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	Friday Talks |  | 
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Requirements, times and etiquettes of Duaa
Written by: Sk Abd-Razzag Taher Farih
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
14 Rabee Al-Awal 1436.
25 December 2015
Dearly beloved in Allah,
Dearly beloved in Allah,
The talk today is about requirements, etiquettes and best times to make Duaa, this is in order for Allah to answer those Duaa or prayers. In addition, the talk will cover whether a Muslim is permitted to participate with the Christians in their festivities.
Dearly beloved in Allah, if you would like your prayers to be answered, and to be heard then all you have to do is make sure that you fulfil the requirements and conditions for Duaa. Make sure that you have the right etiquette or code of conduct for it. Requirements or conditions of Duaa (or prayers) are:
1. Sincerity of the intention, and
2. Purity and honesty of earned food which you eat, and
3. Certainty or confidence or trust into Allah.
4. Avoiding rushing and hurrying of the response.
5. The heart is to be conscious or aware during Duaa.
6. Avoiding violating a Duaa (or a prayers). Some wonder how a Duaa or a prayer can be a violating Duaa. Well, listen to this, Abdullah ebn Moguffal heard his son making Duaa to Allah saying: “O Allah I ask You a white palace on the right side of paradise as go in”. His father said to him: “My son, if you ask Allah then ask Him for paradise, and ask for His protection from hellfire. For I heard the messenger ppbu saying that: there will be people from my followers (or my nation) who will go beyond what is lawful and beyond the wise and norm (in other words: go overboard) when they do purity (tahoor). Violating tahoor or purification is over exaggeration beyond the normal limits. This is taken a measure for other cases such as Duaa (or asking Allah).
Regarding the times and conditions during which Allah will respond and answer to prayers (or Duaa ) are thankfully many. This is due to the grace of Allah upon this nation.
Out of the months, there is the month of Ramadan. The messenger ppbu said: {There are three kinds of people whose prayer (or Duaa ) that will not be turned back unanswered, (one of them is:) the duaa of a fasting person at the time of fast breaking}.
Out of the days; is the day of Arafa. The messenger ppbu told us that the most honoured Duaa (or prayer) is that which is made on the day of Arafa, and it is an answered prayer.
Also the day of Friday, the messenger ppbu was frequently reported saying that on the day of Friday there is an hour during which if a slave makes a prayer (or a Duaa) and asks his God something then Allah will answer and give him what he asked.
Also of the times during which answers to Duaa are certain; is the night of Friday. It is just the same as the day of Friday.
Among the times when Duaa are certain to be answered are the hours of the last third of the night. The messenger ppbu said: {every night Allah comes to the nearer heavens as the first third of the night passes. Allah says: {I am the King, I am the King. is there a caller; then I will respond to them, Is there anyone who asks me; then I will give them, is there any who is asking for My forgiveness then I will forgive them}. This goes on until the light dawn appears}.
Times during which prayers made are answered include the times between Azan (a call to prayer) and Eqama (starting of the same prayer). The messenger ppbu said: {Duaa (or prayers) made between Azan and Eqama are not turned back unanswered}. They asked: then what shall we say (messenger of Allah)? He said: {Ask Allah for well-being in this life and the next}. That means make Duaa (make a prayer) with this inclusive prayer: “O Allah I ask you the well-being in this life and the next life”.
Also, some of the hours during which prays are answered are when you prostrate (or make sujood) with your head on the ground between the hands of your Lord may He be praised. That is because the messenger ppbu said: {the nearest a slave can be to his Lord is while he is prostrating. So make plenty of Duaa then}.
Dearly beloved in Allah’s sake, are we as Muslims allowed to congratulate Christians on their festivals?
Listen to what our scholars have said: none of the Muslims is allowed to congratulate or participate with them in their festivals. That is because their festival is associated with their faith, religion and history. Their festival has rituals, ceremonies and some big significance with the Christianity. You would see some of the Muslims exchanging greetings with them and yet they fail to understand that this is the big case is the case where Muslims differ completely from Christians.
Some people might say that we do not participate or join them; we merely give congratulations to them on their festival because they congratulate us in our feasts. Listen to what the Lord says: {they would have liked if you compromise, that they may compromise.} 68:9. Allah also says: {Unto you your religion, and unto me mine. } 109:6. Do not congratulate them, and do not participate with them because this is admission, acknowledging and affirming. And do not be over confident with yourself, keep away and be careful. And do not follow their desires and take care that they do not have you enticed or tempted.
You should know that celebrating their festival is imitation of the Christians in something which is specific to them and is a ritual of disbelief. This is one of the greater sins for which we were warned against, and the person who does it; is strongly criticized. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever imitates some people then he is one of them}. Exterior imitation necessitates the interior imitation, and also necessitates love and affection between the imitator and the imitated. The faith has blocked each mean or method that can lead a Muslim to admire or feel impressed by the disbelievers, or makes him contented with their faith, and follows them accordingly.
It is for all this that it is forbidden for a Muslim to join the Christians festival, that is celebrating or attending it or participating in it in any manner, shape or form. That includes exchanging presents or messages of congratulations or doing business which would contribute or help them in that activity, or marketing it or advertising for it.
Do not mix between not sharing in their festival and the allowable interaction with them. We are commanded to be friendly, just, respectable and courteous towards them, as well as to enter with them into all forms of legal trading interactions with them.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).
Allah - The Arabic word for "god." It is often used as a name for God in Islam.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
- Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
- PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
- Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com