2 cultures – 2 different goals for Taraweeh

As salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah

I hope everyone is taking much advantage of this month of Ramadhaan as they should be. I, for one, am not doing as much as I should be during the daytime before Taraweeh.. may Allah put barakah in our time so we are able to do more good inshaAllah during the day as well.

So this post is about Taraweeh specifically and how 2 different cultures have two totally different goals it seems for Taraweeh…

It seems like any masjid that you go to, you will either find them to be on one side of the fence or the other…

On one side you have the DESI masjid.. their primary goal is to finish the Qur’aan by the 27th night for the most part… and they are used to reciting in such a hasty manner that even the Arab brothers don’t understand what is being recited, and thus they can not contemplate upon the words of the Qur’aan.

Allah tells us in the Qur’aan to recite the Qur’aan with tarteel… but most of the DESI Imaams do not seem to follow this in the month of Ramadhaan and tarteel goes out the window…

So to recap: the goal at the DESI masjid is to finish the Qur’aan by the 27th night, even if that means reciting it at super fast speeds so even the brothers who are able to follow and understand the Qur’aan are not able to do that… obviously it doesn’t help that usually, the person reciting does not even know what he is reciting.. which makes their goal easier to be achieved.

And then on the other side of the fence, we have the Arab masaajid and the masaajid that are upon the Sunnah or close to the Sunnah. At these masaajid, it seems that the goal is different. Their goal is to recite the Qur’aan properly so that it is comprehended by the listeners and so that it affects the hearts. It just feels so good to pray Taraweeh in these masaajid because the essence of Taraweeh is understood better here than the DESI masaajid.

Not to be sarcastic, but it just seems like they want another reason to hand out sweets and eat “gulab jaman” (for the non-desis, this is a type of delicious sweet.. looks like a brown small ball.. if you have never tried one, I suggest you try it on ‘Eid)   {smile}

I’m sharing below an audio clip of a Qari at one of the masaajid where the Taraweeh is performed with the correct goal in mind. Alhamdulillah, it has a strong effect on the heart when Islaam is followed properly and the instructions of the Qur’aan are followed properly mashaAllah.

We ask Allah that He gives us the tawfeeq to do more ibaadah during the remaining month of Ramadhaan and helps us to catch Laylatul Qadr. Ameen.

Audio clip from Taraweeh at Al-Minhaal Academy in South Plainfield NJ

Important Disclaimer from admin staff of TheClearSunnah Blog: We do not endorse or are making tazkiyah (praise) of any particular academies or any of its members. We do not recommend anyone unless we know what the senior scholars and the elders of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah have mentioned about them.

Share your comments below on this topic. What are your feelings on how the Qur’aan is recited in Taraweeh?

Where will you be praying Taraweeh?

Assalamu ‘alaykum,

“Where will you be praying Taraweeh then?” A common question that is often repeated throughout this blessed month. However, many are oblivious to the fact there is in fact some ‘fiqh’ behind this question as will soon be very evident….

“Muhammad bin Bahr said regarding the prohibition of searching and attending Masaajid due to the beauty of the recitation of the Imam (as quoted in Badaa’i al Fawaa’id 4/111):

‘ I saw Abu Abdullah (i.e. Imam Ahmad) in the Ramadhan and Fadl bin Ziyaad was leading him in Taraweeh. He had beautiful recitation and thus many mashaayikh and many locals gathered together until the mosque was full. Then Abu Abdullah climbed the staircase of the mosque and looked to the congregation and said:

“What is this! Why are you all leaving your [local] mosques and attend other mosques?”

Thereafter, [Fadl] lead them in prayer for a few more nights and then [Abu Abdullah] stopped him from leading the prayers due to disliking what he saw, i.e. the emptying of other mosques. Thus it is upon the neighbour of a mosque pray in his local mosque.’ [End of quote from Badaa’i]

The story of a little girl

As salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah

I really apologize for not posting anything in quite some time. 
Both me and Br. Sajid have been really busy with other things. 
May Allah make our situations easy for all of us. Ameen. 

Just read this post on another blog and it brought me to tears subhanAllah. 
We go through trials in this life but when we read about other people's 
difficulties, it really puts your situation in perspective. 

Read this story and you will know what I mean...

The Door of Tawfeeq has been closed on the people..

Ibn ul Qayyim Al Jawziyah (Rahimahullah) mentioned in his monumental book

“Fawaa’id ul Fawaa’id” on the authority of Shaqeeq Ibn Ibrahim (Rahimahullah),

Who said:The door of Tawfeeq (i.e. success) has been closed on the people because of six things:

The First: Because they (i.e. the people) busy themselves with the Ni’mah (i.e. blessing) bestowed upon them and
forget about the gratitude they should express to Allah, the One who bestowed the favor on them.

The Second: Because they have an ardent desire for knowledge however, they abandon acting upon it.

The Third:  Because they hasten to commit sin but delay repentance for the sin.

The Fourth: Because they are deceived by the companionship of the righteous but fail to emulate their actions.

The Fifth: Because the life of this world is behind them but they are insistent on chasing after it.

The Sixth:  Because the hereafter is in front of them but they turn away from it.

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Saying Ameen in the Qunoot

Saying Ameen in the Qunoot

Compiled & translated

By

Abbas Abu Yahya

In the Hadeeth from Ibn Abbas –RadhiAllaahu anhu- who said that the Messenger of Allaah–sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– made Qunoot for a month continuously in the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and morning prayer and at the end of every prayer after he said ‘Sami Allaahu liman hamida’ in the last Rakat of that prayer, he would make Dua’ against the tribes of Bani Sulaym and those tribes of Dhakwaan and Usayatah who lived with Bani Sulaym, and those behind the Messenger would say Ameen.’

[Collected by Abu Daawood in his ‘Sunnan’ no. 1443 in ‘the chapter of al-Qunoot in the Prayer’ and Shaykh Albani declared the hadeeth to be Hasan and he brings a research for the hadeeth in ‘Irwaa al-Ghaleel’ (2/163)]

Additional evidence

Ibn al-Mundhir said in ‘al-Awsat’ (5/216) that Imam Malik used to say:

The Imam should make Qunoot from the middle of Ramadan and curse the Kuffar and those behind him should say Ameen.’

[‘al-Mudouwanah’ (1/103]

Imam Ahmad said:

‘The Imam makes Dua’ and those behind him say Ameen’

[‘Mas’ail Ahmad li Abee Daawood p.67, Ishaaq also said this, as was mentioned by al-Marwaazi in ‘Qayam al-Layl’ 303]

Shaykh Uthaymeen said:

‘If we say that there is a Qunoot in the five daily prayers, then if the Qunoot is in a prayer that is read aloud, in this case it is known that the Qunoot is read out aloud, and if it is in a silent prayer then it is still read out aloud, as is established in the Sunnah: namely that the Messenger –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– used to read the Qunoot and the people used to say Ameen behind him, and it would not have been possible to say Ameen except if he was reading it out aloud.

This establishes the fact that the Sunnah is to read the Qunoot aloud even if it is in the silent prayers.’

[‘Sharh al-Mumtaa’ (4/47)]

Ibaadah during Ramadhaan/ Women going for Taraweeh

Question: What ‘ebaadaat are encouraged during this month besides praying Taraaweeh? Also, for the sisters is it okay if they don’t go as much to the masjid or are they encouraged to go to the masaajid? And furthermore i’tikaaf for the sisters – are they required to do this in the masjid and for how long and what are their requirements?

Answer: The first masalah (issue) that she’s asking about is what ‘ebaadaat is encouraged in this month besides Taraaweeh. All ‘ebaadaat are encouraged. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has gathered about six ‘ebaadaat that are done especially in Ramadaan. They are:
i) Qiyaamul-Layl i.e. Taraaweeh.
ii) Supplication as in the hadith of ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها when she asked him صلى الله عليه وسلم “what should I say (if I see Laylaatul-Qadr)?” and he صلى الله عليه وسلم told her to say:

[1]اللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فاعْفُ عَنِّي

Also Allaah تعالى encouraged us to make a lot of du’aa.
iii) Recitation of Qur’aan.
iv) Feeding the needy and poor and even feeding or giving breakfast to those who are fasting. All of these are ‘ebaadaat.
v) Also, having good relations with your family, your parents and your neighbours, and forgiving the Muslims for whatever harm they may have inflicted upon you. All these are ‘ebaadaat.

And all ‘ebaadah is rewarded more in Ramadaan than outside of Ramadaan. But Qiyaamul-Layl has a special case in Ramadaan. We have to give more in Ramadaan and that’s why although the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم encouraged us to do Qiyaamul-Layl all throughout the year, in Ramadaan he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

[2] من قام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه

[3] من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه

[4] من قام خلف إمامه حتى ينصرف كتب له قيام ليلة

All this shows us that it is very important to do the night prayer in Ramadaan – Why? It is because the Qur’aan was descended in (one of those) nights to the first level of the Heavens.

إِنَّا أَنْـزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

{Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).} [al-Qadr 97:1]

حم {1} وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ {2} إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ

{Haa.-Meem. By the manifest Book (this Qur’aan) that makes things clear. We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. night of Al-Qadr, Surah No. 97) in the month of Ramadaan – the 9th month of the Islaamic calendar].} [ad-Dukhaan 44:1-3]

It was descended at night and so it’s better to do as much night prayer as you can, and much Qur’aan recitation and du’aa. That’s the first part of the question.

The second part is whether it is better for the sister to pray in the masjid in Taraaweeh or to pray at home. It depends, if you are at your home or house and masha’Allaah you are someone who can concentrate on the Qur’aan without any disturbances, then its better (to pray) in the house. If you say, “Oh, in the house I cannot concentrate, my children make noise and there are lots of things going on and I cannot concentrate” then go to the masjid but with the permission of your husband and if you have no husband then with the permission of the wali, whether it is your father, brother or whoever your wali is. The third thing is when you go to the masjid it must be safe for you to go. You should not go at night if it is unsafe for you to go – you must be safe and you must be in complete hijaab, you must avoid perfume and you should go in tranquillity to the masjid if that is possible. If it is not possible then it is better to stay at home, in all cases the house is better for the woman as in the hadith of Prophet.[5]

The last issue mentioned in the question pertains to i’tikaaf. I’tikaaf is only to be done in the masjid. There is no i’tikaaf in the house, neither for the man nor the woman. However, if someone wants to do i’tikaaf but he is unable to, Allaah will reward him as per his intention because Allaah تعالى deals with (matters of) the heart whilst we deal only with (matters of) the exposed body parts as we cannot know what is in the heart, but Allaah تعالى knows best. If you are willing to go (to the masjid) but you are afraid or scared that something may happen to you, then stay at home and Allaah will reward you, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he saw ‘Aishah, Hafsah and Zainab start building their tents in the masjid he asked “what is that?”. They said “these are tents of the mothers of the believers.” He said:

آلبر أردن

Do they want complete submission and the Pleasure of Allaah then let them go home. And he stopped the i’tikaaf and they all went back home.[6] So i’tikaaf is in the masjid only but if that is not possible then there is no i’tikaaf, you just stay at home and do your best. Also, as I said before i’tikaaf can even be for part of the time i.e. you can do i’tikaaf for one hour as many scholars say, you just intend to do i’tikaaf meaning you stay in the masjid. You have the intention to stay there, not to meet anyone or to have a rest, but to worship Allaah تعالى. If you do this with that intention then Allaah تعالى will reward you. Wallaahu A’alam.

Answered by: Shaykh Mohammad al-Malki

Title of Lecture: Ramadaan 1427 = 2006

Date of the Lecture: Saturday, October 14th, 2006

Listen to Lecture: Click Here

Read the Transcribed Lecture: Click Here

[1] Shaykh al-Albaani رحمه الله says Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami` (#4423).

[2] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Eemaan (#37) and Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab Salaah al-Musaafireen wa Qasruhaa (#759)

[3] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab as-Sawm as part of a longer hadith (#1802).

[4] Shaykh al-Albaani رحمه الله says Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami` (#2417) with the following wording:

إنه من قام مع الإمام حتى ينصرف كتب له قيام ليلة

[5] Reported in Sunan Abi-Daawūd 1/155, Kitaab as-Salaah (#567). Shaykh al-Albaani رحمه الله says Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami` (#7458).

[6] Reported with the following wording in Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-I`tikaaf (#1940).

أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذكر أن يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان، فاستأذنته عائشة فأذن لها، وسألت حفصة عائشة أن تستأذن لها ففعلت، فلما رأت ذلك زينب بنت جحش أمرت ببناء فبني لها، قالت: وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا صلى انصرف إلى بنائه، فبصر بالأبنية، فقال: (ما هذا). قالوا: بناء عائشة وحفصة وزينب، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (آلبر أردن بهذا؟ ما أنا بمعتكف). فرجع، فلما أفطر اعتكف عشرا من شوال

This Question is also listed under PRAYER

—
Masjid Ahlul-Quraan wa As-Sunnah of New york
http://www.seekknowledge.org
http://www.albaseerah.org

Words of Advice for Ramadhaan

Question: What words of guidance do you have for the Muslim ummah, on the occasion of the month of Ramadhaan?

Response: In the name of Allaah, all praise is to Allaah alone, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions and whoever is guided (aright) by his guidance. To proceed:

Certainly, concerning the approach of the blessed month of Ramadhaan, I advise my Muslim brethren everywhere to have taqwa of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic; to strive to do good deeds; to give sincere advice and be patient with the advice; to assist one another in good deeds and piety; to be cautious of all the sins Allaah has forbidden, wherever one may be, especially during this noble month – for indeed it is a great (precious) month, within which the reward for good actions is multiplied.

Mistakes (sins) are forgiven during this month, for those who fast and perform voluntary prayers, with sincere faith and hoping to attain Allaah’s rewards.

Welcoming the Noble Guest: Ramadhaan

The Ramadan: The Noble Guest is at Your Doorstep Waiting for You to Open the Door…

*

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Islaam, since last week, we have been blessed by a noble guest, a guest of mercy and blessings. One full year has passed since his last visit. He was your guest for 30 days and again, he is at our doorstep waiting for you to open the door so he may fill your homes with blessings and favours of Allaah. He is yours, mine and all Muslims’ guest and we ask Allaah سبحانه و تعالى to enable us to behave well during his stay and to bless us to take advantage of his presence.

So do you know of any guest more important than this guest? Do you know of any guest coming with so much khayr (goodness) and blessings? Do you know of any guest staying with you for a month and not asking to spend anything for him rather giving you so abundantly. So let us reflect for some moments and prepare well and take good care of this guest. May Allaah سبحانه و تعالى make us among those who would have Ramadaan a hujjah (evidence) for them and not against them and may Allaah سبحانه و تعالى open all the doors of Jannah for us. May Allaah سبحانه و تعالى give us the tawfeeq to do the Siyaam and the Qiyaam ihtisaaban (seeking the reward).

Brothers and Sisters in Islaam, let us be more attentive to listen and benefit from the words of our highly regarded and noble scholar. Today, we have with us, Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Ghudyaan to give us some reminders about this blessed guest – about this month of Ramaadan. So let us listen attentively so that we may benefit from this and may this help us to take maximum advantage of this guest.

Audios and Transcription of  Lectures About Fasting/Ramadan

1. 23-Sep-2006, Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Ghudyaan, Ramadaan – The Month of Blessings
2. 30-Sep-2006, Shaykh Abdullaah al-Ghudyaan, Ramadhaan Part Two
3. 30-Aug-2008, Shaykh Abdullaah al-Ghudyaan, Ramadaan 1429 Question & Answer Session
4. 14-Oct-2006, Sh. Muhammad Al-Maliki, Ramadan 1427 = 2006
5. 15-Oct-2005, Shaykh Abdul Azeez Aal-Shaykh, Virtues of Fasting
6. 16-Oct-2004, Shaykh Saalih al-Luhaydaan, Obligation of Muslims in Ramadaan

Highly Beneficial Audio

mp3 – Ramadhaan Fataawa — Excellent !!

• Ramadhaan Fataawa – Volume 1, Part 1 of 3 – (52 minutes and 10 seconds)
• Ramadhaan Fataawa – Volume 1, Part 2 of 3 – (53 minutes and 37 seconds)
• Ramadhaan Fataawa – Volume 1, Part 3 of 3 – (39 minutes and 16 seconds)
• Check other comprehensive ramadhan audio

Ramadhaan Muslims

Ramadhan Muslims

Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/19317

Question: There is a saying which goes” The people who only know Allah in Ramadan will not be successful.” Is this a hadeeth?

Answer: This is a saying from some of the pious predecessors about people who worship Allah attentively in Ramadan. And when Ramadan finishes they stop. Therefore he said,” How miserable is the person who only knows Allah during Ramadan.” This statement is correct for the person that abandons obligations (outside of Ramadan). This saying doesn’t refer to the person who doesn’t continue to practice the sunnan acts outside of Ramadan.

This is a correct statement. The intended meaning here refers to people who practice Allah’s rights temporarily. They pray in Ramadan and in the other eleven months of the year they don’t. This kind of person is pitiful; as he disbelieves in Allah with these kinds of actions. To willfully abandon the prayer is disbelief. We ask Allah for pardon.

Now on the other hand to stop practicing some of the recommended deeds outside of Ramadan is harmless. This is because during Ramadan people strive with their upmost ability to perform various sunnan acts of worship along with voluntary contributions and so forth. Hence if he falls short in doing these acts after Ramadan we don’t consider him a wretched person.

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Doha, Qatar© 26/8/1429

Oh Allah allow us to be mindful of You year round. Allah we ask you to let the Quran be our companion throughout the year. And don’t write us among those who only cry and visit Your house in Ramadan.