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Questions, questions, questions!
Julie
01/17/04 at 22:02:22
[slm]

Been a long time since I've posted in here!  I think the last time, probably over a year ago, I was making trouble about freewill versus predestination or something to that effect.  ;)  In any case, I've got a few questions for people on here.  To put them into context, I'm a relatively new Muslim.  So, in no particular order:

SALAT

1) If you join a congregation after the prayer has started, at what point do you need to make up rakat at the end of the prayer?  For example, if you join part way through the first recitation of Al-Fatiha, do you need to make up the first rakah?

2) Could someone clarify what's recited silently/out loud in each prayer?  Also, by silent, does that mean that you should still move your lips but not say the words out loud, or does it mean to just recite in your head?

THE HEREAFTER

3) I'm a bit confused on this issue.  After this life, we begin life in the grave.  However, from what I've read, it seems like some past prophets (other than Jesus (as)) are already in paradise.  For example, did Muhammad  [saw] not meet Moses (as) there during his Night Journey?  And I think there's a hadith about Adam (as), who's in paradise, turning his head to the right and left and smiling in one direction and crying in the other (sorry, that's the best I remember it!!!).  So are some prophets actually in paradise while everyone else has to go through the "life in the grave" or am I missing something?

4) Stemming from a discussion with a Catholic friend...  Is hell eternal in Islam?  [i]The Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam[/i] states very clearly that it's not (except for the worst people), but I seem to remember reading something saying the opposite, so what's the actual case ???

ARABIC

Always a confusing topic for a new Muslim I think!!  Anyway...

5) The expression [i]jazak Allah khair[/i].  I've seen this written in other ways too, for example, jazakallahu khayran.  Does it change depending on who you're speaking to (for example, one female versus one male versus a group of people) or... ???  I always just end up saying thank you because I never know what to use.  :'(

6) After writing "Allah" people sometimes put (awj) (=azza wa jaal or something like that??).  What exactly does this mean?

TORONTO

If any Torontonians are reading this, could you tell me where to find:

7) A good Islamic bookstore (in terms of selection).

8 ) A store that would sell nasheeds since SOME people on here got me into Sami Yusuf's [i]Al Mu'allim[/i].  ;)

Okay, that was a lot of writing.  Hope some people are up to answering those.  Look forward to your responses insha'Allah. :)

Julie
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
a_lina
01/18/04 at 00:44:06
[slm]

I could answer your questions about Toronto.

Bookstores
1) on Gerrard Street..it's calles Islamic Bookstore.
2) the Soundvision store in Mississauga. It's close to the intersection of Dundas West and Hurontario. They also have nasheeds.
3) ISNA bookstore in the ISNA mosque in Mississauga...South Sheridan Way...at Erin Mills Parkway and QEW.
4) I'm not sure but, I think the Islamic Foundation of Toronto in Scarborough also has a bookstore.

Hope this helps.
[slm]
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
Taalibatul_ilm
01/18/04 at 01:19:58
[slm]

[quote]


SALAT

1) If you join a congregation after the prayer has started, at what point do you need to make up rakat at the end of the prayer?  [/quote]
If you make the ruku', then you have made the rak'ah.  If you join after the imam stands from the ruku' you have to repeat the raka't at the end of the prayer.


[quote]
4) Stemming from a discussion with a Catholic friend...  Is hell eternal in Islam?  [i]The Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam[/i] states very clearly that it's not (except for the worst people), but I seem to remember reading something saying the opposite, so what's the actual case ???[/quote]

For some it is eternal, such as those who committed shirk, for others it is temporary, such as a believer whose sins were so great that he/she ended in Hell, but still believed. There are hadeeth showing that some will be removed from the Hell fire.  


In a lengthy narration of Abu Hurayra related by both Imam Bukhari and Muslim in their collections it states:


..." While passing over the bridge many of them will be caught by the crude nails and made to fall into Hell. But Allah Almighty would ask the angels to take out of Hell those who worshipped Allah. Thus the angels will do so: and these people will be recognized by the signs of prostration, for Allah Almighty has  prohibited the fire of Hell to burn those spots. So, these people will be taken out of the fire and they would have been terribly burnt. They will be washed with the water of Life so that they will grow out like the growing of seeds…".




[quote]

5) The expression [i]jazak Allah khair[/i].  I've seen this written in other ways too, for example, jazakallahu khayran.  Does it change depending on who you're speaking to (for example, one female versus one male versus a group of people) or... ???  I always just end up saying thank you because I never know what to use.  :'( [/quote]

It does change depending on the gender of the Muslim you are praying for but the two examples you gave are pronounced the same.  Some write it as it is: two words jakaz Allah khairan, others put in the voweling and join them for ease in pronunciaton: jazakallahu khayran.  These are for a male. For a female it is: jazaki Allahu khairan.

[slm]
01/18/04 at 01:28:25
Taalibatul_ilm
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
timbuktu
01/18/04 at 02:35:49
[slm] very important and interesting questions.

A1:The Salaf consider in the light of Hadith that saying the Surah Fatihah is compulsory in every rak3ah, so if you join at a time when "you" are unable to say Surah Fatihah, you have to repeat that rak3ah. If you have the translation and explanation of the meanings of the Quran by Muhsin Khan & Hilali, distributed by the Saudis, and also available from darus-salam, it explains in the beginning. also tafsir-ibne-katheer would explain it as well. the link for tafsir ibne katheer is

www.tafsir.com

A2: when saying in a low voice, you should say it as a sort of whisper, not too loud, and not in your heart, but something that only you can hear, so that you do not disturb the rest of the jam3a. For aloud, that is for the imam only, and he has to say it loud enough for all muqtadees to hear, except for saying "aameen", which all muqtadees (and imaam) have to say aloud (only in that salah in which the loud recitation is to be done). The muqtadees have to say whatever is required in a low voice with the exception i have given above.

after the salam in salat, we all have to say aloud takbir (Allahu-Akbar) once, and istaghfaar (astaghfirullah) thrice. Then there are other du3as,  i mentioned some in a reply to sis sarahparah, i think. if you need them, please let me know, i will find them again, insha`Allah.

for the rest of the question, please elaborate more.

A3: i don't remember that the prophets (pbut) are presently in paradise. but whereever are they, at mairaj the prophet [saw] met them on different skies.

A4: Hell is eternal, but people with the tiniest bit of eemaan will (eventually) be taken out of Hell. The point is, can anyone stand hell even for a microsecond. or the heat of the sun on the Day of Judgement.

may Allah (swt) provide us shade under HIS throne on that Day. aameen

A5: about arabic greetings, i asked this question elsewhere, and i think i have the answers somewhere at home. (i am posting this from my office). when i find the answers, i will post them insha`Allah

A6: these come from Allah's names
azza from "rabbul izzah", meaning one who elevates, who grants recognition
wa = and
jall from D H U L  J A L A L  w a l  I K R A A M, meaning "the lord of majesty and generosity"

please read the 99 names of Allah in these archives:

http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/madina/YaBB.pl?board=archives;action=display;num=1040650425;start=30

and

http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/madina/YaBB.pl?board=archives;action=display;num=1045034680

hope this helped
01/18/04 at 03:47:49
timbuktu
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
Taalibatul_ilm
01/18/04 at 02:44:46
[slm]

To read the complete fatwa, please click on:

http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=45494&dgn=4


It was narrated in a saheeh report that Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Whoever does not catch up with the imam when he is bowing has not caught up with that rak’ah.” Narrated by al-Bayhaqi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 2/262.

Ibn ‘Umar said: “Whoever catches up with the imam when he is bowing and bows before the imam raises his head, has caught up with that rak’ah.” Narrated by al-Bayhaqi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, op. cit., 2/263
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
timbuktu
01/18/04 at 03:59:07
[slm] thanks sister [u]Taalibatul_ilm[/u]

that was a very appropriate Fatwa. now i have to ask the scholars how to reconcile these two: the requirement of saying the Fatihah in every rak3a, and the leave (rukhsat) to join the imam when he is bowing and not having to repeat the rak3a.

and sister [u]Julie[/u]: here is answer to the question on greetings, by three people. i need to tidy it up:

________

"jazana wa iyakum"

Jazana = may He give us merit
     wa = and
Iyakum = you too (you here is plural)

use it as thanks like Jazakum Allah khairan=May Allah give you merit
      then you answer:     Jazana Wa Iyakum.

_________

Jazak Allah kairan is for men like u tell a muslim bros.
jazak allah kairan.....also jazaki allah kairan is for women....
jazakoum allah kairan is for a group of ppl either boys or girls or both...you use the   jazakoum/jazaki/jazak allah kairan when someone does u something good...my own translation means "may allah reward you good" Khairan means good....you can say khair it depends on grammer but both have the same meaning...

To man :            Jaza kal laahu khaira
To women :      Jaza kil laahu khaira
To several people : Jaza kumul laahu khaira

You should not add a n at the end unless you want to say something striaght after.

e.g. Jaza kal laahu khairan Akhi (akhi = Brother), Jaza kil laahu khairan Ukhti (ukhti = sister), Jaza kumul laahu khairan Ikhwani (ikhwan = Brothers)

____________

1. ÌÒÇß Çááå ÎíÑÇ   (may Allah SWT reward you with that which is good- rough translation)

on saying it to a male you say: Jazaak Allaahu khayran
for a female: Jazaaki Allaahu khayran (usually pronounced Jazaakillaahu khairan)
plural: Jazaakum Allaahu khayran

Reply: æ ÇíøÇßã
usually the reply is always : wa iyyaakum (whether male, female or plural), but if you want to be more specific you can say
male: wa iyyaak
female: wa iyyaaki
plural: wa iyyaakum


2. ÈÇÑß Çááå Ýíß  (may Allah SWT bless you)
male: Baarak Allaahu feek
female: Baarak Allaahu feeki
plural: Baraak Allaahu feekum

Reply:  æ Ýíß ÈÇÑß or æ Ýíß ÈÇÑß Çááå
male: wa feeka baarak/ wa feaka baarak Allaah
female: wa feeki baarak/ wa feeki baarak Allaah

-----------

now I have a Q for those who know: what does this mean:

Hayak Allah
01/18/04 at 06:27:49
timbuktu
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
faisalsb
01/18/04 at 06:47:51
[slm]

[quote]that was a very appropriate Fatwa. now i have to ask the scholars how to reconcile these two: the requirement of saying the Fatihah in every rak3a, and the leave (rukhsat) to join the imam when he is bowing and not having to repeat the rak3a.[/quote]

Brother timbutku there is difference of opinion among scholars regarding the issue. As far as my knowledge is concerned all three Imams are agreed that reciting surrah fatihah while praying in congregation is compulsory except Imam Abu Hanifa. According to Imam Abu Hanifa we are not supposed to recite sura fatihah when we are praying in congregation. But  as far as joining the congregation is concerned I think all Imams are agreed that if we catch the rakuh then we caught the whole rakat. So I think this way contradiction what we see is for the people who are following other Imams except Imam Abu Hanifa.

Allah knows the best ......
01/18/04 at 06:49:49
faisalsb
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
Julie
01/18/04 at 21:20:12
[slm]

Jazak Allah khair for the responses so far. :)  Here's what I understand and what I could use some more clarification on:

1) So basically, as long as you make ruku with everybody else, then the rakah is fine whether you've said the Fatihah or not according to one opinion at least?

2) I also meant by this question to ask which rakat in each prayer are loud versus silent.  This is what I think and maybe someone can tell me if I'm right or not:
Fajr - both loud
Dhur, asr - all silent
Maghrib - 2 loud, 3rd silent
Isha - 3 loud, 4th silent

3) [quote]  i don't remember that the prophets (pbut) are presently in paradise. but whereever are they, at mairaj the prophet  met them on different skies. [/quote]
So, I guess my question would be, what are they doing in different skies?  I always thought that everyone spent the time from their death until the Day of Judgement in their grave ???  Confused here...

4) Think I got this.  :-[   Basically you're saying that hell itself is eternal, but not eternal for every person in it.

5) Okay, [i]jazak Allah khair[/i] for the clarification there. ;)

6) [quote] azza from "rabbul izzah", meaning one who elevates, who grants recognition
wa = and
jall from D H U L  J A L A L  w a l  I K R A A M, meaning "the lord of majesty and generosity" [/quote]

So putting it together, "Allah (awj)" = "Allah, the One who elevates and grants recognition and the Lord of Majesty and Generosity"?

7)/8 ) @Sis Iman: I'll check out one or two of those places soon insha'Allah. :)

Julie  :)
01/18/04 at 21:22:40
Julie
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
AbdulJalil
01/18/04 at 22:47:29
assalamu alaikum


the silent prayers you must whisper them , not just tell it in your head.

when a prayer is said aloud, it is not the WHOLE prayer that is said aloud, only part of it.

Read this website . It is a very good prayer guide, it will tell you which parts of the prayer is said aloud, for loud prayers.


http://www.themuslimwoman.com/chooseyourpath/basicguidetoprayer/








01/18/04 at 22:49:52
AbdulJalil
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
faisalsb
01/19/04 at 03:13:19
[slm]

[quote]2) I also meant by this question to ask which rakat in each prayer are loud versus silent.  This is what I think and maybe someone can tell me if I'm right or not:
Fajr - both loud
Dhur, asr - all silent
Maghrib - 2 loud, 3rd silent
Isha - 3 loud, 4th silent [/quote]

Well as far as I know there is no prayer in which more than two rakat are read aloud. So Isha prayer is also have 2 aloud and two silent rakat. I would be really interested to know if there is any other point of view because I haven't heard any second opinion regarding that so far.

Walla hu alam ....
01/19/04 at 03:14:30
faisalsb
8tr>
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
timbuktu
01/19/04 at 06:22:59
[slm] sis Julie wrote [quote] [2) I also meant by this question to ask which rakat in each prayer are loud versus silent.  This is what I think and maybe someone can tell me if I'm right or not:  
Fajr - both loud  
Dhur, asr - all silent  
Maghrib - 2 loud, 3rd silent  
Isha - 3 loud, 4th silent  [/quote]

bro faisal wrote [quote] Well as far as I know there is no prayer in which more than two rakat are read aloud. So Isha prayer is also have 2 aloud and two silent rakat. I would be really interested to know if there is any other point of view because I haven't heard any second opinion regarding that so far.

Walla hu alam ....[/quote]
well, i missed that one. sis Julie, bro Faisal is right, there is no 3rd rakat in which the Fatihah or the surah are said aloud.

it is easy to remember: the daytime prayers (after sunrise to before sundown, ie zuhar and asr, are the ones which are "silent". the others (ie fajr, maghrib and 3isha) are in which the Surah Fatihah and the Quran recitation after them are said "aloud" in the first two rakas of the fard prayers. This saying aloud is for the imam, not the muqtadi. He only says the aameen aloud.

plus if you are praying alone, all prayers are "silent".
01/19/04 at 06:25:49
timbuktu
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
se7en
01/19/04 at 13:17:13
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,

[quote]1) If you join a congregation after the prayer has started, at what point do you need to make up rakat at the end of the prayer?  For example, if you join part way through the first recitation of Al-Fatiha, do you need to make up the first rakah?[/quote]

If you join the rakah any time after the imam has *gotten up* from ruku', then you have to make up that rakah.  

If you join any time before that.. standing during recitation of al-fatiha, standing during the surah read after al-fatiha, or in ruku'.. that rakah counts for you and you don't have to make it up.

[quote]2) Could someone clarify what's recited silently/out loud in each prayer?  Also, by silent, does that mean that you should still move your lips but not say the words out loud, or does it mean to just recite in your head?[/quote]

you should definitely articulate the words, even in the silent parts of prayer.  I think maybe 'silent' is not the best way to describe those parts of the prayer but 'reciting quietly' :)

In Fajr -- al-fatiha and the surah after it, in both raka'at, are read outloud

In Dhuhr and Asr -- everything is read quietly

In Maghrib -- in the first 2 raka'at, al-fatiha and the surah after it are read outloud.  the recitation of al-fatiha in the 3rd rakah is read quietly

In Isha -- in the first 2 raka'at, al-fatiha and the surah after it are read outloud.  the recitation of al-fatiha in the 3rd and 4th raka'at are read quietly

[quote]3) I'm a bit confused on this issue.  After this life, we begin life in the grave.  However, from what I've read, it seems like some past prophets (other than Jesus (as)) are already in paradise.  For example, did Muhammad  [saw] not meet Moses (as) there during his Night Journey?  And I think there's a hadith about Adam (as), who's in paradise, turning his head to the right and left and smiling in one direction and crying in the other (sorry, that's the best I remember it!!!).  So are some prophets actually in paradise while everyone else has to go through the "life in the grave" or am I missing something?[/quote]

Hmm.. you know what's really interesting -- in some places in the Qur'an, the day of Judgement is described in the past tense - as if it already happened!  I think we have to keep in mind that Allah is not constrained by time.  We see things along a line of progression - things that have occurred, things that are occurring, and things that will occur in the future - but this is because we are limited in our perception and our awareness by the four dimensions we live in.  These things that occur after death are not limited to our four dimensional reality, and are not constrained by time.

[quote]
4) Stemming from a discussion with a Catholic friend...  Is hell eternal in Islam?  [i]The Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam[/i] states very clearly that it's not (except for the worst people), but I seem to remember reading something saying the opposite, so what's the actual case ???[/quote]

Hmm.. The vast majority of scholars believe hell, as a *place*, is eternal.  There is one scholarly opinion that after some time hell will extinguish, but this is a very minor opinion and the vast majority of scholars and believers subscribe to the opinion that it is eternal.

We have to clarify here though, that this does not necessarily mean that every person who enters the hell-fire will reside their eternally.  As we know from many ahadeeth, there are some individuals who will only be in hell-fire for a period of time, to be cleansed of their sins, and thereafter entered into paradise.  And there will also be others who will remain in the hell-fire permanently.  

May Allah protect us from being *either* of those two, ameeeeen.

[quote]
3.) The expression [i]jazak Allah khair[/i].  I've seen this written in other ways too, for example, jazakallahu khayran.  Does it change depending on who you're speaking to (for example, one female versus one male versus a group of people) or... ???  I always just end up saying thank you because I never know what to use.  :'([/quote]

[i]jazak Allahu khair[/i] = may Allah reward you with good.

[i]jazak Allahu khairan[/i] = the 'an' here is grammatically correct (it denotes that khair is an object in the sentence) but most of the time when a person is speaking they leave off these endings, so usually people just say 'jazak Allahu khair'.

[i]jazaki Allahu khair/an[/i] = is for a woman.  

[i]jazakum Allahu khair/an[/i] = is for a group.  this form can also be used for one person as a sign of respect and honor for them.

In response, as br. timbuktu mentioned, you can say wa iyyak [and upon you as well], wa iyyaki [the feminine version] or wa iyyakum [for a group/one respected individual]

[quote]6) After writing "Allah" people sometimes put (awj) (=azza wa jaal or something like that??).  What exactly does this mean?[/quote]

here are some things you might hear/read after the name of Allah:

[i]azza wa jal[/i] = mighty and majestic is He

[i]subhana' wa ta'ala[/i] = may He be glorified and exalted

[i]jalla jalalahu[/i] = great is His majesty


whew :)  hope this is helpful, insha'Allah :)  let me know if you have any questions or if I need to clarify anything.

take care

wasalaamu alaykum,

7

ps -- you can order sami yusuf online :)  check out http://www.samiyusuf.com/buy/index.htm



Re: Questions, questions, questions!
Julie
01/20/04 at 21:10:14
[slm]

I think I've got those questions sorted out now!!!  Jazak Allahu khairan to all those who took the time to reply. :)  Number 3 is still maybe a bit confusing, but I thought this was interesting:

[quote] Hmm.. you know what's really interesting -- in some places in the Qur'an, the day of Judgement is described in the past tense - as if it already happened!  I think we have to keep in mind that Allah is not constrained by time.  We see things along a line of progression - things that have occurred, things that are occurring, and things that will occur in the future - but this is because we are limited in our perception and our awareness by the four dimensions we live in.  These things that occur after death are not limited to our four dimensional reality, and are not constrained by time. [/quote]

Julie

Re: Questions, questions, questions!
AbdulJalil
01/21/04 at 00:50:53
Assalamu Alaikum

about number 3, this might answer it.  

This is from sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)



Question :

Is anyone in heaven right now (not prophets , angels etc) ? Or are we all waiting for the 'Day of Judgment' before entering heaven or hell I have heard some references to people who have seen heaven or are in heaven now or went to heaven and saw how it was Again, I am not including prophets and angels to this list of people
Answer :
Praise be to Allaah.  Allaah has created Paradise and its creation is complete, because He says in a hadeeth qudsi: "I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen…" And because the Messenger  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw it on the night of the Israa' and Mi'raaj, and because of other proofs (daleel).

Will any humans enter it before the Day of Resurrection?

There are two aspects to this:

1. Entering it in spirit only, as is the case with the dead. This is proven in the case of the Prophets, and of the martyrs (shuhadaa') whose souls are in the crops of green birds which roam about in Paradise. This is also known from the ahaadeeth in which the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) describes how he entered Paradise in dreams, which has to do with the soul or spirit.

2. With regard to entering Paradise in both body and soul, this will happen on the Day of Resurrection for both humans and jinn. The only exception to this is Adam (peace be upon him) who was in Paradise before he came down to this earth, as was mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim and others.

And Allaah knows best.

01/21/04 at 00:52:40
AbdulJalil
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
betason
01/21/04 at 01:39:53
Assalamu alaikum

I think the best book store in toronto is called Habib's Islamic Book Store.  It has better prices than all the rest of the bookstores and way more selection than most other than probably Al Attique's.  It is located on rexdale Blvd.  The number is 416-762-2469.  The only way i know how to get there is from the 401 east you get off on Islington.

Wasalamu alaikum
Re: Questions, questions, questions!
veiled
02/14/04 at 16:17:40
"now I have a Q for those who know: what does this mean:

Hayak Allah"

It means:May Allah give you life


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