Author: Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood
Publisher: Goodword books
Year: 2000
Language: English
Pages: 328
ISBN/UPC (if available): 818506329X
Description
A complete guide to prayers as taught by the Prophet Muhammad. This book presents before the reader a comprehensive overview of the teachings about prayer, and the particular practice and recommendations of the Blessed Messenger of Allah.
An indispensable guide to the content and practice of Muslim prayer, based on a comprehensive study of all the authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad as presented in the collection of Bukhari, Abu Dawud and Muslim.
It covers every topic, including the basic outline to guide the beginner's performance of the rak'ah, a selection of prayers and blessings for particular occasions, a guide to the correct behavior in the mosque and the performance of congregational prayer, thoughts on the importance of the realization of the Compassion and Mercy of Allah, the ministry of healing, and prayer for the deceased.
True to the spirit of the hadith collections themselves, it also includes interesting details of the Blessed Prophet's private prayers and what it was like for a child to spend a night in his company; From the sublime to the mundane, it also picks out such fascinating matters as correct toilet procedure and the medical use of camel's urine.
Contents
Preface
THE WAY OF DEVOTION
Introducing Muslim Prayer
Going through the rak'ah
The periods of silence
The silent prayers of the Blessed Prophet
Should one offer du'a prayer during the salah prayers ?
Don't just pray for yourself
Tashahhud and Darud-invoking blessings on the Prophet
The sitting posture for tashahhud
The basic minimum of the faith
The basic minimum of the one who cannot learn Qur'an
Allah hears all prayers said with genuine niyyah
Some of the Blessed Prophet's private prayers
Allah prefers regular routines
TIMES AND PLACES
The times of the prayers
Praying while sleepy
If one misses the dawn prayer
The right place for prayer
Where prayers should not be said
The age to start prayer
The importance of praying together
If one has already prayed, but then joins a congregational prayer
On women going to the mosque
THE CALL TO PRAYER
Muadhdhin and iqamah
ABLUTION-THE Wudu'
Ablution before prayer
When ablution is necessary
Cleansing wounds
Cleansing during and after menstruation
Women are not required to make up prayers lost through menstruation
Istanja, or cleansing after toilet
Cleansing after sexual intercourse
Cleansing after unconsciousness
The description of wudu'
Tayammum, if no water is available
What kinds of water are considered pure?
Excessive wudu'
A Complete bath is requested for Friday prayers
Washing clean garments spoiled by stains
Washing over the socks
On not wearing too much scent
Garlic and onions
PREPARATION FOR PRAYER
Qiblah-the direction of prayer
Praying without facing qiblah while traveling
Dress for prayer
On waiting politely for the Imam
Praying behind a screen or barrier
Should you pray if someone in front of you is talking or asleep?
Are prayers 'cur off' by donkeys, dogs and women?
THE GOOD MANNERS OF PRAYER
(Concerning the performance of public prayers)
If one feels the call of nature, or feels hungry
On finding the right atmosphere in the mosque
Come to prayer in a tranquil frame of mind
The front rows
Straight rows
Eyes in the back of his head
On not rushing the prayers or adopting undignified positions
Concerning one who comes late for prayer
Entering the mosque
On not disturbing the peaceful atmosphere
Coughing, spluttering and spitting
On not taking during the prayer
How to focus the eyes during prayer
Raising the hands for takbir
On not muttering prayers aloud in congregation so as to distract others
The hands during supplication
On not gesturing with the hands during taslim
Moderation in prayers
On keeping public prayers brief
On not neglecting one's household
PROBLEMS
Eased conditions for the elderly or those in pain
On tenderness and encouragement to children during prayer
On praying at home in bad weather
Combining prayers
If the Imam forgets a prayer
On interrupting prayer
On Catching the attention of the Imam during prayer
Mishaps
FRIDAY MID-DAY PRAYER
The importance of Friday prayers
Coming late to the sermon
On not making the sermon too long
RAMADAN
Tawarih prayers during Ramadan
Laylat ul-Qadr
I'tikaf, or seclusion during the last days of Ramadan
Eid (Feast Day) prayers
Festivities and Music at Eid
CONCERNING THE IMAM
What sort of person should be chosen as Imam?
The Imam should not be raised up during prayer
If the Imam leads the prayer while unable to stand
Where to stand if there are only few
One should follow the lead of the Imam
An Imam's mistake does not invalidate your prayer
Women Imams
SUNNAH PRAYERS
Sunnah Prayers
The night prayers of the Blessed Prophet
Do not recite in too loud a voice
On not making voluntary prayers compulsory
Prayers in response to natural conditions
Prayer for particular occasions
HEADING PRAYER
The Blessed Prophet ordered Prayers for healing
The importance of visiting the sick
The importance of sabr, or patience
Prayers for healing
Do not pray for death
A positive attitude
Do not rely on prayer alone, but use medicine and other aids to healing
Folk Medicine-honey and urine
Advice against ignorance and superstition
The Prophet's method of healing
Sufferers are forgiven their sins, and receive other blessings
Charms (or ruqya) and the evil eye
Quarantine, and close contact
PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD
Duties when a loved one is dying
Weeping but not wailing
Funeral Prayer-Salat ul-Janaza
Carrying the bier
At the grave
On not making graves into shrines
Condolences
The last public appearance of the Blessed Prophet
THE COMPASSION OF ALLAH
Thoughts on Faith
Thoughts of Forgiveness
Thoughts on Extremism
Conclusion
Glossary