Islam >> "NIYAH" (PRAYER'S INTENTION)

Q 1: What is "Niyah"?
A. "Niyah" means to have firm intention to offer prayer. Mere intention will not serve the purpose unless one resolves and forms "Niyah" in the heart.

Q 2: What about the expression of "Niyah" by the tongue?
A. It is Mustahab (commendable) to express "Niyah" by the tongue (in whatever language it may be) but if one has the intention of Zuhr prayer at heart and inadvertently utters "Asr prayer" then it will be Zuhr prayer not 'Asr.

Q 3: What things are essential for "Niyah"?
A. One should form "Niyah" in the heart for whichever prayer he is about to offer. For example: I make Niyah to offer four Rakahs' Fard (obligatory) prayer of Zuhr or Asr. In case of congregation (Jama'at) also say under the leadership of (following) this Imaam (leader of prayer). Similarly, one should offer missed prayers (if owes) saying: I intend to offer such and such missed prayer of so and so day.

Q 4: How to make Niyah of Nafil and Sunnat prayer?
A. In Nafil and Sunnat prayer it is enough to say: I intend to offer prayer. However, it is better to speak the word of "Sunnat" for Sunnat prayer.

Q 5: Please illustrate full Niyah?
A. Example: I intend to offer two Rakahs' obligatory prayer of Fajr of today for the sake of Allah Almighty and I am facing the Qiblah Shareef. Then he should recite Takbeer-e-Tahreema and fold his hands below the navel. In case of Jama'at, he should also say "following (behind) this Imaam".

Q 6: How to intend for Sunnat prayer?
A. If one has to offer four Sunnats of Zuhr, should say: I intend to offer four Rakahs1 Sunnat prayer of Zuhr for the sake of Allah, Sunnats for the Holy Prophet and I am facing Ka'bah Shareef or Qiblah Shareef.

Q 7: How to intend for Wajib prayer?
A. In Wajib prayer one should make Niyah for Wajib and also say (for example) prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr Wajib or Eid-ul-Azha (Adha) Wajib or Witr Wajib.

Q 8: Is it necessary to mention number of Rakahs in Niyah?
A. Mentioning number of Rakahs is not necessary while making Niyah for prayer. However, it is commendable.

Islam >> PRAYER TIMINGS

Q 1: What is meant by "condition of time for prayer"?
A. Condition of time for prayer means every prayer must be offered within its prescribed timelimit. Prayer will not be in order if offered before time and if offered after time that will be "Qadaa or Qazaa" (late time prayer). It is sinful to offer prayer after due time is over.

Q 2: How many times' prayer is obligatory?
A. Five times' prayer in a day (day & night) is obligatory upon every sane and mature male and female Muslim i.e. Fajr (early morning prayer), Zuhr (after-noon prayer), 'Asr (late after-noon prayer), Maghrib (evening prayer) and 'Ishaa (night prayer).

Q 3: When does the Fajr time begin and end?
A. The time for Fajr prayer begins at dawn and lasts until rays of the sun are resplendent.
(This paragraph was edited by Islamic Academy with permission)

Q 4: What is "Mustahab" (commendable) time of Fajr?
A. Offering Fajr prayer at the time when the light of dawn has spread well is "Mustahab" (commendable). Prayer should be started at such a time during the stipulated period that one could offer it in accordance with Sunnah i.e. to recite about forty to sixty Qur-aanic verses and after the prayer is over there is enough time left to repeat the prayer if need be.

Q 5: What does "Subh-e-Saadiq" (dawn) mean? A. Subh-e-Saadiq (dawn) is the light which appears in the sky (in the east) and gradually spreads the whole sky sending light to the earth. Prior to this, there appears a pillar-like whiteness in the sky beneath which the entire horizon is black. At the time of Subh-e-Saadiq this whiteness vanishes which is called "Subh-e-Kaazib" (evanescent light before dawn).

Q 6: What is the Zuhr time?
A. The time of Zuhr prayer begins when the sun has passed meridian and lasts till shadow of everything doubles barring the real shadow.

Q 7: What is the "Mustahab" (commendable) time of Zuhr?
A. Offering Zuhr prayer in the early hours of the stipulated time during winter and in the late hours in the summer is Mustahab (commendable). It is better to offer Zuhr prayer (individually or in Jama'at) when shadow of anything becomes equal to the original one. However, one should not miss Jama'at (congregation) if held in the early hours during summer for Mustahab time.

Q 8: When does the Asr time begin and end?
A. The Asr time begins at where the Zuhr time ends (i.e. when shadow of every thing has become fully double excepting real shadow) and lasts till sun-set.
(This paragraph was edited by Islamic Academy with permission)

Q 9: What is the Mustahab (commendable) time of Asr?
A. Offering Asr prayer in the last hour of the stipulated time in all seasons is Mustahab. However, it should not be so delayed that the sun reaches the point of setting and its light becomes yellow. The sunlight becomes yellow when there are (about) 20 minutes left in its setting. It is Makrooh (odious) time for prayer.
(This paragraph was edited by Islamic Academy with permission)

Q10: What is the Maghrib time?
A. The time of Maghrib prayer begins at the sun-set and lasts till the setting of "Shafaq" (evening twilight). The span of time during which the Fajr and Maghrib prayers are permissible will always be equal daily.
(This paragraph was edited by Islamic Academy with permission)

Q 11: What is "Shafaq"?
A. According to Imaam 'Azam Abu Hanifah (may Allah be pleased with him) "Shafaq" is the whiteness which spreads in the sky like dawn after the redness has set in the west.

Q12: What is the Mustahab time of Maghrib?
A. Offering Maghrib prayer in the early hour of the stipulated time is Mustahab if the sky is clear. Delaying it without any cogent reason is Makrooh (undesirable). In case the sky is overcast then it is Mustahab to delay the prayer.

Q13: What is the 'Ishaa time?
A. The time for 'Ishaa prayer begins after the evening twilight has set and lasts till (just before) the dawn of Fajr.

Q14: What is the Mustahab time of 'Ishaa?
A. Offering Isha prayer after the one-third of night has passed is Mustahab and till mid-night is "Mubaah" (permitted) but offering it after the midnight has passed is Makrooh.

Q15: What is the time of Witr prayer?
A. The time for 'Ishaa and Witr prayer is the same but the maintenance of sequence in the prayer is obligatory (Fard). For example, if one offers Witr prayer before 'Ishaa his Witr will not be deemed to have been offered but unlawful. It is better for one to offer Witr prayer in the last part of night if he is punctual in waking up otherwise he should offer before going to bed.

Q16: Which timings are there during which no prayer can be offered?
A. The timings during which no prayer is lawful are three i.e. sun-rise, sun-set and meridian. The duration of the sun-rise and sun-set is of (about) 20 minutes and the meridian is of 35-40 minutes. During these timings no obligatory, essential, optional and missed (Qaza) prayer and no prostration (Sajda-e-Tilaawat and Sajda-e-Sahv) is permitted.

Q17: During which timings is Nafil (voluntary) prayer unlawful?
A. There are twelve timings during which Nafil (voluntary,optional) prayer is not permitted:
1. From dawn to sun-rise (No Nafil prayer except for two Sunnats of Fajr is permitted).
2. Iqaamah (call for the commencement of prayer).
3. After Asr prayer.
4. From sun-set to Maghrib prayer.
5. When Imaam (leader of prayer) has ascended the pulpit for sermon.
6. During sermon.
7. Before 'Eid prayer.
8. After 'Eid prayer, if one is in mosque or prayer field. However it is not Makrooh (odious) at home.
9. In ' Arafaat between Zuhr and Asr time.
10. When time of Fard (obligatory) prayer is running out. No prayer even emphasised Sunnats of Fajr and Zuhr are permitted.
11. Anything which distracts attention and concentration. If one can get rid of that he should do, like pressing need to urinate or defecate.

Islam >> "ISTIQBAAL-E-QIBLAH" (FACING THE QIBLAH)

Q 1: What does "Istiqbaal-e-Qiblah" mean?
A. Istiqbaal-e-Qiblah means to orientate oneself towards the direction of Qiblah (to face the Qiblah) for prayer. Qiblah means the Holy Ka'bah which is situated in the prominent city of Saudi Arabia, the sacred Makkah. Millions of Muslims perform Hajj there every year.

Q 2: What signs and indications are there to know the direction of the Qiblah?
A. Mosques are the signs and indications of the direction of the Qiblah in cities, towns and other peopled places. Graves of Muslims are the signs outside the populated areas. The moon, sun and stars lead in forests, rivers and oceans. Polestar appears on the right shoulder of Muslim worshipper in some cities of India, thus the Qiblah will be in his front. However, in case, one is uncertain about the direction of the Qiblah, he should confirm from any reliable person in the area.

Q 3: Which direction should one face for prayer if he does not know the exact direction of the Qiblah?
A. If one is at such a place where there is no mosque and minarets nor the moon, sun and stars are visible or if any of them is visible but he can not ascertain the direction of the Qiblah with the help of that and even no man is there to guide him, then he should guess utilising his brain faculties and with which direction his heart feels satisfied he should offer prayer facing that direction.

Q 4: Will prayer be in order if one offers without conscious guess in the given situation?
A. If one offers prayer without guessing at the direction of the Qiblah in the given situation, his prayer will not be valid even though he faces the right direction of the Qiblah at random.

Q 5: How should one offer prayer in case he is helpless to turn his face towards the Qiblah?
A. A person who is helpless due to serious illness and weakness and also there is none to help him, should offer prayer in the position and direction he is.

Islam >> COVERING OF THE BODY FROM NAVEL TO KNEES

Q 1: What does "Satr-e-Aurat" mean?
A. "Satr-e-Aurat" means to cover those parts of the body which are necessarily covered during prayer.

Q 2: Which parts of the body are to be covered by man and woman during prayer?
A. It is obligatory (Fard) upon man to cover himself from the navel to the knees (exclusive of navel and inclusive of knees) and woman (not slave-girl) to cover her entire body except face, palms and soles of the feet. Her hair (plaited on the back or loose), neck and wrists are also included in "Satr-e-Aurat". The face of woman is not included in Satr-e-Aurat but even then it should not be exposed to strangers.

Q 3: Will prayer be in order or not if any covered part of the body gets exposed?
A. Prayer will be in order if any covered part of the body (Satr-e-Aurat) gets exposed less than l/4th or gets exposed more than l/4th but is immediately covered. In case, the covering of the exposed part is delayed for such an interval that one could easily say "Subhaan Allah" thrice or any part was deliberately exposed even though covered immediately, the prayer will go void in such condition.

Q 4: What injunction is there for a person who is in darkness and offers prayer naked?
A. Prayer will not be lawful if one offers naked even in a lonely house in darkness despite possessing a piece of cloth to cover his "Satr-e-Aurat". There is a consensus of Muslim scholars on "Satr-e-Aurat" for prayer sans any exception.

Q 5: Is "Satr-e-Aurat" to be observed even in loneliness?
A. The observance of Satr-e-Aurat is Waajib (essential) in all conditions (within or without the prayer even one is alone). It should not be exposed in loneliness unless permitted by the Shari'ah.

Q 6: What should one do if he has no cloth for Satr-e-Aurat?
A. He who has no cloth to cover necessary parts of his body should use whatever is available for the purpose like hessian, grass, leaves etc. and even any of these things is not possible then it is better for him to offer prayer in sitting posture and gesture for Rukoo and Sujood (bowing and prostrations) placing hands on his private parts.

Q 7: Can a naked man use silk or not?
A. If one has no cloth for Satr-e-Aurat except silk then he should use it for prayer, otherwise silk is Haraam (unlawful) for men and prayer in silk is "Makrooh Tahreemi" (odious and will have to be repeated).

Q 8: Can thin cloth be used for Satr-e-Aurat?
A. Wearing so thin cloth(s) that the body looks through (see-through dress) is Haraam for both man and woman. Prayer will not be lawful in such dress. Even the hair of woman should not look-through from her sheet of cloth in which she is wrapped-up.

Islam >> IMPORTANT CONDITIONS FOR "SALAAT"(PRAYER)

Q 1: How many conditions are there for the soundness of prayer?
A. There are six conditions for the soundness of prayer i.e. (1). One's body and dress in which he is attired should be free from visible and invisible impurities. (2). Cloths and place of worship should be free from every sort of filth. (3). "Satr-e-Aurat"(covering the body from navel to knees). (4). "Istiqbaal-e-Qiblah" (to face the Qiblah). (5). Prayer time has come. (6). "Niyah" (intention of prayer).

Q 2: What condition is there about cloths' being free from impurity?
A. Cloths in which one offers prayer should be as much free from impurity as needed by the Shari'ah. For example if filth sticks larger than the size of a "Dirham" (depression of a palm) or an impurity pollutes the body or cloths more than l/4th then prayer will not be lawful in such condition.

Q 3: How much a place should be clean and pure to offer prayer?
A. A clean and pure place for prayer means the spots of the ground which come under the feet (during "Qiyaam" [standing posture]) and toes, knees, palms, nose and the forehead (during prostration) must be clean and pure.

Q 4: Will prayer be in order if offered placing a cloth on an unclean and impure place?
A. Prayer will be in order if a thick piece of cloth is placed on the unclean and impure place provided the colour and stench of the impurity is not felt during the prayer and in case the piece of cloth is so thin that the impure place gives off stench and the colour also appears then the prayer will not be valid.

Q 5: Will prayer be valid if offered on a double-folded piece of cloth whose one fold is polluted by impurity?
A. Prayer offered on the clean fold of cloth will not be in order if the cloth is sewn in two folds, otherwise it can be offered thereon.

Q 6: Will prayer be lawful on an unclean and impure plank?
A. If one side of the plank (which is so thick that it can be cut or sawed into two) is polluted then the prayer can be offered on the unpolluted side, otherwise not.

Q 7: Will prayer be lawful if offered on the ground smeared with dung?
A. Prayer will not be in order if offered on the ground smeared with dung even though it has dried up. However, prayer can be offered on a thick piece of cloth placed on the ground.

Its the responsibility of every Moslem in learning quran and tajweed and we also have to teach our kids Quran and not only the Quran teaching we should let then be aware of the basic of Islam and why it was reviled you bet it was vilified and verity teaching of holy Quran and with tajweed quran we read Quran we can understand better all the replies that are postulated if we study koran from a qualified Quran tutor he will let you know verity center of Islam and why koran was reviled for it we should gain the information of the Book with there translation and the context of when those verses were reviled and why and that is only potential when we keep with not simply learning quran for beginners but gaining the information of Quran tafseer and one query that we all is required to ask our self that why we all are here in the world to do good acts or to do bad human activity to promote correct or to promote incorrect and will we be answerable to any one after this life of not then the query remains the very same that reasons why we are here in the world but if yes then whom we have to respond is there any Almighty All these reply can be found when we go deep in to the Quran education do Quran reading and the so let us link up hands to full fill our responsibility. We all must do quran memorization and listen to quran online when ever we have time to stay in touch

Islam >> OF TA-YAMMUM (DRY ABLUTION)

Q 1. What is Ta-yammum?
A. Doing "Masah" of the face and hands with the clean clod in a specified way to purify oneself from invisible impurity is called Ta-yammum (dry ablution).

Q 2: Who should perform Ta-yammum?
A. He should perform Ta-yammum (dry ablution) who owes Wudu or Ghusl but can not attain to the water despite striving hard.

Q 3: In what condition is one helpless to attain to or use the water?
A. There are several conditions in which one is helpless either to use or attain to the water:
1. One is sure that his sickness will aggravate if he uses water for Wudu or Ghusl,
2. Water is not available within the radius of one mile (1.6 km).
3. Chilling cold may cause death or serious sickness.
4. Fear of being seen and killed by enemy or will be looted or any animal or beast will attack or kill or chastity will be outraged.
5. There is no can and rope to draw the water from well which is located in jungle.
6. One has water but fears that he or his fellow or his animals will face thirst if the water is used for Wudu or Ghusl and that water is not available in the area he is travelling.
7. Water is available but sold at exorbitant price which one can not afford.
8. Fear of missing caravan or train if one tries to search for the water.
9. One is sure to miss Eid prayer if he performs Wudu or Ghusl.
10. One fears (excepting guardian) to miss funeral prayer i.e. all four Takbeers if he performs Wudu or Ghusl.
In all these conditions and circumstances the performance of Ta-yammum is lawful.

Q 4: What is meant by "one is sure that his sickness will aggravate or prolong if he uses water"?
A. He should have experienced himself that use of water for Wudu or Ghusl has either aggravated or prolonged his sickness or any reliable Muslim physician (who should not be Faasiq [transgressor]) advises to perform Ta-yammum instead of Wudu or Ghusl. Mere apprehension or an advice by any non-Muslim or Faasiq physician is not lawful for Ta-yammum.

Q 5: How many obligatory acts (Fard) are there in Ta-yammum?
A. There are three obligatory acts (Fard) in Ta-yammum: (1). Intention: If one strikes his hands on the pure earth and rub them on the face and hands without making "Niyah"(intention) his Ta-yammum will not be in order. (2). Passing the hands over the whole face in such a way that no spot remains untouched. (3). Doing "Masah" of both the hands upto elbows. No spot should remain untouched otherwise Ta-yammum will not be valid.

Q 6: What are the Sunnat acts in Ta-yammum?
A. The Sunnat acts in Ta-yammum are: (1). To recite Bismillah.(2). To strike both the hands on pure earth lightly. (3).To keep fingers apart from one another. (4). To strike the hands against each other to shake off the excess dust. (5). To do "Masah" first of the face then of the hands. (6). To do "Masah" of the face and hands in succession. (7). To do "Masah" first of the right hand and then of the left. (8). To pass fingers through the beard and (9)."Khilaal" of fingers: to run the fingers of one hand through the fingers of the other. If dust does not reach the spaces between the fingers, then "Khilaal" is Fard (obligatory).

Q 7: What is the method of Ta-yammum?
A. The method of performing Ta-yammum is that one should strike his hands with the fingers out-stretched and wide open, lightly on anything of the earth's genre, shake off the excess dust and wipe the whole face with them and then strike the hands on the earthen object again and rub the palms on the hands alternately from the tips (nails) of the fingers to the elbows.

Q 8: How to do "Masah" of the hands?
A. The method of doing "Masah" of the hands is that one should run four fingers (except thumb) of his left hand on the outer side of the right hand from the tips of the fingers upto the elbow and then rub the palm on the inner side of the right hand from the elbow down to the wrist-joint. Pass the thumb of the left hand on the upper side of the right hand's thumb. Deal with the left hand in the same manner.

Q 9: With which things the performance of Ta-yammum is
lawful?
A. Ta-yammum is lawful with the things which are of the genre of the earth. Such things neither burn to ashes nor melt and nor soften like sand, lime, antimony (collyrium), arsenic, sulpher, red ochre, stone, salt which is obtained from mines and jewels like emerald, carnelian etc.

Q10: With which things is Ta-yammum unlawful?
A. Ta-yammum is not lawful with the things which burn to ashes like wood, grass etc.or which melt or soften like silver, gold, copper, brass and iron etc.

Q11: Is Ta-yammum lawful with the wood which has dust thereon?
A. Ta-yammum is lawful with wood, grass, lead, gold, silver and iron etc. provided they have so much dust thereon that it sticks to the hands when one strikes on them.

Q12: What is the difference between the Ta-yammum of Wudu and Ghusl?
A. Ta-yammum is the same for Wudu and Ghusl.

Q13: With which Ta-yammum is prayer lawful?
A. Prayer will be in order with that Ta-yammum which is performed for (with the intention of)prayer or purifying oneself or for such worship that can not be done without Tahaarah (purification). Prayer can not be offered with the Ta-yammum which is performed for entering or coming out of mosque or touching the Holy Qur-aan or uttering Azaan (call to prayer) or visiting grave or burying the dead. Only that worship or work can be done with the Ta-yammum for which it is performed. Besides, the practical demonstration of the method of Ta-yammum to others will also not enable the demonstrator to offer prayer with the Ta-yammum he demonstrated for education purpose.

Q14: Is prayer lawful with the Ta-yammum done for funeral prayer or Sajda-e-Tilaawat (to prostrate for the verse of prostration)?
A. If Ta-yammum is performed for funeral prayer or Eid prayer due to serious sickness or non-availability of water, the obligatory prayer and other worships can be offered with the said Ta-yammum. In such conditions, the obligatory prayers can be offered even with the Ta-yammum done for Sajda-e-Tilaawat.

Q15: Will prayer be in order if one offers with Ta-yammum without searching for the water?
A. There are two conditions in this regard i.e. (1) If one has an idea that the water is available within the radius of one mile (1.6 km), he should search for it otherwise Ta-yammum will not be lawful. (2) If one is sure that the water is not available within the radius of one mile (1.6 km) then he should not search for it provided there is none from which he could enquire about the water. In case, somebody was there who knew about the availability of water nearby but he did not ask of him then he will have to repeat his prayer after performing Wudu.

Q16: Can many prayers be offered with one Ta-yammum?
A. Yes, Ta-yammum to us is the substitute of Wudu and Ghusl so we can offer many obligatory and optional prayers with one Ta-yammum as we do with one Wudu or Ghusl.

Q17: Can several persons perform Ta-yammum with one clod of the earth or can one person do several times with the same clod?
A. Earth does not fall within the parameter of rules meant for the water, hence several persons can or one person can use the same clod of the earth several times for Ta-yammum.

Q18: Which things make Ta-yammum void?
A. Ta-yammum is nullified by the things which render Wudu void or make Ghusl obligatory. Besides, attainment to the water or physical fitness to use the water also render Ta-yammum void. For example, one performed Ta-yammum for Ghusl being seriously ill but afterwards he recovers and now he is fit to use water, then he will have to do Ghusl as his Ta-yammum has gone void.

Q19: How long can one keep performing Ta-yammum?
A. One can keep doing Ta-yammum unless the water is available or the disability is removed. No matter if one has to practise it for years under compulsion.

Q20: Is Ta-yammum lawful for one whom the cold water harms but the hot water suits him?
A. If the cold water harms one in sickness and the hot water does not, then he should use hot water. Ta-yammum is not lawful for him. However, he can do Ta-yammum if he is at such a place where the water is not available.

In case,Wudu or Ghusl harms one in the cold climate but does not harm in hot climate then he should perform Ta-yammum in the cold climate and when it turns hot (feasible to him) he should do Ghusl or Wudu as the case may be. If water harms the head he should begin Ghusl from the neck (throat) downwards and do "Masah" of the head i.e. pass the fingers of both the hands over it.

Q 21: Is Ta-yammum lawful for one who is in possession of "Zam Zam" water?
A. Ta-yammum is not lawful for the one who is in possession of a sufficient quantity of Zam Zam (water of sacred well adjacent to Holy Ka'bah) with which he can perform Wudu. No matter if he is taking it as a gift or for a patient.

Islam >> METHOD TO WIPE THE IMPURITY

Q 1: How many methods are there to purify the impure things?
A. There are different methods of purifying the impure things. For example:
1. Washing: To wash with the water or any other liquid matter.
2. .Wiping: To wipe the objects like knife or table-knife which are not rusty and carry no impression. Similarly, other metallic objects can be wiped. However, rusty and impressions containing objects will have to be washed also.
3. Scraping: For example to scrape the filth like faeces, dung etc: from shoe.
4. Drying-up: For example the earth dries up due to air or heat and no trace of impurity and stench is left. Such place is pure with which "Ta-yammum"(dry ablution) can be made and prayer can also be offered thereon.
5. Melting: Lead and tin are purified by melting.
6. Baking or burning: Pots made of impure earth are purified if baked or burnt in the fire.
7. Transformation: For example the wine which turns vinegar or an animal falls and dies in salt mine and becomes salt are pure.

Q 2: How to purify a thing which can not be squeezed after wash?
A. A thing which can not be squeezed after wash for purification like mate, thick cotton carpet, shoe etc. should be hung after wash and when it ceases to drop water, wash it second and third time similarly. Likewise deal with the silk cloth which can not be squeezed owing to its delicacy.

Q 3: What is the method of purifying metallic objects(like copper, brass etc) and glazed pots?
A. Metallic objects (like copper, brass, iron etc) and glazed pots which can not absorb impurity should be washed thrice only. No need of letting them to cease drops of water every time. However, it is better to rub them clean with the earth.

Q 4: How to purify a cloth about which one is not sure as to which portion of it was polluted?
A. If one is not sure as to which portion of the cloth was polluted, he should better wash the whole cloth. Washing a determined portion of the cloth after well consideration will also purify it.

Q 5: How to purify oil or ghee if polluted?
A. The method of purifying liquid stuff like oil, ghee etc. is that the water equal to the quantity of liquid matter should be poured into it and then stir up well and leave for a while. After the oil or ghee has surfaced take it out and do the second and third time similarly. Thus liquid matter will be purified.