Question

Al-Salaam 'Alaykum

Dear Respected Scholars of Islam,

What is the Shar'i ruling regarding Zayd, a Sunni Imam, who prays Salah behind a Tafzili and invites him to his gatherings whilst knowing of his bad beliefs. Is praying Salah behind such an Imam permissible?

Answer

Wa alaykum as salam

There is a unanimous agreement (ijma’) of the entire Ahl al-Sunnah that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar are superior to Mawla Ali [Mulla Ali al-Qari in Minah al-Rawd al-Azhar and Sharh Fiqh al-Akbar; Allamah Taftazani in Sharh al-Maqasid; Imam Ahmad Rida in Fatawa Ridawiyyah vol 28]. The scholars have, therefore, stipulated that whosoever gives Mawla Ali superiority over Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar (ie the tafdilliyah), he is an innovator and a heretic, and as a result, salah behind him is prohibitively disliked.

It is in Khulasah al-Fatawa, Fath al-Qadir, Bahr al-Rayiq, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah and numerous other books, that he who gives Ali superiority over Abu Bakr and Umar is an innovator and a heretic.

It is stated in Gunyah al-Mustamli and Radd al-Muhtar that salah behind an innovator or heretic is disliked in every case and it is in Rasayil al-Arkan that salah behind the tafdilis is severely disliked [karahatun shadidatun]. As a result, praying salah behind the tafdilis is makruh e tahrimi (prohibitively disliked), so that to pray behind them is sinful and to repeat it is necessary (wajib) [Fatawa Ridawiyyah 6/622].

Therefore, the Imam who prays behind tafdilis and invites them to gatherings while knowing their beliefs, salah behind him is also disliked.

And Allah knows best
Muhammad Kalim
22 Ramadan 1438

Verified by Mufti Zahid Hussain al-Qadiri

Question

اَلسّلامُ عَلیْکُم و رَحْمَۃُ اللّٰہِ و بَرَکا تُہ

Hope you are in the best of health.

I am currently at university and we have an Islamic society (isoc) here it is run by wahabis/salafis/najdis, they have jamaat salah which is usually led by students, I don't know whether the ones leading the salah are of the same sect but I have doubts that they are. Is it permissible for me to read behind them or shall I read by myself, and then will I also read tarawih alone.
Please shed some light.

جزاك اللهُ خيرًا

Answer

Wa alaykum as salam

It is important to know whether the Imam is a deviant or not, especially when there is a high possibility that he may well be a deviant, such as in your case.

It is stated in Fatawa Ridawiyyah:

“It is necessary [to confirm the Imam’s aqidah] if there is a possibility of doubt, such as when you have heard from someone that the Imam is a wahabi; even if the person informing you is not righteous but only mastur (a person whose apparent state is in accordance with the Shari'ah but his real state unknown), [in such a case] to investigate is still necessary – or if the area is of [for example] wahabis, then investigate [as to whether he is indeed]. If there is no reason for doubt, then pray salah [behind the Imam] and if it is later proven that he was, for example, a wahabi, then repetition is obligatory.” [Fatawa Ridawiyyah 6/617]

Based on this, because the society is run mainly by deviant sects, the possibility of the Imam being a deviant is high. You should, therefore, investigate and confirm the aqidah of the Imam before praying behind him. If after investigation, you come to know that the Imam is indeed a wahabi, then do not pray behind him, because salah behind the people of deviance is not permissible [Fath al-Qadir 1/304].

And Allah knows best
Muhammad Kalim
22 Ramadan 1438

Verified by Mufti Zahid Hussain al-Qadiri

Question

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu

Q1. If I'm praying taraweeh and in the first 1st rak'at I pray Surah Kawthar, 2nd rak'at I pray Surah Nasr by mistake. Then on the next rak'at can I pray Surah Kaafiroon and then Surah Nasr again?

Q2. If I pray Surah Fil 1st raka't and Surah Alam Nashra in 2nd. Is it ok?

Q3. If i pray Surah Ahad in 1st rak'at, can I pray Surah Falaq in 2nd

Q4. Can I pray Surah Ahad in both rak'ats?

Q5. Which Surah shud i pray in 2nd rak'at if i started 1st rak'at with Surah Naas?

Answer

1. It is preferred to recite a longer Surah in the first unit and then a shorter Surah in the second unit. As Taraweeh is considered to be from the Nawaafil, a person may recite a Surah of the same length in the second unit. It is mentioned in Bahare Shariat with reference to Fataawa Alamgiri,

'It is better to recite slightly longer in the first unit than that which is recited in the second unit in all Salah, this is also the hukm for Jumu'ah and Eidayn.'

Furthermore, it is mentioned in Bahare Shariat with reference to Munyah Al-Musalli,

'In the Sunan and Nawaafil, similar length chapters should be recited in both units.'

After this, it is mentioned with reference Al-Durr Al-Mukhtar,

'It is Makrooh to recite longer in the second unit than that which is recited in the first unit.'

From these references it is clear that the mistake made by you is the recitation of Surah Kawthar in the first unit because this makes it inevitable to recite longer in the second unit.

If someone has recited Surah Kawthar in the first unit by mistake then now there is no harm in reciting Surah Nasr in the second unit because now he cannot find a shorter chapter to recite in the second unit.

It is not clear in the question if you are performing Taraweeh in two units or four units. In case of the former, there is no harm in reciting Surah Kafiroon in the first of the next two units followed by Surah Nasr again in the second unit. In case of the latter, it is not permissible for you to recite Surah Kafiroon in the third unit because this would be considered as reciting the Quran backwards. It is mentioned in Bahare Shariat with reference to to Al-Durr Al-Mukhtar,

'To recite the exalted Quran backwards such that a Surah recited in the second unit is from before the Surah recited in the first unit is Makrooh Tahreemi.'

In the case that this is a four unit Taraweeh, if you have recited Surah Nasr in the second unit, you now have the option of reciting one of the last four chapters. You may recite Surah Masad in the third and then Surah Ikhlaas in the fourth or you may recite Surah Falaq in the third and Surah Naas in the fourth. What you must not do is recite Surah Ikhlaas in the third and Surah Falaq or Surah Naas in the fourth. This is because both Surah Falaq and Naas are longer than Surah Ikhlaas and also by missing Surah Masad in between Surah Nasr and Ahad or by missing Surah Falaq in between Surah Ahad and Naas, you would commit another error which is that it is Makrooh to miss a small Surah in between two units. It is mentioned in Bahare Shariat with reference to Al-Durr Al-Mukhtar,

'If a Surah is recited in the first unit and then a small Surah is left out in between and the next Surah is recited in the second unit, then it is Makrooh. If the Surah in between is long such that if it is recited then the recitation of the second unit will become longer then there is no harm in missing it. For example, if Surah Teen is recited in the first and Surah Qadr in the second then there is no harm but if Surah Nasr is recited in the first then Surah Ahad should not be recited in the next unit.'

It is important for every Muslim to ponder over these delicate rules of Salah and ensure that the Salah is performed in the manner that pleases Allah and His Messenger peace and blessings be upon him and Allah knows best.

2. This is not okay as it is considered as reciting the Quran backwards which has been established in answer 1.

3. It is Makrooh to recite longer in the unit than that which was recited in the previous unit which has been mentioned in answer 1. Therefore one should not recite Surah Ikhlaas in the first unit. However, if one has by mistake then there is no harm and he should recite Surah Falaq in the next unit. He should not recite Surah Naas and miss Surah Falaq because that would be adding another error as mentioned in answer 1.

4. Although it is Makrooh Tanzeehi to recite the same Surah in both units of Salah unless there is a valid excuse, but because Taraweeh is considered to be from the Nawaafil, there is no harm in repeating the same Surah and there is no requirement for a valid excuse.

It is mentioned in Bahare Shariat,

'It is Makrooh Tanzeehi to recite the same Surah in both units unless there is a valid excuse such as Surah Naas was recited in the first unit, now he should recite it again in the second unit or, by mistake, he began the same Surah in the second unit or he cannot remember any other Surah then he may recite the same Surah again. To recite the same Surah in both units of Nawaafil or to repeat a Surah many times in one unit of Nawaafil is permissible without any Karaahah.'

From this reference it is clear there is no harm in reciting Surah Ikhlaas in both units of Taraweeh Salah and Allah knows best.

5. As mentioned in the reference provided on answer 4, if a person has recited Surah Naas in the first unit then he should recite the same; Surah Naas in the next unit. He may also choose to recite from the beginning of Surah Baqarah in the second unit as this will not be considered as reciting the Quran backwards and Allah knows best.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
20th Ramadan al-Kareem 1438AH

Question

Salaam

In Ramadan when imam leads witr, he stays silent in 3rd rakat (reads fatiha and surah quietly) and calls taqbeer for qunoot and goes into ruku thereafter. ....is sajda sawh necessary or not?

Your Duas on these blessed nights.

Answer

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam

It is Waajib to recite loudly in all three units of the witr of Ramadan and therefore if the Imam by mistake recited quietly in the third unit of the witr of Ramadan then Sijdah of Sahw became necessary and if he forgot to perform the Sijdah of Sahw then it is necessary to repeat the Salah.

It is mentioned in Bahare Shariat with reference to Al-Durr Al-Mukhtaar,

'To recite loudly in the first two units of Fajr, Maghrib and Isha and every unit of the Jumu'ah, Eidayn, Taraweeh and Witr of Ramadan is Waajib upon the Imam.'

It is also mentioned in the same reference,

'If a Waajib is missed by mistake and the Sijdah of Sahw is not performed then it is Waajib to repeat the Salah.'

If the Imam recited quietly on purpose then it is necessary to repeat the Salah and the Sijdah of Sahw will not be enough to compensate for it,

'If the Waajib is missed on purpose then the Sijdah of Sahw will not resolve the fault, rather it is Waajib to repeat the Salah.'

It is a sin to miss a Waajib on purpose and thus in such case repentance is also necessary and Allah knows best.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
20th Ramadan Al-Kareem 1438AH

Question

Assalamu Alaykum Wa RahmatUllahi Wa Barakatahu, Hazrat, My question is
Is it must to pray Fajr, Maghrib and Isha Prayers Loudly even when praying alone?

I am working in saudi arab and most of the time since i be in office i pray alone but i pray quietly because if i pray loudly some people just joins the salah and makes me Imam. I don't know whether its valid or not so i usually pray salah quietly.

Please suggest me which is the correct way of praying Fajr, Maghrib and Isha salah while praying alone.
Thank You.

Assalamu Alaykum Wa RahmatUllahi Wa Barakatahu.

Answer

Wa alaykumussalam,

When praying Fajr, Maghrib and Isha on time (ada) alone, an individual has the option of reciting the Qur’an loudly or quietly. Although for Fajr, Maghrib and Isha it is preferred for a person praying salah alone to recite loudly, it is not necessary [Bahar e Shari'ah with reference to al-Durr al-Mukhtar]. 

Therefore, if you recite the Qur’an quietly (provided you can hear yourself if there is no disruption) in Fajr, Maghrib and Isha whilst praying alone, the salah is valid. 

And Allah knows best. 
Muhammad Kalim
6 Safar 1438

Verified by Mufti Zahid Hussain al-Qadiri

Question:

Assalamualaikum Hazrath, I have got a job in Saudi. My question is all masjids in Saudi are Bad Aqeedah and Wahabis, so how can we perform our Salaah, especially the Jummah Salah?

Q 2 Agar maloon nahi k imaam sunni hai aur jamaat shuru hone wali to aise halaat kya karen (Translation - If one does not know if the Imaam is Sunni and the Jama'ah is about to start, what should one do in this situation?)

Answer

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam

Al-Jawaab:

The Saudi Government rules under the 'Wahabiyah' sect in Islam. This is a sect which has caused havoc amongst the Muslims since their existence and continues to do so. Many laymen from amongst the Muslims have been misled, misguided and radicalised to violent and non-violent extremism through their false banner of Tawheed (monotheism). Their heretical beliefs are a disgrace to the Islam that our Saviour and Master Muhammad ﷺ brought to us from Allah.

This sect came into existence in the year 1209 Hijri under the leadership of its founder Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Najdi. He spread many misguidances throughout the whole of the Arab world, especially throughout Haramayn Shareefayn. Under his command and leadership, they heartlessly slaughtered and butchered the rightly guided Ulemaa' (Scholars), as though the whole of the Arab world was a slaughter house. Anyone who disagreed with them, whether a scholar, layman, male, female, young or old, was labelled as a kafir and mushrik and then was killed. Streams of blood were flowing in the streets. They destroyed the graves and shrines of the blessed pious predecessors which included the great companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They named the shrine of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the 'Sanam Akbar' which means the biggest idol. They strongly desired to destroy the holy shrine of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and they still do which becomes apparent once a year when one of their clerics decides to spill his rage in a public speech or through an article or edict but they have failed to do so because Allah has protected it and may Allah continue to protect it for it is the centre of our faith.

In Radd Al-Muhtaar, Imaam Ibn Abideen Al-Shaami has written a chapter regarding the followers of Muahmmad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Najdi and has regarded them as traitors of Islam and also called them Khawaarij. He then writes,

“The followers of Abd Al-Wahhab have appeared in our time who have come from Najd. They have taken both the Haram (Makkah Mukarramah and Madeenah Munawwarah) and they impersonate the Hanbali School. However, they believe that only they are Muslims and whosoever opposes their beliefs is a Mushrik. With this, they legalised the killing of the Ahl Al-Sunnah and their Scholars.”

Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Najdi, himself said,

“The holy and eminent grave is an idol and a false god in all meanings of idolatry, only if the people realised.”

This can be found in the footnotes of Sharh Al-Sudoor Bi-Tahreemi Raf' Al-Quboor written by himself. On one hand he regards it as Holy and eminent and, on the other hand, he calls it an idol and false god, only if he realised. It is a well established and known fact that none from amongst the Muslims besides these 'Wahaabiyah' regard the Holy Shrine of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as an idol or false god.

From amongst the heretic beliefs of the 'Wahaabiyah' are, Allah can lie, Muhammad is just a normal human like us, he does not know what will happen to him, he is dead, he cannot hear us, he cannot see us, he has no authority in any matter, he can not be used as a means to reach Allah, all Prophets and Messengers and Awliya are worse than dirt in the court of Allah, thinking of the Prophet during salah is worse than thinking of a donkey, voting in a non-Muslim country for a non-Muslim government is shirk (polytheism), following a man-made law, is shirk, Allah has body parts like we do, Allah moves from one place to another and Allah sits and stands on and from His throne etc. May Allah forbid and may Allah protect us from these kufriyah beliefs.

These are only some of the beliefs of the 'Wahaabiyah' sect and it is from this sect that the 'Deobandiyah' sect appeared in the Sub-Continent. One can see the similarities in the beliefs by studying the 'Deobandiyah' books of Fataawa like the Fataawaa Rasheediyah of Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi.

Imam Bukhari has recorded several traditions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in his Saheeh from Sayyiduna Ali Ibn Abi Taalib and Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri, Allah is pleased with them both, regarding a people that will come in this nation from the East who will perform Salah in a manner that we will find our Salah to be inferior, they will fast in a manner that we will find our fast to be inferior and their actions will be such that we will find ours inferior. They will recite the Qur'aan (beautifully) but it will not pass below their throats. They will leave Islam (instantaneously) like the arrow leaves its game or target and they will not return to Islam unless the arrow returns to its bow (by itself which is never). These people will kill the Muslims and leave the idolators. In a narration, one of their signs that are mentioned in Bukhari is that their beards will be thick and their heads shaven. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also said that if I were to find the time of these people then I would kill them like the killing of the people of Thamood. 

It is clear that Salah is invalid behind an Imam who follows such a sect whether it is the five times daily Salah or the Friday afternoon Salah. The rightly guided Scholars of the Ahl Al-Sunnah have said and written in various edicts that performing prayer behind Imams of these sects who hold such heretic beliefs is the same as performing prayer behind a Hindu or Sikh Imam, may Allah forbid, for reference please see Al-Ataaya Al-Nabawiyah Fi Al-Fataawa Al-Ridwiyah. This is simply because these nominal Muslims have left the boundaries of Islam and are wondering lost in the realms of kufr. Anyone who has faith in his heart and genuinely cares about his worship will never compromise to perform his prayer behind such individuals who follow the 'Wahaabiyah' or 'Deobandiyah' sects.

If there is no other Imam then one must pray individually and instead of the Friday afternoon prayer, one should perform the Zuhr Salah.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding the people of innovation (those who innovate a new path that is against the path of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the path of his companions, Allah is pleased with them),

"Do not sit with them, do not eat with them, do not drink with them, do not say salam to them, do not visit them when they are sick, do not perform salah with them and do not perform their Janazah salah when they die."

In Fataawa Mustafawiyah, it clearly says that it is impermissible to perform prayer behind those who openly sin. If that is the case regarding those who openly sin then what must be the case of those who openly hold heretic beliefs as mentioned above? Imam Mufti Al-A'zam Mustafa Rida Al-Hanafi Al-Qadiri, Allah is pleased with him quotes a Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ,

“When a faasiq is honored, the Lord becomes angry and the arsh trembles due to it.”

The great Mufti of his era writes that what more honor can be given to a person than making him the leader in the religious affairs (Salah).

Therefore, it is clear that prayer behind such heretics causes the anger of Allah and is not only impermissible but invalid.

We are ordered to judge people according to that which is apparent upon us and not according to our guesses and assumptions. If there is a person who is apparently a Muslim then we must accept the person as a Muslim and not make assumptions unless there are signs that have otherwise become apparent. If there is a person who is a Muslim and apparently fulfills the conditions of Imaamah (leadership in prayer) then one may perform his prayer behind him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

“The order/law is according to that which is apparent and I have not been ordered to look into the people's hearts and to rip open their chests (to see what is inside).”

However, if this apparently fit for Imaamah person is leading the prayer in a Qaadiyani, Shi'ah or Wahaabi Masjid then it is apparent and clear who he is and Allah knows best.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
1st Rabi al Thani 1437 AH

Question

Salaam. What is the permissibility of delaying Namaaz until close to the time of the next Namaaz? One of the brothers at work delays reading Zuhr until about 30 mins before Asar so that he can pray both of his prayers without having to do Wuzu again. I have tried to convince him to offer his Zuhr Namaaz earlier but require some assistance please.

Jazak Allah Khair

Answer

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam

Al-Jawaab:

The obligation of the five daily prayers is prescribed with a beginning and end time. Allah the Almighty says in Surah Nisaa', verse: 103,

“Indeed, Salah is a scheduled obligation upon the believers”

This means that there is a fixed time frame within which it is obligatory upon us to ensure we perform each salah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

“There is a beginning and end (time) for salah. The beginning time for Zohr is when the sun inclines (towards setting from its highest point) and its end time is when the time of Asr enters.”

This is recorded in Tirmizi and in a well-known narration Sayyiduna Jibreel, upon him be peace, came and performed salah with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the first day when salah first became an obligation. On this first day, they both performed salah at the very beginning time of each salah. Then on the second day Sayyiduna Jibreel, upon him be peace, came and performed each salah with the Prophet ﷺ at the very end time of each salah. Therefore, it is permissible to perform Zohr near the end time and the Asr near the beginning time.

There are many narrations in the books of Hadith where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gathered two prayers together at certain times which is known as Jam' Bayn Al-Salaatayn. This was to perform one prayer near its end time and the next prayer at its beginning time. This is known as Jam' Soori which is perfectly permissible according to our Hanafi School as it is established from the Hadith. This Jam' Soori should not be made a habit but should only be practised in times of difficulty such as travelling, sickness or working for a non-Muslim company in a country governed by non-Muslims. The reason why it should not be made a habit is because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to perform our prayers in their preferred times within their obligatory times. For example, he ﷺ said,

“He who performs the Fajr prayer when it becomes bright (delays it to near the end time), Allah will brighten his grave and his heart and will accept his prayer.”

This is recorded by Imam Daylmi in his Musnad and it means that if someone was to delay his Isha till the end time and then perform his Fajr at the very beginning then his prayers are valid but he has not gained the reward of the preferred time.

For the Zohr prayer, it is preferred (more reward) to perform it early in the cold seasons and to delay it in the warm seasons. As for the Asr prayer, it is preferred to delay in all seasons but not so much that the sun becomes easy to stare at in the absence of dust and smoke (pollution) as is mentioned in Bahare Shariat.

As for Jam' Haqeeqi, which is to gather two prayers in the time of one of them, it is impermissible in all situations besides the two exceptions in Hajj and Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
28th Rabi al Awwal 1437 AH

Question

Asalaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

When calculating qaza e umri namaaz and specifically the namaaz of Friday, should we calculate 2 qaza farz of Jummah or should we calculate 4 qaza farz of Zohur for Friday.

JazakAllah.

Answer

Wa alaykumussalam.

To make Salah qaza without a valid Shar’i reason is a major sin. It is obligatory upon the one who misses any Fard salah to make up for the Salah he has missed and sincerely repent.

When calculating qaza e umri, one will only include the Fard and Wajib of each day. Per day, there are in total 17 Fard rak’ats (Fajr: 2, Zuhr: 4, Asr: 4, Maghrib: 3, Isha: 4) and 3 Wajib rak’ats (Witr of Isha). One does not include the 2 Fard of Jumu’ah in this calculation, but instead will include 4 Fard of Zuhr, as there is no qaza of Jumu’ah Salah.

And Allah knows best. 

Muhammad Kalim  
5th Muharram al-Haram 1437AH

This answer is sufficient and correct and Allah knows best. 

Question

Salaam,

I heard the local imam saab quoting a hadith mubarak that it is better to wait 100 years then to walk in front of someone who is praying their namaaz.

So what is the ruling if someone walks in front of you whilst you are praying? Does this break your namaaz?

Jazak Allah Khair.

Answer

Wa alaykumussalam.

If there is no sutrah (object equivalent to one arm in length and a finger size in width) between the one praying Salah and the one crossing in front of him, then the one who walks across an individual praying Salah is sinful. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

“If the one crossing in front of a praying person knew what sin is upon him, he would deem it better for himself to wait forty than walk across.” The narrator said: “I do not know whether he said forty days, months or years.” [Muslim]

This Hadith has been narrated in the Sahih Six (Sihah Sitta) by Abu Juhaym and in the narration of al-Bazzar, ‘forty years’ has been specified [Musnad al-Bazzar]. The Muhadditheen also state that ‘forty’ refers to ‘forty years.’

The narration of Abu Hurayrah reported by Ibn Majah states, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

“If one knew what [sin] there is upon him in crossing in front of his praying brother, then he would deem waiting for one hundred years better than crossing.”

Nevertheless, although it is a major sin, if an individual does walk in front of another who is praying Salah, then the Salah of the one praying will not be nullified, as stated in the general books of Hanafi Fiqh,

“To walk across someone who is praying Salah… will not invalidate the Salah.” [al-Durr al-Mukhtar & Radd al-Muhtar]

And Allah knows best

Muhammad Kalim
16^th Ramadan Sharif

The answer is correct. If a person is performing Salah and a person is about to walk across in front of him while there is no Sutrah then he may put his hand out in order to stop him or he may say the tasbeehor takbeer or whatever he is reciting loudly in order to aware the person crossing that he is performing Salah. This is to prevent the other person from sin.

If it is a congregation then the Imam is a Sutrah for the Muqtadees. One may walk in front of the Muqtadees, there is no harm in that however it is impermissible to walk across the Imam unless there is a Sutrah in front of him. When a Masbooq or a Laahiq is completing his remaining Salah then the Imam is no longer his Sutrah and therefore it is impermissible to walk in front of him.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
19^th Ramadan Al-Kareem 1436 AH

Question

Please can you tell me how to pray the Istakhara salat. Is it permissible to read the dua that is written on paper or from mobile phone.

Answer

One should first pray two rak’at Nafl Salah. It is preferred (Mustahab) to pray Surah al-Kafirun after Surah al-Fatiha in the first rak’at and Surah al-Ikhlas after Surah al-Fatiha in the second rak’at.

Once the Salah is complete, read the following Dua, which has been mentioned in the Hadith. Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah would teach the way of doing Istikhaarah, in all matters just as he taught us the chapters of the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah said, "If any of you intends on doing any task, he should offer a two rak’at Nafl prayer and say (after the prayer) [Bukhari]:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِى أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِىْ فى دِينى وَمَعَاشِى وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِى وعَاجِلِ أَمْرِى وآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِىْ وَيَسِّرْهُ لِىْ ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِىْ فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّلِىْ فِي دِينى وَمَعَاشِى وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِى وعَاجِلِ أَمْرِى وآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّى وَاصْرِفْنِى عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِىْ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ رضِّنِى بِهِ

The two places in the Dua where the words Hadha al-Amra (highlighted in red) are mentioned, one should either straight after it or in place of these words, mention his need. For example, if it is for a journey, then one should pray Hadha al-Safaru… in both places. It is Mustahab to pray Surah al-Fatiha and Durood Sharif before and after reciting this Dua. After reciting the Dua, some scholars have stated that one should sleep in the Sunnah manner facing the Qibla with Wudu. It is permissible to read this Dua from a piece of paper or even from a mobile phone.

It is also better to do Istikhaarah seven times, as it has been stated in one Hadith,

“O Anas! When you intend to undertake a task, do Istikhaarah to your Lord seven times. Then look at what crossed your heart, as verily there is goodness in it.” [Kanzul Ummal].

If in the dream one sees whiteness or greenness then the task for which he/she did Istikhaarah is good, and if one sees redness or blackness then the task is bad and should be avoided. If one does not remember the dream or does not see any colours, then he/she should follow their heart. Whichever intention grows stronger in the heart for the intended task, follow it after completing seven days of Istikhaarah and Allah knows best.

Muhammad Kalim
13^th Ramadan Al-Kareem 1436AH

The answer is correct and it is important to note that Istikhaarah is only permissible for permissible matters. As for those matters which are forbidden or are the cause of Allah’s anger, it is not permissible to do Istikhaarah and Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
13^th Ramadan Al-Kareem 1436 AH

Question

Can we raise finger in Thana while in namaz? Our imam said I can’t do it.

Answer with the help of Allah the Almighty

In the beginning of Salah, after the Takbeer of Tahreemah and before Ta’awwuz and Tasmiyah, while one recites:

“Wa Laa Ilaaha Gayruk”

It is better to raise the finger of Shahaadah. 

Sadr Al-Shari’ah, Allamah Amjad Ali Al-A’zami, has written in his Fataawa:

“To raise the finger of Shahaadah in Thanaa is better because it is a gesture for establishing monotheism. It is in a Hadith that a person used to gesture with two fingers and the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said ‘with one, with one.’ The purpose of this is that the tongue has established monotheism, the heart firmly believes it and so the limbs have gestured it; and furthermore, the body, soul and tongue are together in agreement.”

If one regards it impermissible then it is upon him to provide evidence against it, because the essence of all is permissibility.

And Allah knows all.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri

16th Sha’baan 1436 AH

The true performers of Salah will be called from Bab al-Salah (the Gate of Salah). Nowadays, crowds are lining up to perform Taraweeh yet people are nowhere to be seen for the Fara’id. The entire year’s Faraid Salah hang over the head. Perform Taraweeh, but perform your outstanding qada Salah instead of the Nafl after Witr. Perform qada instead of the optional units before [the Fard of] Isha. The Nawafil performed while one has oustanding Fard qada are not accepted. The big nights come and people perform many Nawafil, rubbing their heads on the ground; the thought does not occur to them to perform their oustanding obligation that hang on their necks, that will cut through their necks on the day of Qiyamah and will make them deserving of the wrath of Allāh. Perform those qada in those nights. Like this, the fasts of Muharram, the fasts of 15 Sha’baan, this fast, that fast - these are all very good fasts - these fasts should be kept by those people who have kept all their obligatory fasts. And those people who have obligatory fasts hanging over their heads, should keep qada fasts in these days. The oustanding fasts of Ramadan, keep them on 10 and 11 Muharram and in other days. So there is some decrease in the awaiting punishment, so that one may save oneself from the wrath of Allah. But people don’t take heed.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The true Namazis will be called [from Bab al-Salah].” Not these fake namazis like the wahabis, or mirzais, or other deviant sects. Their namaz is not Namaz. The thing I cannot understand is those whose Namaz is Namaz do not perform it, while those whose namaz is not even Namaz, they are at it rigorously all the time. Those whose namaz is not even accepted, their mosques are packed, performing tirelessly. And they get nothing it is all فَجَعَلنٰهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورا it is all worthless, like dust. It has no value.

The true performers of Salah will be called from Bab al-Salah.

Transcribed from a speech by Huzur Muhaddith e Kabeer Allamah Zia ul Mustafa Azmi

Translated by Neesarahmed Amjadi

Question:

Please provide a Wazeefah (litany) or action that will help one wake up for Fajr Salah.

Answer:

Recite Durud Shareef in abundance, recite Ayat al-Kursi and recite the last verses of Surah Kahf [Verses 107-110]:

 إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَانَتۡ لَهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسِ نُزُلاً

 خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬

قُل لَّوۡ كَانَ ٱلۡبَحۡرُ مِدَادً۬ا لِّكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّى لَنَفِدَ ٱلۡبَحۡرُ قَبۡلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَـٰتُ رَبِّى وَلَوۡ جِئۡنَا بِمِثۡلِهِۦ مَدَدً۬ا

 قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمۡ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬‌ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلۡيَعۡمَلۡ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَلَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ أَحَدَۢا

Recite this and go to sleep. In sha' Allah one will wake up for Fajr Salah.

Source: Weekly Q&A by Taajush Shari'ah Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan

Combination of two answers given by Hazrat: http://www.jamiaturraza.com/session/21May10/14.mp3 and http://www.jamiaturraza.com/session/21Feb10/2.mp3

Question: 

Is it allowed to perform your Salaah with closed eyes, because you can concentrate better and can concentrate on the presence of Allah ta'ala?

Answer: 

It is Makruh e Tanzihi to close the eyes in Salah, unless it is done for concentration in which case there is no karahat [dislike].

It is stated in Bahar e Shari'at:

"To keep the eyes closed in Salah is Makruh [Tanzihi (disliked)], unless by keeping them open one cannot concentrate, in which case there is no problem in closing them, in fact, it is better [to close them in such a case]." [al-Durr al-Mukhtar and Radd al-Muhtar]

And Allah knows best

Answered by Muhammad Kalim (Preston, UK)

Verified by Mufti Zahid Hussain al-Qadri

Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan was asked a lengthy question regarding Salah behind an individual who classes a Wahabi and a Sunni scholar as similar and alike. 

In Salah and other acts of worship, which have been commanded to us, there are certainly secrets hidden within them; whether we understand these secrets or not is a different matter. Whether we understand the reasoning for these with the eyes of Shari'ah or not, the people of insight [ahl-e-Nazar] know very well the secrets of every act in Salah. This is because their sight is fixated on the Worshipped [Allah] rather than the worship itself. Along with the procedure of Salah, they also learn the reasoning and secrets behind it. This is why the innermost secrets are revealed to them. They then begin to view the esoteric in the same way they view the exoteric.

The Hadith Sharif informs us that the secret of lifting the index finger in 'at-Tahiyyat' is that at that moment, Shaytan flees because the lifting of the index finger is more severe upon Shaytan than the strike of the sharpest sword.

Imam Ahmed Rida Alayhir Rahmah, in one place, has narrated two Hadith sharif in regards to this

١-
قال رسول الله صلى الله تعالىٰ عليه و سلم 'الاشارة بالصبع اشد على شيطان من الحديد

[Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, volume 2, page 119 - Dār al Fikr Beirut]

RasulAllah salAllahu ta'ala alayhi waSallam has stated: The lifting of the index finger is more severe upon Shaytan than the sharpest words.

٢-
عن النبى صلى الله تعلىٰ عليه و سلم قال 'هى مذعرة للشيطان

[Sunan al-Bayhaqi, volume 2, page 132 - Dār Sadir Beirut]

RasulAllah salAllahu ta'ala alayhi waSallam has stated: It (the lifting of the index finger) is that which strikes fear in Shaytan's heart.

[Fatawa Ridwiyya, volume 6, page 150 - Barkat e Raza Porbandar]

From Imam Ahmed Raza aur Ma'arif e Tasawwuf

Translated by Sayyid Ali Amjadi

http://thesunniway.com/component/k2/item/201-the-secret-behind-the-lifting-of-the-finger

Assalamu Alaykum

I have only been regular and punctual in my 5 daily prayers for the last 1 year. Before this I used to pray now and again, i.e. when I was home I would pray, but when at school/work/football/with friends I used to miss prayers on some occasions. How can I calculate the prayers that I need to make up as I do not know the exact amount?

Please pray that Allah grants me Istiqamah in performing the 5 daily prayers on time.

Jazakallah Khair.

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب

Wa laykum as Salam,

The method of calculating the prayers that one may have missed in the past is to calculate estimation in ones heart as to how many prayers he may have missed up until the heart’s content. A very question was posed to Sayyidi Ala Hazrat alayhir rahmah, Huzoor Mufti e Azam alayhir rahmah records in Al Malfuz Al Shareef as follows:

QUESTION: Respected Sir! Worldly transactions have held me so much so that I cannot perform my past Qada Salaah. I intend to do it daily but I fail.  Can I first pray all my Fajr Qada, then Zohr, then Asr? Is there any harm in performing them in this order?  I also cannot recall how many of my Salaah are Qada. What should I do in this case? 

ANSWER: It is compulsory to perform all Qada Salaah as quickly as possible. One cannot say when death will come. There is no difficulty in performing 20 Rakaats daily (2 Fajr, 4 Zohr, 4 Asr, 3 Maghrib, and 7 for Esha, i.e. 4  Fard and 3 Witr.)  One can perform this Salaah anytime of the day after sunrise, sunset and Zawaal.  One has the option to read all the Fajr Qada first, then Zohr, Asr, and Maghrib and Esha, or each one for a day. A maximum estimate record of all the Qada must be made and performed accordingly. It is better to read more than the estimated Rakaats, but not less. If one daily reads in this manner then all Qada  will eventually be completed. So, do not delay or be lazy to complete them. No Nafil Salaah is accepted if one has Qada of any Fard Salaah.

Niyyah for Qada Salaah can be performed in the following manner. Say you have 100 Fajr Qada. Every time you perform one Qada, say, “I intend to perform my first Fajr Qada.” In this way you will perform them all. The same method may be used to complete all Qada Salaah. If one has a lot of Qada to complete, then one must perform them quickly. One may recite Subhaan-Allah (سبحان الله) 3 times instead of Sura Fateha only in the empty Rakaats (the third and fourth Rakaats in 4 Rakaat Fard (i.e.Zohr, Asr and Esha) or the third Rakaat in 3 Rakaat Salaah (Maghrib). There is no harm if one reads one Tasbeeh instead of three in the Ruku and Sojood. The Fard will be completed. One may read this Darood Shareef (Salawaat) اللهم صل على سيّدنا محمد و آله  in Tashahud instead of the complete Darood-e-Ibraheem. In Witr, read رب  اغفري once instead of the complete Du’a-e-Qonoot.  

One can read Qada Salaah 20 minutes after sunrise and 20 minutes before sunset. It is not permissible before or after these times. One must also perform this Salaah in secrecy, as the exposure of sins in public is not permissible.

Say if one has about 40 or 50 years Qada, one has to give up his entire daily routine to complete this important task. If such a person has to die within a month or so in this engagement, then the ultimate Mercy of the Compassionate Lord will complete the remainder of one’s Salaah. The Merciful Allah I states, 

*ومن يهاجر في سبيل الله يجد في الارض مراغما كثيرا وسعة. ومن يخرج من بيته مهاجرا إلى الله و رسوله ثمّ  يدركه الموت فقد وقع اجره على الله وكان الله غفورا رحيما *

“He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah Ta’ala, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) his reward becomes due and sure with Allah Ta’ala, and AllahTa’ala is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” 

The general rule is mentioned in this Ayah. Even if one takes a single step out of his home and dies, then complete Thawaab will be noted in one’s Book of Records. Here the intention will be taken into account. Every action is based on good intentions. The Hadith Shareef states,

*إنما الأعمال بالنيات *

Indeed, all actions are based on one’s intentions. 

(Al Malfuz Al Shareef by Ala Hazrat alayhir rahmah pg 86)

May Allah Subahanu Wa Ta’ala grant you success to swiftly carry out your remaining salah, Aameen.

Mufti Sufyan Qadri (Leicester, UK)

Fajr

When Sayyiduna Adam alay his salam descended on the Earth from Heaven, it was the time of night, and it was the first time he had seen this world. He was in a state of shock as he had never seen darkness or night before [as in Jannah, night does not exist][1]. When dawn broke, he prayed 2 cycles [Rak'ah] thankfulness to Allah. One cycle thanking Allah for removing him from the darkness of the night and second Rakat for blessing him with the light of the day. He prayed these Rakahs as Nafl and it has been made Fard upon us so that the darkness of sins in which we are living in, is removed from our lives and we acquire the light of obedience.

Zohr

After midday, Sayyiduna Ibrahim alayhis salam was the first to pray Salah. He prayed 4 Rakah Salah to Allah thanking him for sending a replacement sacrifice instead of his son, Sayyiduna Ismayil alayhis salam.

• The first Rakah was prayed for removing the anxiety of his Son
• The second Rakah for the sending of the sheep as a sacrifice
• The third was prayed expressing gratefulness at the happiness of his Lord
• The fourth was prayed out of happiness due to the fact that Sayyiduna Ismayil alay his salam was ready to sacrifice his life at the command of Allah.

He prayed it as Nafl but it has been made fard upon us so that Allah gives us the power to kill our desires just as he gave Sayyiduna Ibrahim alayhis Salam the power to sacrifice his son in the path of Allah; also so that he removes from us our anxieties and he takes the Christians and Jews as our replacements and save us from the hellfire and also that he may be pleased with us and our actions.

Asr

The first to pray 'Asr was Sayyiduna Yunus alayhis salam for Allah saved him from 4 darknesses.

1. The darkness of mistakes
2. The darkness of melancholy
3. The darkness of the sea
4. The darkness of the whale's stomach 

It was Nafl for him but made fard upon us so that Allah saves us from the darkness of sins, the darkness of the grave, the darkness of (the tribulations) of Qiyamat, and the darkness of hell.

Maghrib

The first to pray Maghrib was Sayyiduna Iysa alayhis salam.

• He prayed the first negating his own divinity
• The second negating his mothers divinity
• The third affirming the divinity of Allah.

It was Nafl for him but made Fard upon us so that on the day of resurrection: our accounting (for sins and rewards) is made easy for us; we are saved from the fire of hell and granted salvation from the great agitation that will take place on that day; and finally, that we remove ourselves from our self conceited pride and we specially humble ourselves for the sake of Allah.

Isha

The first to pray Isha Salah was Sayyiduna Musa alayhis salam, when he was returning from the Madayin[2] and He forgot his way. He was overcome by 4 problems:

1. Sadness due to separation from his wife
2. Worry for his children
3. Anxiety on behalf of his Brother
4. Concern of being captured by Firawn.

When Allah granted him salvation from all his worries, he prayed 4 Rakah Nafl Salah which has been made Fard upon us so that Allah also shows us the path [to salvation]; that He blesses us in our works; that He grants us union with our beloveds, and grant us victory over our enemies.

Reference: Fatawa Ridawiyyah Vol 5, Pages 68-69, Barakatur Raza Porbandar Edition

Translated and compiled by Sayyid Ali Amjadi

---

Footnotes

[1] "..there is no day and night in Jannah, the inhabitants of Jannah will always stay in 'Nur'" Tafseer Khazain ul Irfaan, Surah 19 Verse 61

[2] Madayin is a city in the Arabian Peninsula which Sayyiduna Musa alayhis salam passed through

http://thesunniway.com/articles/item/194-secrets-pertaining-to-the-times-of-salah

Question

Some people have the habit of lifting their pants before going into sajdah (prostration). What is the law of Shariá concerning such a practice?

Answer

It is makruh (disliked). According to some Jurists, one’s salāh breaks if it is performed using both hands.

Qur’ān al-Karīm:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ خَاشِعُون َوَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُّعْرِضُونَ
Successful indeed are the believers. Those who humbly cry in their prayers. And who do not incline towards indecent matters.
[Surah al-Mu’minīn, Verse 1-3] 

Tafsīr [exegesis] of the aforementioned verse:
Those who fear of offending Allāh Almighty must keep their parts of the body quiescent. Some Tafsīr experts opined that the expression of fear of Allāh Almighty by the performer of salāh should be in the following manner:-

1. Should be thoroughly absorbed in his salāh
2. Should withdraw his mind from worldly matters
3. Should save oneself from activities of sinful obedience to Allāh Almighty, for instance:
· Should not sight out of the prayer mat
· Should not indulge in useless acts or movements
· Should not hang both ends of cloth from his shoulder
· Should not indulge in finger crackling
· Should not look skywards[1]
[1] Tafsīr Khazain Ul-Irfān, pg 615 

The beloved Rasûl of Allah śallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam said,

When you stand at night to offer Salâh, you should clean your teeth with a Miswāk because when you recite the Qur’ân an angel places his mouth on yours and anything coming out of your mouth enters the mouth of that angel. [Shu’ab al-Îmân, vol. 2, pp. 381, Ĥadīth 2117] 

Question:

Is it permissible to pray behind Deobandis?

Answer:

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam,

From amongst the conditions of an Imam for Salah is that he must not be an open sinner or misguided. The Salah behind such an Imam is Makrooh. This is mentioned in most if not all the books of Hanafi Fiqh. The fatwa is that it is severely Makrooh to perform Salah behind an open sinner or a misguided Imam. It is necessary (wajib) to repeat such salah.

As for the Deobandies, many of their general public are misguided due to rejecting one or more beliefs from the necessities of the Ahl Al-Sunnah. These are beliefs upon which every scholar from amongst the pious predecessors unanimously agreed upon. As for the actual Deobandies, they hold beliefs of infidelity. Such as comparing the knowledge of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with animals, children and mad men, see Hifz Al-Iman by Ashraf Ali Thanwi. Also, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the seal of the Prophets but it doesn't mean that another prophet can not come in his or after his time, see Tahzeer Al-Naas by Qasim Nanotwi. And also, that the knowledge of satan is more than the knowledge of the Prophet (peace be upon him), see Baraaheen-e-Qaati'ah by Khaleel Ahmad Ambethwi and verified by Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi.

There are many other beliefs of infidelity mentioned by the deobandi scholars such as Allah can lie in their books which are published even today by their own establishments. May Allah protect every Musslim from such beliefs and opinions. Any deobandi who knows of this and accepts it as correct is also out of the folds of Isslam. Salah behind such a deobandi is haram and the same as performing salah behind a Hindu. See Al-Ataya Al-Nabawiyyah Fi Al-Fatawa Al-Ridwiyyah, Fatawa Mustafawiyyah, Fatawa Amjadiyyah and all the Fatawa of the Scholars who lived where the deobandi sect emerged from.

And Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadri

(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars) 

To perform Salah behind an open sinner or a misguided person whose misguidance has not reached infidelity is severely disliked and must be repeated (Kariha Tahreeman Wa Tajibu I’aadatuhu). In Durar, Tahtaawi Al-Durar, Majma’ Al-Anhar, Tabyeen Al-Haqaa’iq, Al-Fatawa Al-Ridwiyyah, Radd Al-Muhtar, Bahar-e-Shari’at and several other books of Hanafi Fiqh it says, “It is disliked (severely) and it is necessary to repeat such pray for showing disrespect towards them is necessary and they do not care in the matter of their religion”.

The Messenger of Allah said, “When a sinner is praised, it causes the anger of Allah and due to it, the arsh shakes”. In putting forward an open sinner or a misguided person for leading the prayer is showing him much great respect, surely that is praising the person and a means to gain the anger of Allah. The Imam is an intermediate between the servant and Allah and therefore one should be cautious of whom he chooses as his Imam. This is the rule in the Hanafi school and verily Allah knows best.

Zahid Husain Al-Qadri
(Beggar at the doorstep of scholars) 

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Mufti Sahib. I am a mureed of Huzoor Taajush Shariah and studying Hifz. Every year i lead a few rakaats of Taraweeh. The isha times our Masjid in Keighley (main mosque) have are of the 15 degree ruling. I read the salaah in the mosque and repeated it at home at the correct time. Outside Ramadan I have done the same. What is the proper ruling on isha times and the summer when Isha will not even appear in UK? Can i follow the Sahibain or do I have to follow Imam Abu Hanifa, as i am Taajush Shariah's mureed?

Answer:

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam,

I hope you are well and so are the brothers in Keighley. I pray to Allah that you remain steadfast on the truth all through your life.

Answer:

The time of Isha' Salah according to the great Imam Abu Hanifah is when the horizon becomes comlpetely dark after sunset. When the sun sets, redness appears in the horizon where the sun had set. This redness is known as the nautical twilight. When the redness sets, whiteness appears. This whiteness is known as the astronomical twilight. When the whiteness sets, the horizon becomes completely dark. this is the end time of Maghrib and the beginning time of Isha'.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that the time for Isha' Salah begins when the Shafaq (twilight) sets. Imam Ibn Hummam In Fath Al-Qadeer records that the Messenger of Allah said, "When the horizon becomes completely dark".

In Al-Fatawa Al-Hindiyyah and Al-Fatawa Li-Qadi Khan it says, "Abu Hanifah (May Allah shower mercy on them) said, it is the whiteness which follows the redness upto the extent that if someone performs his Isha' Salah after the redness disappears and the whiteness has not yet disappeared then it is not permissible".

Therefore, if one performs his Isha' Salah before the whiteness sets in the horizon his Salah is invalid and will have to be performed again at the correct time. This is upon which Fatwa is given in the Hanafi School as can be seen in Fath Al-Qadeer, Tasheeeh Al-Qudoori, Bahr Al-Raa'iq, Radd Al-Muhtar, Al-Fatawa Al-Ridwiyyah and Bahar-e-Shari'at.

As for the days when Isha' Time does not occur in specific countries, one shall perform Qada of Isha' Salah in the time of Fajr as mentioned by Imam Ahmad Raza in his Fatawa and by Sadr Al-Shari'ah in his Bahar-e-Shari'at. Al-Sheikh Taaj Al-Shari'ah has also written the same as above in verification of a Fatwa in Fatawa Europe of Mufti Abd Al-Wajid from Amsterdam, Holland.

If such days occur in the month of Ramadan, Mufti Shareef Al-Haq issued a Fatwa saying, if the Muslims regard the Taraweeh Salah as highly important and will cause an uproar if not performed then those Muslims shall follow the Isha' Salah time according to the Sahibayn only in them days and Allah knows best.

Wa Al-Salam Alaykum,

Zahid Husain Al-Qadri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars) 

Question:

Assalaamu Alaykum respected Mufti Sahib,

I have a question regarding the status of our Salah if we were to read behind Imams who are not Hanafis but are either Shafi or Wahabis. I am a University student in London and the Mosques that I go to pray my Salah are Shafi or Wahabi. There isn't any Hanafi mosques in this locality. Is my Salah valid? Is there a difference of opinion among the Hanafis on this issue? What is the relied upon position? Is it better for me to pray alone or behind a bidati? What comments do the Ulema have about some examples we can extract from the Salaf where they had read Salah behind the people of Bida? 

Please can you answer all the contentions that I have put forward. This issue is really puzzling me, and I would like some clarity on the issue. 

JazakAllah Khair 

Wassalaamu Alaykum

Answer:

Wa Alaykum Al-Salam,

Answer:

A Hanafi can perform his Salah behind an Imam who is a Shafa’I as long as the Imam fulfils the obligatory acts and conditions of cleanliness and Salah according to the Hanafi Fiqh as well as fulfilling the obligatory and necessary acts of his own school of thought. Imam Ibn Abideen writes in his Radd Al-Muhtar, “If one knows that the Imam fulfils the obligations of the pre-conditions and conditions of that specific Salah, although he does not fulfil the necessary (wajib) acts, then there is no harm in performing behind him”, similar to this, is mentioned in Bahr Al-Raa’iq of Ibn Nujaym Al-Misri. In Al-Fatawa Al-Hindiyyah, it says that Salah behind the Imam of the other three schools is permissible as long as the Imam does not hold prejudice opinions against our school, he fulfils the obligatiory acts of cleanliness (ablution) according to our school and that his Salah would not be deemed as invalid in our school”. Therefore, if blood exits the body of the Imam, flows onto his skin and he does not perform ablution again then the Salah of a Hanafi behind such an Imam is invalid. In the same book it also says that if one does not know if the Imam fulfils the aforementioned conditions then his Salah will be valid but disliked. In the case that the Imam does cater for the Hanafi followers, it is more virtuous to perform in congregation behind him rather than performing alone. However, in the case of the Salah in congregation being disliked, it is better to perform Salah alone for he is excused from congregation and something disliked to Allah and His beloved (peace be upon him) can not be better than that which is not disliked.

To perform Salah behind an open sinner or a misguided person (one from the people of bid’ah) whose misguidance has not reached infidelity is severely disliked and must be repeated (Kariha Tahreeman Wa Tajibu I’aadatuhu). In Durar, Tahtaawi Al-Durar, Majma’ Al-Anhar, Tabyeen Al-Haqaa’iq, Al-Fatawa Al-Ridwiyyah, Radd Al-Muhtar, Bahar-e-Shari’at and several other books of Hanafi Fiqh it says, “It is disliked (severely) and it is necessary to repeat such pray for showing disrespect towards them is necessary and they do not care in the matter of their religion”.

The Messenger of Allah said, “When a sinner is praised, it causes the anger of Allah and due to it, the arsh shakes”. In putting forward an open sinner or a misguided person for leading the prayer is showing him much great respect, surely that is praising the person and a means to gain the anger of Allah. The Imam is an intermediate between the servant and Allah and therefore one should be cautious of whom he chooses as his Imam. In Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh, Hazrat Ibrahim Ibn Maysarah narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He who respects a misguided person has helped destroy Islam". The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said, “Do not sit with them, do not eat with them, do not converse with them, do not perform Salah with them………..”. In Bayhaqi, regarding the great Muhaddith, Imam Muhammad Ibn Mubarak, it says that two deviants came to his gathering and asked Him if they could recite a Hadeeth to Him, Ibn Mubarak replied, "I do not want to hear a Hadith from you". They asked if they could recite a verse of the Qur'an, again Ibn Mubarak replied, "I do not want to hear a verse from you, either you both leave or i will leave". So they left. The students asked why he did not hear a verse for surely they can't fabricate a verse. He replied, “what if they incorrectly commented on the verse and that commentary touched my heart, I would have also become misguided”. It has been recorded by Sheikh Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilaani that one must not associate with the misguided people to protect his own faith and that Fudayl Ibn Ayad used to say, “When you see a deviant on a path, take another path”. Sayyiduna Ayyub Al-Ansari used to change his path when he used to see a misguided person as is recorded in Bayhaqi. This was the way of our predecessors (Salaf). They did not perform their Salah behind the misguided people. If one claims such then it is upon him to bring evidence. As for the Wahhabies, their misguidance and texts of infidelity are clear upon all (although we are cautious from labelling them apostates) and therefore one's Salah behind them is invalid and must be performed alone if there is no other Imam and verily Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)