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The Basic Goal of I`tikaaf (Ahadith 1737 - 1739)

Bismillah.

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

Volume 3, Book 33, Number 242:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 243:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.
Volume 3, Book 33, Number 244:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to practice Itikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan and once he stayed in Itikaf till the night of the twenty-first and it was the night in the morning of which he used to come out of his Itikaf. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever was in Itikaf with me should stay in Itikaf for the last ten days, for I was informed (of the date) of the Night (of Qadr) but I have been caused to forget it. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water in the morning of that night. So, look for it in the last ten nights and in the odd ones of them." It rained that night and the roof of the mosque dribbled as it was made of leaf stalks of date-palms. I saw with my own eyes the mark of mud and water on the forehead of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (i.e. in the morning of the twenty-first).
The i’tikaaf which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always observed at the end of his life is i’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan. These few days may indeed be regarded as an intensive course of spiritual education which brings immediate positive results in a person’s life during the days and nights of Ramadaan and in the coming days, until the next Ramadaan comes.
The basic goal of the Prophet’s i’tikaaf was to seek Laylat al-Qadr. 
Muslim (1167) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadaan, then he observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days in a small tent at the door of which was a reed mat. He took the mat in his hand and lifted it. Then he put his head out and spoke to the people, and they came close to him. He said: “I observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days seeking this night, then I observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came and said to me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wishes to observe i’tikaaf let him do so.” So the people observed i’tikaaf with him. 
This hadeeth teaches us a number of things: 
  1. That the basic goal of the i’tikaaf of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was to seek Laylat al-Qadr and to prepare to spend that night in worship. That is because of the great virtue of that night of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)” [al-Qadr 97:3].
  2. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) strove to seek that night before he was told when it is. So he started with the first ten days, then he observed it during the middle ten, then he continued to observe i'tikaaf during the last ten days, when he was told that it is in the last ten days. This is the utmost effort to seek Laylat al-Qadr.
  3. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) followed the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because they started i’tikaaf and continued with him until the end of the month, because they were so keen to follow his example.
  4. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was compassionate towards his companions and showed mercy to them, because he knew that i’tikaaf was difficult for them. So he gave them the choice between staying with him or of leaving, and said: “…so whoever among you wishes to observe i’tikaaf let him do so.” 
There are other aims of i’tikaaf as well, including the following: 
  1. Being alone with Allaah and cutting oneself off from people if possible, so that one may focus completely on Allaah.
  2. Renewing oneself spiritual by focusing totally on Allaah.
  3. Cutting oneself off completely in order to worship Allaah with prayer, du’aa’, dhikr and reading Qur’aan.
  4. Protecting one’s fast from everything that may affect it of whims and desires.
  5. Reducing permissible worldly pleasures and refraining from many of them even though one is able to enjoy them. 

Taraweeh of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (Ahadtih 1723 - 1725)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 228:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to pray (at night) in Ramadan.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 229:
Narrated 'Urwa:
That he was informed by 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa), "Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "
This indicates that praying Taraweeh in congregation is prescribed according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but he refrained from doing it because he feared that it would be made obligatory for the ummah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, this reservation was no longer required, because the sharee’ah was established. 
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 230:
Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman:
that he asked 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) "How was the prayer of Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in Ramadan?" She replied, "He did not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ----and then he would pray three Rakat (Witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."
It is proven in al-Saheeh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray eleven rak’ahs at night in Ramadaan and at other times, but he would make the recitation and other essential parts of the prayer so long that on one occasion he recited more than five juz’ (sipara) in a single rak’ah, reciting slowly and carefully. 
And it is proven that he would get up halfway through the night, or shortly before or after that, and he would carry on praying until it was close to dawn, so he would pray thirteen rak’ahs in approximately five hours. This requires making the recitation and other essential parts of the prayer lengthy.
Note: the main focus of our night prayer (inside or outside Ramadan) should be to attain tranquility and to develop a special connection with Allah. There's no point in fighting about the number of rak`ahs of the Taraweeh prayer and there's no point in discussing what Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) did in his time and why he did it, if our night prayer does not bring us any closer towards Allah. Yes, we want to follow the Sunnah when it comes to the number of rak`ahs, but are we going to sideline the Sunnah of making the night prayer lengthy and slow? The latter is definitely more important, won't you agree?

Taraweeh: Individual or Congregational? (Hadith No. 1722)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 227:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) and in the early days of 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)'s Caliphate." 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (radiallaahu `anhu) one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, 'In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)'. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka'b (radiallaahu `anhu). Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) remarked, 'What an excellent Bid'a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."
al-Bukhaari (2010) narrated that ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Abd al-Qaari said: I went out with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) to the mosque one night in Ramadaan, and the people were scattered, each man praying by himself. Some men would pray and have groups of people behind them following them. ‘Umar said: “I think that if I unite all these people with one reader, it will be better. Then he resolved to gather them behind Ubayy ibn Ka’b. 
al-Haafiz said: 
Ibn al-Teen and others said that ‘Umar based this decision on the Prophet’s approval of those who prayed with him on those nights. Although he disliked that for them, that was based on the fear that it might be made obligatory for them. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, there was no longer any fear of that happening, and ‘Umar thought, because of the potential division that might arise from people praying separately, and because uniting them behind one reader is more motivating for many people. The majority agreed with ‘Umar’s decision. End quote from Fath al-Baari. 
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’, 3/526: 
Praying Taraweeh is Sunnah according to scholarly consensus… It is permissible to offer this prayer alone or in congregation, but which is better? There are two well-known opinions on this matter. The correct view according to the consensus of our companions is that praying it in congregation is better. The second view is that it is better to pray it individually.
Our companions said: The difference of opinion has to do with one who has memorized the Qur’aan; there is no fear that he may become lazy and neglect it if he prays on his own, and the congregation in the mosque is not going to be affected if he stays away.  But if one of these factors is absent, then praying in congregation is better, and there is no difference of scholarly opinion on this point. 
The author of al-Shaamil said:
Abu’l-‘Abbaas and Abu Ishaaq said that praying Taraweeh in congregation is better than praying it individually, because of the consensus of the Sahaabah and the consensus of the scholars of the regions on this point. End quote. 
Ibn al-Mubaarak, Ahmad and Ishaaq favoured praying with the imam during the month of Ramadaan. 
It says in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi: 
In the book on night prayer (qiyaam): it was said to Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Do you prefer a man to pray with the people in Ramadaan or on his own? He said: He should pray with the people. He said: And I prefer that he should pray with the imam and pray Witr with him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the rest of the night (in prayer).” Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “He should pray with the people until he prays Witr with them, and he should not leave until the imam leaves. Abu Dawood said: I saw him (Imam Ahmad) – in the month of Ramadaan, praying Witr with his imam, except on one night when I did not attend. Ishaaq (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: I said to Ahmad: Is praying qiyaam in Ramadaan in congregation dearer to you or praying on one’s own? He said: I prefer that this prayer should be offered in congregation, so as to revive the Sunnah. And Ishaaq said the same. End quote. 
See al-Mughni, 1/457. 
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 22: 
At first the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray Taraweeh in congregation in the mosque, then he stopped because he feared that it might be made obligatory upon his ummah…  
Then he quoted the two ahaadeeth quoted above. Then he said: 
No man should keep away from Taraweeh prayer lest he misses out on the reward for it. And he should not leave until the imam finishes Taraweeh and Witr, so that he may attain the reward of spending the whole night in prayer. End quote. 
Al-Albaani said in Qiyaam Ramadaan:
Rather it (praying Taraweeh in congregation) is better than praying it alone, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did it himself and explained its virtue.
Rather he did not lead them in praying it in congregation for the rest of the month because he feared that praying at night during Ramadaan might be made obligatory for them, and they would be unable to do that, as it says in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah which is narrated in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere. This concern no longer applied after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died and Allaah had completed Islam. Hence the reason for not praying in congregation when offering night prayers in Ramadaan was no longer present, and the previous ruling remained in effect, which is that it is prescribed to offer this prayer in congregation. Hence ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) revived it, as it says inSaheeh al-Bukhaari and elsewhere. End quote. 
It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (27/138): 
From the time of ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the Muslims regularly offered Taraweeh prayer in congregation. ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) is the one who united the people in offering the prayer behind a single imam.
Asad ibn ‘Amr ibn Abi Yoosuf said: I asked Abu Haneefah about Taraweeh and what ‘Umar did. He said: Taraweeh is a confirmed Sunnah, and ‘Umar did not base his decision on speculation and he was not introducing bid’ah (an innovation). He did not enjoin it except because of what he knew from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). ‘Umar introduced this and gathered the people behind Ubayy ibn Ka’b and he offered this prayer in congregation, at the time when the Sahaabah – the Muhaajireen and Ansaar – were still alive, and no one among them objected to that, rather they helped him and agreed with him, and also enjoined it. End quote. 

Taken from:  http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/taraweeh-individual-or-congregational-hadith-no-1722/

Taraweeh Prayer (Hadith No. 1721)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
I heard Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Let's all hope we came out clean of this Ramadan. ^_^
And may Allah give us the tawfeeq to do so each year.

Iftaar Time (Ahadith 1670 - 1674)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 175:
Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast."
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 176:
Narrated Abdullah bin Abi Aufa (radiallaahu `anhu):
We were in the company of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) on a journey and he was fasting, and when the sun set, he addressed somebody, "O so-and-so, get up and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! (If you wait) till it is evening." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "It is still daytime." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He got down and mixed Sawiq for them. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) drank it and then said, "When you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 177:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa (radiallaahu `anhu):
We were traveling with Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and he was fasting, and when the sun set, he said to (someone), "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) again said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! It is still daytime." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." So, he got down and carried out that order. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) then said, "When you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast," and he beckoned with his finger towards the east.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178:
Narrated Sahl bin Sad (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."
Al-Nawawi said: 
This hadeeth means that we are encouraged to hasten to break the fast after ascertaining that the sun has indeed set. What this means is that the ummah’s affairs will continue to be in order and they will be fine so long as they adhere to this Sunnah. But if they delay breaking the fast, that will be an indication of some misguidance that they are following. 
Sharh Muslim, 7/208
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 179:
Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa (radiallaahu `anhu):
I was with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) on a journey, and he observed the fast till evening. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." He replied, "Will you wait till it is evening?" The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me; when you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."
The Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast straight after the sun has set. Delaying the fast until after the stars have come out is the practice of the Jews, and the Raafidis (Shi’ah) followed them in that, So it is not correct to delay it deliberately until later in the evening or to delay it until the end of the adhaan. All of that is contrary to the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

Ghusl before Fasting (Hadith No. 1643)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 148:
Narrated 'Aisha and Um Salama (radiallaahu `anhumaa):
At times Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.
The fast of one who has intercourse with his wife at night and wakes up in the morning in a state of junub is still valid, as is the fast of one who becomes junub in his sleep, whether at night or during the day. There is nothing wrong with delaying ghusl until just before dawn. Rather fasting is invalidated by having intercourse during the day in Ramadaan, from just before dawn until after sunset. 
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/327
Usually what happens is, being in the state of janaabah, people tend to delay ghusl (due to embarrassment or other reasons) and miss Fajr. This is not acceptable. One must make sure to pray on time as well.

The Black and White Threads (Ahadith 1634 - 1636)

Bismillah.

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

"It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah , so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous." [2: 187]

Ibn Kathir says in his tafsir:
These Ayat contain a relief from Allah for the Muslims by ending the practice that was observed in the early years of Islam. At that time, Muslims were allowed to eat, drink and have sexual intercourse only until the `Isha' (Night) prayer, unless one sleeps before the `Isha' prayer. Those who slept before `Isha' or offered the `Isha' prayer, were not allowed to drink, eat or sexual intercourse sex until the next night. The Muslims found that to be difficult for them.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 139:
Narrated Al-Bara:
It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) that if any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset.
Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari (radiallaahu `anhu) was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment for you." When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was informed about the whole matter and the following verses were revealed: "You are permitted To go to your wives (for sexual relation) At the night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it. And then Allah also revealed: "And eat and drink Until the white thread Of dawn appears to you Distinct from the black thread (of the night)." (2.187)
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 140:
Narrated 'Adi bin Hatim (radiallaahu `anhu):
When the above verses were revealed: 'Until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread,' I took two (hair) strings, one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it. So, the next morning I went to Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and told him the whole story. He explained to me, "That verse means the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn."
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 141:
Narrated Sahl bin Saud (radiallaahu `anhu):
When the following verses were revealed: 'Eat and drink until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread' and of dawn was not revealed, some people who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, 'of dawn', and it became clear that meant night and day.
I've always found this incident regarding `Adi bin Hatim (radiallaahu `anhu) very cute! It goes to say how some of us are quite literal in understanding things. Not that we're to be blamed. :P
On the other hand, there's an important lesson in it for us: the companions weren't always correct in their interpretation of Quranic ayaat or Ahadith. We'll always find differences of opinions among companions, and when we do, we should go for the most correct and favored opinion. And just because a companion reached an incorrect conclusion doesn't mean he was less intelligent or had weak imaan, na`oodhu billah! It only proves that they were human beings like us, but far better than us. If we were there, we would've made fun of `Adi (radiallaahu `anhu). But we don't find any reports of companions or the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) laughing at him or making him feel bad about what he did. Such were the chosen people. <3

Ramadan: Sin-Eraser (Hadith No. 1620)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
We say sinning is easy, but atoning for our sins to have them forgiven isn't. While this statement can be debated upon, here's a simple method to erase all your sins: fast in Ramadan, and seek Laylat-ul-Qadr by establishing salah in the last few odd nights of Ramadan. If you do these two things with sincerity and expect reward ONLY from Allah, you have a promise from Allah that you'll be forgiven inshaAllah.
May Allah erase all our past sins this Ramadan.

Returning Home after Travel (Ahadith 1548 - 1550)


Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 25:
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Whenever Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) left for Mecca, he used to pray in the mosque of Ash-Shajra, and when he returned (to Medina), he used to pray in the middle of the valley of Dhul-Hulaifa and used to pass the night there till morning.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 26:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) never returned to his family from a journey at night.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 27:
Narrated Jabir (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade going to one's family at night (on arrival from a journey).
It's Sunnah to return home after travel during the day. There can be various reasons why Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) chose to do so. I'll mention what I understand of them..
  • Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) never showed up at his home unannounced. He would always inform the wife(/ves) about his arrival so they could ready themselves for him, and not be caught unawares.
  • People usually sleep at night. Or at least they used to! Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) wouldn't like to disturb his wives at night, troubling them to stay up, get ready and receive him, and serve him food etc. He was very considerate, you see.

Hajj - Minaa [contd.] (Ahadith 1499 - 1501)


Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 799:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) permitted (them).
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 800:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
That the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) allowed (as above).
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 801:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Al-Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the permission from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to stay at Mecca during the nights of Mina in order to provide water to the people, so the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) allowed him.
Previously discussed here.
Staying overnight in Mina during the Days of Tashreeq is obligatory according to the majority of fuqahaa’; the one who fails to do that with no excuse is obliged to offer a sacrifice. According to the majority of scholars one should stay there for most of the night.
(al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 17, p. 58).
Not staying overnight in Mina during the Days of Tashreeq may be one of the following cases:
The first case: when a person does not stay overnight in Mina because he has an excuse.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz was asked about the ruling on a person who does not stay overnight in Mina during the Days of Tashreeq. He said:
He is not obliged to offer any sacrifice because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can’ [al-Taghaabun 64:16] – whether he did not stay overnight at Mina because of sickness or because there was no room, of for some similar legitimate excuse such as those who bring water to the pilgrims and those who tend sheep, and whatever else comes under the same rulings.
The second case: when a person does not stay overnight (in Mina) during the days of Tahsreeq with no excuse.
The Shaykh (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Whoever does not stay overnight in Mina during the Days of Tashreeq with no excuse has failed to do something which was prescribed by the Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in both word and deed, and by the fact that he made a concession for some of those who have excuses such as shepherds and those who bring water to the pilgrims. Concessions can only be made when there is something which has to be done. Hence staying overnight in Mina during the Days of Tashreeq is considered to be one of the obligatory duties of Hajj, according to the more correct of the two scholarly views, and whoever does not do that and has no legitimate excuse has to offer a sacrifice, because it was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “Whoever fails to do one of the rituals [of Hajj] or forgets it, let him offer a sacrifice.” It is sufficient to offer one sacrifice for not staying overnight in Mina during the days of Tashreeq.”
(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz – may Allaah have mercy on him – vol. 5, p. 182)
He should offer the sacrifice and share out its meat among the poor in the Haram, and he should not eat any of it. And Allaah knows best.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid [IslamQA]

Hajj - Minaa (Hadith No. 1399)


Bismillah.
Hadith no. 1397 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 697:
Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) performed Tawaf (of the Kaba) ending a camel (at that time the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had foot injury). Whenever he came to the Corner (having the Black Stone) he would point out towards it with a thing in his hand and say, "Allahu-Akbar."
Hadith no. 1398 (below) is also a repeat. Read it here.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 698:
Narrated Um Salama (radiallaahu `anhaa):
I informed Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) that I was sick. He said, "Perform Tawaf (of the Kaba) while riding behind the people." So, I performed the Tawaf while Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was offering the prayer beside the Kaba and was reciting Surat-at-Tur.

Today's Hadith:

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 699:
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Al Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the permission of Allahs Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to let him stay in Mecca during the nights of Mina in order to provide the pilgrims with water to drink, so the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) permitted him.
A pilgrim must stay the nights of tashreeq in Mina. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) allowed `Abbaas (radiallaahu `anhu) to stay back due to his genuine excuse.

Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/hajj-minaa-hadith-no-1399/

Fasting on Eid + 3 (Hadith No. 987)


Bismillah.

This is the last Hadith from Kitaab-ut-Tahajjud [Book of Night Prayer].

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 288:
Narrated Qaza'a Maula (freed slave of Ziyad):
I heard Abu Saeed Al-Khudri narrating four things from the Prophet and I appreciated them very much. He said, conveying the words of the Prophet:
(1) "A woman should not go on a two-day journey except with her husband or a Dhi-Mahram.
(2) No fasting is permissible on two days: 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha.
(3) No prayer after two prayers, i.e. after the Fajr prayer till the sunrises and after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets.
(4) Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Mosques, i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my Mosque."

1. Travelling of a Woman:

The saheeh Sunnah indicates that it is not permissible for a woman to travel except with a mahram. This travelling is not defined by a specific distance, as is the case with shortening the prayers or breaking the fast, rather everything that is called travelling, whether it is long or short, is not permitted for a woman unless she has a mahram with her. 
Al-Bukhaari (1729) and Muslim (2391) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel except with a mahram.” 
The fuqaha’ are unanimously agreed that it is haraam for a woman to travel without a mahram, except in a few exceptional cases, such as travelling for the obligatory Hajj, for which some of them have permitted a women to travel with trustworthy companions. Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: al-Baghawi said: They did not differ concerning the fact that a woman may not travel for anything but the obligatory Hajj except with a husband or mahram, except a kaafir woman who becomes Muslim in daar al-harb or a female captive who escapes. Others added: or a woman who becomes separated from her group and is found by a trustworthy man, in which case it is permissible for him to accompany her until he brings her back to her group. End quote from Fath al-Baari (4/76). 
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim, explaining that travel in this case is not defined by a specific distance: 
Everything that is called travelling, it is forbidden for a woman to do without her husband or a mahram, whether it is three days, two days or one day, or anything else, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas, according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel without a mahram.” This includes everything that is called travel. And Allaah knows best.
End quote. 
And it says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/339): It is haraam for a woman to travel without a mahram in all cases, whether the journey is long or short. End quote. 
Based on this, if going from your city to this place is regarded as travelling according to the people’s customs, then it is not permissible for you to go there without a mahram. If it is not regarded as travelling according to custom then there is nothing wrong with you going there without a mahram. 
The fact that the route is filled with cities, schools and farms does not alter this ruling.
[Taken from IslamQA]
We hear and we obey. :)

2. Fasting on Eid

Yes, it's prohibited. Check out this link to find out more about the categories of fasts: obligatory, encouraged, disliked, forbidden and permissible.

3. Forbidden to Pray

he definition of times when voluntary prayer is forbidden varies from one country to another, and from one season to another. Hence we cannot explain what these times are by the clock for all lands and in all seasons. But we will explain the general principles which will make it easy for every Muslim to work out when these times are. Hence we say that the times when prayer is forbidden are three: 
  1. From when dawn breaks until approximately a quarter of an hour after the sun has risen. You can find out the time of sunrise from the timetables that are available in all countries.
  2. Approximately a quarter of an hour before the time for Zuhr prayer begins, until the time for Zuhr begins.
  3. After you have prayed ‘Asr – even if it is an hour after the time for it began – until the disk of the sun has set completely. So the beginning of the time when prayer is forbidden is when one has prayed ‘Asr, not the beginning of the time for ‘Asr prayer, because the Muslim may offer ‘Asr prayer some time after the time for it begins. In that case the Muslim may offer voluntary prayers so long as he has not yet prayed ‘Asr, even if the time for ‘Asr has begun. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (1/429): We do not know of any difference of opinion concerning that among those who say that prayer is not allowed after ‘Asr. End quote. 
The evidence for these times is mentioned in several ahaadeeth, among the clearest and most comprehensive of which is the lengthy hadeeth which was narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh (832) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: “Pray Fajr, then refrain from praying until the sun has risen and become high, for when it rises, it rises between the horns of the Shaytaan and at that time the kuffaar prostrate to it. Then pray, for the prayer is witnessed and attended until the shadow of a spear falls directly north (i.e., noon). Then refrain from praying, for at that time Hell is stoked up. Then when the shadow moves forward, pray, for the prayer is witnessed and attended, until you have prayed ‘Asr. Then refrain from praying until the sun has set, for it sets between the horns of the Shaytaan and at that time the kuffaar prostrate to it.” 
We should point out that what is forbidden is prayer that is purely voluntary at these times. As for prayers for which there is a reason, such as “greeting the mosque” (tahiyyat al-masjid) or the two rak’ahs after wudoo’ or the two rak'ahs after tawaaf and so on, they may be offered at any time according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions.

[Taken from IslamQA]

4. The 3 Special Mosques

Read this post.
Wassalam.

Paradise on Earth (Ahadith 985 - 986)


Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 286:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mazini:
Allah's Apostle said, "Between my house and the pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise."
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 287:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is on my fountain tank (i.e. Al-Kauthar)."
So there is a little bit of heaven on Earth. :D
Knowing that a certain piece of land in Madinah is a garden from the gardens of Paradise is not enough. What we really need to know is what we're supposed to do when (and if) we visit it. Should we go all desi and start kissing the floor and not make space for anybody to pray there? (Personal experience during last `Umrah.)
Yeah, don't make space for anybody. Keep it aaaaalll for yourself. -_-
It's worse during women's visiting hours, by the way. :P
Ibn `Uthaymeen said when asked about it:
It is better for him to pray in al-Rawdah which is the area between the minbar of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the room in which is his grave, because this area is one of the gardens (riyaadh, sing. rawdah) of Paradise.
Read more here.
Pray and leave, okay?
Wassalam.

Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/paradise-on-earth-ahadith-985-986/

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.

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