CHAPTER 32, AS-SAJDAH (THE PROSTRATION)

Introduction

Chapter thirty-two is named The Prostration.  The title comes from verse fifteen, in which the true believers bow down in worship.  This verse is one of fifteen places in the Quran where the worshippers should bow down, or prostrate during recitation.  The beginning of the chapter emphasizes the truth of the Quran and by the end Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, is told to pay no attention to those who cannot see the significance of God’s signs.  It is a Meccan chapter whose main theme is the Oneness of God. 

Verse 1 -3 Without doubt

This chapter begins with the Arabic letters, alif, lam, meem.  It is one of six chapters that begin with this particular combination of letters and one of twenty-nine chapters that begin with various combinations of letters.  God did not reveal any specific meaning regarding them.   There is no doubt that this Book, the Quran, is from God, the Lord of all the worlds.  People try to say that Muhammad has made it up, or forged it but that is not true.  It is a Book of truth from God to Prophet Muhammad in order that he may warn his people.  No warner has come to them before and from this Book they will receive guidance.

Verses 4 – 11 The creation of Adam and humankind

It was God who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six days (periods of time), He then set Himself above the throne.  (Mentioning the throne establishes the fact that God not only created the worlds but rules over them in a very real way.) There is no protection or intercession except what comes from God Himself, so why will you not listen and take heed.   God arranges every matter in the heavens and on earth and then they will ascend to Him in one day, but in the reckoning of the human being this is a period of one thousand years.  (This could be understood to mean that events in a thousand years of our history are accomplished by God in one day.)

God knows everything that is hidden and everything that is openly revealed.  He is Almighty and He is Merciful, the One who perfected everything.  He created the beginning of humankind with the creation of Adam from clay.  He then made his descendants from an extract of fluid (semen).  He then fashioned him in perfect proportions and breathed life into him, giving him hearing, and sight, and a mind.  Even so humankind is seldom grateful.  And they say, when we are dead and buried will we really be recreated? They disbelieve in the meeting with their Lord.   Say, the angel of death, who has been assigned to you will carry you back to your Lord.

Verses 12 – 22 On the Day of Judgment

If only you could see how the criminals hang their heads in shame asking their Lord to return them to the world.  We are now convinced and will try to do better, they say.  If it had been God’s will He could have given guidance to every soul.  But God’s word will be fulfilled and Hell will be filled with jinn and humankind.  You ignored the meeting planned for Judgment Day and now you will be ignored by God.  You will taste the punishment for all of eternity.

The people who believe in God’s revelations prostrate themselves whenever they are reminded of them.  They bow down in worship and praise God.  They are not arrogant, and they forsake their beds in order to pray to their Lord with fear and hope.  They are charitable with what God has given them.  Nobody knows what joy they will receive as a reward for what they have done.  Is a believer like a transgressor? Of course not! Those who believe and do good deeds will be rewarded with gardens of Paradise.  However, those who defy God will have their eternal home in the Fire.  Every time they try to leave they will be returned and told to taste the punishment.  They will surely taste the calamities and disasters of this world in the hope that they will return to the Right Path.  The one who rejects the messages from God recited to him will surely face retribution.

Verses 23 – 30 Similarities between Revelations

(Prophet Muhammad) Do not have any doubt in the Book you are receiving (Quran).  It meets the same criteria as the Book we gave to Prophet Moses as a guide for the Children of Israel.  When they were patient and believed in Our signs We raised leaders from among them who guided according to their Book.  And on the Day of Judgment God will decide the matters over which they differed.

They do not understand how many previous generations were destroyed by God.  They walk and dwell in the same places but still do not see the signs, nor do they hear.  They do not think about how God sends down rain onto the barren land.  Without it they would have no crops or vegetation, for their livestock or for themselves.  They do not listen and they do not see.  They ask when the Day of Judgment will take place.  Tell them that on that Day believing will be of no benefit to the disbelievers.  It will be too late and they will not be granted reprieve.  Do not pay any attention to them, turn away and wait.  They are also waiting. -islamreligion.com

The virtue of fasting six days of Shawwaal

QUESTION :

What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwaal? Is it waajib (obligatory)?

ANSWER :

Praise be to Allah.

Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not waajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Abu Ayyoob (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained this when he said: “Whoever fasts for six days after (Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it).” According to another report: “Allaah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” (al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah. See also Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/421). It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: “Fasting for the month of Ramadaan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year.”

The Hanbali and Shaafa’i fuqaha’ explained that fasting six days of Shawwaal after fasting Ramadaan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to naafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwaal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadaan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his naafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salaah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels – although He knows best – ‘Look at the salaah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).

And Allah knows best.

-islamqa.info

The ‘Eid Prayer

First: The ‘Eed Prayer consists of two Rak’ahs (units of prayer). Ibn ‘Umar  said: “The traveller's prayer consists of two Rak’ahs; the Al-Adh-ha ('Eed) prayer consists of two Rak’ahs and the Al-Fitr ('Eed) prayer consists of two Rak’ahs. They are complete prayers (in this form) and not shortened, and (we took this) from the tongue of the Prophet  .”

Second: The first Rak’ah begins with the Takbeer (saying: 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest)) as is the case with all other prayers. Then the Imam (followed by the praying Muslims) recites seven Takbeerat (the plural of Takbeer). In the second Rak’ah, there are five Takbeerat other than the transmission Takbeer (i.e., the one recited when the Imam and the praying Muslims stand up to perform the second Rak’ah). ‘Aa’ishah  said: “The Prophet  would recite Takbeer in (the prayers of ‘Eed) Al-Fitr and Al-Adh-ha; he would recite seven Takbeerat in the first (Rak’ah) and five in the second one, aside from the two Takbeerat that precede the Rukoo’ (bowing).”

Imam Al-Bahawi  said: “It is the opinion of most of the well-versed scholars from among the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, as well as those who followed them, that there are seven Takbeerat in the first Rak’ah of the ‘Eed prayer other than the first Takbeer (Takbeeratul-Ihram), and five Takbeerat in the second Rak’ah other than the transmission Takbeer, and all this precedes reciting (verses from the Noble Quran); this was narrated from Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Ali .”

Third: It is not affirmed that the Prophet  would raise his hands with every Takbeer, but Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim  said: “Though Ibn ‘Umar  was a great follower of the prophetic Sunnah, his understanding and action was to raise his hands when reciting the Takbeerat.”

Shaykh Al-Albani  said in his book entitled Tamam Al-Minnah: "Although it was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar  did so (i.e., raising the hands when reciting Takbeer) it does not mean it is a prophetic Sunnah, not to mention the fact that the narration about ‘Umar and his son  (doing so) is inauthentic. As for 'Umar’s narration, Al-Bayhaqi narrated it through a weak chain of narrators, and as for his son’s narration (Ibn ‘Umar), I have not yet found a chain of narrators for it.”

However, Shaykh Al-Albani  also said in his book entitled Ahkam Al-Jana’iz regarding a point very close to the one under discussion: "He who believes that he (i.e., Ibn ‘Umar  ) used not to do that (i.e., raising his hands when reciting Takbeer) except with the Prophet’s  approval, then he may do it.” 

Fourth: Nothing was affirmed concerning any remembrance between the ‘Eed Takbeerat from the Prophet  but it was narrated (through a good chain of narrators) from Ibn Mas‘ood,  that he said about the ‘Eed prayer: “Between every two Takbeerat there is praising of Allah the Almighty and celebration of His Attributes.”

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim  said: “He  would keep silent between every two Takbeerat for a short period, but nothing is affirmed of him reciting any supplication between them.”

Fifth: When the Prophet  was done with the Takbeerat, he would recite Chapter Al-Faatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and then recite Chapter 'Qaf' in the first Rak’ah and Chapter Al-Qamar in the second.

Sometimes, he  would recite Chapter Al-A'ala in the first Rak’ah, and Chapter Al-Ghashiyah in the second one.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim  said: “These two cases were affirmed from the Prophet  and nothing else.

Sixth: The rest of the acts of the ‘Eed prayer are as those of any other prayer; nothing is different.

Seventh: Whoever misses the ‘Eed prayer with the congregation can (optionally) offer a two Rak’ah prayer instead.

Imam Al-Bukhari  said: “Whoever misses the ‘Eed prayer may (optionally) offer a two Rak’ah prayer.”

Al-Hafith Ibn Hajar  said commenting on this point of Imam Al-Bukhari : “Regarding this point, there are two rulings:

A.     Making up the ‘Eed prayer is recommended if it was missed with the congregation, regardless of whether it was missed willingly or otherwise.

B.     It is a two Rak’ah prayer: ‘Ataa’  said: "Whoever missed the ‘Eed (prayer) could offer another two Rak’ah prayer (instead)."

Eighth: Reciting the Takbeerat (in the ‘Eed prayer) is a Sunnah (i.e., a recommended deed) which, if missed intentionally or out of forgetfulness, does not nullify the prayer, and this issue is agreed upon by the scholars. However, the one who leaves it is, undoubtedly, contradicting the Sunnah of the Prophet .

The Sermon after the Prayer:

It is from the prophetic Sunnah that the ‘Eed sermon should follow the ‘Eed prayer. Imam Al-Bukhari  named one of the chapters of his Book: "The Chapter of the Sermon After the ‘Eed Prayer." Ibn ‘Abbas  said: “I offered the ‘Eed prayer with Allah’s Messenger  as well as Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthman, and all of them, may Allah pleased with them, offered the ‘Eed prayer before delivering its Khutbah (religious sermon).”

Ibn ‘Umar  said: “The Prophet  Abu Bakr, and ‘Umar  used to offer the ('Eed) prayers before delivering its khutbah.” -islamweb.net

The Significance of Shawwal

Samar Yahya

The month of Shawwal is the tenth month in the Hijri calendar and it has great significance for all Muslims. During pre-Islamic times, Arabs believed that any marriage held in Shawwal would always turn out to be a failure. Superstitions and pessimistic beliefs were common in the pre-Islamic Arabian society. Islam came to change these mistaken beliefs and negative perceptions, including that of the month of Shawwal. Islam transformed these negative ideas and beliefs into positive ones. Shawwal begins Eid-ul-Fitr, the day of festival as a reward for fasting and long prayers throughout the month of Ramadan. Shawwal is the month of one of the two annual festivals in Islam; Eid-ul-Fitr. This happy day is a sign of gratefulness by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadan, and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan in fasting, praying, and performing other forms of worship. The celebration of Eid itself also encourages Muslims to perform more forms of worship. First, one must give Zakat-ul-Fitr one or two days prior to Eid or on the morning of Eid day. This is a charity given to the poor and needy so that they too can enjoy the day along with others. Eid prayers are performed on the morning of Eid in an open area so large numbers of Muslims can gather and perform Eid prayers collectively and meet and congratulate each other on the occasion of Eid.

Following the Eid prayer, is a sermon which the worshipers listen to. The month of Shawwal is the only other month in the Muslim lunar calendar in which certain days of fasting are prescribed. It is highly recommended to fast six days in Shawwal, as narrated by Abu Ayyub Ansari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, “If one throughout his life keeps the fasts of Ramadan and keeps six consecutive fasts in Shawwal it will be as though he has kept a whole lifetime of fasts, and if one fasts for six consecutive days in Shawwal it will be as though he has fasted all year round.”(Muslim) There is considerable flexibility in the opinions on how people should fast the six days of Shawwal. Some scholars hold the view that it is preferable to fast the six days in consecutive order, starting from the second day of Shawwal, yet others are of the opinion that it is better to fast the six days intermittently, spreading them out throughout the month of Shawwal. The wisdom of fasting these six days comes as sign to continue our commitment to worship just as we had been doing so in Ramadan. Fasting these six days is a sign of one’s commitment to continue in worship and submission to Allah, willingly and not out of obligation. Also as a sign of thankfulness, fasting these six days is an expression of thankfulness for the reward of fasting that Allah grants on the day of Eid. Thankfulness is the key to increase one’s blessings from Allah, and a means of securing one’s blessings and good. Fasting six days in Shawwal after observing Ramadan gives the person the reward of fasting all year long. Fasting is an action most beloved to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast frequently throughout the year. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said, “Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Fasting in Shawwal following Ramadan can cover up for the deficiencies in our performance of our obligatory worship during Ramadan. Acquiring the habit of fasting again soon after Ramadan helps to keep the spirit of worship of Allah high just as it was during Ramadan. Shawwal is also significant because it marks the onset of Hajj season.

The verse from the Holy Qur’an states, {Hajj is during well-known months} (Chapter 2, verse 197) Abdullah ibn Omar informs us that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared that the well-known months referred to in this verse are the lunar months of Shawwal, Dhul Qidah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijah. (Recorded in Al-Bukhari) Shawwal is the first of the three months named as the months of Hajj. Although the major rituals of Hajj are performed in the first ten days of Dhul Hijah, yet it comprises the whole period staring from the first of Shawwal until the end of the tenth day of Dhul Hijah. Shawwal also witnessed major events in the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The marriage of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Aisha took place in Shawwal The battle between Banu Qaynuqaa took place in Shawwal. The battle of Uhud also took place in Shawwal, three years after the Hijrah. Its history is significant as are the acts of worship and fasting that believers should observe in this month. -saudigazette.com.sa

What After Ramadan?

Ramadan is a level playing field wherein people compete with each other in good deeds and benevolence. During this blessed month, souls are trained in virtue and accustomed to dignity, they learn to disdain vices, sins and acquire all good attributes.

Whoever witnesses this month without gaining any of its rewards is indeed poor, and nothing cripples him other than negligence, laziness, procrastination, and false hopes.

However, what is appalling is to see some of those who were guided to do good deeds and take provisions from virtues during this month hastily destroying what they had built, and replacing good with evil. This is a gross mistake and shameful act in the true sense of the word and no remorse or apology will revoke it when you stand in front of your One Lord.

Bishr  was asked about people who only become diligent during the month of Ramadan and he said, “They are abominable people, because they only know Allah The Almighty during the month of Ramadan. The truly righteous people are those who worship Allah The Almighty diligently throughout the whole year.”

Ash-Shibli, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was asked, “Which is better: Sha‘ban or Rajab?” His answer was, “Be a worshipper of Allah The Almighty rather than a worshipper of Sha‘ban.”

‘Aa’ishah  was asked, ‘Did the Messenger of Allah  choose some special days (for fasting)?’ She replied, ‘No, but he used to be regular (constant) (in his service of worshipping).’ The Prophet  also never performed more than eleven Rak‘ahs (units of prayer) whether inRamadan or at any other time of the year.

We sincerely invite such people out of fear for them to reconsider their lifestyle and to review themselves and think about their condition before it is too late. We advise them not to allow appearances, their strength, health and youth to deceive them. That is because all of this is nothing but a mirage that one may see as water, but once he reaches it, he finds nothing. Health will be followed by sickness, youth will be followed by old age, and strength will eventually turn into weakness.

So, wake up and pay attention! Life is short even if it seems long, and happiness will end no matter how long it lasts.

Such people should know that perseverance and adherence to the right path as well as obedience to Allah The Almighty is one of the greatest signs of acceptance of one’s good deeds. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).} [Quran 15:99]

Consequently, the souls should remain adherent to the right and guided path just as they were during the month of Ramadan. Guidance is not confined to certain times and acts of worship, and obedience to AllahThe Almighty is not limited to the month of Ramadan.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri  said, “Allah has not set an end for the believer’s work other than death.” Then he recited: {And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty ‎‎ (death).}[Quran 15:99] ‎

Indeed, Ramadan has ended but you still have several renewed seasons for worship. The five daily prayers are among the highest and best good deeds and prayer is the first thing about which one would be asked on the Day of Judgment when he stands in front of Allah The Almighty.

If the fast of Ramadan has ended, then you have the voluntary fasts and occasions such as the six days of Shawwal, Mondays and Thursdays, the white days, the tenth day of Muharram, the Day of ‘Arafah, and so on.

If the night prayer of Ramadan has ended, you should know that the night prayer can be offered every night: {They used to sleep but little of the night‎}[Quran 51:17]

If the time of Zakat Al-Fitr has ended, then there is the obligatory Zakah in addition to the countless ways of giving voluntary charity.

Dear Muslim brother, you should know that one of the attributes of the slaves of Allah The Almighty is that they perform their good deeds constantly, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

•  {Those who are constant in their prayer}[Quran 70:23]
• {And they who carefully maintain their prayers -}[Quran 23:9]

If you aspire to know how to save yourself from this trap and how to perform good deeds regularly, you have to do the following:

1-   You must be sincerely and strongly determined to do good deeds constantly under all circumstances and conditions. This requires keeping away from weakness and laziness. That is why the Prophet, , used to seek refuge with Allah The Almighty from inability and laziness, given their dire consequences. Hence, you should seek the help of Allah The Almighty and move ahead.

2-   Moderation is very important, and you should never overburden yourself, as the Prophet, , said: “Do such deeds as you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) until you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

You should remember that there are blessings in perseverance. For example, whoever reads a Juz’ (portion) of the Quran every day will read the whole Quran in one month, and whoever observes fast for three days every month will be rewarded as if he had observed fast throughout the whole year. Likewise, whoever observes twelve voluntary Rak‘ahs every day, Allah The Almighty will build a house for him in Paradise, and so on.

3-   You should know that it is unacceptable for whoever observes a good deed to abandon it. It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas  said, “The Messenger of Allah, , said to me: ‘O ‘Abdullah! Do not be like so-and-so; he used to get up at night (for voluntary prayer) but abandoned it later.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

4-   Dear brother, remember what our righteous predecessors used to do. ‘Aa’ishah  said that whenever our beloved Prophet Muhammad, , missed the night prayer because of illness or sleep, he would pray twelve Rak’ahs the next day.[Muslim]

The Prophet, , also once missed ‘Itikaaf (staying in seclusion) and he made up for it in Shawwal. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, , said to Bilaal, may Allah be pleased with him: "‘O Bilal, tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e., one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since you accepted Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in Paradise.' Bilaal  said, ‘I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (or take a bath) in any hour of the night or day, I would immediately perform prayer for as long as was destined for me to pray.’'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, the most amazing thing is what ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, , used to do in response to the advice of the Prophet, , when he once visited him and found him sleeping with his wife Fatimah, , (daughter of the Prophet, ). ‘Ali  said, “The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, placed his leg between me and Fatimah  and taught us what to say when we go to bed, saying: ‘When you go to your bed recite thirty-three times Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), thirty-three times Alhamdulillaah (All praise is for Allah), and thirty-four times Allah-u-Akbar (Allah is The Greatest).’ ‘Ali added ‘By Allah, I never left this practice for the rest of my life.’ A man asked him, ‘Even on the night of the Battle of Siffeen?’ He said, ‘Yes, I observed this even on the night of Siffeen.’”[Al-Hakim: Saheeh]

If you contemplate over this narration, you will be amazed at the keenness and persistence on doing good deeds even at times of war and bloodshed. None of these distracted him from implementing the advice of the Prophet, , regarding what he should say upon going to bed. Such stories and narrations should make you persist in doing good deeds and attempting to imitate the righteous predecessors and following their path. -islamweb.net