Time for Starting Qasr

Q: When do I become a traveller? Is it only once I pass 77 km or is it immediately once I set out on my journey (which will be more than 77km)?

A: If you are going to travel for 77 km or more, you will start making Qasr (shortening Fardh Salaah) once you leave the border of your hometown.

Fard of Tashahhud

Q: What is the fard part of the At Tahiyyat (Tashahhud)?

A. In the Hanafi Madhab the entire At Tahiyyaat (Tashahhud) is Fardh and not the Durood and Du'aa.

In the Shaafi'ee Madhab the entire At Tahiyyaat and the first part of the Durood (ALLAAHUMMA SALLI ALAA MOHAMMAD) is Fardh. The rest of the Durood and Du'aa is not Fardh.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Hadith on Talking During Athan

Q: I have been sent an email which quotes a hadith:

The holy Prophet Mohammad (SalallaAllahu Alehi Wasallam) said, stop doing everything during the Azan even reading the Quran, (and repeat the Azaan with the Moazzin.) The person who talks during the Azaan will not be able to say the Kalma-e-shahadat on his/her death bed.

Is this correct?

A. The narration stating that one who speaks during the Adhaan will not be able to recite the Kalimah at the time of death is a fabrication, as mentioned in Kashful-Khifaa and San’aani.

However, in spite of the narration being a fabrication, it is still necessary and highly emphasized that one should stop all work and listen to the Adhaan as well as reply to its wordings.

It is highly disrespectful and bad to continue speaking worldly matters while the Adhaan is in progress. It is among the important etiquette of Adhaan to maintain silence while it is being called out, to answer its wordings and to recite the Durood and Du'aa after Adhaan.

A Hadeeth mentions that the intercession of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) becomes compulsory for the person who recites the Du'aa after Adhaan. (Mishkaat V1 P146).

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Sajda Sahw and Breaking Wudhu

Q: What should a person do if sajdah sahw is required from him, but he broke his wudhu in the final sitting after reading the tahiyyaat? Does he need to do sajdah sahw without wudhu? Or should he take wudhu come back and make sajdah sahw?

A: If Sajdah Sahw had become Waajib then until the Musalli does not do the Sajdah with Wudhu the Salaah will not be complete, hence the Mussali wil have to make a fresh Wudhu and complete the Salaah without engaging in any extra actions. This is termed as 'Binaa'. Because the conditions of Binaa are very stringent, Ulama advise that it is better to abandon that Salaah and redo the complete Salaah.

And Allah knows best
Mufti Aadil Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Status of Postures in Salaah

Q: Why is it that the according to the Hanafis the itidaal (not to rush with postures) in ruku and sajdah is wajib or fard, but the itidaal in qawma (between Ruku and Sajda) and jalsa (between two sajdas) is sunnah ? Is this the reason Hanafis pray rapidly the qawma and jalsas?

A. The preferred view in the Hanafi math-hab, after considering the different narrations as well as the principles governing Salaah, is that according to Imam Abu Haneefah and Imam Muhammad, ta’deel or tama’neenat is Waajib in Ruku and Sujood, Sunnat in Qaumah and Jalsah. The reason for this is that the actual Ruku and Sajdah are Fardh and perfection of a Fardh is Waajib, while Jalsah and Qaumah are Waajib and perfection of a Waajib is Sunnah.

According to Imam Abu Yusuf Ta’deel is Fardh in all four postures, and this is also the view of the Maaliki and Shaafi'ee Scholars. A minority among the Hanafi scholars have opted for the view that Ta’deel is Waajib in all the above postures. On this basis, latter Hanafi scholars say that the Musallee should exercise caution in this regard and apply the law of Ta’deel in all postures to be on the safe side.

As regards Hanafi Musallees who perform these postures quickly, well, they do so out of their own negligence and hastiness, not because of the above differences among Ulama. As mentioned just now, they should refrain from such hastiness in Salaah and fulfil this great act of worship with calmness and dignity.

And Allah knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

Esha Salaah and Tiredness

Q: I am pregnant, and I feel extremely tired. While reading Esha sometimes, I feel so sleepy and I find myself nodding off and my recitation cuts off, and I can’t remember where I stopped my recitation, so I start my whole surah again. Is my salaah acceptable like this? If not, when I do feel this way is it acceptable to not read my salaah and make qadhaa for it the next day? Can you give me a dua to read to give me the energy to have strength and stay awake until I have completed me Esha?

A: If you read at least 3 verses or more of your Surah after Surah Faatihah then you don’t need to repeat the Surah from the beginning. Your Salaah will be valid even with that half or portion of the Surah.

Delaying a Salaah that it becomes Qadhaa is sinful. A Salaah has to be performed in its proper time, even if the concentration is not full. Offering the Salaah in its proper time is more important than observing proper concentration. Ideally one should try to do both, but first and foremost is to perform the Salaah in the correct time.

You should either offer Eshaa Salaah as soon as the time of Eshaa enters, or rest for a while and thereafter offer the Eshaa Salaah. You should only do this if you are absolutely sure that you will wake up on time.

Although the Eshaa Salaah is valid up to the time Fajr begins, it is Makrooh to delay after half the night has passed. Eshaa performed after half of the night has passed merits less reward. It is best to perform it before a third of the night is over. (Deen ki Baatain P65).

Recite the following regularly (Surah Ebrahim verse 40):

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاء

Females Working at Juma Time

Q: Is it true that Muslims regardless if they are making Jumah Salaah or not (e.g. a menstruating lady) must close their business & not receive any income for the duration at all?

A. Those people upon whom Jumu'ah Salaah is Fardh, such as adult males, must stop trading when the first Adhaan goes for Jumu'ah Salaah. It is Haraam for them to continue trading. If there is a female is in the shop during Jumu'ah time, the income will be Halaal but females should not be in business at all, whether they are menstruating or not. This is a separate issue from the question of trading during Jumu'ah time.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Time fot Tahajjud Salaah

Q: Is it permissible to pray tahajjud salaah when one is awake till late at night or is it necessary to sleep and then wake up to pray tahajjud?

A. Although there is more reward for Tahajjud if one wakes up from sleep and then performs it, (because of the sacrifice of parting from a warm bed), Tahajjud is valid from after Eshaa Salaah. Nafl performed after Eshaa Salaah will be counted as Tahajjud. (Al Bahrur Raa'iq V4 P245)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Proof for no Zuhr on Friday

Q: Is there any hadith or prove in Islam that one should not perform zuhar salaah on a Friday?

A. The Hadeeth clearly mentions that Jumu'ah has been made Fardh upon the Ummah. From the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and throughout the centuries the Ummah performed Jumu'ah on a Friday during the time of Thuhr without performing Thuhr. Obviously, the practice of the Sahaabah and those after them has been derived from the practice of the Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam).

The books of Fiqh state that if Jumu'ah is Fardh on a person, he will make Jumu'ah and not Thuhr.

Sayyidina Abu Sa'eed Khudri (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) delivered a Khutbah wherein he said: Verily Allah has made Jumu'ah compulsory (Fardh) upon you in this place of mine, in this moment, on this day, in this month, in this year, till the day of Qiyaamah. The Hadeeth further says that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) cursed the person who neglects Jumu'ah without a valid reason. He said that may that person's affairs not become right and may he not be given Barakah (blessings) in his matters. His Salaah, Haj, good deeds and Sadaqah will not be accepted until he makes Taubah for neglecting Jumu'ah. (Al Mu'jamul Awsat V7 P192, Badaai'us Sanaai' V1 P256)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Time for Zuhr Qadha

Q: If a person misses Zuhr salah for any reason, should the Qadha be performed before or after asr salah?

A. If the person only has this Qadhaa of Zuhr on him and no other Qadhaa, then he has to first make the Qadhaa of Zuhr and thereafter perform Asr. If he first made Asr and then Zuhr, he will have to repeat both in sequence.

If he has 5 or more Qadhaa that are unfulfilled, then he may perform Asr first and then the Qadhaa of Zuhr Salaah. (Deen Ki Baatein P139)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Salaah with Long Skirt

Q: Is it permissible for a woman to make salaah with a long skirt and burka over (nothing underneath the skirt) or must she wear a pants under the skirt?

A. If the skirt is thick and not see-through, and movement does not cause the skirt moving in such a manner that a portion of the Satr (that which must be covered) to open, the Salaah will be valid. However, it is best to wear pants under the skirt.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Lady Covering Feet in Salaah

Q: Can a female make salaah without her entire feet being covered?

A. Salaah of a female is valid without the feet being covered. (Al Inaayah V1 P418). This is according to the Hanafi Madhab.

According to the Shaafi'ee Madhab, the feet must be covered in Salaah. (Fiqhul Ibaadaat – Shaafi'ee V1 P231).

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Standing for Salaah Before Imam

Q: What is the ruling for standing up for salaah before the imaam stands up?

A. For the Muqtadis to stand up for Salaah and straighten the Saffs before the Imam stands up is permissible. There is great emphasis in many Ahaadeeth on the straightening of the Saffs. In these times of apathy, it is best that the Muqtadis prepare the Saff well in advance.

A Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) states that they (the Sahaabah) would stand up for Salaah and straighten the Saffs even before Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) emerged from his quarters.
(Muslim V2 P101)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Surah Fatihah in Janaza salaah

Q: A ghair muqallid (person who does not follow a Math-hab) brother asked me why Hanafis do not recite surah fatiha in Janaza Salaah (funeral prayer). He said it is mentioned in a Bukhari hadith. What is the answer?

A. Explain to your Ghair Muqallid brother that Bukhaari Shareef does not contain ALL the Hadeeth, there are other Hadeeth compilations too. Yes, Bukhaari does have the Hadeeth that Surah Faatihah should be recited in Janaazah Salaah and this is the practice of the Shaafi'ee Madhab. On the other hand it is reported from Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah, ibni Umar, Umar, Ali and many others among the Taabi'een (Radhiyallaahu Anhum) that there is no Qiraa'at in Janaazah Salaah and this is the practice of the Hanafi and Maaliki Madhabs.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Number of Rakaats in Esha

Q: How many rakaats are there in esha salaah. Please give details about the number of rakaats as well as their status (farz, sunnah muakiddah or not, nafils, witr etc.)

A: Four Sunnah Ghayr Mu'akkadah
Four Fardh
Two Sunnah Mu'akkadah
Two Nafl
Three Witr (Waajib)
Two Nafl.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Reading Zuhr Salaah in Asr Time

Q: For a year I have read salah zuhr late i.e. in the time of asr. I didn't know that the time of zuhr had finished. Then when I came across the local salah timetable I was shocked. I had read the namaaz of zuhr late. Do I still have to do qadaa?

A. All the Thuhr Salaahs that you performed in the time of Asr thinking that it was still Thuhr time are valid and do not have to be repeated as Qadhaa. You should now ensure that you perform Thuhr in its correct time and not after the time of Asr has entered. (Raddul Muhtaar V3 P313)

Mufti Siraj Desai

Intention for Qadhaa Salaah

Q: Is it correct to make an intention for qadha salah in this way: "Fajr fard 12th qadha"?

A: If you have a lot of Qadhaa to fulfil, the easier method of intention is: 'I am performing the first Fardh of Fajr Qadhaa on me.' Every time you perform another Qadhaa of that particular Salaah, it will be the first upon you.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Reciting Surah Faatihah in Salaah

Q: I read that one should be able to hear his recitation of surah fatiha in salah, otherwise the salah is invalid. Is it true?

A: One should be able to hear oneself in whatever is recited in Salaah, not only Surah Faatihah. Lip movement without sound or reciting in the mind does not suffice. One must recite in an audible manner for the Salaah to be valid. If someone else is performing Salaah close to you or you are in a Masjid, do not recite so loud that the person close by becomes disturbed by your recital. (Raddul Muhtaar V3 P476)

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Reciting Durood During Khutba

Q: Should one recite should we say "sallalaahu alaihi wa sallam" with the tongue or in the mind during the Friday khutbah?

A: Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam should be said in the mind during the Friday Khutbah. (Raddul MuhtaarV6 P113, V6 P115)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Reciting Between Khutbas

Q: What can one say when the Imam sits in the small interval of Friday khutbah?

A: You can make Du'aa in your mind during the interval between the two Khutbahs. (Raddul Muhtaar V6 P133)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai