631. If The Imaam Is Praying Taraaweeh When I Get To The Masjid, But I Have Not Yet Prayed 'Ishaa, What Should I Do?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Since the Taraaweeh prayer is read ONLY AFTER  you're done with Ishaa', so what you can do is to JOIN the congregation and pray with them. 

That’s because we are supposed to join the Imaam wherever he is in prayer. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“When you hear the iqaamah, then walk to the prayer and be calm and dignified. Do not rush, and whatever you catch up with pray, and whatever you miss, complete it.” 

(al-Bukhaari 600).

*However, before joining, you should make the intention for your “Ishaa prayer” while the rest of the people are praying with the intention of Taraaweeh.*

Then, when the Imaam finishes and says salaam after the two rakaat, you should not say salaam; rather you should stand up and complete the rest of your Ishaa prayer. 

What NOT to Do

Don't be the like the one who goes to the back, quickly reads four SUPER FAST Rakaat Ishaa', *alone on his own*, *separate from the rest of the congregation* who are praying Taraaweeh and then after he finishes, he quickly runs to join the congregation.  

*That is NOT correct and is against the etiquette of prayer*. 

Besides, there's also no khushoo' in your fardh prayer.

QUESTION

*Is it allowed to have DIFFERENT intentions in the same prayer?*

It is perfectly OKAY for you to have a different intention and the Imaam has a different intention.

PROOF:

“Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah radhi Allaahu anhu said that Mu’aadh radhi Allaahu anhu would pray with the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam then go back and lead his people in that prayer.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Of course the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam KNEW that Mu’adh radhi Allaahu anhu was praying his fardh prayer behind the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and then leading his people in Ishaa prayer later. 

And that counted as Nafl prayer for him. 

If it was wrong, surely the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would have corrected Mu’adh radhi Allaahu anhu or said something. 

But he didn’t. 

*Rather his silence is his approval.*

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"There is *nothing wrong* with his praying with them with the intention of praying 'Ishaa', according to the more correct of the two scholarly views. 

When the Imaam says the tasleem, he should stand up and complete his prayer. 

It was proven in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Mu'aadh ibn Jabal that he used to pray 'Isha', then he would go back to his people and lead them in 'Isha' prayer, and the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not denounce that. 

This indicates that it is permissible to offer a fard prayer behind someone who is praying a naafil prayer."

(Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz)

And Allaah knows best

630. I've loaned Money To Someone. Should I Include That Amount When Calculating Zakaah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

That depends on the one you’ve loaned your money to. 

If he’s someone well-off and you EXPECT your money to be returned, then you should pay zakaah on it every year. 

That’s because it’s kind of like you still have the money in your possession. 

BUT if he’s a person who’s struggling financially and you DO NOT EXPECT your money to be returned any time soon, then you don't have to pay zakaah on it until you get it back in your possession. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen about this issue. 

He said:

“The correct view is that zakaah must be paid on it each year, if it is owed by one who is rich and willing to pay, because it comes under the same ruling as wealth that you have with you; but he should pay it when he takes possession of the debt, and if he wishes he may pay zakaah on it with the zakaah of the rest of his wealth. 

The former is a concession (rukhsah) and the latter is a virtue, and is more expedient in discharging one’s duty. 

But if it is owed by one who is delaying payment or one who is hard up, then no zakaah is due on it, even if it remains for ten years, because he is unable to dispose of it, but if he takes possession of it, he should pay zakaah once, for the year in which he took possession of it, and he does not have to pay zakaah for the time that has passed.”

And the Islamic Fiqh Council said:

This matter may be summed up as follows:

1.   The lender has to pay zakaah annually on the money lent, if the borrower is rich and is known to repay debts promptly. In this case, because it is possible to recover the money readily, it is like money that is in one's possession.

2.   The lender has to pay zakaah one full year after recovering the money if the borrower is in difficulty or is known to delay repayment. He does not have to pay zakaah before he gets the money back, because it is not readily accessible and this is not like money that is in one's possession.” 

(Qaraaraat Majma' al-Fiqh al-Islami page 9)

And Allaah knows best

629. Some Interesting Information About What Happens To Our Body During Fasting

By Asma bint Shameem

Some interesting information about what happens to our Body during fasting.

Detoxification Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)

On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops. 

The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. 

Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. 

The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst. 

Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. 

Hunger can be the most intense in this period.

Detoxification Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)

Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. 

The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. 

The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. 

White blood cell and immune system activity increases. 

You may feel pain in your lungs. 

The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. 

The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. 

Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted faeces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.

Detoxification Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)

You will experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better. 

On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. 

This is a result of the body's increased ability to heal during fasting.

If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. 

At the time of the break, the body's ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. 

If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body's natural healing ability was compromised. 

During fasting, the body's healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. 

These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. 

The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. 

The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. 

The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs.

Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. 

Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.

Detoxification Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)

The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. 

There is more energy and clarity of mind. 

Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. 

There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. 

The healing work of the organs is being completed. 

After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. 

After day 20, the mind is affected. 

Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time.

Memory and concentration improve.

SubhanAllah what great health benefits but think of the rewards that will really matter and given by Allah in this life and the next in-sha'-Allah.

628. Woman Travelling Without A Mahram

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about women traveling without a mahram.

Some of them say that it’s allowed as long as she’s safe and she’s traveling with a group of trustworthy people 

While some of the ulama say that she’s not allowed to travel alone unless there’s an important need. 

That’s because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“It is unlawful for a woman that believes in Allaah and the Last Day to travel the distance of a single day without a mahram.” (al-Bukhaari 1038, Muslim 1339)

Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“This action – (travel without a mahram) – is haraam because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu who said: 

I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say, when he was delivering a sermon, 

“No woman should travel except with a mahram.” 

A man stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, my wife has set out for Hajj, and I have signed up for such-and-such a military campaign.” 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“Go and do Hajj with your wife.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

So it is not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram. 

A mahram is a man whom she is forever forbidden to marry because of blood ties or for a permissible reason. 

This is also subject to the condition that he be an adult of sound mind. 

A minor child cannot be a mahram, and neither can one who is not of sound mind. 

The reason for a mahram’s presence being required is so that he can look after her and protect her, so that she will not be bothered by those who do not fear Allaah and do not show mercy to the slaves of Allaah. 

It makes no difference whether there are other women with her or not, or whether she is safe or not. 

Even if she goes with women from her own family and she is extremely safe, it is not permissible for her to travel without a mahram, because when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam commanded that man to go and perform Hajj with his wife, he did not ask whether there were other women with her or not, or whether she was safe or not. 

The fact that he did not ask about that indicates that it makes no difference. 

This is the correct view.”

(Daleel Al-Akhta’ Allati Yaqa’a Fiha Al-Haaj Wa’l-Mu’tamir)

However if there’s a NEED, or special circumstances, then the ulama say a woman may be allowed to travel by herself. 

Shaikh Ibn Jibreen said:

“ There is nothing wrong with that if it is too difficult for the mahram, such as her husband or father, if the woman has to travel and the mahram cannot accompany her. 

In that case there is nothing to prevent that on condition that the first mahram takes her to the airport and does not leave her until she boards the plane, and he contacts the country to which she is headed and makes sure that her mahrams there will meet her in the airport, and he tells them the time of arrival and the flight number. 

That is because cases of necessity have their own rulings. And Allah knows best.”

(Fataawa Ibn Jibreen)

And Allaah knows best