New inventions have surfaced and claims have been made by contemporary theorists. Thus, the people have divided into two groups: those who hurriedly reject these theories and those who readily accept them. It may be that both groups cite the texts of the Qurʾān and Sunnah (to support their position).
Perhaps it is more appropriate to mention firstly that modern-day theories are of two categories:
Theories that clearly contradict the Qurʾān. These are rejected without dispute, like the theory that the sun is stationary compared to the statement of Allāh:
وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَ…
If, after striving to determine the time for (obligatory) prayer, it is clarified to a person that his prayer actually occurred before its proper time, then this prayer will be considered supererogatory. Otherwise, he would have fulfilled his compulsory responsibility. That is, despite having strived to determine the time for prayer, it is made evident to him that his takbīrat al-iḥrām1 was performed before the start of the time for the ṣalāh in question. In this circumstance, his ṣalāh is considered supererogatory and he is still deserving of reward for its performance.
The aforementioned s…
Allāh has not commanded an act except that Shayṭān has two types of incitements to evil with regards to it, they are: That one should be either deficient or lackadaisical, or extreme and obsessive in its performance. He does not care which of these mistakes he uses to gain victory over the servant of Allāh. He comes to the heart of the servant and watches it carefully.
If he finds within it deficiency, laziness, indecisiveness, and permittance, he pulls on those strings, blocking him from acts of worship, arresting him from their performance. He strikes him with laziness, negligence, and l…
How Much Exposure of the ʿAwarah Is Objectionable Exposure?
Concerning the person whose ʿawrah1 is uncovered in ṣalāh, whether it be their private parts or any other part of their body which is considered ʿawrah, with respect to them and the exposed portion is extensive enough to be considered objectionable: What is considered objectionable here should be in consideration of the custom of the people. As the poet said: ‘Every rule that is left without clear boundaries by legislation should have its boundaries set based on custom’.
The word ‘extensive’ here should be interpreted according to t…
The Three Categories of ʿAwrah [Legislative Private Area]
What is considered al-ʿawrah which must be covered in ṣālāh is divided into three categories according to the Ḥanbalī madh`hab.:
Males, 7-10 yrs old: The least stringent: is the ʿawrah of a male between the ages of seven and ten, which is just the genitalia. That is, as long as he has covered his private parts from the front and back, then he is considered to have covered himself, even if his thighs are visible.
Females who have reached puberty: The most stringent: is the ʿawrah of a woman over the age of puberty. Her entire body…
[Q]: Is it permissible for a Muslim to perform ruqyah on himself using his own breath by reciting and ejecting spittle into water?
[A]: When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) felt sick, he would recite Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ, and the Muʿawwidhtayn [Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nās], then eject spittle into his two hands three times, rubbing whatever parts of his body he could reach after every recitation. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would do so before sleeping, starting with his head, face and chest. This was narrated to us by Āʿishah (رضي الله عنها) in an authentic ḥadīth.1
Also, Jibrīl (عليه السلام) p…
It is considered sunnah for the person listening to the adhān to follow his call silently [by repeating after him].
Usages of the Word ‘Sunnah’
As for the word ‘sunnah’, it has two usages. One as a technical term used by the jurists and the other is its use by the Legislator.
When used by the jurists, the word ‘sunnah’ refers to any action deserving of reward for the one who performs it, but the one who chooses not to engage in it is not deserving of punishment.
When used by the Legislator, the word ‘sunnah’ refers to the path set by the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and is inclusive of…
