Ruling on following the imam’s recitation in a book in which there is a translation of the meanings of the Qur’aan

A group of brothers were getting together topray Qiyam during the
month of Ramadan, and they are mostly converts.Is it wrong for the
Imam to lead the prayer from the (arabic) Mushaf, and for them to join
him in prayer, while following with the English translation? They say
that when they do this, they can follow along and get a greater
khushu' by following along and getting the meaning.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Following the recitation of the imam in the Mushaf is contrary to
theSunnah and is to some extent makrooh. This hasbeen explained
previously in the answers to questions nos. 52876 and 10067 .
Secondly:
With regard to followingthe imam's recitation in a book in which there
is a translation of the meanings of the Qur'aan, this requires further
discussion:
1.
If he says something from the book whilst following the imam's
recitation [i.e., moving his lips whilst reading], then his prayer is
invalid, because the translation of the meaning of the Qur'aan is
regarded as a commentary on it (tafseer), and it is not Qur'aan
according to theconsensus of the scholars and it does not come under
the same rulings as Qur'aan, so these words invalidate the prayer.
See: Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta', 4/165
2.
If it is limited to following the words by looking and thinking
without speaking, then the prayer is valid even though it is makrooh.
al-Nawawi said: "If he turns the pages sometimes during his prayer, it
is not invalidated, and if he looks at a book other than the Qur'aan
and reads that in his mind, it does not invalidate his prayer, even if
it is done for a long time, but it is makrooh.
End quote from al-Majmoo', 4/95
Al-Mardaawi said: Prayerdoes not become invalidated by looking for a
long time in a bookif he reads it in his mind,if he does not actually
utter the words, according to the correct view. ... It was narrated
from Imam Ahmad that he did that. And it was said that it does
invalidate the prayer.
End quote from al-Insaaf, 2/98
Something similar to thiswas said in Fath al-Qadeer, 1/403
Following the recitation by looking in the book and pondering the
meaning is permissible, although it is makrooh, but this description
of it being makrooh does notapply if there is a need for that, because
the basic principle accordingto the fuqaha' is that that which is
makrooh becomes permissible if there is a need.
Seeking to focus properly in prayer and understand the meaningof what
the imam is reciting is a kind of needthat makes this no longer
makrooh, because understanding the meaning of the verses is something
that is important for the person praying behind the imam, so that he
may ponder them and think of their meanings.
Something similar to thiswas stated in a fatwa by Shaykh Ibn Baaz,
that it is permissible for the person praying qiyaam al-layl behind
the imam to hold a Mushaf in which there is tafseer, and if he does
not understand a word he may look at its meaning. This was mentioned
in the answer to question number 9505 .
But what is better than that is to strive to learn Arabic and learn
the HolyQur'aan and its meanings, so that it will be easy for you to
ponder it and focus properly in prayer, and you will not need to carry
this book and look at it whilst praying.
And Allah knows best.

When he recites a verse during prayer he translates the meaning into his language in his mind

I would recite a verse in prayer and then after that I would say what
the verse means in English(to understand), is this permissible?
(sometimes I say it in my heart.) For example, I would recite the
first verse of Surah Fatiha, then after this I would say: "All praise
is due to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds."Is this
right, or permissible?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing wrong with it if you recite a verse of the Qur'aan
during your prayer and ponder its meaning in your own language, andsay
that to yourself as you mentioned in the example. This comes under the
heading of pondering and thinking of the meaning. That is on condition
that you donot utter it out loud, because the one who is praying is
forbidden to speak during the prayer,based on the report narrated by
Muslim (537)from Mu'aawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Sulmi who said: Whilst I
was praying with the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him), a man among the people sneezed and I said: Yarhamuk
Allaah (may Allah have mercy on you). The people glared at me and I
said: May my mother be bereft of me! Why are you staring at me? They
started striking their hands on their thighs, and when I realized that
they were telling me to be quiet, (I felt angry) but I kept quiet.
When the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) had prayed – may my father and mother be sacrificedfor him; by
Allaah I have never seen a better teacher or better teachings before
or since; he did not rebuke me, hit me or revile me –he said: "This
prayer is not the right place for any of the people's speech, rather
it is tasbeeh, takbeer and recitation of Qur'aan," orwords to that
effect.
And because it is not permissible to recite Qur'aan in any language
other than Arabic. See the answer to question no. 3471 .
It is permissible in naafil prayers to hold a Mus-haf with a tafseer
inthe margins or footnotes, and to look atthe meaning of what you do
not understand.

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Some details

"Description of Hell"
... In Ramadhan the gates of Hell are closed...
In Ramadhan Allah has some `utaqqa' (freed persons) from Hell...
What is this Hell that it is being told about so much?...
Paradise and Hell had already been created andthey exist now ...
When Allah created Paradise and Hell-fire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise, saying:
Look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. The
Prophet (pbuh) said: So he came to it and looked at it and at what Allah had
prepared therein for its inhabitants. The Prophet (pbuh) said: So he returned
to Him and said: By your glory, no one hears of it without entering it. So He
ordered that it be encompassed by forms ofhardship, and He said: Return to it
and look at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. The Prophet
(pbuh) said: So he returned to it and found that it was encompassed by forms of
hardship. Then he returned to Him and said:By Your glory, I fear that no one
will enter it. He said: Go to Hell-fire and look at it and what I have prepared
therein for its inhabitants, and he found that it was in layers, one above the
other. Then he returned to Him and said: By Your glory, no one who hears of it
will enter it. So He ordered that it be encompassed by lusts. Then He said:
Return to it. And he returned to it and said: By Your glory, I am frightened
that no one will escape from entering it. [at-Tirmithi and al-Hakim among
others]
Paradise and Hell quarell...
The Prophet said,"Paradise and Hell (Fire) quarreled in the presence of
their Lord. Paradise said, 'O Lord! What is wrong with me that only the poor
and humble people enterme ?' Hell (Fire) said, I have been favored with the
arrogant people.' So Allah said to Paradise, 'You are My Mercy,' and said to
Hell, 'You are My Punishment which I inflict upon whom I wish,and I shall fill
both of you.'" The Prophet added, "As for Paradise, (it will be filled with
good people) because Allah does not wrong anyof His created things, andHe
creates for Hell (Fire) whomever He will, and they will be thrown into it, and
it will say thrice, 'Is there any more, till Allah (will put) His Foot over it
and it will become full and its sides will come close to each other and itwill
say, 'Qat! Qat! Qat! (Enough! Enough! Enough!). [Bukhari]
In another version of thishadith :
Paradise and Hell-fire disputed together, and Hell-fire said: In me are the
mighty and the haughty. Paradise said: In me are the weak and the poor. So
Allah judged between them, [saying]: You are Paradise, My mercy; through you
I show mercy to those I wish. And you are Hell-fire, My punishment; through
you I punish those I wish,and it is incumbent upon Me that each of you shall
have its fill.
A Dialogue between the dwellers of Hell and the Dwellers of Paradise
Surah: 7. al-A`raaf
36. But those who reject our signs and treat them with arrogance they are
companions of the fire to dwell therein (for ever).
37. Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejectshis
signs? For such their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of
decrees); until when Our messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls
they say: "where are the things that ye used toinvoke besides Allah?"
They will reply "they have left us in the lurch" and they will bear witness
against themselves thatthey had rejected Allah.
38. He will say: "enter ye in the company of the peoples who passed away before
you men and Jinns intothe fire. Every time a new people enters it curses
its sister-people (that went before) until they follow each other all into
the fire. Saith the last about the first: "Our Lord!it is these that
misled us: so give thema double penalty in the fire." He will say:
"doubled for all": but this Ye do not understand.
39. Then the first will say to the last: "see then! no advantage have ye over
us; so taste ye of the penalty for all that ye did!"
40. To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance no opening will
there be of the gates ofheaven nor will they enter the garden until the
camel can pass throughthe eye of the needle: such is Our reward for those
in sin.
41. For them there is hell as a couch (below) and folds and folds of covering
above: such is Our requital of those who do wrong.
42. But those who believe and work righteousness no burden do We place on any
soul but that which it can bear they will be companions of the garden
therein to dwell (for ever).
43. And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury; beneath
them will be rivers flowing; and they shall say: "Praise be to Allah Who
hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance had
it not been for the guidance of Allah: indeedit was the truth that the
apostles of our Lord brought unto us." And they Shall hear the cry:
"Behold! the garden before you! Ye have beenmade its inheritors for your
deeds (of righteousness)."
44. The companions of the garden will call out tothe companions of the fire:
"We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: have you also
found your Lord's promises true?" They shall say "yes"; but a criershall
proclaim between them: "the curse of Allah is on the wrong- doers;
45. "Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it
something crooked: they were those who Denied the Hereafter."
46. Between them shall be a veil and on the heights will be men who would know
everyone by his marks: they will call out to the companions of the garden
"peace on you" they will not have entered butthey will have an assurance
(thereof.)
47. When their eyes shall be turned towards the companions of the fire they
will say: "Our Lord! send us not to the company of the wrong- doers."
48. The men on the heights will call to certainmen whom they will know from
their marks saying: "Of what profit to you were you hoards and your
arrogant ways?
49. "Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with his mercy
would never bless? Enter ye the garden: no fear shall be on you nor shall
ye grieve."
50. The companions of the fire will call to the companions of the garden; "pour
down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance."
They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those who
rejected Him.
51. "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play and were
deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they
forgot the meeting of this day of theirs and as they were wont to reject
Our signs.
52. For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge which We
explained in detail a guide and a mercy to all who believe.
WHAT IS HELL ABOUT ?
Allah Ta`ala describes Hellin the Qur'an and His messenger, salla Allahu
alaihi wa sallam, in the pure Sunnah
Anas Bin Malik relates: The Prophet (S) deliveredbefore us a sermon the like
of which I had never heard form him before. In course of it he said: 'If You
could know what I know,you would laugh little and weep much.' Thereupon those
present covered their faces and began to sob loudly. [Bukhari and Muslim].
Another version says: Some reports from the companions reached the
Messenger of Allah (S). Hetherefore addressed them and said: Heaven and Hell
were shown I have neverseen the like of (the these two) till this day in good
and in evil. If you could know what I know, you would laugh little and weep
much. That was the hardest day for the companions of the Messenger of Allah
(S). They covered their faces and started weeping loudly. [Bukhari& Muslim]
I. Hell described in al-Qur'an
Surah: 2. al-Baqara
24. But if ye cannot and of a surety ye cannot then fear the fire whose fuel
is Men and Stones which is prepared for those who reject Faith.
167. And those who followed would say: "If only we had one more chance we
would clear ourselves of them as they have cleared themselves of us." Thus
will Allah show them (thefruits of) their deeds as (nothing but) regrets nor
will there be a way for them out of the fire.
Surah: 4. an-Nisaa
10. Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire intotheir
own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire!
14. But those who disobey Allah and His Apostle and transgress His limits will
be admitted to a fire to abide therein: and they shall have a humiliating
punishment.
56. Those who reject Our Signs We shall soon cast into the fire: as often as
their skins are roasted through We shall change them for fresh skins that
they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.
145. The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the fire: no helper wilt
thou find for them.
Surah: 5. al-Ma'ida
40. Their wish will be to get out of the fire but never will they get out
therefrom: their penalty will be one that endures.
Surah: 6. al-An`aam
27. If thou couldst but seewhen they are confronted with the fire! They will
say: "Would that we werebut sent back! then would we not reject the Signs of
our Lord but would be amongst those who believe!.
Surah: 9. at-Tauba
34. ... And there are thosewho hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the
way of Allah : announce unto them a most grievous chastisement
35. On the day when heatwill be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of
hell and with it will be branded their foreheads their flanks and their backs
"this is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye then the
(treasures) ye buried!"
Surah: 10. Yunus
27. But those who have earned evil will have a reward of like evil: ignominy
will cover their (faces): no defender will they have from (the wrath of) Allah:
their faces will be covered as it were with pieces from the depth of the
darkness of Night: they are Companions of the Fire: they will abide therein
(for aye)!
Surah: 11. Huud
106. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: there will be for them
therein (nothing but) theheaving of sighs and sobs:
Surah: 13. ar-Ra'd
5. If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith) strange is their saying:"When
we are (actually) dust shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?" They
are those who deny theirLord! They are those round whose necks will be yokes
(of servitude): they will be Companions of the Fire who dwell therein (for
aye)!
Surah: 14. Ibrahim
15. But they sought victory and decision (there and then) and frustration was
the lot of every powerful obstinate transgressor.
16. In front of such a one is Hell and he is given for drink boiling fetid
water.
17. In gulps will he sip it but never well he be nearswallowing it down his
throat: Death will cometo him from every quarter yet will he not die: and
in front of him will be a chastisement unrelenting.
18. The parable of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes
on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: No power have they
over aught that they have earned: That is the straying far far (from the
goal).
21. They will all be marshaled before Allah together: then will the weak say
to those who were arrogant, "For us, we but followed you; can you then avail us
at all against the wrath of Allah?" They will reply,"if we had received the
guidance of Allah, we should have given it to you; to us it makes no
difference (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience: For
ourselves there is no wayof escape"
Surah: 15. al-Hijr
43. And verily Hell is the promised abode for themall!
44. To it are seven Gates: for each of those Gates is (special) class (of
sinners assigned).
Surah: 18. al-Kahf
29. Say "The Truth is fromyour Lord": let him who will believe and let him
who will reject (it): for the wrongdoers We haveprepared a Fire whose (smoke
and flames) like the wall and roof of a tent will hem them in: if they implore
relief they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their
faces. How dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch torecline on!
53. And the Sinful shall see the Fire and apprehend that they have to all
therein; no means will they find to turn away there from.
Surah: 22. al-Hajj
19. These two antagonists dispute with each other about their Lord: but those
who deny (their Lord) for them will be cut out agarment of Fire: over
their heads will be poured out boiling water.
20. With it will be scaldedwhat is within their bodies as well as (their)
skins.
21. In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish) them.
22. Every time they wish to get away there from from anguish they will beforced
back therein and (it will be said) "Taste ye thePenalty of Burning!"
Surah: 23. al-Mu'minoun
103. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost theirsouls;
in Hell will they abide.
104. The fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their
lips displaced.
Surah: 25. al-Furqaan
11. Nay they deny the Hour (of the Judgment to come): but We have prepared a
Blazing Fire for such as deny the Hour:
12. When it sees them from a place far off they will hear its fury and its
raging sigh.
13. And when they are cast bound together into a constricted place therein they
will plead for destruction there and then!
14. "This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction
oft-repeated!"
15. Say: "Is that best or the eternal Garden promised to the righteous? For
them that is a reward as well as a goal (of attainment).
16. "For them there will be therein all that they wish for: they will dwell
(there) for aye: a promise to be prayed for from thy Lord."
Surah: 26. ash-Shu`araa
94. "Then they will be thrown headlong into the (Fire) they and those straying
in Evil
Surah: 27. an-Naml
90. And if any do evil their faces will be thrownheadlong into the Fire:"Do
ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?"
Surah: 32. as-Sajda
20. As to those who are rebellious and wicked their abode will be the Fire:
every time they wish to get away there from theywill be forced there into and it
will be said to them:"taste ye the Penalty of the Fire the which ye were wont
to reject as false.
Surah: 33. al-Ahzab
66. The Day that their faces will be turned upside down in the Fire they will
say: "Woe to us! would that we had obeyed Allahand obeyed the Apostle!"
Surah: 35. Faatir
36. But those who reject (Allah) for them will be the Fire of Hell: no term
shall be determined for them so they should die nor shall its Penalty be
lightened for them: thus do We reward every ungrateful one!

The Virtues of Hijab

1.An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and tohis prophet (pbuh),
Allah says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man orwoman, when
Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an
option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His
Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze
(from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts
(from illegalsexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment
except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw
their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).
Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous
predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include
the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the
hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is
preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.
2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a
manifestationfor chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet!
Tellyour wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to
draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is
most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).
In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the
apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her.When the cause of
attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in
the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of
attraction. Allah(swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their
outer garments andexpose their faces and hands reminding, however,
that is still better for them to keep their modesty.
3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of
the hijab: `And when youask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything
you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts
andtheir hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and
women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the
hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more
pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of
fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the
ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:
`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of
hypocrisy orevil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with
desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' (S33:32)
4.The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said:"Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii
(Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr
(Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who
takes off her clothes in other than her husband'shouse (to show off
for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "The
hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kindof action committed
there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed
raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc)
and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness,that is
better.'(S7:26). Thewidespread forms of dresses in the world today are
mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the
woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to
safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a
manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah
(righteousness).
6.The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the
believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers
to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet
(pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to
visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly
dressed:"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the
dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then
enjoy it."
7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Eachreligion has a
morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND"Bashfulness is from
belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the
natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.
8.The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in
the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or
daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man
to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight
MUSLIM man has Gheerahfor ALL MUSLIM women Inresponse to lust and
desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind
that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of
sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheerain men. Islam considers
Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter
or any other Muslim womanmust be highly respected and defended.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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