596. So What’s The Big Deal....It’s Just Another Day

By Asma bint Shameem 

So what’s the ww w big deal if it’s the beginning of a new solar year?

Why all this hyperexcitement?

Why the celebrations?

I mean, think about it....

Isn’t it just another day?

Isn't it the same earth?

The same sun?

The same moon?

The same trees?

Even the same AIR we breathe!

What has changed?

Nothing.  

Then what’s the reason for this “celebration” any way?

A new page on the calendar doesn’t mean ANY thing. 

It’s JUST ANOTHER DAY in the life of a Muslim. 

What I was “yesterday”, I’m still the SAME “today”. 

What I had “yesterday”, I still have “today”. 

*There’s only ONE thing that’s different...*

I’m one day closer to meeting my Rabb. 

yet another year closer to my grave.. yet another year before my time is up...and yet another year closer to the day I have to give account of what I did in the dunya...

Allaah says:

“Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness. 

No mention comes to them from their Lord as a recent revelation except that they listen to it while they are at play, with their hearts distracted. “

(Surah Al-Anbiyaa 21: 1-3)

Imaam As Sa’di said concerning these Aayaat:

“Their hearts are heedless, turned away by their worldly wants and desires, while their bodies are at play. They have been distracted by their desires, working according to falsehood, and evil statements. 

When the person dies his judgment has been established. 

And he has entered the realm where he will receive his recompense for his actions. 

Thus it is amazing that you find the person heedlessly turning away while he doesn’t know when death will surprise him.”

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"The (average) age of my Ummah is between *sixty and seventy* (years)..." 

(at-Tirmidhi-saheeh by al-Albaani)

Al-Hasan al-Basri said: 

"The world is but *three* days: 

- As for yesterday, it has *gone*, along with all that was in it. 

- As for tomorrow, you may *never see it*. 

- As for today, it is *yours*, so *WORK ON IT.*"

And he said:

"Oh son of Adam, you are but a FEW DAYS; 

whenever a day is gone, *part of you is gone too.*" 

 Ibn al-Jawzi said:

“Days consists of *hours* and hours are made up of *breaths* you take. Every breath is a *treasure chest*, so BEWARE of letting even a breath pass by with no benefit. You do not want to find an empty treasure chest on the Day of Judgement and Regret....”

Someone asked shaikh Saleh al-Fawzaan:

“Does the last day of the solar year have any special merit?”

He said:

“No, it does not have any merit over the rest of the days; and there is *No Congratulating (one another)* in it, and there is nothing specific to it, more than the other days.

And every day is the end of a year in comparison to (that day in) the past year. Thus the days succeed one another, and there is no merit for some days over other days.*

Being that Allaah has made in them a lesson and a gain for (His) slaves and a reminder for (His) slaves.”

(Fataawaa Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzaan 15834)

*Brothers and sisters* 

Think about it....

So what if it’s a new year?

What’s there to celebrate?

*All we’ve done is turned YET another page in the calendar of our lives.* 

*Nothing more.* 

*Nothing less.*

So focus on your meeting with Allaah.

Don’t get distracted by what “others” do.

595. Saying “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” After Qur’aan Recitation

By Asma bint Shameem 

If someone says “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” every time he ends the recitation of the Qur’aan or if someone believes that’s PART of the etiquette of reciting the Qur’aan, or part of the Sunnah, then that’s BID’AH. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam DID NOT say “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” every time he finished reciting the Qur’aan. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not do it NOR did he teach his Sahaabah to say it. 

It’s NOT from the Sunnah to say it each time you recite the Qur’aan. 

Yes  “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” is a TRUE statement. 

DEFINITELY whatever Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says is absolutely 100% TRUE. 

There can NOT be ANY DOUBT about that. 

However, to think this is a phrase  you’re ‘supposed’ to say at the end of recitation of the Qur’aan every time you read it, or to think there’s special reward to say or or to think that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to say it, is WRONG. 

*PROOF:*

Whenever the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam himself read the Qur’aan or when he asked some of the Sahaabah to read the Qur’aan for him so he could listen to their recitation, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did NOT tell the Sahaabah at the end to say “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” after they were  done.  

*For example:*

The Prophet once listened to Ibn Mas’ud radhi Allaahu anhu reading Surah Al-Nisaa’. 

Upon reaching the Aayah which reads: 

“How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people? ” 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to him:

”That is enough”. 

Ibn Mas’ud said: 

“When I turned to him, I saw his eyes shedding tears.” 

(al-Bukhaari)

That’s it. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam *cried*. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said *“That’s enough”.*

Be he did NOT tell Ibn Mas’ud radhi Allaahu anhu to say “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” at the end. 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“I do not know of any basis for the people’s habit of saying “Sadaqa Allaahu al-‘Adheem” when they finish reading Qur’aan, so it should NOT be taken as a habit. 

Indeed, according to the principles of sharee’ah it is more like BID’AH, if anyone believes that it is Sunnah. 

So this should NOT be done and should not be taken as a habit.”

(Kitaab Majmoo’ Fataawa Wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah Li Samaahat- Vol. 9, P. 342)

And Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Many people have the habit of ending a recitation from the Qur’aan with the words Sadaqa Allaahu al-Adheem (Almighty Allaah has spoken the truth), but this has NO BASIS in Islaam because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not do it, nor was it the custom of the Sahaabah radhi Allaahu anhum , and it was unknown among the Taabieen (the generation after the Sahaabah). 

This custom arose in later times because some reciters would say these words, and people liked this. 

But this should be rejected, because if this was really something good, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, the Sahaabah and the Taabieen the salaf or first and best generations of the ummah would not have neglected to do it.”

But isn’t there an Aayah in the Qur’aan where Allaah says that?

Yes Allaah says in Surah Aal Imraan:

قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Allaah has spoken the truth…’”( Surah Aal ‘Imraan 3:95)

But this Aayah is NOT telling us to say “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” every time we finish reading the Qur’aan. 

Rather Allaah is simply stating a fact that whatever He has revealed in the Qur’aan and the previous Divine Books is nothing but the Truth. 

If this Aayah meant that we should say “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” after reading the Qur’aan, then wouldn’t the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam have said it?

Wouldn’t the Sahaabah have said it?

Wouldn’t we have ANY evidence of the pious predecessors saying it?

But we DON’T. 

NOT ONE SINGLE EVIDENCE. 

So if they didn’t say it, why should we?

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“This (Aayah) is not speaking about this matter. Rather Allaah was commanding the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam to explain to the people that Allaah had spoken the Truth in all that He had said to His slaves in the Tawraat, the Injeel and all other revealed Books.  And He was speaking the truth in all that He said to His slaves in His Book the Qur’aan. But this is not evidence that it is mustahabb to say “Sadaqa Allaah al-‘Adheem” after reading the Qur’aan or after reading some aayahs or a soorah. This was not reported or known from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam or his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them).”

(Kitaab Majmoo’ Fataawa Wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah Li Samaahat- Vol. 9, P. 342)

So I can never say this?

Yes, you may say it when you come across a certain Aayah or a certain situation that ‘hits home’, and you witness the truth of Allaah’s Words; spontaneously you want to say...

“Subhaan Allaah how true!  

“Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem!”

In such *random, occasional* cases, it is allowed to say  “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem”

And notice that this can be said ANY time during recitation, whenever you come across an Aayah like that...in the beginning or the middle or the end. 

It does NOT have to be *‘at the END’* of the recitation. 

*Or it may even be said when NOT reciting the Qur’aan*. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“If a person says “Sadaq Allaah al-Adheem” on certain occasions, such as when something He has foretold comes to pass, affirming the truth of what He has said, then this is permissible, because something similar has been reported in the Sunnah. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam was giving a speech, and al-Hasan and al-Husayn came along, so he came down from the minbar, picked them up and put them in from of him, then he said: 

Indeed Allaah has spoken the truth: Your wealth and your children are only a trial (al-Taghaabun 64:15)”

(Izaalat Al-Sitaar ‘An Al-Jawaab Al-Mukhtaar 79-80)

What is preferred to be said after reading the Qur’aan?

It is preferred, on finishing the recitation of the Quraan to say:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أشهد أن لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

"SunhaanakaLlaahumma wabihamdik ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaa anta astaghfiruka wa atuubu ilayk".

*Proof:*

Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa mentioned that:

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam was never in a sitting, never recited the Qur’aan, nor did he ever offer a prayer, except that he ended them all with certain words.

She added that:

 So i said to him, O Messenger of Allaah, I noticed that you never are in a sitting, nor do you ever recite the quraan, nor observe a Salaah, except that you end it off with these words ?

Yes, he replied. 

“Whoever has said good (words) would have them placed as a seal over the good he has done and whoever has said evil (words) would have them used as an expiation for the evil he uttered.

(They are)

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أشهد أن لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

Subhaanakallaahumma wabihamdik ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaa anta astaghfiruka wa atuubu ilayk.”

[Silsilatu Saheehah"  (495/7)]

May Allaah enable us to TRULY understand the Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and follow it to the best of our ability. Ameen.

And Allaah knows best

594. Is There Any Proof Of Reading Two Rak’aat For “Haajah” Or “Haajat Kay Nafl”, When We’re In Need Of Something?

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s *NO AUTHENTIC PROOF* of reading Salaatul Haajah from the authentic Sunnah. 

The ahaadeeth concerning Salaatul Haajah are very WEAK. And some are even fabricated. 

A *weak* hadeeth means that it’s *highly doubtful* that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam ever said that or did that or approved of that. 

And a *fabricated* hadeeth is simply a *lie* on the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam 

It’s FAKE. 

MADE UP. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam went through some VERY TOUGH TIMES and NEEDS in his lifetime. 

He faced great challenges. 

Yet, despite those challenges and needs, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam NEVER prayed Salaatul Haajah for ANY of his issues. 

And neither did the Sahaabah. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

"The so-called Salaat al-Haajah was narrated in DA’EEF (weak) or MUNKAR (denounced) ahaadeeth – as far as we know – which can NOT  be used as proof and which are NOT FIT to base acts of worship on."

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 8/162)

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“Salaatul Haajah has no authentic evidence from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.”

Shaykh Al-Albaani said:

“In its chain of narration is a majhool (an unknown person).”

Shaykh ibn Baaz said:

“I do not know a single hadeeth  which is depended upon for (the authenticity) of Salaatul Haajah.”

Shaykh Abu Abdillah Khaalid Dahawi Adh-Dhufayri said:

“There has preceded from myself a warning regarding Salaatul Haajah which is called to from time to time. 

And currently it is being called for to combat this epidemic (Coronavirus), Allaah give us and you wellbeing. 

This prayer is *not authentic at all* and it is from the newly invented affairs and innovations. 

Innovations are in *opposition* to the command of Allaah, the Most High, and they are a cause for an *increase* in calamities; NOT an aid or a means to remove them.”

So it’s proven that this prayer is not from the Sunnah and it is an innovation in the religion.

And there’s *NO need* to pray two separate rak’aat just to have our needs fulfilled. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam never read any such prayer. 

So why should “we”?

AUTHENTIC ALTERNATIVE

So the next time, if you’re in need of something and want to ask Allaah, simply spread out your hands and ASK. 

Ask Him in times and places where duaa is more likely to be accepted.

For example

-in your five daily prayers, ESPECIALLY in the position of Sajdah, DURING your Salaah WHILE you’re praying. 

-Or make duaa while sitting in the tashahhud after sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, but before the Salaam 

-Also make duaa in between adhaan and iqaamah.

-Or in the middle of the night in tahajjud. 

-Or when it rains. 

-Or when breaking your fast. 

-Or in the last hour of Friday 

And in many other situations when it’s proven from the authentic Sunnah that duaa is more likely to be accepted.

And Allaah knows best

593. How To Make Wudhu?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala tell us in the Qur’aan how to make wudhu. 

He said:

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salaat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles”

[Surah al-Maa’idah 5:6].

The Pillars (Fardh) of wudhu 

Based on the above Aayah, there are SIX essential parts (“pillars”) or Fardh of wudhu. 

If any of these steps is missing, the wudhu is NOT VALID. 

1. Washing the face, of which the mouth and nose are part.

2. Washing the arms up to the elbows.

3. Wiping the head.

4. Washing the feet up to the ankles.

5. Washing these parts of the body *in the proper order*.

6. Doing these actions consecutively (that is, washing one after the other, with no lengthy lapse of time in between).

(ar-Rawd al-Murbi‘ ma‘a Haashiyat Ibn Qaasim (1/181-188).

Some of the scholars are of the opinion that saying “Bismillaah” is fardh. 

But the *stronger* scholarly opinion is that it’s Sunnah. 

The Sunnahs of wudhu:

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

The sunnahs of wudhu are as follows:

1. Using siwaak, which is to be done when rinsing the mouth, so that by means of the siwak and rinsing the mouth, the mouth will be cleansed for worship and be prepared for recitation of Qur’aan and conversing with Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.

2. Washing the hands three times when starting wudoo’, before washing the face, because of the hadiths which speak of that, and because the hands are the tools used to transport water to the other parts of the body, so washing them is prudent action before proceeding with wudoo’.

3. Starting by rinsing the mouth and nose before washing the face, because starting with them is mentioned in the hadiths; and one should do them thoroughly when not fasting.

What is meant by washing the mouth thoroughly is circulating water to all parts of the mouth, and when rinsing the nose it means taking up water to the deepest part of the nose.

4. In the case of a thick beard, ensuring that water reaches throughout; and making sure that water gets in between the fingers and toes.

5. Starting on the right in the case of the hands/arms and feet, before the left.

6. Washing more than once, up to three times, when washing the face, hands/arms and feet.

[al-Mulakhkhas al-Fiqhi (1/44-45)]

Wiping the ears is also considered a Sunnah according to the majority of the scholars. 

How to do wudhu according to the Sunnah

Humraan the freed slave of ‘Uthmaan radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan radhi Allaahu anhu called for water to do wudhu.He washed his hands three times, then he rinsed his mouth and nose, then he washed his face three times, then he washed his right arm up to the elbow three times, then he washed his left arm likewise. Then he wiped his head, then he washed his right foot up to the ankle three times, then he washed his left foot likewise. 

Then he said, “I saw the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam doing wudhu’ as I have done it, then the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever does wudhu as I have done it, then prays two rak’ahs in which he focuses completely on his prayer, his previous sins will be forgiven.’” (Saheeh Muslim 331) 

So the way to perform wudhu is the following:

1. Have the intention 

Remember the intention in s in the heart and NOTHING to be said verbally.

2. Say Bismillaah 

3. Wash your hands three times from the fingertips up to the wrists 

4. Rinse your mouth three times, swirling the water around inside your mouth, and rinse your nose three times, blowing the water out and using the left hand to remove the water from your nose.

5. Wash you face three times, from the hairline to the jawbone and chin, and from ear to ear. 

A man should wash the hair of his beard because it is part of the face. 

If his beard is thin he has to wash it inside and out, and if it is thick and covers the skin, he should wash the surface of it only and run his wet fingers through it.

6. Wash your arms three times, starting at the fingertips, including the nails, up to and including the elbows. 

7. Wipe your head and ears once with fresh water, not the water left over from washing his arms. 

How to wipe the head:

Put your wet hands at the front of your head and bring them to the back of your head, then bring them back to the place where you started. 

Then put your index fingers in your ears and wipe the back of the ears with your thumbs. 

A woman should wipe her head the same way as the man, except that she doesn’t have to bring her hands back up towards the front of her head.  

8.Wash your feet three times up to the ankles, paying special attention to the heels and the ankle bones.

After doing wudhu it is recommended to say the duaas for wudhu.

Also it’s important to remove anything stuck to the skin before washing for wudhu, such as nail polish, wax, dough, mud, paint, etc, that could prevent water from reaching the skin.

What about wiping the NECK?

Wiping the neck during wudhu is *not* part of the Sunnah. 

All the ahaadeeth regarding this wiping are NOT authentic and are graded as “*da’eef*” according to the the scholars of hadeeth. 

Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“There is no saheeh report from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam which says that he wiped his neck during wudhu;

rather no such thing has been narrated from him in any saheeh hadeeth. 

Rather the saheeh ahaadeeth which describe the wudhu of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

do NOT mention that he wiped his neck. 

Hence the majority of scholars, such as Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmed did not regard that as mustahabb. 

Those who say that it is mustahabb rely on a *da’eef (weak) hadeeth* which says that he wiped his head until he reached the back of his head. 

*Such reports cannot be relied on*,  and it does not contradict what is indicated by the sound ahaadeeth. 

Whoever does not wipe his neck, his wudhu is valid according to scholarly consensus.”

(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 21/127)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“There is no saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam about wiping the neck at all.”

(Zaad al-Ma’aad 1/195)

 Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: 

“It is not mustahabb or prescribed in sharee’ah to wipe the neck, rather the head and the ears only are to be wiped, as is indicated by the Qur’aan and Sunnah.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 10/103)

How to make wudhu without extravagance or wasting water 

Someone asked Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad:

“How do we use the water for wudhu without extravagance if the water runs continuously?”

He said:

“Water runs from the faucet in every place. So it is upon the one making wudhu that when he opens the faucet that he does not open it with strength. 

Rather, he opens it in accordance to what suffices him. When he is making wudhu, he should not increase beyond three washes [of every limb]. So like that a person will not be an extravagant one. So he does not exceed the limit and he does not let the water flow powerfully such that a lot of water is wasted during the wudhu”. [Sharh Sunan Abu Dawood no. 98]

And Allaah knows best