Namaz
In the sight of Allah Ta'ala, salaat has a very great distinction. No other act of ibaadah is dearer to Allah than salaat. Allah Ta'ala has made five times salaat compulsory on His servants. There is a great reward in offering salaat and a great sin in omitting it.
It is mentioned in a Hadith that the one who performs his wudu properly and offers his salaat with full concentration; then on the day of resurrection Allah Ta'ala will forgive all his minor sins and grant him paradise. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said: "Salaat is a pillar of Deen - the one who has offered his salaat in a proper manner has upheld Deen, and the one who has demolished this pillar (i.e. did not offer his salaat), has in fact destroyed the Deen." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has also said: "The first thing to be reckoned on the day of resurrection will be salaat. The hands, feet, and face of those who used to offer their salaat regularly will shine like the sun on the day of resurrection. As for those who did not offer their salaat, they will be deprived of this blessing." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has further stated: "On the day of resurrection, those who used to offer their salaat will rise with the prophets, martyrs, and saints. Those who used to omit their salaat will rise with these notorious disbelievers: Pharaoh, Haamaan, and Qaarun."
It is therefore essential to offer salaat. By not offering salaat, great damage is caused in both this world and in the hereafter. What can be more worse than the person who does not offer his salaat to be raised with the disbelievers. The one who does not offer his salaat has been regarded as equal to a disbeliever. How serious it is not to offer salaat!
However, salaat is not wajib on the following persons: a lunatic, a young boy and a young girl who have not reached the age of puberty as yet. As for the rest of the Muslims, it is fard on them. However, the parents have been commanded that when their children reach the age of seven, they should be made to offer their salaat. And when they reach the age of ten, they should be punished and compelled to offer their salaat.
Under no condition is it permissible to discard salaat. As far as possible, salaat should most certainly be offered. However, if a person completely forgot to offer his salaat and only remembered after the time of that salaat had passed or slept away in such a way that his eyes did not open and he missed his salaat; then in such instances there will not be any sin. However, when the person remembers or wakes up from his sleep, it will be fard on him to immediately make his wudu and offer his missed salaat. But if it is a makruh time of salaat, he should wait for a little while so that the makruh time passes. Similarly, there is no sin on those salaats that were missed on account of unconsciousness. However, after regaining consciousness, one should immediately offer those salaats that one missed.
| TAHIYATUL WUDHU |
After completion of the wudhu of two Rakaats is full of blessings (sawaab). It is related in the Hadith that performance of the two Rakaats of Tahiyatul wudhu Namaaz makes paradise obligatory (wajib) for the performer (ref:Muslim Sharif) There are also many other benefits. It should not be performed during the Improper (makruh) times. (When the sun rises, when it is at Zenith and when it sets.) |
| NAMAAZ E-ISHRAAK |
After the Fajar Namaaz one should sit at the same place and recite Durud Sharif, Zikr, tasbeh., Quran or listen to relegious talks, etc. without participation in worldly affairs until the sun has fully risen, then perform two or four Rakaats. This is called Ishraak Namaaz. Performance of this Namaaz brings blessings (sawab) equl to a Haj or Umrah. (Ref. Tirmizi Sharif ). Another Tradition says performance of this Namaaz wipes away all ones sins. (Ref: Abu Dawood). One can perform the Nammaz even after one has indulged in wordly affairs although the sawab will be much less. |
| NAMAAZ E-CHAASHT |
When the sun has risen high and there is heat in its rays, the performance of 2,4, 6,8 or 12 rakaats is called Namaaz-e-Chaast. This is full of sawbs. The Traditions says that the performance of 2 rakaats wipes away all ones sins. There are 360 joints in our body and to pay Sadakah for each is Wajib (obligatory) The 2 rakaaats is enough to pay all the Sadakah. Performance of 4 rakaats places the performer's name among the Abids and is the Sunnat of Saliheen and promise the performer protection until the evening. The performer of 6 rakaats is relieved of his day's worries. Performance of 8 rakaats places his name among the Parhezgaars and the performer of 12 rakaats ensures a Golden Mansion for himself in Paradise. (Ref : Tirmizi, Ibne Majah, Ahmad and Abu Yala) |
| NAMAAZ E-AWABEEN |
After the Farz and Sunnat of Magrib, performance of the minimum of 6 to a maximum of 20 rakaats is called Namaaz-E-Awabeen. One Tradition states that performing of 6 rakaats without indulging in worldly affairs will derive sawaab equilavent to 12 years Nafil prayers. (Ref: Tirmizi Sharif). The Tradition in Tibrani says the performer of 6 rakaats will have all his sins wiped away even though they may have been equal to the foam on the waves of the sea. Another Hadith in Tirmizi Sharif says that the performer of 20 rakaats will have a house for himself in Paradise. |
| TAHAJJUD NAMAAZ |
To wake up in the middle of the night to read Tahajjud is very beneficial. The Almighty Allah is very appreciative of such a namaaz. This namaaz bestows or brings the most sawaab of all the nafils. One should perform anything from 4 rakaats to 12 rakaats . The Tradition in Bayhaqi relates that the 4 rakaats of Tahajjud is equal to 4 rakaats on Shab-e-Kadr. The performance brings one nearer to Allah, Kaffar (payment) of ones previous sins. and is prohibitive for the future sins. (Ref: Tirmizi Sharif). Allah bestows is Rahmat on those who get up to read Namaz. (Refs: Abu Dawood, Nasai and Ibne Habban). The Almighty sends a message in the last part of the night saying that if there is any appeal to Him it shall be answered and if there is one seeking His forgiveness he shall be forgiven. The doors of His Mercy are opened and this the time when ones prayers are accepted. If one has not the courage or strength to wake up in the night then it can be performed after Esha although the sawaab will be much less. One should take advantage when waking up for Sehri in Ramadaan and performing this Namaaz before partaking of Sehri. |
| TAWBAH NAMAAZ |
After one has done any sinful act he should read 2 rakaats Nafil after which sincerely repent, feel sorry for his sins, seek His forgiveness and make a firm decision not to do it again. By His Grace the sin would be forgiven (Ref: Shami) Amirul Momeneen Hazrat Aboobaker (R.A.) relates that the Holy Prophet ( Sallaallahu Alayi Wasallam) said that whenever one has done a sinful act he should make wudhu , perform 2 rakaats Nafil and thereafter sincerely repent and seek Almighty's forgivness. Allah pardons all sins. After relating this , the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) then read the following from the Quran: "And those who have done something to be ashamed of or wronged their own souls. Earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask for forgiveness of their sins, and who can forgive sins except Allah "(Sura 3-135) |
| SALATUL TASBIH |
For this Namaaz 4 rakaats are performed. The Tasbih hereunder should be read seventy-five times in each rakaat making a total of 300 Tasbihs in the 4 rakaats. The Tasbih is : "Subhanallahe Walhamdo lillahe Walaillaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar." After starting the namaaz by saying Allah-o-Akbar recite the Sana, Alhamdo and a Sura followed by the Tasbih 15 times the go into Ruku in which after the usual recitation for Ruku read the Tasbih 10 times and go into Sijdah where after the usual recitation read the Tasbih 10 times then sit up and read Tasbih 10 times and go into Sijdah again and after the Sijdah recitation read the Tasbih 10 times then sit after the 2nd Sijdah and read Tasbih 10 times before getting up for the second rakaat. The total of the 4 rakaats would be 300 as prescribed. The Traditions have highly recommended it. The Holy Prophet (Sallalllahu Alayhi Wasallam) told his uncle Hazrat Abbas (R.A.) that after performing the 4 rakaats of Salatul Tasbih one's sins- past or future small or big, hidden or open, intentional or unintentional- all of them are forgiven. Furthermore he aadvised that it be read every day, if that is not possible then on every Jumma or once a month or a year or at least once in a life time. It can be performed any time of the day or night except at the improper times. |
