu washes away sins
"Abu Muslim narrates: I went to see Abu Umaamah
(Radhiyallaho anho) while he was in the musjid. I
asked him if he had really heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) saying, "When a person performs
wudhu with right performance and then says his
fardh salaat, Allah forgives him all the sins committed
that day by his feet in going towards evil, by his hands
in doing evil, by his ears in listening to evil, by his
eyes in looking at evil and by his heart in thinking of
evil.' He replied, 'By Allah, I have heard these words
from the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)
again and again.
(Radhiyallaho anho) while he was in the musjid. I
asked him if he had really heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) saying, "When a person performs
wudhu with right performance and then says his
fardh salaat, Allah forgives him all the sins committed
that day by his feet in going towards evil, by his hands
in doing evil, by his ears in listening to evil, by his
eyes in looking at evil and by his heart in thinking of
evil.' He replied, 'By Allah, I have heard these words
from the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)
again and again.
Solah washes away sins
"Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates
that once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)
asked his companions, 'Do you believe that dirt can
remain on a person bathing five times a day in a brook
running in front of his door?' 'No', replied the companions,
'No dirt can remain on his body.' The Prophet
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked: 'So, exactly
similar is the effect of salaat offered five times a day.
With the Grace of Allah. it washes away all the sins'."
"Hadhrat Abu Zar (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates that
once the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) came
out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling
off the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its
leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked,
'0, Abu Zar! (Radhiyallaho anho) when a Muslim offers his
salaat to please Allah, his sins are shed awav from him just
as these leaves are falling off this tree."
that once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)
asked his companions, 'Do you believe that dirt can
remain on a person bathing five times a day in a brook
running in front of his door?' 'No', replied the companions,
'No dirt can remain on his body.' The Prophet
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked: 'So, exactly
similar is the effect of salaat offered five times a day.
With the Grace of Allah. it washes away all the sins'."
"Hadhrat Abu Zar (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates that
once the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) came
out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling
off the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its
leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked,
'0, Abu Zar! (Radhiyallaho anho) when a Muslim offers his
salaat to please Allah, his sins are shed awav from him just
as these leaves are falling off this tree."
Reciting Fatihah in Solah - not compulsory for follower (Hanafi Mazhab)
The Muqtadi (follower) should Listen and Remain Silent
Allah Ta’aala says: "When the Qur’an is being recited then listen attentively and remain silent so that mercy will be showered upon you".
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, Abdullah Ibn Abbas and Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal (radhiallahu anhum) state that this verse of the Quran was revealed with regards to the Khutba (of Juma’ah) and with regards to Salaah. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 1 pg. 281]
The dictates of this verse of the Holy Qur’an is that when the Imaam recites the Qur’an aloud, the followers should listen attentively, and when he recites softly, the followers should remain silent.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: "When you begin your congregational prayers, straighten your rows. Thereafter when the Imaam says the takbeer (i.e. when he says Allahu Akbar aloud) you must also say the takbeer. However, when he begins the recital of the Qur’an, you must remain silent. And when he recites walad daul leen then you should say Aameen". By performing your salaah in this manner Allah Ta’ala will love you." [Muslim; ch. on tashahhud]
(A similar Hadith has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu anhu)-Imaam Muslim has attested to its authenticity; ibid).
The muqtadi Must Not Recite Surah Fatiha
It is reported from Hazrat Ataa Ibn Yasaar (radhiallahu anhu) that he questioned Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thaabit (radhiallahu anhu) concerning reciting Qira’at with the Imaam. Hazrat Zaid (radhiallahu anhu) answered: "There is no recitation of the Glorious Qur’an in any salaah behind the Imaam". [Sahih Muslim, chapter on Sujood-ut-Tilaawah, Hadith 577]
The Qiraat of the Imaam SUFFICES for the Muqtadi
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) used to repeatedly say: "Whoever performs salaah behind the Imaam, the Imaam’s qiraat suffices for him". (Sunan Baihaqi; chapter on not reciting qiraat behind the Imaam — Imaam Baihaqi (R.A.) has stated that this Hadith is Sahih.)
The Person Performing salaah Individually Must Recite Surah Fatiha, Not the Muqtadi
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) was asked: "Must the muqtadi recite behind the Imam?" He replied that the qiraat of the Imaam is sufficient for the muqtadi. But if he performs salaah individually, then he must recite qiraat. It was the practice of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) also that he would not recite surah fatiha behind the Imam. (In Aathaarus Sunan (Vol. 1 pg.89) this Hadith has been classified as sahih).
Hazrat Jaabir (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that the one who does not recite sura fatiha even in one rakaat, his salaah is not valid. However, if he is behind an Imam he must not recite surah fatiha. (This Hadith has been classified as hasan — Tirmizi - ch. on not reciting behind the Imaam). It is on the basis of this Hadith that Imaam Tirmidhi (R.A.) has narrated from Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.) [who was the teacher of the ustaad of Imaam Bukhari (R.A.)] that the narration "Whoever does not recite surah fatiha his salaah is not complete" refers to one who performs his salaah alone. It does not include the muqtadi (Jami’ Tirmidhi, ibid). In the above Hadith it is very clearly mentioned that the muqtadi must not recite sura fatiha.
Allah Ta’aala says: "When the Qur’an is being recited then listen attentively and remain silent so that mercy will be showered upon you".
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, Abdullah Ibn Abbas and Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal (radhiallahu anhum) state that this verse of the Quran was revealed with regards to the Khutba (of Juma’ah) and with regards to Salaah. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 1 pg. 281]
The dictates of this verse of the Holy Qur’an is that when the Imaam recites the Qur’an aloud, the followers should listen attentively, and when he recites softly, the followers should remain silent.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: "When you begin your congregational prayers, straighten your rows. Thereafter when the Imaam says the takbeer (i.e. when he says Allahu Akbar aloud) you must also say the takbeer. However, when he begins the recital of the Qur’an, you must remain silent. And when he recites walad daul leen then you should say Aameen". By performing your salaah in this manner Allah Ta’ala will love you." [Muslim; ch. on tashahhud]
(A similar Hadith has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu anhu)-Imaam Muslim has attested to its authenticity; ibid).
The muqtadi Must Not Recite Surah Fatiha
It is reported from Hazrat Ataa Ibn Yasaar (radhiallahu anhu) that he questioned Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thaabit (radhiallahu anhu) concerning reciting Qira’at with the Imaam. Hazrat Zaid (radhiallahu anhu) answered: "There is no recitation of the Glorious Qur’an in any salaah behind the Imaam". [Sahih Muslim, chapter on Sujood-ut-Tilaawah, Hadith 577]
The Qiraat of the Imaam SUFFICES for the Muqtadi
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) used to repeatedly say: "Whoever performs salaah behind the Imaam, the Imaam’s qiraat suffices for him". (Sunan Baihaqi; chapter on not reciting qiraat behind the Imaam — Imaam Baihaqi (R.A.) has stated that this Hadith is Sahih.)
The Person Performing salaah Individually Must Recite Surah Fatiha, Not the Muqtadi
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) was asked: "Must the muqtadi recite behind the Imam?" He replied that the qiraat of the Imaam is sufficient for the muqtadi. But if he performs salaah individually, then he must recite qiraat. It was the practice of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallahu anhu) also that he would not recite surah fatiha behind the Imam. (In Aathaarus Sunan (Vol. 1 pg.89) this Hadith has been classified as sahih).
Hazrat Jaabir (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that the one who does not recite sura fatiha even in one rakaat, his salaah is not valid. However, if he is behind an Imam he must not recite surah fatiha. (This Hadith has been classified as hasan — Tirmizi - ch. on not reciting behind the Imaam). It is on the basis of this Hadith that Imaam Tirmidhi (R.A.) has narrated from Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.) [who was the teacher of the ustaad of Imaam Bukhari (R.A.)] that the narration "Whoever does not recite surah fatiha his salaah is not complete" refers to one who performs his salaah alone. It does not include the muqtadi (Jami’ Tirmidhi, ibid). In the above Hadith it is very clearly mentioned that the muqtadi must not recite sura fatiha.
Straighten your safs for unity sake
A hadith narrated by Nu’maan bin Basheer (radhiallahu anhu). He says: "Once Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) faced us and said: "Straighten your rows". He repeated this thrice. He then said: "By Allah, you must most certainly straighten your rows or else Allah Ta’ala will disunite your hearts".
Salaat al-Tarawih TWENTY RAKAATS during khilaafat of Hazrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu)
Hazrat Yazeed Ibn Ruman (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that during the khilaafah of Hazrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu) the Sahaabah used to perform twenty rakaats tarawih and three rakaats witr salaah (with jamaat). [Muwwatta Imaam Maalik, chapter concerning standing in salaah during Ramadhaan]
During the khilafah of Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) tarawih with jamaat was not in vogue. The practice of performing twenty rakaats with jamaat in every night of Ramadhaan and the completion of the entire Quraan began only during the khilaafat of Hazrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu). All the Sahaabah present had agreed upon this practice. From then onwards including the Khilafah of both Hazrat Uthmaan and Hazrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) upto this day the Muslim Ummah (at large) has followed this practice.
During the khilafah of Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) tarawih with jamaat was not in vogue. The practice of performing twenty rakaats with jamaat in every night of Ramadhaan and the completion of the entire Quraan began only during the khilaafat of Hazrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu). All the Sahaabah present had agreed upon this practice. From then onwards including the Khilafah of both Hazrat Uthmaan and Hazrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) upto this day the Muslim Ummah (at large) has followed this practice.
Raising Both the Hands and Making Dua After Salah
It is narrated that Abdullah Ibn Zubair (radhiallahu anhu) saw a man raising his hands and making dua before completing his salah. When the person had completed his salaah, Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Zubair (radhiallahu anhu) went up to him and said: "Verily, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to only raise his hands and make dua after completing his salaah" (the narrators of this Hadith are all trustworthy — Majmauz Zawaaid, vol. 1, pg. 169).
Why follow mazhab?
The question that arises here is that why then should one follow any of the four Imaams?
This can be answered by posing a counter-question:
- "Do you know all the various laws of Deen?
- Are you capable of extracting and deriving the laws pertaining to wudhu, salaah, zakaah, etc. directly from the Qur'an and Hadith?
- Do you know which Hadith has abrogated another?
- Do you have the ability to reconcile between the various Ahadith which apparently contradict each other?
- Do you know which verses of the Qur'an are general in their application and which verses are qualified by other texts? etc., etc."
If one does not have the knowledge of these aspects, then one definitely does not have the ability to derive the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith.
In that case the following aayah applies directly to oneself: "Ask those of knowledge if you do not know." (16:43 & 21:7) Hence when we do not have the enormous amount of knowledge and expertise that is necessary to derive the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith, we have opted to follow one of those great people who had attained that distinguished mastery in this field, among whom is Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.).
Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) is a Taabi'i (one who has seen a Sahabi). He attained the knowledge of Hadith from approximately 4000 ustaads. His piety was such that for 40 years he performed fajr salaah with the wudhu of Isha salaah (i.e. he did not sleep the entire night) [Tareekhul Baghdad]. His knowledge, brilliance and righteousness was such that all the great scholars of his time attested to his mastery. Thus one can be well assured that such a person is absolutely capable of deriving the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith.
This can be answered by posing a counter-question:
- "Do you know all the various laws of Deen?
- Are you capable of extracting and deriving the laws pertaining to wudhu, salaah, zakaah, etc. directly from the Qur'an and Hadith?
- Do you know which Hadith has abrogated another?
- Do you have the ability to reconcile between the various Ahadith which apparently contradict each other?
- Do you know which verses of the Qur'an are general in their application and which verses are qualified by other texts? etc., etc."
If one does not have the knowledge of these aspects, then one definitely does not have the ability to derive the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith.
In that case the following aayah applies directly to oneself: "Ask those of knowledge if you do not know." (16:43 & 21:7) Hence when we do not have the enormous amount of knowledge and expertise that is necessary to derive the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith, we have opted to follow one of those great people who had attained that distinguished mastery in this field, among whom is Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.).
Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) is a Taabi'i (one who has seen a Sahabi). He attained the knowledge of Hadith from approximately 4000 ustaads. His piety was such that for 40 years he performed fajr salaah with the wudhu of Isha salaah (i.e. he did not sleep the entire night) [Tareekhul Baghdad]. His knowledge, brilliance and righteousness was such that all the great scholars of his time attested to his mastery. Thus one can be well assured that such a person is absolutely capable of deriving the laws directly from the Qur'an and Hadith.
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