Witr Prayer Time

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Question: Is it true that Witr prayer must be finished at least 10-12 minutes before Fajr time enters?

Answer: 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The Witr prayer is valid if performed anytime between the performance of ‘Isha and the entering of the Fajr prayer [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah].

There is no stipulation that the Witr prayer must be complete 10 minutes before the Fajr prayer. Your prayers are thus valid and do not require repeating.

Hope this helps.

Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences

Accepting a Proposal

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Living Green Series

Question: A guy from back home requested my hand in marriage. I spoke with him over the phone and did istikhara. After reading a Seekersguidance article about marriage, his name came up. I thought it was a good sign, but I still said no. Then I felt I made a mistake and prayed to Allah that if this proposal comes back, I’ll say yes. After a few months, they did propose again. I’m not sure now. He does not want me to work and wants me to move back home. I’m worried I won’t be happy with him with these conditions.

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. It is indeed confusing and frustrating when one is trying to choose one’s spouse and make the best decision. I pray that Allah guides you to the right decision for you and puts blessings in your situation.

Istikhara

If I were in your shoes, I would pray istikhara again. This situation is different from the last situation because the timing is different and you or the suitor may have changed and seen things differently. Pray it for 3 or 7 days and see how you feel. If you are feeling good overall, that is a good sign but if you are having doubts again, then this is a bad sign. See the etiquette of istikhara here:
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/the-reality-of-istikhara/

A basis to pray your istikhara on

Usually before one prays istikhara for marriage, one has a basis to consider someone. Does this man have any of the qualities of a good suitor? Have you followed the Prophetic advice when you considered him? The Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!” [Bukhari and Muslim].

So, in short, if this man has the qualities that you should consider first in a husband, then you should pray istikhara and follow it. If you still can’t decide, talk to him a few more times to learn about his personality and go with your instinct. If he doesn’t even have the praiseworthy qualities of a pious husband, I think that you should just walk away.

Working and living back home

If you do decide to accept this man, you should wholeheartedly accept his conditions and not get upset later on. If there is any room for compromise, you should have that discussion now. As for living back home, be ready to accept it when you do go there and know what you are getting into. If you really feel that it’s not right for you, after praying istikhara and speaking to elders, friends, or scholars for advice, then walk away now.

Resources

Please see these articles and be sure to take a free course on marriage so that you can learn about your rights and obligations and strive for a spiritually Islamic marriage.

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/arrogant-decline-proposal-promiscuous-man-now-scholar/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/marriage-in-islam-a-reader/

https://seekersguidance.org/courses/marriage-in-islam-practical-guidance-for-successful-marriage/

May Allah reward you and give you the absolute best in your choice of marriage for your world and hereafter.

Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Disclosing Past Sings

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Question: I used to smoke a lot of recreational marijuana and drink alcohol occasionally. By the will of God, I have not touched either in over six years or have any desire or intention to try them again. Should I tell my fiancé about my past with these drugs? I’m afraid of the small chance that she hears from someone else, that she will be extremely saddened and not trust me.

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. First, I want to congratulate you on beating your habit and transforming yourself for the better. May Allah continue to keep you on the right path and increase you in every blessing and goodness.

Hadith on disclosing sins

Abu Hurayra reports that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “All my Community will be excused except those who are blatant. And it is from blatancy for one to perform an act at night and to wake up and tell something that they did such-and-such, while Allah had concealed it for them. They slept under the cover of Allah, and they rendered Allah’s covering from themselves in the morning” [Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said, “The one who [sincerely] repents from sin is like the one who has no sin” [Ibn Majah].

Do not inform her

It is not permissible for her to ask about your past or current sins, nor for you to disclose them. You have left the past behind you and it should stay there. If you fear that someone else might disclose it to her, it is permissible to deny it. Fearing another’s action doesn’t permit you to do something impermissible. Ask Allah to keep these sins in the hidden past and to protect you both from its evil consequences.

See this link:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/can-we-deny-having-committed-sins-after-we

 

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Is There Any Specific Supplication I Can Read to Find a Spouse?

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Question: I am a 24-year-old unmarried lady. Is there any specific Du`a (Supplication) or surah I can read to find a spouse?

Answer: Assalamu alaykum sister,

I pray that you can soon find a spouse to complete half of your religion, but don’t obsess about it.

Allah, Most High, says, “It may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good” [Qur`an, 4:19].

“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know”[Qur`an, 2:216].

Being unmarried right now is from Allah, and accept that Allah’s plan is always better than ours. Fill your time with completing the first half of your religion and Allah will surely send you the best thing for you.

The Prophet said, may Allah bless him and give him peace, “Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death” [Al-Hakim].

In the meantime, learn all of your obligatory Islamic knowledge, take a course with Seekers on preparing for marriage, Marriage in Islam: Practical Guidance for Successful Marriage, exercise, eat healthily, learn skills that will help you as a wife or skills that can help you earn a living, etc. Keep yourself busy until you get much busier, in sha Allah. Your good deeds will not be lost on Allah, The Exalted.

See the following link for beneficial general du`as and the next link for a du’a for marriage from the Qur`an.

May Allah provide you with a righteous spouse, pious offspring, and eternal happiness.

Selected Prophetic Prayers for Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Wellbeing by Chaplain Ibrahim Long
Difficulty In Finding A Spouse And Losing Hope

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Black Magic and Evil Eye

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Question: Assalam Alaikum, I fear I have been afflicted with black magic and the evil eye because the disease in my eyes isn’t healing even after medical attention. What should I do that will, uplift this affliction on me?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

I pray you are well.

Always remember that All matters are in Allah’s hands. He is very loving and kind, and whatever happens to you will ultimately be for your benefit. Perhaps this is a means for you to draw closer to Him through du’a, desperation, and need. Express all of these to Him in your worship.

For your fears of Black Magic and the Evil eye, you should unfailingly stick to reciting the du’as for protection found in the sunna. There is an excellent compilation of them in Imam Nawawi’s Book of Remembrances in the section of the supplications of the morning and evening.

Amongst them is reciting the last three suras thrice morning and evening. Doing so will prevent any harm from coming to you (Bukhari).

There is a Cure to Every Illness

Keep seeking a cure for your illness. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ”Allah has not sent down any illness except that He has sent down for it a complete cure” (Bukhari).

Don’t lose hope. Keep asking Allah for protection from those who wish to harm you. If you have a raqi (a righteous Muslim exorcist) then go and consult with him.

May Allah grant you a swift end to your difficulties.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Are My Prayers Valid If I Don’t Recite the Opening Chapter?

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Question: Assalamu ‘Alaykum. There have been times when I have just read an Ayah of a Surah in the fajr Salah due to the tightness of time without reciting any portion of Fatiha. Were these prayers valid?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

I pray you are well.

Yes, those prayers were all valid.

What is the Minimal Recitation?

Recitation of at least one verse is the bare minimum to ensure the validity of the prayers. It is wajib, however, to recite the Fatiha fully, and also wajib to add another three verses (or a short sura) or a long verse which equates to a short sura in length (Shurunbulali; Nur al Idah).

In times of necessity, reciting just one verse is fine. It is better to offer a deficient prayer in its time than to miss it. However, it is still deficient. Do your best to pray it in its optimal form within the time.

This ruling shows us the great blessing of nuance which Allah has provided us through the different valid interpretations of the Qur’an. Alhamdulillah.

I recommend you take our Essentials of Worship courses where you’ll learn all this properly, from an authoritative text.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Desire to Excel in Deen but Distractions Holding One Back

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Question: What should one do if they desire to excel in their Deen but find distractions holding them back?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

May Allah bless you for your sincerity in seeking guidance.

The feeling or desire to gain nearness to Allah, Most High is one of the greatest blessings anyone can attain. These impulses toward good and to fulfill life’s purpose are from Allah, Most High. Once they come, Imam Abdullah bin Alawi al-Haddad mentions, in his book, The Etiquettes of the Seeker, that one (1st) should protect that impulse, (2nd) strengthen that impulse, and (3rd) respond to that impulse.

Protecting the Urge to Gain Nearness to Allah

One should seek to protect the urge to come closer to Allah, Most High by trying to keep in a constant state of remembrance of Allah. This should be with both tongue and heart. Included in this is a recitation of the Qur’an, seeking Sacred Islamic Knowledge, learning more about the Beloved Messenger of Allah (may Allah be pleased with him), etc…

Strengthening the Urge to Gain Nearness to Allah

One should make an effort to strengthen this drive by keeping the company of righteous believers. Good companionship is a great way to keep one’s focus and determination to become better servants of Allah. Allah, Most High says, “O’ you who believe, be mindful of Allah, and be with the truthful ones” [Qur’an; 9:119]. At the same time one should try to distance themselves from sinful and/or heedless people, for this will certainly endanger one’s relationship with Allah, Most High.

Responding to the Urge to Gain Nearness to Allah

Allah, Most High says, “O’ you who believe. Respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which will give you life” [َQur’an; 8:24].

Responding to this urge can be done by taking any opportunity to do good deeds and to abandon procrastination. Our lives are short and we must take advantage of the time that we have been allotted.

Practical Steps

The ways to Allah, Most High are many. So much that one may become bewildered trying to figure out how to gain the good pleasure of Allah. I would advise seeking Islamic Knowledge from a qualified scholar, who is a person of mindfulness of Allah (taqwa) and Prophetic Character.

The above-mentioned author, Imam Abdullah bin Alawi al-Haddad (may Allah shower him is mercy) has a book called, The Book of Assistance. This is a good book to strive to implement. One should take one chapter at a time and strive to implement its teachings before moving on to the next chapter.

May Allah bless you and assist you in attaining His good pleasure.
Allahu A’alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.

The Night Vigil Prayer

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Question: Asalamu Alaikum, Is it permissible to pray Tahajjud prayer one hour before Fajr starts?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The Night Vigil Prayer

The Night Vigil prayer is a voluntary (nafl) prayer which has been highly encouraged both in the Qur’an and the Hadith. Allah Most High refers to it, saying:

“And some part of the night keep vigil for it as an additional prayer for you; maybe that your Lord will raise you up to a praised position” [Qur’an, Isra:79].

Also:

“Your Lord knows that you and also a group of those with you stand [in prayer] at night a little less than two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night” [Qur’an, al-Muzzamil:22].

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Allah (blessed and exalted is He) descends (i.e. Allah’s mercy descends) to the lowest heaven, when the last third of the night remains and says, ‘I am the king, which when they call upon Me I respond. Who is there to ask of Me, for I will give them. Who is there to seek forgiveness from Me, for I will forgive them…” [Tirmidhi].

The Time of the Night Vigil Prayer

If one prays a voluntary prayer anytime after ‘Isha it is called the ’Standing for the Night prayer’ (Qiyam Al-Lail) but if one first sleeps, then wake up and prayers this is called the Night Vigil prayer (Tahajjud).

Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi al-Haddad mentions in The Book of Assistance: “Know that whoever prays (voluntary prayers) after ‘Isha has stood for the night prayer and some of the righteous predecessors would pray their nightly portion of prayer in the early part of the night. However, standing for the Night prayer after having slept entails harm for Satan, a striving against the lower self, and amazing inner reality. This is the Night Vigil prayer (tahajjud) prayer…”

Thus the best time for Tahajjud is the last third of the night [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah].

Take the time between the Maghrib prayer and the Fajr prayer and divide it into three parts. The last part is the ideal time to pray.

However, it is permissible and rewarding to pray at any time of the night.

May Allah bless you
Allahu A’alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.

Leading Group Prayer At Home

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Question: When leading a large group prayer in a house, it is valid to have people praying upstairs or downstairs?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

In the Shafi’i school, when praying in a house (not a mosque), those following the imam must be able to reach the imam without moving away from the qibla (izwirar). This means that if those who are praying upstairs or downstairs could only reach the imam by means of a staircase behind them, the prayer would not be valid (al Taqrirat al Sadida, Hasan al Kahf).

In the case of a sunna prayer, such as tarawih, there is no harm following another madhhab that allows it.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Predestination and Seeking Forgiveness

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Question: Given that everything is already preordained, and whether or not Allah forgives us is already set in stone, why do we seek forgiveness?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

While it is true that everything is preordained, our prayers and seeking forgiveness is also part of what Allah has preordained, and works as part of the whole system of things.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Nothing holds back predestination except for prayer’ (Tirmidhi and others). That is to say, Allah destines that we will ask for forgiveness and destines that He will forgive us. It is part of the grand scheme.

So, from our side of this grand scheme, stuck here in time and being responsible for our own actions, we just work on avoiding sins, seeking guidance, and asking for forgiveness. We do this because we want to be forgiven and because Allah has told us in the Qur’an to ask Him for forgiveness.

‘And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful’ (Qur’an, 72:20).

 

Please see as well:

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/islamic-belief/destiny-and-human-responsibility-in-islam/

Can Supplication Change Destiny?

Divine Decree and Misgivings

The Reality and Etiquettes of Supplication: A Reader

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language