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Meeting College Bursary Requirements

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat clarifies rulings on accepting college bursaries.

I wanted to ask a question about money that I gained from college.

My college gives bursaries to eligible students which comes to £20. I was eligible for such bursary. Now when the winter months started to come, I had to find a way to pray without missing the prayer time, so I spoke with my personal tutor and was able to leave classes about 10 minutes early to prepare to go and pray.

The reason I went early was to avoid praying Asr in the disliked time just before Maghrib. Now for some time I did read Asr and then later pray Maghrib and it may have been okay for me to actually delay Asr but that may have been for a short period. As time went by, if I delayed Asr I would either be in the disliked time or missed the prayer. Now I think I found out that it would have been okay to delay asr into disliked timing as it was out of necessity.

I ask this because one of the conditions of bursary is that the attendance be around 94% which mine still was. Based upon this, would the money I got be halal or haram? As I thought that I should be praying out of disliked times but then someone said that out of necessity it could be done, so I’m not sure that in a way whether I was entitled to that money and the benefits that came from that (such as free college meals, printing credit).

I contacted the college asking whether late marks affect attendance and the response was that they don’t. Based upon this would what I used to do with regards to my prayer result in the money I still got be halal, or would it be considered haram. And if the latter, how should I go about repaying this?

(Will the same apply to those times where it would be okay for me to actually delay Asr close to Maghrib without falling into makruh timings?)

I pray you are well.

It is fine for you to take the bursary, especially since they said had that punctuality, etc, does not affect the arrangement. Usually, only actually attendance is what matters.

Do your best to pray asr before the makruh time enters, work hard, show good character, and be an ambassador of Islam to the people around you with the intention to please Allah. “And whatever you send ahead for yourselves of the good, you will find it with Allah to be better, and much greater in reward; and ask for Allah’s forgiveness. Indeed Allah is the Forgiver of Everything, and Ever-Kind.” (Sura al-Muzammil 73:20)

May Allah grant you every success of this world and the next.

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Is a Lecture a Valid Excuse to Delay the Prayer?

Can I Combine Prayers Due to a Busy College Schedule?

Can I Delay Prayers During Emergency Situations?

Is My Prayer After Its Time Invalid If I Didn’t Have the Intention of Making It Up?

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Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I have come to find out there was a time where I have prayed outside of the prayer time thinking I still had time to pray. I prayed and did not make the intention for Qada (making up) since I didn’t know. Would my prayer be valid?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Thank you for your question.

You can assume that your prayers are valid. What is clear is that you will have had the intention to perform the Maghreb prayer of that day, and this is sufficient after the time has expired to be a valid intention for a qada prayer (Haskafi, al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar).

I recommend that you study the fiqh of prayer in in detail.

May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

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 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.

Can I Pray Isha Right After Praying Maghrib? (Shafi’i)

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Answered by Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan

Question: Assalam alaykum,

Imam shafi’i and other scholars have opined that the time for maghrib lasts the duration of how long it would take to give the call to prayer, the iqama, to purify ones self and to perform five units of prayer.

Does this opinion entail that after the aforementioned time amount expires, then Isha starts? Can one take this opinion and pray Isha early?

Answer: Wa alaykum al-Salam

Shukran for your question.

Al-Imam al-Shafi’i held two opinions regarding the waqt (time) of Magrib. In his old madhhab he considered the time of magrib to extend from sunset until the disappearance of the redness in the horizon (al-shafaq al-ahmar). In his new madhhab however, he opined that the waqt of magrib only extends for the duration it takes to call the adhan, perform ablution, cover the awrah (if these two were not possible prior to the entrance of the waqt), calling the iqamah and the performance of five units of prayer (two before magrib prayer, the three of magrib and two after magrib prayer). The norm is that fatwa is usually given according to the new madhhab, as Imam al-Shafi’i stated regarding his old madhhab that, “I do not deem it permissible (to practice upon) for those transmitting it from me.”

However, in approximately thirty instances, the above question included, Shafi’i scholars gave preponderance to positions in the old madhhab of Imam al-Shafi’i. What this effectively means is that fatwa in these thirty or so instances is given according to the old opinion of the Imam. Yes, these opinions may not be attributed to the Imam specifically, but they are the official views of the Shafi’i school.

That being said, Imam al-Nawawi considered Imam al-Shafi’i to have held both opinions in his new madhhab. He said in his al-Majmu’, “this is because he (al-Shafi’i) – in his book al-Imla which is listed among his new madhhab works – suspended the view (of magrib extending to the disappearance of the redness in the horizon) upon the existence of a hadith supporting it, and a number of such hadith exist. Muslim narrates (from the Prophet sallaLlahu alayhi wasallam) that, “the waqt of magrib continues until the redness in the horizon disappears.”

Consequently, both the view of Imam al-Shafi’i and the Shafi’i jurists concurs that the time of magrib extends until the disappearance of the red horizon.

Finally, and answering your second question, the waqt of Isha according to both positions enters when the redness disappears. The difference of opinion is only in relation to the end time of magrib, not the beginning of Isha. Also, note that only the red has to disappear according to the Shafi’is, not the white as the Hanafi school opined.

And Allah knows best
Wassalam
[Shaykh] Abdurragmaan Khan

Shaykh Abdurragmaan received ijazah ’ammah from various luminaries, including but not restricted to: Habib Umar ibn Hafiz—a personality who affected him greatly and who has changed his relationship with Allah, Maulana Yusuf Karaan—the former Mufti of Cape Town; Habib ‘Ali al-Mashhur—the current Mufti of Tarim; Habib ‘Umar al-Jaylani—the Shafi‘i Mufti of Makkah; Sayyid Ahmad bin Abi Bakr al-Hibshi; Habib Kadhim as-Saqqaf; Shaykh Mahmud Sa’id Mamduh; Maulana Abdul Hafiz al-Makki; Shaykh Ala ad-Din al-Afghani; Maulana Fazlur Rahman al-Azami and Shaykh Yahya al-Gawthani amongst others.

Is My Zuhr Prayer Valid Despite Praying It After the Early Asr Time?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Sometimes I pray my Zuhr prayer after the exiting of the Shafi’i time of the Zuhr prayer but before its exiting according to the Hanafi school.

Is my Zuhr prayer valid?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah,

Yes, your prayers would be deemed valid because such a time is considered to be from Zuhr. Yet what is normally praiseworthy is to pray Zuhr before the early ‘Asr time, and ‘Asr after the later time, to avoid the differences of opinion on the matter.

Please also see: Praying Dhuhr After Shafi’i Dhuhr Ends But Before Hanafi Asr Time Begins

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.

Can I Pray Asr and Isha at the Earlier Time in a Country Where Both Times Are Followed?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum,

The time for Asr and Isha according to the two main students of Imam Abu Hanifa is earlier than the time chosen by Abu Hanifa.

Is there a problem if someone takes this opinion if one is in a country in which both prayer times are accepted amongst its citizens?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatuLlah,

Generally, the rulings applicable to follow another school would apply, and consequently, you may do so when there is a need or benefit to be attained, yet not haphazardly, because that can lead to unclarity and a loss of the sanctity of the prayer times.

As for your regular practice, you should follow whatever the norm is in your locality or local mosque. Having said that, Ibn ‘Abidin did encourage that Zuhr should be prayed before the earlier ‘Asr time, and ‘Asr according to the later time, insofar as it is reasonably possible, to fulfill both duties in times which are unquestionably Zuhr and ‘Asr respectively.

[Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar ‘ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar (1.240)]

Please also see: How to Choose to Follow an Opinion within a School of Law?

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

Wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.

Can I Pray While Sitting and Nursing so as to Not Miss the Prayer Time?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum,

Sometimes when I am nursing my daughter she nurses from before the start of prayer through to the passing of the prayer time. It is hard to unlatch her as she will cry inconsolably.

Can I pray while sitting and nursing so as not to miss the prayer time?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

The basis is that the prayer cannot be delayed passed its time except by way of a genuine excuse which has been affirmed and validated by the jurists (fuqaha). [Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq (2.85)]

Having said that, there are texts in the Hanafi School which would appear to permit the nursing woman to delay the prayer if her child would: (a) cry from hunger and (b) actually suffer real and serious harm from the delay. Harm would be that which is established through expert medical opinion, past relevant experience or clear signs, confirmed with living jurists (not just a local Imam or religious person) who attest to the soundness of the conclusions made. [Zahidi, Qunyat al-Munya (57), as quoted by Lacknawi in his Naf` al-Mufti wa al-Sa’il (181)]

As a matter of fact, Imam Lacknawi lists over ten cases in which the jurists have deemed delaying the prayer as valid, permissible and not sinful, but obviously with the proviso that it is done so soundly and with all of its requisite conditions. [Lacknawi, Naf` al-Mufti wa al-Sa’il (178-182)]

However, the reality is that the prayer need not take more than a few minutes at any given time, and in the vast majority of cases, the child is not going to suffer any medical harm if their feed is delayed for some moments, particularly if they have fed for an extended period of time already. As such, I’d advise striving to pray at the first of the time, asking Allah Most High for facilitation and ease, and then feed, remaining conscious of the prayer times (with alarms, if necessary), so that you can organise and feed around them. I’d also recommend seeking some medical assistance to ensure everything is going as it should.

Please also see: Can I Delay Prayers During Emergency Situations? and: Attending Juma, Praying and Fasting While Training to be a Firefighter

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,
Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

في البحر الرايق: وَيَجُوزُ تَأْخِيرُ الصَّلَاةِ عَنْ وَقْتِهَا لِعُذْرٍ كَمَا قَالَ الْوَلْوَالِجِيُّ فِي فَتَاوِيهِ الْقَابلَةِ إذَا اشْتَغَلْت بِالصَّلَاةِ تَخَافُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ الْوَلَدُ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تُؤَخِّرَ الصَّلَاةَ وَتُقْبِلَ عَلَى الْوَلَدِ لِأَنَّ تَأْخِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ عَنْ الْوَقْتِ يَجُوزُ بِعُذْرٍ ا هـ .
وفي نفع المفتي والسائل: فلو كانت امرأة اشتغلت بالصلاة يبكي ولدها بالجوع ويضرّ عليه ضررا غالبا وإن أرضعته يفوت الوقت جاز لها أن ترضعه وتؤخّر الصلاة … كذا في القنية ا هـ .
وفي القنية: لو اشتغلت بالصلاة يبكي ولدها وإن أرضعته يفوت الوقت ترضعه إذا خافت عليه ضررا غالبا ا هـ .

When Should I Pray the Asr Prayer When My Local Mosque Is Following the Earlier Time?

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question:Assalam, ‘aleykum. I’m a Hanafi currently in Egypt. Should I still pray Asr in the mosque before the Hanafi time comes in or should I pray by myself when the Hanafi time comes in?

Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

This is permissible, as the earlier Asr time is a sound and followable position in the Hanafi school. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Please see: The Hanafi `Asr Time and: Why Are Two Times Valid for Fajr and ‘Asr Prayer?

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani

Can I Pray Isha If It Looks Dark Outside?

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Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: How soon can you pray isha after maghrib? If I look outside and it looks completely dark, can I pray isha even if it isn’t “in” yet?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

It would not be valid to perform a prayer before the entrance of its time.

The Qur’an states, “Prayer at fixed times has been enjoined upon the believers.” (4:103) This is decisive evidence that (a) prayer is obligatory and (b) this obligation relates to specific times.

Someone who performs an obligatory prayer before its time without a valid excuse would have to repeat that prayer. I would advise you to rely on a prayer calendar to determine when the time for a particular prayer enters.

Salman

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Why Are Two Times Valid for Fajr and ‘Asr Prayer?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Can you give some proofs on why the two different times for the ‘asr prayer and the two different times for the fajr prayer are both accepted in Islam?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Both positions are sound and both have their evidences in the primary texts.

As for why both are acceptable, it returns to the differences of opinions between the imams.

Please see: Understanding Ijtihad and Legal Differences

And see also: The Hanafi `Asr Time

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani