Is My Prayer Valid if I Lost Concentration When Making Takbir and Did Not Prostrate for Forgetfulness?

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Question:

Is my prayer valid, if I lost concentration when making takbir and did not prostrate for forgetfulness?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

If you pronounced the name of Allah Most High whilst in your heart you knew you were entering the prayer, the prayer has commenced. [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

Your gaze and concentration do not affect the validity of the prayer and therefore do not require any prostration of forgetfulness. [Ibid.]

 

Advice
 
I would strongly recommend brushing up on your basic Islamic jurisprudence. Knowledge is a great tool to prevent confusion and uncertainty in issues such as these.

Consider the basic fiqh classes offered here at www.seekersguidance.org

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Should I Leave the Sunna of the Tooth-Stick (Miswak)?

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Question:

Should I leave the sunna of the tooth-stick (miswak) and go back to using a toothbrush, if the stains of my teeth are not going away, rather getting worse?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

With regards to oral hygiene, there are two sunnas. The first and most fundamental of the two is that the mouth be cleaned; this entails removing the stains as well as freshening the breath. The second is the use of the tooth stick specifically.

The first sunna can be achieved by any means that accomplish the desired result alluded to above; this would include the use of toothpaste and toothbrush. [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

The second sunna, however, is not achieved by the mere cleaning of the mouth. For this reason, it is a reasonable solution to use both the toothbrush with toothpaste and the tooth-stick. In this way, you will achieve both sunnas and the desired hygiene.

 

Remaining Steadfast on the Sunna

The sunna of the tooth-stick is a great blessing of Allah Most High to the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The prayer performed with the tooth-stick (i.e. used during the wudu) is better than the prayer without it seventy fold.” [Bayhaqi]

He also said, “If it was not that I would cause my community hardship, I would have commanded them to use the tooth-stick all the time.”

May Allah always keep us firm on the Prophetic way.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

How Does One Dispose of Haram Wealth?

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Question:

How does one dispose of haram wealth if it has already been consumed and/or mixed with other wealth?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

If one acquires money by prohibited (haram) means, it is obligatory for them to free themselves of that money by giving it away. Giving it away is not done with an intention of charity, rather, with the intention of removing that wealth (takhallus) from one’s ownership. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

 

Prohibited Wealth Mixed with Permissible Wealth

If the wealth was not yet mixed with the remainder of one’s assets, the specific haram wealth must be given away. [Ibid.]

For example, if one acquires a £100 note in a haram manner and they have not mixed it with their other money, they must give that specific note away.

If, however, the haram wealth was mixed with other money, the obligation is attached to the amount. [Ibid.]

For example, if one acquires £500 of haram money and it is deposited into their bank account with other money, it is obligatory for them to give away the amount of £500.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

 

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Is the Ruling of Reciting the Suras in Order?

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Question:

What is the ruling of reciting the Suras in order in the various types of prayer? What should one do, if they accidentally began reciting from Sura al-Nas in the first rak’a?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

 

Reciting Qur’an in Order

It is prohibitively disliked to intentionally recite in a backwards order in the obligatory and/or necessary prayers. This does not apply to voluntary prayers. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

If one accidentally recited in a backwards order, it is not disliked. In such a case it is best for them to continue and not disrupt the recitation. [Ibid.]

 

Sura al-Nas in the First Rak’a

If one recites, in the first unit from Sura al-Nas, it is best for them to recite the Fatiha and some part of Sura al-Baqara in the second – if possible. There is no dislike in this as the order has not been changed. [Ibid.]

Likewise, due to the praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), who was asked, “What action is most beloved to Allah?” He replied, “The one who finishes (reciting the Qur’an) then starts anew.” [Tirmidhi]

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Is the Ruling Regarding Giving One’s Zakat To Build a Well for a Late Relative?

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Question:

What is the ruling regarding giving one’s Zakat to build a well for a late relative?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

 

Transferral of Ownership

One of the integral conditions for one’s Zakat to be valid is that there must be a transferral of ownership from the giver of the Zakat to an eligible recipient.
The recipient must be a person in order for the transferral of ownership to count. [Maydani; al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

In regards to this Allah Most High says, “Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted to the faith, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for needy travellers. This is an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Qur’an; 9:60]

In the above verse, the mentioning of only limits the avenues in which Zakat can be given to those mentioned. [Maydani; al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

Note that this condition applies to all obligatory and necessary charities, such as Zakat, Sadaqa al-Fitr, or expiations. [Ibid.]

 

General Charity

It is permissible and highly rewarding, however, to give one’s voluntary charity toward any permissible avenues.

Building a well in your late grandmother’s name is a great way to gain reward and mercy for yourself and your late grandmother (Allah have mercy upon her).

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When the child of Adam dies his deeds cease except three: continuous charity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who supplicates for them.” [Tirmidhi]

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Area of Pubic Hair Is Mandatory To Remove?

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Question:

What area of pubic hair is mandatory to remove?

Answer:

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

It is necessary to remove the pubic hair, within every 40 days. [Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha]

What is meant by pubic hair is the hair that is on or around the private parts. This includes the hair on the testicles and beneath them. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Raiq]

Scholars also recommend the removal of hair near the anus as this is closer to cleanliness, especially with regards to washing after relieving oneself.

 

Natural State of Being (Fitra)

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Five things are from the natural state (fitra): circumcision, shaving the private parts, trimming the nails, plucking the underarm hair, and trimming the moustache.” [Muslim]

 

Frequency of Grooming

The scholars have delineated the rulings of removing pubic hair according to the following frequencies:

1.  Recommended weekly
2. Permitted to delay up to 15 days
3. Prohibitively disliked (sinful) to delay beyond 40 days

[Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha fi al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha]

Anas bin Malik (Allah be pleased with him) said, “Trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, plucking the under-arm hair, and shaving the pubic region have been determined for us that we do not leave them for more than 40 nights.” [Muslim]

 

Methods of Grooming

Any method can be used to remove pubic hair. Shaving is the most conventional method, but any method that does not entail any physical harm or exposing one’s nakedness to any marriageable person (Ajnaby). [Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Raiq]

See the following link for more details:

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/removing-chest-pubic-hair/

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Is the Ruling of the Two Rak’as Before Fajr?

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Question:

What is the ruling of the two rak’as before Fajr?

Answer:

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

The relied upon position is that the two units of sunna before the Fajr prayer are an emphasized sunna. However, its emphasis is greater than that of the remaining sunna prayers for the following reasons: [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would never miss this Sunna prayer, even when travelling; he would also dismount his camel in order to pray them. These actions are indicative of a stronger emphasis than the remaining sunna prayers. [Ibid.]

For these reasons, some scholars did deem it to be necessary (wajib), although this is not the relied upon position. [Ibid.]

 

Time Constraint

If you wake up and time only allows for one prayer before the Fajr time exits, you must give preference to the Fajr prayer. In such a case, you will not make up the missed sunna prayers. You can pray an addition two rak’as of nafl later on to make up for the missed routine, seeking an increase in rewards missed.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Is the Wife of My Paternal Uncle a Mahram for Me?

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Question:

Is the wife of my paternal uncle, i.e. my aunt, a mahram for me?

Answer:

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

No, the wife of your father’s brother is not your mahram. [Quduri, al-Mukhtasar]

 

Which Aunts Are Mahram?

The siblings of your parents, whether they are full or half-siblings, are mahram for you. Aunts and uncles, by law or by marriage, are not relatives at all and are not considered Mahram. [Ibid.]

 

Principles and Good Character

Unfortunately, it is common for people to be less cautious with regards to members of the family, even if they are not mahram. Aunts and uncles, by marriage, cousins, and in-laws such as a sibling’ spouse are close members of the family, however, they are not mahram.

Due to their close relationship, one should be tactful and respectful to them. However, one should stick to their religious principles with regards to touching or seclusion.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

How Do I Deal With Doubts Regarding the Purity of Clothing, if I Cannot Remember Whether It Was Pure or Not?

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Question:

How do I deal with doubts regarding the purity of clothing, if I cannot remember whether it was pure or not?

Answer:

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

All doubts with regards to impurity are to be ignored. The basis is that everything is purity. Since purity is the basis, you must be reasonably sure of the presence of impurity to deem the garment impure.[Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

Furthermore, there is a certain amount of impurity that is excused where the prayer remains valid despite its presence. The excused amount is 5 grams of weight for solids and 5cms in surface area for liquids. [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]

 

Forgetting Impurity

If you cannot remember whether or not a garment is pure, consider it pure, and act accordingly until and unless you recall with reasonable surety the contrary.

If you are sure of the presence of impurity on a garment, however, you forgot the location of the impurity, then estimate to the best of your ability and wash that one section. By doing this, the garment is considered pure, despite the possibility that you may be wrong. [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

 

Advice

Piety is to do what Allah Most High wants from you in each situation. Allah Most High tells us that He does not charge anyone beyond their capabilities and that He has not put upon us any undue hardship in the religion. [Qur’an: 2: 286 and 22:78]

With these in mind, remember that you are not responsible for anything beyond your ability nor are you required to put yourself in undue hardship to fulfill your duties.

Acting on doubts and inspecting for impurities are both beyond one’s ability and unduly hard. Therefore, you are only charged with acting on that which you are reasonably sure about or certain – all else ignore! Your ignoring of doubts is piety and will draw you nearer to Allah.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Are the Traits of the Believers Who Will Be Granted Paradise Without Reckoning?

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Question:

What are the traits of the Believers who will be granted Paradise without reckoning? Are there any articles that mention the various Prophetic narrations on the topic?

Answer:

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

The idea of entering Paradise without reckoning is mentioned throughout the Qur’an and Prophetic narrations. I am not aware of any treatise fully expounding on the topic, however, two examples are given below along with commentary when needed:

 

Hadith One:

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “From my community 70,000 will enter Paradise without reckoning.” They (i.e. the Companions) said, “Who are they? O Messenger of Allah.” He replied, “They are those who do not partake in incantations, nor take omens, nor do cauterization, and they rely only on their Lord.” [Muslim]

The statement – they do not partake in incantations and so on – means that they do not do these things believing them as intrinsic cures and means of treatment; rather, if they partake in these things, they did so believing that all benefit and cure is from Allah Most High alone. This meaning is echoed in the final portion of the Hadith – “and they rely only on their Lord.” They ascribe all benefit to their Lord, not the means. [Lashin, Fath al-Mun’im Sharh Sahih Muslim]

 

Hadith Two:

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The people will be gathered in one plain on the Day of Judgment. A herald will call saying, ‘Where are those whose sides separated from their beds?’ They will then stand, and they will be few. They will then enter Paradise without reckoning; thereafter, everyone else will be commanded to the reckoning.” [Bayhaqi]

These are those who engage in the Tahajjud Prayer (the Night Vigil Prayer). This statement is a reference to the following Qur’anic verse:

Allah Most High said, “They abandon their beds, invoking their Lord with hope and fear, and donate from what We have provided for them.” [Qur’an; 32:16]

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.