(in the Prescribed Ritual Devotions)

Salah, the five prescribed daily ritual devotions, is the second pillar of Islam. The Messenger Muhammad described it as the main and most important matter of Islam. There are different types of Salah, prescribed ritual devotions, some of which are obligatory, while others are recommended or specific to certain events or circumstances. Salah consists of actions such as standing, bowing and kneeling. It also consists of supplications, verbal devotions glorifying God and the recitation of Quranic passages.

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The lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, known as the Sunnah, is the second source of knowledge in Islam after the Quran. It compliments and explains the Quran, and gives practical examples explaining the Quranic commandments in context. This is why God sent messengers throughout history before His revelation of scripture. God says, “God revealed to you the Book and wisdom.” [4:113] Wisdom here refers to the example of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, the Sunnah.

When God commands us to offer daily ritual devotions or perform the pilgrimage to Mecca in the Quran, it is the lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ that shows us exactly how. The lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ teaches us how to offer the ritual devotions, what to say, how many units to offer, the prescribed timings, and the conditions that need to be met beforehand such as ritual washing. The lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ explains how to perform the rites of the pilgrimage, where to go and when; what to do there and how.

The authority of the lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ stems from the many commands throughout the Quran in which God instructs us to follow His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ. Here are some of the fifty references in the Quran related to this subject: God says, “He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God; but those who turn away – We have not sent you over them as a guardian.” [4:80] God  commands us to obey the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ and warns us against disobeying him, “O you who have believed, obey God and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.” [47:33]

Accepting the Messenger Muhammad’s ﷺ commands, teachings and rulings is an integral part of faith. In fact, the very testimony of faith that brings one to Islam includes the declaration that one would believe in what Muhammad ﷺ brought, obey his instructions, refrain from his prohibitions, and only worship God in compliance with his example. His words and teachings are sanctioned by God and thus must be obeyed as if God Himself commanded them. God says, “By your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you, (O Muhammad), judge over their disputes, after which they should not find within themselves any discomfort from what you have judged, rather they should submit to it in full willing submission.” [4:65]

Without the lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, we wouldn’t be able to understand the Quran correctly. This would lead to each person misunderstanding the Quran according to their ideas and desires. which would lead to much confusion and would result in a way different from Islam as intended by God. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ explained and demonstrated how to understand the Quran and live by it. This is why, when his wife Aeysha was asked to describe his character, she replied that it was the Quran, meaning he embodied its teachings.

The lived example and model of the life of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ is divinely inspired. God says, “He, i.e. Muhammad, does not speak of his own desire, it is nothing less than a revelation sent to him.” [53:3-4] This means that everything he says in terms of God’s way is mandated by God and has the authority of having come from God. This is why his disciples memorized details of his example and narrated it to others. In properly following the Sunnah, we can understand the Quran and practice Islam the way God wants. May Allah enable us to do so.

Note:

ﷺ – This symbol is a prayer that is written using Arabic calligraphy. It is said/written whenever the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ  is mentioned, as per the command in the Quran 33:56. It means “May Allah honor, bless, and protect him.”

In the depths of faith, a whisper flows,

A phrase profound, where true surrender grows,

La Hawla wa la Quwata illa Billah, we say,

In every breath, in every prayer, it stays.

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God gave His Messenger Solomon a number of unique miracles. Due to his high level of wisdom, he was highly aware of the power of God. He recognized that God was responsible for any condition he found himself in, whether easy or difficult, and he praised God for it. He said, “All praise and thanks is due to God [27:15]. God says that Solomon asked for a kingdom unique to him, and God answered his prayer. “He turned to Us and prayed: ‘Lord forgive me! Grant me such power as no one after me will have. You are the Most Generous Provider.’” [38:35] Read More

In chapter 27 of the Quran, God tells us that on one occasion, Solomon was taking roll call of his army and noticed that a hoopoe bird was absent, “Solomon inspected the birds and said, ‘Why do I not see the hoopoe? Is he absent?” [27:20] When the bird returned, it informed Solomon that its delay was due to it having come across a kingdom ruled by a rich and powerful queen that worshipped the sun instead of God. “I found a woman ruling over the people, who has been given a share of everything- she has a magnificent throne – [but] I found that she and her people worshipped the sun instead of God. Satan has made their deeds seem alluring to them, and diverted them from the right path, they are astray.” [27:23-24] Read More

Grace is one of God’s greatest attributes. Grace is mentioned hundreds of times in the Quran in various ways, from the names of God, God’s forgiveness, God’s Grace to all His creation and the believers specifically, stories of God’s Grace and prayers and supplications for God’s Grace. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ said, “God divided His Grace into one hundred parts. One part He sent down to earth, and because of it all creatures show Grace, even the predator to its youngling. On the Day of Judgement, that one part will be merged with the other ninety-nine.” The one hundred parts of Grace on the Day of Judgement will be for the believers.

God loves to show Grace. God says in the Quran, “Do they not know that God accepts repentance from His slaves, and receives their gifts of charity, and that it is God who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.” (9:104) He also says, “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against their souls!  Despair not of the Grace of God: for God forgives all sins, for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.’” (39:53)

The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ told us of how God forgives even those who sin often, perhaps even the same sin each time, so long as they continue to sincerely repent to God. He said, “A man committed a sin, then said, ‘O my Lord, forgive my sin,’ so God said, ‘My slave has sinned, then he realized that he has a Lord who forgives sins and can punish him for it.’  Then the man repeated the sin, then said, ‘O my Lord, forgive my sin.’  God said, ‘My slave has sinned, and then he realized that he has a Lord who forgives sins and can punish him for it.’  The man repeated the sin (a third time), then he said, ‘O my Lord, forgive my sin,’ and God said, ‘My slave has sinned, then he realized that he has a Lord who forgives sins and can punish him for it.  Do what you wish (as long as you admit your sin and repent for it), for I have forgiven you.’”

God has made it easy to seek forgiveness and to repent. Good deeds wipe away evil ones.  For example, ritual washing wipes away sins. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ said, “When a servant of God washes his face, every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they committed will be washed off from his hands with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the last drop of water.  So that he comes out pure from all sins.”

God tells us however, not to delay repenting, “But repentance is not accepted of those who continue to do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘Indeed, I have repented now,’ or of those who die while they are disbelievers.  For them, We have prepared a painful punishment.” (4:18)

One of the greatest prayers for seeking forgiveness is, “O God, You are my Lord.  There is no true god besides You.  You created me and I am your slave, following Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can.  I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done.  I acknowledge before You the blessings You have bestowed on me and I confess to You my sins.  So forgive me, for surely, no one can forgive sins except You.”

God’s Grace extends especially to the believers, so long as they continue to worship Him alone and do their utmost to obey Him and follow the example of the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ.  

The season of pilgrimage and the Eid of Sacrifice have specific practices associated with them. One of the main practices and rituals for the first 13 days of 12^th lunar Islamic month is the litany of glorification of God “Takbir” that is said.  Good deeds during these days are beloved to Allah as the Messenger Muhammad said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to God than these ten days.” The litany of glorification, “Takbir,” is a type of prayer that has no petition or request, rather it is a statement of glorification of God. It is a form of mentioning God and often mistranslated as remembrance. Muslims say this prayer all the time, especially during the call to Salah, and during the prescribed ritual devotion when moving from one posture to the next. 

The wording used for this specific litany during the pilgrimage month and the Eid of Sacrifice is, “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar la ilaha illa-Allah, wa Allahu akbar, Allah akbar, wa Lillah il-hamd (God is Most Great, God is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but God. God is Most Great, God is Most Great, and to God be all praise.)” We glorify God to thank and praise Him for His many blessings which we can never enumerate. Examples of the many blessings we have are: the ability to worship Him, the food we have, the money we can spend and the family and friends that surround us. This litany is recommended for all to say throughout this special time period.

The Quran, as the divine word of God, deserves utmost respect and reverence. Whether you can read Arabic at present or not, here are some essential etiquettes when engaging with the Quran in written form. The Quran in written form is called a ‘MusHaf.’ As you progress through the faith, God willing,  there may come a time when you can read the Quran in its Arabic written form from a ‘MusHaf.’ Until that time, you should read a translation in your language. You may also find translations that have the Arabic text along with the translation. All the rulings that apply to the Arabic written text of the Quran may not apply to the translations or the copies that have both the Arabic and the translations. We will note below those that are specific to the Arabic Quran in its written form, ‘MusHaf.’ Read More

Ramadan is a month of worship in many different forms. For many of us, Islam is a virtual experience due to a variety of reasons. However, it does not need to be this way for everyone. For those of us who have access to a Muslim community, one major aspect of Ramadan is the social aspects it encourages. We see this in different ways: Read More

Understanding Fasting Times in Islam: Clearing Misconceptions

As a new Muslim, understanding the correct timing of fasting is essential. Unfortunately there are some misconceptions due to false media coverage and lack of correct knowledge of Islamic practices. Let’s delve into the details to ensure clarity and adherence to this fundamental practice.

The Start of Fasting

• Fajr (Dawn): The beginning time for the Fajr ritual devotion (Salah) is the start of the time for fasting. Fasting begins at Fajr, which is dawn time, at the break of dawn. It’s the moment when the first light appears on the horizon, signaling the start of a new day. At this point, Muslims must stop eating, drinking, and engaging in intimate sexual activity.

●     Sunrise vs. Fajr

• Misconception: Some people confuse the start of fasting with sunrise. However, they are distinct moments over an hour apart.
• Clarification: Fasting begins at Fajr, not sunrise. Fajr occurs before the sun rises, during the twilight phase. Fajr time window ends with sunrise.
• Pre-Dawn Meal (Suhur): It’s recommended to have Suhur (the pre-dawn meal) in the last half-hour before Fajr. This should sustain you throughout the day.

3. The End of Fasting

• Maghrib (Sunset): Fasting concludes at Maghrib, precisely after the sun sets. This is also the starting time for the Maghrib ritual devotion (Salah). As soon as the sun sets you can eat and drink to complete the fast for the day.

Conclusion

Understanding the correct timing for fasting is essential for practicing this pillar of Islam. Remember to set your intention, start the fast before Fajr time, and complete your fast promptly at Maghrib. May your fasting be accepted, blessed and spiritually enriching!