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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| Julia |
| 01/05/03 at 00:56:02 |
| [slm] I am a new Muslim since just before this Ramadan. Due to my work schedule and contraints at work, I have to miss certain prayers. Today I missed Dhuhur, Asr, and Magreb! When I come home I always make all these prayers up (without sunna or nafilah raqas), then I start Isha prayer. The way I do Isha prayer (with 4 sunna before, 4 fard, then 2+2+3+2 raqas for nafilah and witr) it takes exactly 30 minutes just for Isha, not to mention the prayers I have to make up. Sometimes I am so tired, it is hard to get started. After I do Wudu, thankfully, I feel ready and enthusiastic, but sometimes I postpone, and then I am so tired, I forget where I am in the prayers. Sometimes, I say to myself, "I will wake up and do Isha right before Fajr." But sometimes I am not quite early enough to do the whole Isha before running into the Fajr prayer time. Am I the only one like this? I feel guilty if I drop the sunna and nafilah requirements, so this is not really an option. Any advice? Please help. :-) |
| 01/05/03 at 01:40:40 |
| Julia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| sofia |
| 01/05/03 at 18:02:28 |
| As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, Sister Julia, Mabrook (congrats) on your conversion! May Allah keep you steadfast, aameen. That's sooooo good to hear, masha'Allah. Regarding your question, make du'aa that it becomes easy for you to pray at work, even if it's just the fard, since that is the main thing to worry about. If you fear that praying nafl/sunnah is making you too tired to do your fard, focus on your fard (including witr with 'ishaa). First thing's first. Pray, whenever possible, on time (unless you have some reason not to, like when you're traveling, fear for your life/limb, etc). Getting the fard prayers done on time is a bigger and heavier issue than praying sunnah/nafl (extra) prayers. Again, please make du'aa (supplication) to Allah that He makes it easy/provides a way for you. I believe we had a thread not long ago on what some of us did to pray at work (can someone find it?). Some of us had the same initial concerns as you do, that it would be difficult/impossible to pray at work. But there's always a way out, esp. when we want to sincerely please our Lord. Like, could you use a spare office or conference room to pray for 5 minutes for each prayer when it comes in or during it's time period (the timings are usually quite flexible)? It basically takes as long as a bathroom break to pray (you have time for that, don't you?), in case anyone objects (I recommend *not* asking a superior/your boss if you can pray, since it turns into a bigger deal than it really is. Just pray. God knows best). And besides that, if you live in the US, you have the right to practice your religion, walhamdulillah. Don't know if this will help, but what I do is stick up a little sign that says: "Please wait 5 minutes, praying." Alhamdulillah, I've never had a problem, nor do any of my coworkers have a problem with my praying multiple times during the day. If I have "head-to-head" meetings, I'll take a break during an appropriate time or pray in between meetings. It's pretty much come to a point when my co-workers even remind me when to pray! The first step is always the hardest, but trust me, it will take a load off of your shoulders once you're able to do it, and Allah can provide for you from sources you would never imagine. So ask Him. We'll make du'aa for you as well, insha'Allah. May Allah make it easy for you, aameen. Please see: http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=30784&dgn=3 http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=10453&dgn=3 |
| 01/05/03 at 18:04:55 |
| sofia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| Julia |
| 01/06/03 at 07:20:45 |
| Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem, [slm] Shukran Ya Sister Sofia, I still feel shy about discussing these things, but it is better to get the advice of those who know, and I knew I would get a serious and helpful response. Inshallah, I will try to do the things you mentioned. Actually, this leads to another issue. Many people at my work do not even know I converted because I have only told a few close friends, and my family. I live in a relatively unenlighted rural area in the Midwest, and the other Muslim I work with (surprise!, even in this county there are one or two Muslims) has not told anyone at work although she's been Muslim for eight years. So I am still taking the step of telling people, not to mention praying. Where I work, I am in customer service and I am often the only one who is allowed to do cash transactions; that's one of the reasons it is hard to leave the front desk to pray, since customers would have to wait, not just colleagues. I don't think this would be good for the business, but I will pray for a way. I am working toward finding a new job, so inshallah, this difficulty will be eased. Ever thankful for all your sisterly help and advice. The links were useful. :-) |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| sofia |
| 01/06/03 at 10:43:01 |
| As-salaamu 'alaikum, sister Julia Wowow, yes, it can be intimidating at times living in an area with few Muslims. A lot of us have experienced that, too. Take it slowly if you need to. The fact that you're not "Arab" or "Asian" or have an accent (sorry if I assumed incorrectly) will definitely work in your favor, insha'Allah, if the people in your area are not really open-minded. The best form of da'wah in the US is to show the average Joe that anyone can be a practicing Muslim. And that you're a functional, intelligent, responsible person, on top of that (or maybe, because of that). :) There's a lot that can be taught in areas like where you are, and insha'Allah you will represent Islaam beautifully. With your example, others after you will find ease, and you may be rewarded for that ease, insha'Allah. Again, may Allah make it easy for you, whether or not other Muslims-in-hiding are by your side. Be proud that you're the one who's answering the call of God (to pray), since unfortunately, not everyone does. Definitely try to take advantage of the fact that legally (secular law), you have the right to pray to God (by Islaamic law, it's your right and duty, too), alhamdulillah. And if you have to use a bathroom/lunch break as an excuse to pray, by all means, use it. No doubt, your co-workers know you are not a robot or prisoner, right? (actually, even prisoners have the right to pray). :) With every little struggle (mental or physical, even as little as the prick of a thorn), sins are washed away from us if we perservere with patience. And with every little thing we give up or sacrifice for God, He will replace it with something better, insha'Allah. "When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way." (translation of the Qur'aan, Surah Baqarah 2:186) "O you who believe, seek help with patience and prayers, as God is with those who patiently persevere." (translation of the Qur'aan, Surah Baqarah 2:153). |
| 01/06/03 at 10:45:20 |
| sofia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| Red |
| 01/06/03 at 21:10:42 |
| [slm] Sis! Congrats on becoming a Muslim.! I know it can be very difficult making up prayers! But it is permisible to shorten your prayers, to the absolute required b/c of tiredness and sickness. Inshallah Allah will accept your prayers, but if need be, only do the required Rak'ahs of Prayer, if you are tooo tired. On the days you can do your prayers on time, you can do longer prayers. But, I think Allah subhanlllah tallah does not like for a person to get exteremely tired over prayers. May Allah help you and all Muslims!!! Ameen. wasalam, red |
| 01/06/03 at 21:12:08 |
| Red |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| sofia |
| 01/06/03 at 22:11:20 |
| As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, Whoa, there is a mad amount of knowledge/daleel I'm not aware of, but this, I'm not sure even exists. Sister Red (ameen to your du'aa), do you mean to combine prayers due to hardship (rather than "shorten")? I have not heard of anything related to shortening prayers, except when travelling or due to fear (I believe it's mentioned in the Qur'aan, how to shorten the prayer due to fear of being attacked. Part of the group prays and the other group stands guard, and then they switch). There is more of a concession for combining prayers (praying dhuhr and 'asr together, and doing the same for maghrib and 'ishaa. Fajr is prayed by itself, at it's regular time period. The combined prayers are prayed at either of the 2 prayer times; for ex/ pray dhuhr and 'asr one after another at either dhuhr or 'asr time - not at 'ishaa time. Maghrib and 'ishaa are prayed at either maghrib or 'ishaa time, not at 'asr time, for ex), rather than shortening them. Besides while travelling/etc, combining prayers is mainly for situations when one fears they will miss one of the prayers, since combining prayers is better than missing out on both time periods. How to discern when we meet the criteria for this concession (combining prayers due to fear that we will miss a prayer), I'm not sure, Allahu'Alim. Best to check with an Imam/scholar. In the meantime, here are more related links from Islam Q/A (I don't condone using internet fatawah sites exclusively; we should ask those who are qualified to explain for each circumstance). http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=20017&dgn=3 http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=22255&dgn=3 |
| NS |
| 01/06/03 at 22:17:11 |
| sofia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| zomorrud |
| 01/07/03 at 07:41:15 |
| [color=blue]bismillah... assalamu alaikum Julia, i hope that the situation at work improves and allows you some time to pray. I just noticed one thing in your first post. [quote] The way I do Isha prayer (with 4 sunna before, 4 fard, then 2+2+3+2 raqas for nafilah and witr)[/quote] perhaps i am misunderstanding. but just to clarify, as far as I know, the sunnah of isha is 2 raka'as AFTER. Here is the most agreed upon schedule for fard and sunnah prayers Fajr: 2 sunnah then 2 fard Dhuhr: 4 sunnah 4 fard 2 sunnah Asr: 4 fard Maghrib: 3 fard 2 sunnah Isha: 4 fard 2 sunnah Shaf3 & witr (a confirmed sunnah) 2 then 1 or 3 or 5 for more reading, i recommend the online copy of fiqh assunnah http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah/fus2_11.html may Allah bless your efforts and ease your hardships. wassalam take care [/color] |
| 01/07/03 at 22:02:53 |
| zomorrud |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| Red |
| 01/07/03 at 18:39:10 |
| [slm] everyone, what i mean by shortening your prayers is doing only the required parts of prayers meaning for example: Isha Absolutely Required: 4 fard 2 sunnah Witr Recommend, what the prophet muhammad [saw] recommend and did : 4 fard 4 sunnah 2 sunnah Witr Instead of doing the recommended or longer prayers do to tiredness, do the absolutley required. Inshallah on days that you have more time do the recommended prayers. Looks at what zomorrud, that is a good thing to follow. Allah knows best! I hope you understand what a mean now sis sofia? ;) But, it is best always to check with a scholar! wasalam, red |
| 01/07/03 at 21:21:15 |
| Red |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| sofia |
| 01/08/03 at 09:42:30 |
| Jazaaki Allahu khair for clarifying, Sister Red. I'm with ya now. :) Sister, Julia, let us know how it goes. May Allah make it easy for you. |
| 01/09/03 at 22:24:07 |
| sofia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| Julia |
| 01/09/03 at 07:51:15 |
| Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem, [wlm] Shukran Ya Sister Sophia, Your answers are always thorough and scholarly. I appreciate the time and effort you have put into helping a new Muslim to strengthen Ibada in the important pillar of praying. It may not be a "hot" or glamorous topic, but it is crucial to me. I think it is only prayer that will enable me to do all the things I want to do fi sabeel lillahi. As to your answer about combining prayers. My question is about the TIME at which one can recite the COMBINED prayers. What consitutes an emergency or fear is another question. I will explore that in the websites you gave ASAP. You said: [quote author=sofia link=board=lighthouse;num=1041746162;start=0#5 date=01/06/03 at 22:11:20] There is more of a concession for combining prayers (praying dhuhr and 'asr together, and doing the same for maghrib and 'ishaa. Fajr is prayed by itself, at it's regular time period. The combined prayers are prayed at either of the 2 prayer times; for ex/ pray dhuhr and 'asr one after another at either dhuhr or 'asr time - not at 'ishaa time. Maghrib and 'ishaa are prayed at either maghrib or 'ishaa time, not at 'asr time, for ex), rather than shortening them. [/quote] My prayer manual from the Islamic Center of Cleveland says the following. "In journey, in sickness and in other emergencies, one is allowed to offer two separate Salah jointly. Thus Zuhr and 'Asr can be said together in the last part of the period of Zuhr. Maghrib and 'Isha' may also be offered similarly towards the end of Maghrib time (when it is almost dark)." The key here is that they can be offered only at the END of the period of Zuhr and Maghrib, according to this manual. Unfortunately, the manual doesn't seem to indicate where it was published, or what madhab (school) it is. Most adherents at the Masjid I attend are Palestinian or Pakistani. I have a feeling the manual is from Pakistan. If I understood correctly, your quote says Zuhr and 'Asr can be combined and said at the TIME of EITHER, similarly Maghrib and 'Isha' can be offered jointly at the TIME of EITHER. I am not sure. In any case, I have not been combining Zuhr and 'Asr, so far for this reason. I thought I had to wait till the end of Zuhr, to combine them, and I am already on the road to work by that time. I thought one could never say a prayer BEFORE its fixed time. So I could see combining prayers like Maghrib and 'Isha' by saying Maghrib combined with 'Isha' during the time of 'Isha', or saying Zuhr and 'Asr at the time of 'Asr. I am a bit unclear. Right now, I just say Zuhr early at its fixed time, and then make up the prayers missed at work when I come home all during the time of 'Isha'. I would like to be able to combine to make things easier (and more correct?).I will study the websites you gave me ASAP. To answer Red (Thank you, too, so much). My prayer manual has the following chart: (Your chart was also very interesting to see in detail, and I appreciate the effort of your spelling it out, and not glossing over the fine points.) # of Sunnah # of Fard # of Sunnah # of before Fard after Fard Nafilah Name of Salah Fajr 2 2 --- --- Zuhr 4 4 2 2 'Asr 4 4 --- --- Maghrib --- 3 2 2 'Isha' 4 4 2 2+3+2 This is the way I have been performing the prayers since just before Ramadan when I re/con-verted to Islam. You are the second person who said they do not pray any Sunnah before the Fard of 'ASR, so I am beginning to wonder. The manual also discusses the Salat al-Witr of 'Ishaa, saying some Muslims consider it obligatory and some consider it a mere Sunnah. I do it each time, and thus take it as obligatory (like you). Even though in my manual it is in the Nafilah column it seems. By the way, what exactly does Shaf3+witr mean exactly. What does "Shaf" and "witr" mean? Another thing, say for example, Fajr is at 6:29 am, can I pray the Sunnah Part right before this time, and then after 6:29 pray the Fard, or do I have to wait until after 6:29 am to start the Sunnah part too? My apologies for all these seemingly trivial questions, but I know prayer is so important as the Prophet [saw] seemed to imply; Didn't he remark when asked, that it was the most important pillar of the faith? Perhaps Salah is what makes a Muslim strong enough to keep all the rest of the pillars. I love prayer and I want to enrich my time spent in supplication, to make it more than just a series of hollow, repetative motions. So I need to get the basics firmly, so I can concentrate better. P.S. I know I am supposed to find a quiet, uncluttered space, but I have a twenty-month-old, and I often have to let her watch a video in my room when I pray. It is very distracting, but I do my best. How do you keep your concentration? Blessings and Peace. Sister Julia :-) |
| NS |
| 01/09/03 at 12:49:36 |
| Julia |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| M.F. |
| 01/09/03 at 10:21:25 |
| Bismillah, Assalamu alaikum For the question of combining prayers, I'm not sure what constitutes an emergency (or necessity), but I do know that there's certain prayers that have to be combined together, and not with other prayers, Duhr and Asr together, and Maghreb and Ishaa together. As for the time they should be combined, it can be at any time during both prayer times, whatever's most convenient and whatever you're able to do with ease. It would be a lot more correct for you to pray Duhr and Asr before the time of Asr rather than leave Asr till Ishaa time. Wallahu a'lam. For praying the Sunnah, it has to be once the prayer time comes in. If you pray 2 rakaas before the Fajr time has come in it'll be counted as night prayer, but not as the sunnah. The chart that Zomorrud gave for sunnah prayers is the one agreed upon (4 Fard before Duhr are done in sets of 2). The one in your prayer manual is strange because it has 2 rakaas after witr, whereas witr is the prayer you should end with. Witr is a prayer with an odd number of Rakaas (1, 3, 5 ...), and I believe there's no tashahhud between them (check Fiqh us Sunnah to make sure). Shaf' is the two rakaas you make before witr. Concetrating in prayer isn't easy, especially with a video going on! :) One of the best ways is to really understand what every movement is, when you say Allahu Akbar, to really put everything behind you except Allah, and to really know that at that time while you're in prayer, He is the Greatest thing in your life, and nothing can distract you from that. One thing that really helped me is when you get up from bowing and say Rabbana wa laka al hamd, you're thanking Allah (partly) for letting you get up from bowing, and allowing you to walk upright, and not be bent down like an animal. Also, when you're in sujood, you're at the lowest point (physically) that you can be, and you're saying, Glory be to Allah, the Highest... It also helps a lot to really know what you're reciting and understand all the words and the tafseer of the ayahs you're reciting. Wallahu a'lam. :) |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| zomorrud |
| 01/09/03 at 12:18:57 |
| [color=blue] bismillah... assalamu alaikum, sis Julia, I am glad that you are comfortable enough to put forth your questions. I am not sure if you were asking me or sis Red, but here is what Fiqh Assunah - a book on the Study of Sunnah, by imam Sayyid Sabiq[sup]1[/sup] says on the topic of sunnah prayers. Just for information, the book is mainly a shafe'ee school of thought, but does sometimes mention the opinion(s) of other schools [sup]2[/sup]. [table][tr][td][/td][td] Sunnah B4[/td][td] Fard[/td][td] Sunnah After[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Fajr [/td][td] *2*[/td][td] 2[/td][td] -[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Dhuhr [/td][td] *2+2*[/td][td] 4[/td][td] *2*[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Asr [/td][td] (2+2)[/td][td] 4[/td][td] -[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Magrib[/td][td] (2)[/td][td] 3[/td][td] *2*[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Isha' [/td][td] (2)[/td][td] 4[/td][td] *2*, *shaf' + witr: 2+1/3/5*[/td][/tr] [/table] [table][tr][td]-items between ** indicate sunan al-rawaatib mu'akkadah, i.e. sunnah prayers that the prophet [saw] ALWAYS performed. [/td][/tr] [tr][td] [/td][/tr] [tr][td]-items between () indicate sunnan ghair mu'akkadah, i.e., sunnah prayers that were non stressed which the prophet [saw] performed but NOT always.[/tr][/td] [/table] I hope this clears it up. So, my recommendation is to concentrate on the sunnah prayers that are stressed (betwee **), but it is up to you of course. Obviously, the more one prays and strives, the higher the reward. The prayer schedule that is in the book you're reading does not sound very familiar. I am not sure what distinction is there between "Nafl" & "sunnah". Would you mind posting the name of the book and the author? If there is someone who can help you with the practice of prayer itself (is your husband muslim?), then this would be ideal. There are some websites that have good illustrations. I will look for them in case you might want to look at them. As for concentration in prayer, insh'Allah it will come with sustained effort. Performing prayers in a quiet place and concentrating on the place of prostration usually helps. Turn the TV a little bit down, I am sure your daughter is more fascinated by the pictures. Try your best, and the ajr (reward) is for the effort insha'Allah. Regarding combining prayers, as others said, there are certain circumstances that warrant performing prayers combined. I am not going to delve into this topic due to my own ignorance of the governing rules and also of your particular situation. However, if you can spare 5-10 minutes during your work day for each of dhuhr and asr prayers, then this would be ideal. Try to always be in a state of tahara (wudu) by doing the ablution right after using the washroom so that when the prayer time enters, you won't have to go for wudu during working hours and thus won't prolong your "prayer" break. It might be odd for your co-workers to see you praying during working hours, but I am hopeful that they will at least be respectful. Give them time, and they will get used to it. take care :) wassalamu alaikum [sup]1[/sup]Another good fiqh book is called "Naylu Al-Awtaar" by imam Ash-shawkaani. This is also considered shafi'ee madhab. [sup]2[/sup]The actual differences between the different madhahib (schools of thought: hanafee, malikee, shafi'ee or hanbali) are VERY small (about 5%). These differences arise because these scholars lived in different times (some were the mentors of other - like imam Malik was the mentor of imam Shafi'ee, I think). As a result, their research methods were slightly different and their awareness of certain ahadeeth -or of their (un)authenticity - differed sometimes. These books are good resoures, in addition to your local imam/masjid of course. [/color] |
| 01/09/03 at 12:22:33 |
| zomorrud |
| Re: Help! Too tired to Pray. |
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| sofia |
| 01/09/03 at 22:45:43 |
| As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, sister Julia, Now I know why you're so tired, you've got a baby! Masha'Allah. And as much as we'd looove to give you all the answers, we're not scholars and could unwittingly give you the wrong information. Speaking of which, do you have access to an Imaam/local scholar? I'm thinking of starting another thread where we can post some contact information for some that we may know of who are accessible via the net/phone, insha'Allah. Actually, that kind of info would be good for new or "old" muslims, alike. [quote]As to your answer about combining prayers. My question is about the TIME at which one can recite the COMBINED prayers. What consitutes an emergency or fear is another question. I will explore that in the websites you gave ASAP.[/quote] Yeah, I'm not sure about the manual (there are so many floating around), but I believe you can pray at either of the two timings for the prayers that will be combined (for ex/ dhuhr and 'asr can be prayed at either dhuhr or 'asr time), wAllahu'Alim. Here are some related links on the timing of both combined prayers, and fard (obligatory prayers). You also asked about the timing of sunnah prayer before Fajr, Allahu'Alim, I have no idea if that can be prayed before the time of Fajr comes in. Otherwise, sisters zomorrod, Red and MF have stated some good info on sunnah/nafl prayers. Timing of the prayers (general) http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=9940&dgn=3 Timing of 'ishaa prayer http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=10125&dgn=3 Hardships with prayer, and timing of combined prayers http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=9561&dgn=3 Hardship finding a place to pray http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=980&dgn=3 [quote]By the way, what exactly does Shaf3+witr mean exactly. What does "Shaf" and "witr" mean? [/quote] Shaf' = even Witr = odd So if you add shaf'+witr = odd number. Witr prayer, in reality, is the one odd cycle/rakaa' added at the end of the 2-cycle nafls, that makes the total raka'at odd. There are just about any number of nafl raka'at you can pray before you pray witr. I believe it's best to pray in 2-raka'a cycles (ending each 2 raka'a of prayer with the salaam), as many 2-raka'a cycles as you want (1,2,3,etc). And then you can end with a (separate) one-cycle raka'a. You can also pray witr as three continuous raka'at with only one tashshaahud at the end (ie, I don' think praying witr like maghrib, with 2 tashshaahuds, is recommended, wAllahu'Alim). So either way, the total number raka'a (including witr) is 3,5,7, etc. There are also some accounts of the Prophet (s) praying an additional 2 raka'a after witr (sometimes), but Allahu'Alim, that's a separate issue. By the way, in a Muhammad AlShareef course, he explained that most scholars use the terms "waajib" and "fard" synomously (both meaning "obligatory"). So according to most scholars, Witr prayers are regarded as "waajib", which as mentioned, is basically fard. The Hanafee fiqh distinguishes waajib from fard (that waajib is not at the level of the obligatory fard), but it is still highly emphasized. There are some scholars who thus call witr "sunnah mu'akkadah" (highly emphasized sunnah). Long story short, it may be best to go with the conservative view of praying witr regularly, like the other fard prayers. Allahu'Alim. How to perform Night Prayers/Witr http://www.al-manhaj.com/Page1.cfm?ArticleID=79 Witr prayer: its timing and ruling http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/hadeeth/riyad/08/chap205.htm Meaning of waajib http://www.wponline.org/vil/Books/Quduri_Mukhtasar/meaning_of_wajib.htm [quote]My apologies for all these seemingly trivial questions, but I know prayer is so important as the Prophet [saw] seemed to imply; Didn't he remark when asked, that it was the most important pillar of the faith? P.S. I know I am supposed to find a quiet, uncluttered space, but I have a twenty-month-old, and I often have to let her watch a video in my room when I pray. It is very distracting, but I do my best. How do you keep your concentration? [/quote] Masha'Allah, sister, may Allah grant us all the desire to perfect our prayers, aameen. Trust me, none of your questions are trivial. The issue of keeping one's khushoo'/awareness of God is one everyone should be more concerned with. Maybe some of the mothers on the board can give their insight on what they do with their children around. One thing the Prophet (s) did on occasion was pray while holding a small child. Maybe for some, this is more distracting than having their child preoccupied with something else while they pray, so it depends. Allahu'Alim. Child distracting prayer http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=5485&dgn=3 Khushoo' in prayer http://www.islamworld.net/khush.html http://www.lightstudy.org/khushoo.htm As always, hope this helps until you can speak to a scholar/Imaam, insha'Allah. Btw, here are 2 helpful du'aas: The Prophet (s) used to teach the following words to those who would embrace Islaam: "Allahum-maghfirlee, war-Hamnee, wahdinee, wa 'aafinee, warzuqnee" [O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me health/well-being, and provide for me.] (Muslim, saheeh/authentic) One day, the Prophet (s) took Mu`adh by the hand and said, "O Mu`adh, by Allah, I love you, so I advise you, O Mu`adh, never forget to recite, after every prayer: "Allahum-ma a'inee alaa dhik-rika wa shuk-rika wa Husni 'ibaadatik" [O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner] (Ahmad, saheeh). |
| NS |
| 01/09/03 at 22:57:22 |
| sofia |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |