A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman - II

Afternoon
Preparing a healthy lunch.
Performing Thuhr prayer
(4 Rak'ah of Sunnah, 4 Rak'ah Fard, and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)
Regarding the Sunnah prayer, `Aa`ishah said: "When the Prophet used to
be in my house, he would offer four Sunnah Rak'ahs before Thuhr, then
he would go and lead the congregation, and thereafter return home and
offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs. Similarly, he would lead the Maghrib prayer
in the congregation and come back and offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs.
Likewise after having led the `lshaa` prayer, he would come back to my
apartment and offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs." [Muslim]
Obviously, for women it is preferable to perform both Sunnah and Fard
Prayer within the home; Umm Humayd As-Sa'idiyyah said: "O, Prophet of
Allaah, I love praying behind you." Thereupon the Prophet of Allaah
told her: ''I had known that you like praying with me. But your prayer
in your private room is better than your prayer in other rooms of your
house, and your prayer in other rooms of your house is better than
your prayer in the halls of your house, and your prayer in the halls
of your house is better than your prayer in your community's mosque,
and your prayer in your community's mosque is better than your prayer
in my mosque." [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani] However, the Prophet did not
forbid women from going to the mosque as he said: "Do not prohibit the
female-servants of Allaah from coming to the mosque of Allaah. When a
wife ofone of you asks for permission togo to the mosque, she should
not be refused this permission." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
„X Saying this Du`aa` when leaving the house: If a woman goes to the
mosque or must leave the house for her needs or the needs of the
family, she should say this Du`aa`, "In the name of Allaah, I trust in
Allaah, there is no might and power but in Allaah." Allaah's Messenger
said: "When a man leaves his house, saying: 'In the name of Allaah, I
trust in Allaah there is nomight and power but in Allaah', itis said
to him at that time, 'Your are guided, you are taken care of,you are
protected.' Then Satan turns away from him, and another Satan says,
`How can a man approach you, who is already guided, cared for and
protected?"' [Abu Daawood]
„X Du`aa` when entering the house: The prophet said: "When a man
enters his house, let him say: '0 Allaah, I ask of You the good of
entry and the good of exit. In the name of Allaah, we enter; in the
name of Allaah, we exit. And upon Allaah, our Lord, we depend.' Then
he should say Salaam to his family." [Abu Daawood]
Performing 'Asr prayer:
(4 Rak'ah Fard)
The prophet said: "He who leaves the 'Asr prayer is like one who has
lost (some of) his family and his property." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The significance of the afternoon prayer is often likened to that of
Fajr prayer. The Prophet said: "A person will not be sent to Hell who
has offered his Fajr prayer and his 'Asr prayer." [Muslim]
Evening
Preparing a healthy dinner for thefamily.
Perform the Maghrib prayer
(3 Rak'ah Fard and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)
It is advised that the family makes the prayer together in
congregation at times when two or more are present. Young children may
even be encouragedto participate in the activity. This is a good way
of strengthening family ties and setting a positive example for the
children.
Conducting a study circle within the home:
The evening is a nice time to gather the family members for the study
of the Quran, Ahadeeth,Seerah (Biography of the Prophet)and other
areas of Islamic knowledge.
This is something that can be made a regular part of the daily or
weekly schedule.
Although parents will be primarily responsible for the topics and
discussions, older children may be given assignments to prepare for
the group. Encouraging them to actively participate will enhance their
excitement and interest in learning. Creative and engaging methods may
be used to maintain the attention of younger children, although they
should not be forced to sit for long periods of time. Regarding the
importance of teaching, the Prophet said: "Each of you is aguardian,
and each of you will be asked about your guardianship. The leader
(Muslim ruler) is a guardian, and the man is a guardian over the
people of his house, and the woman is a guardian over her husband's
house and children. So each of you is a guardian, and each of you will
be asked about your guardianship." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Holding a family discussion:
The evening is also an ideal time for family discussions since most
family members are likely to be present. The family may discuss
happenings or special events of the day, issues that need to be
considered together, or other matters of importance such as rules or
schedules. Doing this on a regular basis will instill responsibility
and respect in children and make them feel thatthey are a vital part
of the family unit. As children mature and reach the age of
responsibility, it becomes necessary to include them in discussions
and decision-making, particularly in matters that pertain to them.
This is actually a time for them to learn how a family should function
andthe most effective ways to plan and make decisions, since they will
eventually begin a family of their own. Obviously, the parents should
provide acceptable role models that the children will want to emulate.
„X Du`aa` after a meeting or gathering: "Glory be to You, O Allaah,
and praise be to You. I witness that none is worthy of worship but
You. I seek Your forgiveness and I turn to you in repentance."
[At-Tirmithi]
Securing the house:
Keep children in after the darkness begins and be sure to secure the
house. The Prophet said: "When the darkness of the night or evening
(comes), then keep in your children, for satan is then out. And when
an hour of the night has gone, then let them go and close the doors,
and invoke the name of Allaah, for satan does not open a closed door,
and tie up your water-skinsand invoke the name of Allaah, and cover
your vessels and invokethe name of Allaah, even when you put something
on them, and put out your lights."
Reviewing the day for acts of charity:
There should be at least one act of charity in each person's day and
this can come in many forms.Allaah's Messenger said: "Charity is due
upon every limb ofa human being on each day that the sun rises. To act
justly between two (people) is charity. To help a man with his riding
beast, or to load his provisions on it or lift them up for him is
charity. A good word is charity. Every step going to prayer is a
charity. Removing from the road what causes harm is charity."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Performing `Ishaa` Prayer
(4 Rak'ah Fard and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)
Allaah's Messenger said: "No Prayer is more burdensome to the
hypocrites than the Fajr prayer and the `Ishaa` prayer, butif they
knew what blessings lie in them, they would certainly come for them,
even if they had to crawl." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It is best to
perform the `Ishaa` prayer before one-half of the night is over.
Performing Witr Prayer
(an odd number of Rak'ah)
The Prophet said: "Allaah is single, He loves what is single,
therefore, do the Witr, O you people of the Quran." [At-Tirmithiand
Abu Daawood] He also said: "He who fears that he will not get up in
the later part of the night should do the Witr in the first part of
it. And he who eagerly wishes to get up in the later part of it should
perform the Witr then, for the prayer in the later part of the night
is witnessed and that is more excellent." [Muslim] It is recommended
to include the supplication of Qunoot (the standing-in-Prayer
supplication) in the Witr Prayer . The Prophet used to recite the
Qunoot Du`aa` after raising his head fromthe position of bowing,
saying: "OAllaah, guide us among those whom You have guided and
preserve us from all ill among those whom You have preserved. Take us
for friends among those whom You have taken and bless for us that
which You have given. Protect us from the evil of that which You have
ordained, for it isYou who ordains and none can ordain upon You.
Indeed, never ishe abased whom You have taken for a friend, and none
is honored whom You have taken for a foe. Blessed are You, our Lord,
and Exalted. There is no escape from You except in You. And may Allaah
bless Prophet Muhammad." [An-Nasaa'ee]
„X Du`aa` before sleeping: The Prophet said: "When one of you goes to
bed, he should dust it with the edge of his gown three times and then
say: `0 Allaah, in Your name I die and I live. In Your name, my Lord,
I place my side (upon this bed), and through You I raise it. If you
retain my soul, have mercy upon it; if You release it, then protect
itas You protect Your righteous servants." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It
is also beneficial to read some chapters or verses from the Quran
before sleeping. `Aa`ishah said: "Every night when the Prophet would
go to bed, he would cup his hands together and blow into them after
reciting Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Naas. He would
then rub his hands over whatever he was ablefrom his body, beginning
with hishead, face and the front of his body. He used to do that three
times." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] The verse of Al-Kursiyy [2:225] is
also a special verse. The Prophet said: "When you go to your bed,
recite the verse of Al-Kursiyy,'Allaah! There is no god but Him, the
Ever-living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that exists' to the
end, for then there will remain over you a guardian from Allaah, and
Satan will not come near you until morning." [Al-Bukhaari] It is also
preferred to perform ablution before sleeping and to lie on the right
side.