Jummah (Friday prayer)
Importance of Friday prayer
Friday Prayer is very important in lslam. It has got its own moral, social and political benefits. It is obligatory for every Muslim except women, children, slaves, seriously ill people and travellers. They can pray Jummah but it is not obligatory on them.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) has given a strong warning to a person who leaves his Jummah prayer without a good reason.
In one hadith Abdullah bin Masud (R.A.) narrates what the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) once said about the people who did not come to the Friday Prayer without a good reason.”l wish to appoint someone to lead the prayer and myself go to the houses of those who missed the Friday Prayer and set fire to their houses with the occupants in them.” {Muslim, Ahmad}.
Another hadith states”A person who leaves 3 Friday prayers consecutively, Allah puts a seal on his heart.” (Ahmad, Tirmizi, abu Dawud)
Prayer before Jummah
A person who goes to attend Friday prayer can pray as many Nafl prayers as he wishes after the sun has declined from its zenith to when the Imam comes to give Khutbah (preaching). Anyhow he is expected to pray at least 2 rakats Sunnah.
Once the Khutbah starts, the whole congregation should listen to it in silence. If a person arrives while the Imam is giving Khutbah then this person should pray 2 rakats Nafl before sitting down to listen to Khutbah.
Abl Qatadah (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:“Whenever one of you enters the mosque he should not sit down without offering 2 rakats.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Eid ul-Fitr & Eid ul-Adha
While the Islamic calendar celebrates two different Eid festivals throughout the year – Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha – both are celebrated for very different reasons. Eid-ul-Fitr is a three-day-long celebration that takes place at the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, at the start of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar; Eid-ul-Adha takes place following the annual Hajj pilgrimage on the tenth day of the twelfth month, Dhu al-Hijjah.
A direct translation of Eid-ul-Fitr is “the festival of breaking the fast” and commemorates the end of a month-long fast throughout Ramadan for Muslims in the UK and around the world. The festival is a very important time in Islam and allows families, loved ones and communities to come together and celebrate following a month of abstinence and dedication to Allah (SWT).
This is important because it marks the end of Ramadan, the month in which the Holy Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Throughout Ramadan, Muslims around the world undertake a fast between the hours of sunset and sunrise and spend a lot of time in self-reflection while studying the Qur’an and connecting with Allah (SWT) on a spiritual level. After a full month of sacrifice and dedication, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time to come together with family and loved ones to enjoy everyday blessings.
Eid-ul-Adha, the greater Eid, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, at the time of Qurbani (sacrifice).
The day of Eid ul-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu-al-Hijjah. The day that celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj – which is an obligation for all Muslim’s who fit specific criteria, one of the important Five Pillars of Islam.
The celebration of Eid ul-Adha is to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah SWT and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. At the very point of sacrifice, Allah SWT replaced Ismail with a ram, which was to be slaughtered in place of his son. This command from Allah SWT was a test of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness and commitment to obey his Lord’s command, without question. Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha means the festival of sacrifice.
https://www.muslimaid.org/what-we-do/religious-dues/ramadan/
Janazah prayer (Funeral prayer)
Janazah prayer is only slightly different from other prayers in that there is no ruku, no sajdah, and no Tashahhud in it. There is no fixed time for offering this prayer. lt has to be prayed in a standing position only.
Before beginning prayer the intention should be made in the heart as uttering any words of Niyyah aloud was not the practice of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) or of his companions.
In Hadiths Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) emphasised and encouraged the Muslims to attend funeral ceremonies. So, every Muslim male should try his best to fulfil his duty for the deceased.
- Janazah prayer should be prayed in congregation as this is more rewardful. It can be prayed in more than one congregation but by different people.
- Janazah prayer should be offered in an open place but in case of rain or bad weather or any other reason it can be prayed in a mosque or a hall etc.
Qasr prayer (During a journey)
Islam is a practical way of life and considers the situations in which it followers may face difficulties. So Allah has made the things easy for the believers in such situations. Included in these facilities is the permission for shortening and combining daily prayers during a journey.
Combining prayers
A person on a journey can combine Zuhr and Asr prayers together, praying them both at Zuhr or Asr time. He can also combine Maghrib and lsha prayers together, praying them both at Maghrib or lsha time.
lbn Abbas (R.A.) says
“The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) used to combine Zuhr and Asr together when he was on a journey
and also he used to combine Maghrib and lsha.”
When to shorten and combine prayers
Now, there is the question as to what is the limiting distance and the duration of the journey to make the facility of Qasr and Jama valid.
Yahya bin Yazeed said,
“l asked Anas bin Malik (H.A.) when the Qasr prayer was allowed.” Anas (R.A.) answered that the
Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) whenever he went away about 3 miles he prayed Qasr.” (Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Baihaqi)
On the basis of these Hadiths a person can pray Qasr and can combine prayers when the distance he travels away from home is 3 miles. This distance is the minimum limit for Qasr prayer.
However, there are many varied opinions on the minimum limit of the distance for example 9 miles 48 miles or one day journey etc.
Duration of Journey
A person can pray Qasr and combine his prayers for as long as he remains on a journey, whether it takes weeks, months or years. Even if he stays put in one place to fulfil the purpose of his Journey, he can continue to pray Qasr and combine his prayers. However, if he intended to stay in a place for a fixed number of days then the opinions differ on how long he can go on combining and shortening his prayers, e.g. 4 days, 10 days, 17 days, 18 days etc.
After a careful study of Hadiths – when someone stays in a fixed place temporarily he would be considered a traveller on a journey, and there is no limit on the number of days he can pray Qasr and combine his prayers.
Nafl prayer on a Journey
Prophet (S.A.W.) always offered Witr prayer during his journey and he emphasised and expressed the importance of 2 rakats Sunnah of the Fajr prayer. Therefore, the believers should pray these, while on a journey.
But what about any other Nafl and Sunnah prayer? The following Hadith answers this question:
Hafs bin Asim says,
“I accompanied Abdullah bin Imar on a journey to Makkah. On the way to Makkah he led us in the Zuhr prayer and offered 2 Rakats. Then he went to sit in his tent. He saw some people praying and asked me what they were doing. “They are praying Nafl” I said. Then he said “If I could pray Nafl then I should have prayed the complete Fard prayer”, Then he continued, “I accompanied Allah’s Messenger on a journey. He did not pray during his travels more than 2 Rakaat. Then I accompanied Abu Bakr, “Umar and Uthman and they did the same as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). There is a good example for you in the practice of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). (Bukhari)
There are some other hadith which prove that some of the companions used to pray Nafl during their journey. It is better not to pray Nafl while traveling, but if you stay somewhere and have time you may do so.
