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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Friday Prayers - , Dought & clear - , Friday khutbah in languages other than Arabic.

what should be done by the congregation for Juma prayers? Basically,
we listen to a speech in our language then Adhan, then four sunna
salaat. After this the Imam devlivers the khutba in Arabic. During his
khutbha how should we sit? Then there is a pause in the khutbha, what
should be recited here?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The fuqaha' are unanimously agreed that it is better for the khutbah
to be in Arabic, but they differed as to whether that is
essential.There are three points ofview:
1-
That it is essential for it to be in Arabic for the one who is able to
do that, even if the listenersdo not know Arabic.
This is the view of the Maalikis and it is the well-known view of the Hanbalis.
See: al-Fawaakih al-Diwaani (1/306) and Kashshaaf al-Qinaa' (2/34).
2-
That it is essential for it to be in Arabic for the one who is able to
do that, unless none of the listeners know Arabic, in which case he
should give the khutbah in theirlanguage.
This is the correct view according to the Shaafa'is, and it is the
view of some of the Hanbalis.
See: al-Majmoo' by al-Nawawi (4/522).
3-
It is mustahabb for the khutbah to be in Arabic but it is not
essential, and the khateeb may deliver the khutbah in his own language
instead of Arabic. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and some of the
Shaafa'is.
See: Radd al-Muhtaar (1/543) and al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah (19/180).
This third view is the correct one, and it is the view favoured by a
number of our contemporary scholars, because there is no clearevidence
to say that the khutbah must be in Arabic, and because the purpose of
the khutbah is to exhort, benefit and teach, which can only bedone by
using the language of the people present.
It says in a statement of the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League:
The fairest opinion is that using Arabic when giving the khutbah on
Friday and at Eid in countries where it is not spoken is not a
condition of it being valid, but it is better to say the preliminaries
of the khutbah and any Qur'aanic verses quoted in Arabic, so as to get
non-Arabs used to hearing Arabic and the Qur'aan, which will make it
easier to learn it and read the Qur'aan in the language in which it
was revealed. Then the khateeb can follow that with exhortation in
theirlanguage which they understand. End quote.
Qiraaraat al-Majma' al-Fiqhi (p. 99) (fifth session, fifth statement).
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
There is no proof in the hadeeth to suggest that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stipulated that the Friday
khutbah should be in Arabic, rather he delivered the khutbah in Arabic
because it was his language and the language of his people. So the one
who addressed them and guided them and reminded them spoke in their
language that they understood. But he sent letters in Arabic to the
kings and rulers of nations, and he knew that they spoke languages
other than Arabic, and he knew thatthey would have them translated
into their languages so that they would know what was in them.
Based on this, it is permissible for the khateeb to deliver the
khutbah in a language where the people or the vast majority of its
inhabitants do not knowArabic to deliver the khutbah in Arabic then
translate it into the local language, so that they will understand
what he is advising and reminding them of, and they will benefit from
his khutbah.
He may also deliver the khutbah in the languageof his country, even if
it is not Arabic, and thus he will accomplish the guidance, teaching,
exhortation and reminder that are the purpose of the khutbah.
But it is better to deliver the khutbah in Arabic and then translate
it to the listeners, so as to combine the guidance ofthe Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his khutbahs and his
letters with achieving the aim of giving the khutbah, and so as to
avoid an area concerning which there is scholarly dispute. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah (8/253).
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Perhaps it is better, and Allaah knows best, to discuss this matter in
detail and say:
If the majority of people in the mosque are non-Arabic speakers who do
not understand Arabic, then there is nothing wrong with giving the
khutbah in a language other than Arabic, or delivering it inArabic
then translating it.
But if most of the peoplepresent know Arabic andunderstand it in
general,then it is better to stick to Arabic and not go against the
guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
especially since the salaf used to deliver khutbahs in mosques where
there were non-Arabs present,and it is not narrated that they used to
translate it, because Islam was prevalent and so was Arabic.
As for the evidence that it is permissible in cases of necessity;
there is some evidence to that effect in sharee'ah. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people,
in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them"
[Ibraaheem 14:4]
For example, when the Sahaabah invaded non-Arab lands such as Persia
and Byzantium, they did not fight them until they called them to Islam
via interpreters. End quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baaz (12/372).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The correct view with regard to this matter is that it is permissible
for the khateeb to deliver the khutbah in a language that the people
present understand, if the people present are not Arabs and do not
know Arabic. He may deliver the khutbah in their language, because
that is the means of explaining to them, and the purpose of the
khutbah is to explain thesacred limits of Allaah to His slaves, and
exhort them, and guide them. But the verses of Qur'aanshould be
recited in Arabic, then explained inthe language of the people.
The fact that he may give the khutbah in the language of the people is
indicated by the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people,
in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them"
[Ibraaheem 14:4].
Allaah stated that the means of conveying should be in the language
that the people addressed understand. Based on that, he may give the
khutbah in a language other than Arabic, but if he recites verses of
Qur'aan, they must be in Arabic, in which the Qur'aan was revealed,
then after that he may explain them to these people in their language.
End quote.
Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb .
See the answer to question no. 984 .
Secondly:
The format of Jumu'ah prayer should not be changed to what is
mentioned in the question, whereby thereare two khutbahs, one before
the adhaan in thepeople's language and another after the adhaan in
Arabic. Ratherthere should a khutbah either in the language ofthe
people or in Arabic then translated into the other language
straightaway whilst the khateeb is still on the minbar.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked
about translating the Friday khutbah into some other languages, after
Jumu'ah prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam, so that those who do not know
Arabic could benefit from it. He replied:
We do not agree with what has been mentioned, and there is no
justification for delivering another khutbah on Friday before or after
the prayer.
If the aim is to translate the khutbah to those who do not understand
Arabic, then the khutbahetc can be translated via the radio at times
other than Jumu'ah prayer. End quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (3/20).
We encourage all Muslims to learn Arabic, because it is the language
of the Qur'aan and through it they can understand Islam better, and
understand the meanings of the ahaadeeth of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Shaykh Rasheed Rida (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
We have stated more than once that knowledge of Arabic is obligatory
upon every Muslim, because understanding the religion, establishing
its rituals and fulfilling its obligations all depend on understanding
this language, and cannot bevalid without it. Although the Friday
khutbah does not absolutely have to be in Arabic, this ritual is of
great importance.
The non-Arabs who entered Islam in the early period hastened tolearn
Arabic in order to understand the Qur'aan and Sunnah and to form bonds
through the language without whichthe unity of the ummah cannot be
achieved. The Sahaabah used to address the people in Arabic in every
land that they conquered, and it was not long before the language of
the lands that they entered became Arabic, due to the influence of the
spirit of Islam, not for worldly gains or by forceof compulsion. If
they had thought that it was acceptable to leave the non-Arab nations
who entered their religion with their own languages, they would have
hastened to learn the languages of those nations and established the
religious obligations and acts of worship for them in those languages,
and Greek would have remained Greek, Persian would have remained
Persian, and so on.
The difference in languages that we see today among Muslims is one of
the most serious bad effects of politics. If the Ottoman and
Iranianstates do not try to spread Arabic in their realms, there will
come aday when they will regret that. We cannot rely on any religious
reform in India or elsewhere in the Muslim world, unless Arabic is
taught from the primary stage and is made the language of knowledge.
End quote.
Majallat al-Manaar (6/496).
Fourthly:
With regard to praying four Sunnah rak'ahs before Jumu'ah, there is no
Sunnah prayer Rather

Friday Prayers - , Dought & clear - , What should be said when the imam sits down between the two khutbahs at Jumu’ah prayer?.

What should be said when the imam sits down between the two khutbahs
at Jumu'ah prayer?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) used to deliver two khutbahs on Friday and he separated them by
sitting down briefly on the minbar.
It was narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to give two khutbahs and sit down between them. Narrated by
al-Bukhaari (928).
It is not narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) or the Sahaabah, as far as we know, said any specific du'aa'
or dhikr between the two khutbahs of Jumu'ah. Rather some of the
scholars said that it is mustahabb to say du'aa' between the two
khutbahs, seeking the time when du'aa' is answered on Friday. Oneof
the strongest opinions about that timeis that it is from when the imam
first comes outto give the khutbah untilthe end of the prayer. This
has been discussed in the answer to question no. 112165 .
But because this du'aa' was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the noble Sahaabah, we should not
affirm it or take it as a binding Sunnah; it is also not permissible
to raise one's voice when saying it and disturb the others who are
present. Some scholars have warned against that.
Ibn Hajar al-Haytami narrated that al-Qaadi said: Du'aa' during this
sitting (between the twokhutbahs) will be answered. Then Ibn Hajar
said:
It may be understood from what al-Qaadi said that the Sunnah is for
the people present to make use of the time when the imam sits to say
du'aa', because it is affirmed that it is answered at that time.
Ifthey say du'aa' then it is better for it to be silent, because by
saying it out loud they may disturb others, and because saying it
silently is betterin the case of du'aa', unless it is for a reason.
End quote.
Al-Fataawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (1/251-252).
Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abd al-Rahmaan Abu Bateen (may Allaah have
mercy on him) said: Du'aa' whilst sitting between the two khutbahs – I
do not know anything about it, and the one who does that seeking the
time mentioned on Friday (when du'aa' may be answered) should not
beobjected to. End quote.
Rasaa'il wa Fataawa al-Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah Abu Bateen (p. 163)
Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
As for raising the hands and the voice in du'aa' when the khateeb sits
down between the two khutabhs, we do not know of any Sunnah to support
that; there would be nothing wrong with it were it not for the fact
that it disturbs others and because they regarded itas a Sunnah to be
followed without any evidence.
What is narrated is to ask for silence when the imam ascends the
minbar, but the silence isfor the purpose of listening. Hence we say
that there is nothing wrong with saying du'aa' at times other than
when listening is required, but one shouldsay du'aa' quietly and not
disturb others with one's du'aa'. Not all the people should raise
theirhands so that this becomes one of the rituals of Jumu'ah for
which there is no teaching in the Sunnah. Rather they are going
against the clear Sunnah, if when the imam stands up and begins the
second khutbah they continue with their du'aa's. It is better for them
to listen and ponder at the time of the khutbah, and think and reflect
at the time when the imam is resting. The least that can be said about
this action of theirs is that it is an inappropriate innovation. End
quote.
Majallat al-Manaar (6/792).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked whether
there is a specific du'aa' or dhikr that the worshipper maysay between
the two Jumu'ah khutbahs? Is it narrated that the khateeb should say
du'aa' between the two khutbahs or not?
He replied:
There is no specific dhikror du'aa', rather a person may say whatever
supplication he wants, because this isa time when du'aa's are
answered. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "On Friday there is a time when no Muslim slave asks Allaah for
something when he is standing and praying but He will give it to him."
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Moosa: "It is
between the time when the imam comes out – i.e., enters the mosque –
until the prayer ends."
This is a time when du'aa's are answered, soone should make the most
of this opportunity and say du'aa' between the two khutbahs, asking
for whatever he wants of the good things of this world and the
Hereafter.
The same may also be said of the imam; he should say du'aa' between
the two khutbahs but it should be silent, asking for whatever he wants
of things in this world and in the Hereafter.
The same may also be said concerning prostration during Jumu'ah
prayer, after reciting the adhkaar that were narrated from the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), one may say du'aa' as one
wishes.
And after the tashahhud and before the salaam, one may say du'aa' for
whatever one wants, after saying du'aa' for that which it is narrated
one should say du'aa' for. End quote.
He also said (may Allaah have mercy on him):
Du'aa' during this time isgood and is mustahabb, because this time is
a time when it is hoped prayers will be answered. The Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) toldus that on Friday there isa
time when no Muslim slave asks Allaah for something when he is
standing and praying but He will answer him.
The time of prayer is the most likely to be the time when du'aa's are
answered, because of the report narrated by Muslim from Abu Moosa
al-Ash'ari (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "It is
between the time when the imam comes out until the prayer ends."
Based on this, one should make the most ofthis opportunity and say
du'aa' between the two khutbahs.
With regard to raising the hands, I do not thinkthere is anything
wrong with it, because the basic principle with regard to du'aa' is
that its etiquette includes raising the hands. So if aperson raises
his hands there is nothing wrong with it, and if he says du'aa'
without raising his hands there is nothing wrong with it. This has to
do with du'aa' between the two khutbahs. End quote.
Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb (Fataawa al-Salaah/Salaat al-Jumu'ah)
Thirdly:
Some fuqaha' said that itis mustahabb to recite Qur'aan when the imam
sits down between the two khutbahs, and someof them mentioned Soorat
al-Ikhlaas in particular, based on the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn Samurah
(may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Prophet (peaceand
blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to give two khutbahs, sitting in
between them.He would recite Qur'aan and remind the people. Narrated
by Muslim (862). A similar version was narrated by Ibn Hibbaan in his
Saheeh (7/42), which he included in a chapter entitled "Mention of
what the Prophet (peaceand blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
say when he sat down between the two khutbahs." End quote.
Al-Khateeb al-Sharbeeni (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
His sitting between the two khutbahs was aboutthe length of Soorat al-Ikhlaas.
Should he recite Qur'aanor dhikr therein, or remain silent?
They did not discuss it, but in Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan it says that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
reciteQur'aan therein. End quote.
Mughni al-Muhtaaj (1/557).
The correct view is that the words of Jaabir ibn Samurah in the
hadeeth,"he would recite Qur'aanand remind the people" do not refer to
the sitting between the two khutbahs, rather they refer to what is
mentioned at the beginning of the hadeeth, "The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to give two khutbahs", i.e., he
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would deliver two khutbahs
on the minbar,which both included recitation of Qur'aan and
exhortation and reminders to the people.
Hence al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi said in Siyar A'laam al-Nubala' (16/102),
in his biography of Ibn Hibbaan, in an important discussion of
mistakes made by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh: One of the things which
al-Dhahabi regarded as a mistake on his part was his categorizing of
this hadeeth, when he – Ibn Hibbaan – said: Mention of what [the
Prophet] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
recitewhen he sat down between the two khutbahs. And he did not
mention anything. End quote. Meaning that the hadeeth does not
indicate what he mentioned in the chapter heading.
The more correct view –and Allaah knows best –is that there is no
binding Sunnah from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) concerning this matter. The one whowants to use this brief moment
of silence to saydu'aa' or dhikr or recite Qur'aan may do so, so long
as he does not disturb others.


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Islamic Stories - , The Sight of Kabah

One never tires of gazing at the sight of the House of Allah, the
Kaa'ba. The site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are
constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the
Houseof Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so
they could keep gazing at the Kaa'ba; their thirst is never quenched,
rather it increases.
Once, while on a visit to Washington, people toldme that a woman had
accepted Islam and had some questions for me. They told me that many
non-practicing Muslim women had started practicing again due to her.
At prayer time she would dress in her best clothes as if readying
herself for someone special, and would become oblivious to everything
around her as soon she started praying.
After a brief question and answer session, I asked her what prompted
her to accept Islam. She sighed and started explaining; "I was a Jew
and my husband was a Christian who was posted in SaudiArabia for some
technical work. EverydayI used to see Muslim menand women dressed in
white on their way somewhere. I asked my husband where they were going
and he told me that they go to perform pilgrimage at the Muslim shrine
of Kaa'ba. I expressed a desire to go but he told me that non-Muslims
were not allowed. However, I was determined and so we both bought
white clothes and set out. Fortunately no one stopped us and we
reached Makkah, from where we found directions to the Kaa'ba. Upon
seeing the Kaa'ba our eyes froze and time seemed to stand still. When
we turned to look at each other after some time, we were both crying.
With our eyes wetold each other that this was the Truth and we should
accept Islam. No one ever told me about Islam, but there were so many
blessings descending on that House that they changedmy life forever."
The blessings of Tawhid descend in Makkah, and the blessings of
Prophethood descend inMadinah. One has seen nothing in life if he has
not seen these two holy sites. May Allah give all Muslims the
opportunity to visit to His House.

Islamic Stories - , A World of Smile

About ten years ago when I was an undergraduate in college, I was
working as an intern at my University's Museum of Natural History. One
day while working at the cash register in the gift shop, I saw an
elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair.
As I looked closer at this girl, I saw that she was kind of perched on
her chair. I then realized she had no arms or legs, just a head, neck
and torso. She was wearing a little white dress with red polka dots.
As the couple wheeled her up to me I was looking down at the register.
I turned my head toward the girl and gave her a wink. As Itook the
money from her grandparents, I looked back at the girl, who was giving
me the cutest, largest smile I have ever seen. All of a sudden her
handicap was gone and all I saw was this beautiful girl, whose smile
just melted me and almost instantly gave me a completely new sense of
what life isall about. She took me from a poor, unhappy college
student and brought me into her world; a world of smiles, love and
warmth.
That was ten years ago. I'm a successful business person now and
whenever I get down and think about the troubles of the world, I think
about that little girl and the remarkable lesson about life that
shetaught me.