masjid
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I`tikaaf: Miscellaneous (Ahadith 1752 - 1757)

Bismillah.

One Cute Incident:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 257:
Narrated 'Amra bint 'Abdur-Rahman from 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to practice Itikaf every year in the month of Ramadan. And after offering the morning prayer, he used to enter the place of his Itikaf. 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked his permission to let her practice Itikaf and he allowed her, and so she pitched a tent in the mosque. When Hafsa (radiallaahu `anhaa) heard of that, she also pitched a tent (for herself), and when Zainab (radiallaahu `anhaa) heard of that, she too pitched another tent. When, in the morning, Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had finished the morning prayer, he saw four tents and asked, "What is this?" He was informed about it. He then said, "What made them do this? Is it righteousness? Remove the tents, for I do not want to see them." So, the tents were removed. The Prophet did not perform Itikaf that year in the month of Ramadan, but did it in the last ten days of Shawwal.

Types of I`tikaaf:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 258:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
'Umar bin Al-Khattab (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! I vowed in the Pre-lslamic period to perform Itikaf in Al-Masjid-al-Haram for one night." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Fulfill your vow." So, he performed Itikaf for one night.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 259:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
that 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) had vowed in the Pre-lslamic period to perform Itikaf in Al-Masjid-al-Haram. (A sub-narrator thinks that 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) vowed to perform Itikaf for one night.) Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu), "Fulfill your vow."

When is I`tikaaf?:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 260:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to perform Itikaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in Itikaf for twenty days.

One Cute Incident:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 261:
Narrated `Amra bint `Abdur-Rahman from `Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) mentioned that he would practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. `Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked his permission to perform I`tikaf and he permitted her. Hafsa (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked `Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) to take his permission for her, and she did so. When Zainab bint Jahsh (radiallaahu `anhaa) saw that, she ordered a tent to be pitched for her and it was pitched for her. Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to proceed to his tent after the prayer. So, he saw the tents ans asked, "What is this?" He was told that those were the tents of Aisha, Hafsa, and Zainab (radiallaahu `anhunna). Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Is it righteousness which they intended by doing so? I am not going to perform I`tikaf." So he returned home. When the fasting month was over, he performed Itikar for ten days in the month of Shawwal.

The Fiqh of I`tikaaf:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 262:
Narrated 'Urwa:
Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) during her menses used to comb and oil the hair of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he used to be in Itikaf in the mosque. He would stretch out his head towards her while she was in her chamber.

Kitaab-ul-I`tikaaf [Book of Retiring to a Mosque for Remembrance of Allah] ends here.


When is I'tikaaf? (Hadith No. 1751)

Bismillah.
Hadith no. 1749 and 1750 (below) are repeats. Read the post here.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 254:
Narrated 'Ali bin Al-Husain (from Safiya, the Prophet's wife):
The wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) were with him in the mosque (while he was in Itikaf) and then they departed and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to Safiya bint Huyai (radiallaahu `anhaa), "Don't hurry up, for I shall accompany you," (and her dwelling was in the house of Usama). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went out and in the meantime two Ansari men met him and they looked at the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and passed by. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to them, "Come here. She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai." They replied, "Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of evil) O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! (we never expect anything bad from you)." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) replied, "Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, and I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds."
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 255:
Narrated 'Ali bin Al-Husain from Safiya (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Safiya (radiallaahu `anhaa) went to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he was in Itikaf. When she returned, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) accompanied her walking. An Ansari man saw him. When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) noticed him, he called him and said, "Come here. She is Safiya (radiallaahu `anhaa). (Sufyan a sub-narrator perhaps said that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had said, "This is Safiya"). And Satan circulates in the body of Adam's offspring as his blood circulates in it."
(A sub-narrator asked Sufyan, "Did Safiya (radiallaahu `anhaa) visit him at night?" He said, "Of course, at night.")

Today's Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 256:
Narrated Abu Said (radiallaahu `anhu):
We practiced Itikaf with Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in the middle ten days (of Ramadan). In the morning of the twentieth (of Ramadan) we shifted our baggage, but Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came to us and said, "Whoever was Itikaf should return to his place of Itikaf, for I saw (i.e. was informed about the date of) this Night (of Qadr) and saw myself prostrating in mud and water." When I returned to my place the sky was overcast with clouds and it rained. By Him Who sent Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) with the Truth, the sky was covered with clouds from the end of that day, and the mosque which was roofed with leaf-stalks of date palm trees (leaked with rain) and I saw the trace of mud and water over the nose of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and its tip.
This Hadith explains this one narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu `anhu):
"The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to observe i’tikaaf for ten days every Ramadaan, and in the year in which he passed away he observed i’tikaaf for twenty days." Narrated by al-Bukhaari.
And this is why I`tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadaan is more recommended than any other time.. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) preferred it in his last year.
But this doesn't mean one can't observe I`tikaaf in days other than the last ten of Ramadaan. I`tikaaf can be practiced any time of the year. Read this post for more details.

The Shaytaan in You (Hadith No. 1746)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 251:
Narrated Ali bin Al-Husain:
Safiya (radiallaahu `anhaa), the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) told me that she went to Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to visit him in the mosque while he was in Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. She had a talk with him for a while, then she got up in order to return home. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) accompanied her. When they reached the gate of the mosque, opposite the door of Um-Salama (radiallaahu `anhaa), two Ansari men were passing by and they greeted Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). He told them: Do not run away! And said, "She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai (radiallaahu `anhaa)." Both of them said, "Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of any evil) O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)!" And they felt it. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said (to them), "Satan reaches everywhere in the human body as blood reaches in it, (everywhere in one's body). I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds."
  1. Wives may visit their husbands in I`tikaaf.
  2. The man may accompany his wife on her way back - not leaving the masjid without necessity.
  3. Never entertain evil thoughts about your Muslims brothers and sisters in your head. Never.
  4. If you're doing something that might seem fishy to others, you might as well explain to them your intention/the reality before Shaytan gets the better of them.
  5. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said "Shaytan reaches everywhere in the human body as blood reaches in it", and we take this statement on face value. We do NOT try to explain and rationalize everything according to modern day science like it's been done in this article. *face-palm*

One Cute Incident (Ahadith 1744 - 1745)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 249:
Narrated 'Amra:
Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, "the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and I used to pitch a tent for him, and after offering the morning prayer, he used to enter the tent." Hafsa (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked the permission of 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) to pitch a tent for her and she allowed her and she pitched her tent. When Zainab bint Jahsh (radiallaahu `anhaa) saw it, she pitched another tent. In the morning the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) noticed the tents. He said, 'What is this?" He was told of the whole situation. Then the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Do you think that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?" He therefore abandoned the Itikaf in that month and practiced Itikaf for ten days in the month of Shawwal."
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 250:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) intended to practice Itikaf and when he reached the place where he intended to perform Itikaf, he saw some tents, the tents of 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa), Hafsa (radiallaahu `anhaa) and Zainab (radiallaahu `anhaa). So, he said, "Do you consider that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?" And then he went away and did not perform Itikaf (in Ramadan) but performed it in the month of Shawwal for ten days.
Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) feared that the wives' intentions might be inclined more towards pleasing him rather than pleasing Allah, so he abandoned I`tikaaf to discourage such behavior. Aren't wives (Mothers of the Believers, and wives in general) so cute? :)

Types of I`tikaaf (Hadith No. 1743)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 248:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) "I vowed in the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance to stay in Itikaf for one night in Al-Masjid al-Haram." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to him, "Fulfill your vow."
There are three main types of I`tikaaf:
  1. WAJIB: To vow or pledge to make I'tikaaf (on a fixed day) for the sake of Allah upon the fulfilment of some wish or desire.
  2. SUNNAT-MUAKKADAH: To reside the last ten nights and days of Ramadhan in the Masjid is Sunnat-Muakkadah, i.e. If a person from the community fulfills the obligation of I'tikaaf, the entire community will be absolved of this sacred duty. Otherwise all the residents will be sinful of neglecting this Sunnah.
  3. MUSTAHAB OR NAFL: This I'tikaaf can be for any amount of time, even for a few minutes.

The Fiqh of I`tikaaf (Ahadith 1740 - 1742)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 245:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to (put) bend his head (out) to me while he was in Itikaf in the mosque during my monthly periods and I would comb and oil his hair.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 246:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to let his head in (the house) while he was in the mosque and I would comb and oil his hair. When in Itikaf he used not to enter the house except for a need.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 247:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to embrace me during my menses. He also used to put his head out of the mosque while he was in Itikaf, and I would wash it during my menses.
In view of the fact that the purpose of I’tikaaf is to withdraw oneself from worldly affairs and devote oneself entirely to the remembrance of Allâh, therefore, one must during the course of I’tikaaf avoid unnecessary talk and work. Whatever time one finds, one must spend in performing nawafil (Salâh), tilawah, and other ‘ibâdah, dhikr and tasbihat. Moreover, the learning and teaching of ‘ilm of dîn, lectures and study of Islâmic books is not only permissible but also a cause of obtaining thawab.

The Fiqh of I`tikaaf

  • If one observing I’tikaaf lets a part of his body out of the mosque, he is neither considered to have exited the premises nor does this affect the validity of his I’tikaaf. Therefore, he is allowed to take or give anything through the window or door of the mosque.
  • It is acceptable in the Sharee’ah (Islamic jurisprudence) for one observing I’tikaaf to wash and comb his hair, apply perfume, perform Ghusl (ritual bath for purification), shave and groom himself.
  • It is permissible for one observing the I’tikaaf to look at his wife and be touched by her without lust. And it is valid under the Sharee’ah for the wife to serve her husband, such as cleaning and combing his hair, and washing his clothes, etc.
  • It is impermissible for one in I’tikaaf to exit the mosque, save for the express purpose of fulfilling a natural inevitable necessity, such as urination, excretion and fetching food and water for himself, if there is no one else to bring it to him. The same applies to any essential need which he can not satisfy in the mosque; he has the right to go out for it without fearing for the validity of his I’tikaaf.
  • If a person performing I’tikaaf goes out of the mosque due to a need, it is not binding upon him to move hastily. He should walk at his normal pace, provided that he returns to the mosque as soon as he has achieved his objective.
  • According to the majority of religious scholars, the one observing I’tikaaf must not leave the mosque to visit a patient or even attend a funeral procession. But, he does have the right to inquire about the health of a patient while passing by, without going to him.
  • If one observing I’tikaaf goes out for a necessity, such as the death of his father or son, and he has not previously stipulated that he may have to leave the mosque for a similar critical reason, he must restart his I’tikaaf after he has fulfilled his need.
  • It can be derived from the aforementioned Hadeeth that a wife is to abide in her husband’s house, even if he will not go to her for any purpose or if a Sharee’ah-defined impediment hinders him from going home, such as traveling or I’tikaaf; in all cases, it is forbidden for the wife to go out of his home, without his permission.
  • If one exits his place of seclusion without a necessity, hisI’tikaaf becomes invalid.
  • There is a difference of opinion among scholars with regard to the prerequisites of I’tikaaf, [as it is said one must] be fasting and seclude himself only in a mosque where the Friday prayers are held in congregation. The sound view is that fasting is not a precondition, since the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa salam, observed I’tikaaf in Shawwaal. Furthermore, it is permissible to do I’tikaaf in the mosque in which, though congregational prayers are offered, the Friday prayer is not, necessarily. In that case, one should go out to attend the Friday prayer and his I’tikaaf will still be valid. But, it is better for one to seclude himself in a mosque in which the Friday prayers are held.

About Masjid Quba (Ahadith 982 - 984)


Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 283:
Narrated Nafi':
Ibn 'Umar never offered the Duha prayer except on two occasions:
(1) Whenever he reached Mecca; and he always used to reach Mecca in the forenoon. He would perform Tawaf round the Ka'ba and then offer two Rakat at the rear of Maqam Ibrahim.
(2) Whenever he visited Quba, for he used to visit it every Saturday. When he entered the Mosque, he disliked to leave it without offering a prayer. Ibn 'Umar narrated that Allah's Apostle used to visit the Mosque of Quba (sometime) walking and (sometime) riding. And he (i.e. Ibn 'Umar) used to say, "I do only what my companions used to do and I don't forbid anybody to pray at any time during the day or night except that one should not intend to pray at sunrise or sunset."
Beautiful, isn't it? <3
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 284:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Dinar:
Ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding." 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) used to do the same.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 285:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding. Added Nafi (in another narration), "He then would offer two Rakat (in the Mosque of Quba)."

Al-Tirmidhi (324) narrated from Usayd ibn Zuhayr al-Ansaari, who was one of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
Prayer in the mosque of Quba’ is like ‘Umrah.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 
Al-Nasaa’i (699) narrated that Sahl ibn Hunayf said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
Whoever goes out to this mosque, the mosque of Quba’, and prays therein, will have (a reward) like that of ‘umrah.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.
So when you have the opportunity to visit Masjid Quba, do so. And pray two nawafil there. (y)
Is it necessary to visit Masjid Quba during Hajj or Umrah? Read this for the answer.
Wassalam.

The Best Mosques (Ahadith 980 - 981)


Bismillah.
There are only three special mosques on this Earth. Period.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 281:
Narrated Quza'a:
I heard Abu Saeed saying four words. He said, "I heard the Prophet (saying the following narrative)." He (Abu Saeed) had participated in twelve holy battles with the Prophet.
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Apostle, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa (Mosque of Jerusalem)."

Making special visits to other mosques is not allowed. This doesn't mean we can't visit any other mosques. But setting out on a journey only to visit a mosque (other than these 3) is wrong.

Travelling to another country/city just to pay a visit to a mosque = wrong.
Travelling to another city/country for work/leisure, and visiting mosques = right.
Intention is different, you see. Intention matters.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 282:
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "One prayer in my Mosque is better than one thousand prayers in any other mosque excepting Al-Masjid-Al-Haram."

The best of all mosques is al-Masjid al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque in Makkah), then al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madeenah), then al-Masjid al-Aqsa.
Masjid al-Haram
Masjid an-Nabwi
Masjid al-Aqsa
Prayer in Masjid al-Haram: reward multiplied by 100,000.
Prayer in Masjid an-Nabwi: reward multiplied by 1,000.
Prayer in Masjid al-Aqsa: reward multiplied by 250.
The multiplication of reward for prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is proven in the report narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Majaah (1406) from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
One prayer in my mosque is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, except al-Masjid al-Haraam, and one prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Mundhiri and al-Busayri. Al-Albaani said: Its isnaad is saheeh according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs [al-Bukhaari and Muslim]. End quote from Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (4/146).
One prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is equivalent to two hundred and fifty prayers offered elsewhere. 
It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We were discussing when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which is better, the Mosque of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
One prayer in my mosque is better than four prayers offered there (in Bayt al-Maqdis), and what a good place of prayer it is. Soon there will come a time when, if a man has a piece of land the size of a horse’s rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, that will be better for him than the whole world.
Narrated by al-Haakim, 4/509; he classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi and al-Albaani agreed with him, as it says in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, at the end of the discussion on hadeeth no. 2902. 
One prayer offered in the Prophet’s Mosque is equivalent to one thousand prayers (offered elsewhere), so one prayer offered in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is equivalent to two hundred and fifty prayers.
Wassalam.

Two Rak`aat after Jumu`ah Salah (Hadith No 757)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 757:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Apostle used to pray two Rakat before the Zuhr prayer and two Rakat after it. He also used to pray two Rakat after the Maghrib prayer in his house, and two Rakat after the 'Isha' prayer. He never prayed after Jumua prayer till he departed (from the Mosque), and then he would pray two Rakat at home.
  1. Don't miss the Sunnah prayers:
    2 rak`aat before Fajr
    2 or 4 before Dhuhr, 2 after it
    2 after Jumu`ah
    4 (optional*) before `Asr
    2 after Maghrib
    4 (optional*) before `Ishaa', 2 after it
  2. Pray the Sunnah prayers at home (for men). Especially the 2 rak`aat after Jumu`ah. Prophet (SAW) never prayed after Jumu`ah till he departed from the Mosque. So make it a point.



*Prophet (SAW) sometimes prayed these rak`aat, and sometimes he didn't. The other Sunnah prayers were offered regularly by him. He never missed them unless an exceptional situation came up.
Wassalam.

Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/two-rakaat-after-jumuah-salah-hadith-no-757

From Among the Masjid Manners.. (Hadith No. 732)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 732:
Narrated Ibn Juraij:
I heard Nazi' saying, "Ibn Umar, said, 'The Prophet forbade that a man should make another man to get up to sit in his place' ". I said to Nafi', 'Is it for Jumua prayer only?' He replied, "For Jumua prayer and any other (prayer)."

If it only happened in classrooms and other random places, I wouldn't consider it a problem. But it happens in masajid! Wallahi, we are so ignorant of the teachings of Prophet (SAW), we don't even know how to behave in a masjid. In this particular case, we aren't considerate of other people's comfort and ease.
Why do you ask the someone to get up from their place, only to sit there? Is there no other space in the masjid hall where you can sit? Or are you just too concerned about your ease that the other person and their comfort is of least importance to you?

Masjid is a sacred place. Yes, you need to show a particular behavior there. But we get trained through special places, special times and special things only to incorporate that training into our daily lives. For example, this Hadith talks about not making anyone get up from to sit in their place - in a masjid - for prayer. But you must not restrict it to prayer or masjid only. Apply it in your daily routine. Don't make anyone get up to sit in their place - anywhere - for anything, unless it's absolutely necessary. Not in a class, not on a dining table, not in a lounge, not on a couch, not in a public or private place. It's bad manners. The other person does not feel nice, man!

I apologize for the weird way this post has been written. I just did not get the time to think twice while writing.. Mhmm.

Wassalam.

Who Leads The Friday Prayer? (Hadith No. 716)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 13, Number 716:
Narrated Ibn Umar:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "All of you are Guardians."
Yunis said: Ruzaiq bin Hukaim wrote to Ibn Shihab while I was with him at Wadi-al-Qura saying, "Shall I lead the Jumua prayer?" Ruzaiq was working on the land (i.e farming) and there was a group of Sudanese people and some others with him; Ruzaiq was then the Governor of Aila. Ibn Shihab wrote (to Ruzaiq) ordering him to lead the Jumua prayer and telling him that Salim told him that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar had said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care. The Imam (i.e. ruler) is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them and a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it. A servant is the guardian of his master's belongings and is responsible for them.' I thought that he also said, 'A man is the guardian of his father's property and is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care."
Ideally, the Imaam (leader) of a people is supposed to lead the prayers in the masjid(s) of that people.
When I say people, I mean town/city/township/village etc.
But the sad reality is that the ministers and governors only lead people in the worldly matters. When it comes to Salah in the masjid, an Imaam is 'hired' to do the job. Double sigh.
Wassalam.

Garlic, Onion and the Mosque (Ahadith 812 - 815)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 12, Number 812:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
During the holy battle of Khaibar the Prophet said, "Whoever ate from this plant (i.e. garlic) should not enter our mosque."

Volume 1, Book 12, Number 813:
Narrated 'Ata':
I heard Jabir bin 'Abdullah saying, "The Prophet said, 'Whoever eats (from) this plant (he meant garlic) should keep away from our mosque." I said, "What does he mean by that?" He replied, "I think he means only raw garlic."


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 814:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
The Prophet said, "Whoever eats garlic or onion should keep away from our mosque or should remain in his house." (Jabir bin 'Abdullah, in another narration said, "Once a big pot containing cooked vegetables was brought. On finding unpleasant smell coming from it, the Prophet asked, 'What is in it?' He was told all the names of the vegetables that were in it. The Prophet ordered that it should be brought near to some of his companions who were with him. When the Prophet saw it he disliked to eat it and said, 'Eat. (I don't eat) for I converse with those whom you don't converse with (i.e. the angels)."


Seriously, that bad? :/
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 815:
Narrated 'Abdul 'Aziz:
A man asked Anas, "What did you hear from the Prophet about garlic?" He said, "The Prophet said, 'Whoever has eaten this plant should neither come near us nor pray with us."

Us Pakistanis enjoy onion and garlic in our food a lot. Well, most of us. Alhamdulillah. Nothing wrong with that. But one must be careful about one thing: don't pray at home/in the masjid when your mouth reeks of onion or garlic (or any other foul smell, for the matter).
Think about it, Salah is like whispering to your Loved One. Would you like to have bad breath at that time? :/


Solution: brush your teeth after eating such food. Clean your tongue well. Use mouth wash. Miswaak is the best. (y)
Wassalam. 

Complaining Against the Imaam (Ahadith 670-673)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 670:
Narrated Abu Mas'ud:
A man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! By Allah, I keep away from the morning prayer only because So and so prolongs the prayer when he leads us in it." The narrator said, "I never saw Allah's Apostle more furious in giving advice than he was at that time. He then said, "Some of you make people dislike good deeds (the prayer). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer should shorten it because among them are the weak, the old and the needy."

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 671:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "If anyone of you leads the people in the prayer, he should shorten it for amongst them are the weak, the sick and the old; and if anyone among your prays alone then he may prolong (the prayer) as much as he wishes. "

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 672:
Narrated Abu Mas'ud:
A man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I keep away from the morning prayer because so-and-so (Imam) prolongs it too much." Allah's Apostle became furious and I had never seen him more furious than he was on that day. The Prophet said, "O people! Some of you make others dislike the prayer, so whoever becomes an Imam he should shorten the prayer, as behind him are the weak, the old and the needy.''

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 673:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari:
Once a man was driving two Nadihas (camels used for agricultural purposes) and night had fallen. He found Mu'adh praying so he made his camel kneel and joined Mu'adh in the prayer. The latter recited Surat 'AlBaqara" or Surat "An-Nisa", (so) the man left the prayer and went away. When he came to know that Mu'adh had criticized him, he went to the Prophet, and complained against Mu'adh. The Prophet said thrice, "O Mu'adh ! Are you putting the people to trial?" It would have been better if you had recited "Sabbih Isma Rabbika-l-a-la (87)", Wash-Shamsi wadu-haha (91)", or "Wal-laili Idhaa yaghsha (92)", for the old, the weak and the needy pray behind you." Jabir said that Mu'adh recited Sura Al-Baqara in the 'Isha' prayer.

Alright. So, one MAY complain about his Imaam. That he lengthens the prayer too much. Or he does such and such the wrong way. But to whom? Whom does he complain to? Not the people around, please. That's just useless.

Companions had a leader, a Head of State whom they could turn to for any problems they had. It was Prophet (SAW) himself. But in present-day hierarchy, who comes above the Imaam of masjid? The minister for religious affairs? How to reach him? (LOL)

Anyway, either I lack knowledge or truly our system is faulty. Whichever it is, one thing is clear: we do NOT go on complaining about a certain masjid's Imaam to general public. We discuss such problems with the right person, a person who can SOLVE those problems.

Here's another solution: if you have good communication skills, and enough knowledge and wisdom, you go to the Imaam yourself and request him to shorten the prayer (or correct whatever else he's doing wrong). Make sure to do it in a very non-offensive way (and good luck with that!). He just might listen to you and correct himself. And as a result, everyone who comes to that masjid and gets irritated by the long qiyaams (or whatever else) will pray for you. And you get so much reward. Wow. (Y)


Wassalam.

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