If you would rather not recieve these khutbahs please let me know.<\/p>\n
By Muhammad Al-Shareef, LL.B. Shari\u2019ah<\/p>\n
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful<\/p>\n
During the night, Abu Lu\u2019lu\u2019 Al Majoosi hid in the shadows in preparation for the Fajr Salah where he would execute his satanic mission: to Murder the Ameer of the Believers: Umar ibn Al-Khattab – Radi Allahu Anhu.\u00a0 Umar would lead the Fajr with a long surah, giving time for the community to join the congregation. As he led that Salah, Abu Lu\u2019lu advanced from a dim pillar, a poisoned dagger hidden in his sleeve.\u00a0 He jumped in front of Umar Radi Allahu Anhu and tore open his stomach with the dagger. Abu Lu\u2019lu\u2019 then attempted an escape through the congregation, slashing left and right, murdering in his path many others. One Companion threw a cloth over and \u2013 realizing that he was caught \u2013 Abu Lu\u2019lu\u2019 killed himself.\u00a0 Umar completed the Fajr Salah and passed away later in his bed Radi Allahu Anhu.<\/p>\n
The importance of the prayer in Islam cannot be understated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned after mentioning the testimony of faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allah declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allah spoke directly to Moses, He said,
\n
\n“And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance.” [Taha 13-14]<\/p>\n
Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his ascension to heaven. Furthermore, when Allah praises the believers, such as in the beginning of surah al-Muminoon, one of the first descriptions He states is their adherence to the prayers. [Successful are the believers, those that offer their Salah with all earnestness and full obedience] – Al Mu\u2019minoon 23\/1-2<\/p>\n
The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet\u2019s statements. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
\n“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.<\/p>\n
In reality, when the prayer is performed properly \u2013 with true remembrance of Allah and turning to Him for forgiveness \u2013 it will have a lasting effect on the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allah. After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys Allah. Allah mentioned this aspect of the prayer,<\/p>\n
“Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds” (al-Ankaboot 45).<\/p>\n
However amongst our community of Musalleen (those who perform Salah) we find some hazy actions that need to be brought back into focus.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Some do not concentrate on what they are saying.
\n\u00b7 Some speed when they pray
\n\u00b7 Some wander with their gaze during Salah,
\n\u00b7 The number of raka\u2019aat performed is constantly forgotten.
\n\u00b7 For some, the Dunya hugs their hearts during Salah and clouds their minds.
\n\u00b7 Sometimes, before the Imam says Allahu Akbar, some in the congregation are already in the next prostration.<\/p>\n
Compare this to those that came before us: People used to think that ar-Rabee’ bin Khaitham, due to his constant lowering of his gaze and keeping his head low (in Salah), was blind. He used to live behind the house of Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood for twenty years and when his servant girl used to see him she would say: Your blind friend is coming, and Abdullaah used to laugh at her speech.<\/p>\n
In Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayrah – Radi Allahu Anhu, a man entered the Masjid and the Messenger of Allah – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – was sitting.\u00a0 The man prayed (2 raka\u2019) and then came to the Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – and said salam.\u00a0 The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – replied the salam and then said, \u201cGo back and pray for you have not prayed.\u201d\u00a0 So the man went back, prayed (2 raka\u2019) like he did the first time and then came back and repeated the salam.\u00a0 The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – replied the salam and then said, \u201cGo back and pray for you have not prayed.\u201d\u00a0 So the man went back, prayed (2 raka\u2019) like he did the first time and then came back and repeated the salam.\u00a0 The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – replied the salam and then said, \u201cGo back and pray for you have not prayed.\u201d\u00a0 He said it three times until \u2013 on the third time the man said, \u201cBy He who sent you with the truth O Messenger of Allah, I do not know any better than this.\u00a0 Teach me.\u201d\u00a0 The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – then said, \u201cIf you stand up for Salah say \u2018Allahu Akbar.\u2019\u00a0 Then read what comes easy for you from the Quran.\u00a0 Then bow until you are comfortable in your ruku\u2019.\u00a0 Then stand up until you are standing up straight.\u00a0 Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood. Then sit until you are comfortable in your Juloos.\u00a0 Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood.\u00a0 And do this in your entire Salah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go back and do our Salah again.\u00a0 This is our topic for today.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Why do we come to the Masjid, why do we perform Salah?\u00a0 We do it in application of the command of our Creater Subhaanahu wa Ta\u2019aala.\u00a0 Why should we then lose the blessing and reward because of a wandering heart and an itchy hand?\u00a0 Concentration is the soul of our Salah.\u00a0 Concentration is the fruit of our Eeman.\u00a0 Yet regardless of this understanding, people still leave their Salah and only a small protion of it is written for them because of their imperfection of it.<\/p>\n
The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – said, \u201cVerily, a man will leave from (his Salah) and only a tenth of his Salah is written for him, a ninth, an eighth, a seventh, a sixth, a fifth, a forth, a third, half.\u201d \u2013 Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi.<\/p>\n
Uthman ibn Abi Dahshah said, \u201cI have never prayed a Salah that I have not asked Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta\u2019aala to forgive for my shortcomings in that Salah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Someone who short changes his Salah is a thief.\u00a0 The Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – said, \u201cThe evilest thief is he who steals from his Salah.\u201d\u00a0 They asked, \u201cO Messenger of Allah, how does he steal from his Salah?\u201d\u00a0 He – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – said, \u201cHe does not perfect it\u2019s ruku\u2019 and Sujood.\u201d \u2013 authentic<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Because of the speed some apply to their Salah, it is as if they are pecking up and down like a bird.\u00a0 Narrated Ahmad, Abu Dawood and others, the Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – forbade that someone should peck (in Salah) like a crow\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Umar – Radi Allahu Anhu – once stood on the pulpit and addressed the community with a loud powerful voice, \u201cA man may grow old in Islam and never have completed to Allah a single Salah!\u201d\u00a0 They said, \u201cHow is this?\u201d\u00a0 He said, \u201cHe does not perfect his concentration, nor his humbleness, nor his focus on Allah – Azza wa Jall.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once, Ma\u2019roof Al-Karkhee \u2013 Rahimahu AllahimahUllah \u2013 stood amongst some of his students and one said to the other, \u201cPlease lead the Isha Salah.\u201d\u00a0 The first student accepted but said, \u201cI shall lead the Isha\u2019 Salah on condition that you lead the Fajr Salah and not me.\u201d\u00a0 Ma\u2019roof Al-Karkhe was shocked at what he said and commented, \u201cBy Allah, if you think that you\u2019ll be alive at Fajr then \u2013 by Allah \u2013 you have not yet perfected your Salah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part II\u00a0\u00a0 How to Concentrate in Salah<\/p>\n
Al Qaasim ibn Muhammad – Rahimahu Allah – said, \u201cI went out one day, and whenever I would go out I would always pass by Aisha – Radi Allahu Anha – and give her my Salam.\u00a0 That day I went out and when I found Aisha she was praying Salat al-Duha, reciting over and over the verse of Allah<\/p>\n
[Saying: \u2018Aforetime we were afraid with our families (from the Punishment of Allah). But Allah was gracious on us and saved us from the torment of the Fire.\u201d]
\n\u2013 At Toor 52\/26-27<\/p>\n
She was crying and invoking Allah – Subhaanahu wa Ta\u2019aala – and repeating the verse.\u00a0 I stood there waiting until I got tired, she remained as I found her.\u00a0 When I saw this I said to myself, \u2018let me go to the market, do what I have to do and come back.\u2019 So, after I had finished what I needed to do at the market, I returned to Aisha – Radi Allahu Anha.\u00a0 She was as I left her, repeating the verse, invoking Allah, and crying.<\/p>\n
How do we concentrate in Salah?\u00a0 From the Sunnah, the Prophet \u2013 Sal Allahu Alayhi wa sallam \u2013 taught the following:<\/p>\n
1. Come early for Salah and prepare yourself to concentrate. Repeat the Adhan to yourself with the Mu\u2019adhdhin, and – after the adhan – say the prescribed supplication. Between the Adhan and Iqamah make dua\u2019.\u00a0 Do Wudu properly, cleanse your mouth, and wear your finest clothes.<\/p>\n
2. Aim to get the entire reward of your Salah.<\/p>\n
Abu Bakr ibn \u2018Iyaash said, \u201cI saw Habeeb ibn Thabit in Sujood.\u00a0 If you saw him you would think he was dead (by how long he held his Sujood).\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Contemplate the aayaat and adhkaar being recited during the prayer.<\/p>\n
Think about the meanings of the verses that you are reciting. Isn\u2019t is disheartening that someone may perform Salah for decades, day after day, and he\/she still does not know what they are saying?
\nThe Qur\u2019aan was revealed to be pondered over! Allaah revealed: \u201c(This is) a Book (the Qur\u2019aan) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.\u201d [Saad 38:29].<\/p>\n
4. Pray in congregation.\u00a0 Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta\u2019aala commands
\n[And perform Salah, give Zakah, and bow with those that bow.]\u00a0 2\/43<\/p>\n
5. Never miss your Nafl Salah, especially those that the Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – used to pray constantly, especially Witr and the sunnah of Fajr<\/p>\n
6. Do not speed up your Salah. Take your time and do not allow your Salah to become the most invaluable action of your day.<\/p>\n
Ibn Wahb said, \u201cI saw Ath-Thowree at the Ka\u2019bah.\u00a0 After Maghrib, he got up to pray and then prostrated.\u00a0 He did not come out of that prostration until the Adhan for Isha\u2019 was given.\u201d<\/p>\n
7. Know that Allaah responds to your prayer
\nThe Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: \u201cAllaah, the Blessed and Exalted has said: \u2018I have divided the prayer between Myself and My slave, into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.\u201d When the slave says \u2018Praise be to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds,\u2019 Allaah says, \u2018My slave has praised Me.\u2019 When the slave says, \u2018The Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy,\u2019 Allaah says, \u2018My slave has extolled me.\u2019 When the slave says, \u2018Master of the Day of Judgement,\u2019 Allaah says, \u2018My slave has glorified me.\u2019 When the slave says, \u2018It is You alone we worship and it is You alone we ask for help,\u2019 Allaah says, \u2018This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.\u2019 When the slave says, \u2018Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom You have favoured, not the path of those who receive Your anger, nor of those who go astray,\u2019 Allaah says, \u2018All these are for My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.\u2019\u201d (Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Salaah, Baab wujoob qiraa\u2019at al-Faatihah fi kulli rak\u2019ah). [Words in italics are the translation of the meaning of Soorat al-Faatihah \u2013 Translator].<\/p>\n
8. Pray with a barrier (sutrah) in front of you and pray close to it
\nAnother thing that will help one to have khushoo\u2019 is paying attention to the matter of having a sutrah and praying close to it, because this will restrict your field of vision, protect you from the Shaytaan and keep people from passing in front of you, which causes a distraction and reduces the reward of the prayer.<\/p>\n
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: \u201cWhen any one of you prays, let him pray facing a sutrah, and let him get close to it.\u201d (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 695, 1\/446; Saheeh al-Jaami\u2019, no. 651).<\/p>\n
9. Seeking Refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan.
\nThe Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught us the following methods of combatting the whispers of Shaytaan.<\/p>\n
Abu\u2019l-\u2018Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that he said, \u201cO Messenger of Allaah, the Shaytaan interrupts me when I pray, and I get confused in my recitation.\u201d The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, \u201cThat is a shaytaan whose name is Khanzab. If you sense his presence, seek refuge with Allaah from him, and spit [dry spitting] towards your left three times.\u201d [Abu\u2019l-\u2018Aas] said: \u201cI did that and Allaah took him away from me.\u201d (Reported by Muslim, no. 2203)<\/p>\n
10. Pray as if you were told that after Salah you would be going back to Allah.<\/p>\n
Abu Bakr Al-Muzanee said, \u201cIf you want your Salah to benefit you, then say, \u2018I shall die after this Salah!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You may read this week’s khutbah and others at: http:\/\/alshareef.homepage.com\/khutbah.html<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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