Can You Fast Shawwal before Making Up Missed Fasts?

Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

1- As a priority, the first option is to always make the obligatory actions up.

2- The second option is that let’s say you had many fasts to make up, like twenty, and you started on the 10^th of Shawwal. So, once you finish the obligatory, you are going to be outside of Shawwal. So when are you going to do the six days of Shawwal? Well, what you would do there is that you would actually do the obligatory fasts, and then you would follow it up with six extra with the intention of it being Shawwal even though you are not in Shawwal.

3- The third option is that if you have many missed fasts, you can begin with the six days of Shawwal and you can make up the missed fasts later.

Source: Faith IQ Facebook page.

Allah Almighty knows best.

About Sheikh Abu Eesa Niamatullah

Sheikh Abu Eesa Niamatullah is Almaghrib Institute instructor and Vice-Chair of the Al-Qalam Sharī‘ah Panel, a fatwa body for legal and financial concerns based in UK. He also served as the resident scholar of Cheadle Masjid in South Manchester.

Is Congregational Prayer Valid if a Woman Walks Ahead?

 

Understanding the Ruling on Passing in Front of a Praying Person

A person’s prayer is invalidated if a woman, donkey or black dog passes in front of him. It was reported from `Abd-Allah ibn al-Samit that Abu Dharr said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘If any one of you stands up to pray, then he has a sutrah [an item placed in front of a praying person as a “screen”] if he has something the height of the back of a saddle in front of him. If he does not have something the height of the back of a saddle in front of him, then his prayer is invalidated if a donkey or a woman or a black dog passes in front of him.’” I [‘Abd-Allah] asked, “O Abu Dharr, what is the difference between a black dog and a red or yellow dog?” He said, “O son of my brother, I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) the same question, and he said, ‘The black dog is a shaytan (devil).’” (Muslim)

The height of the back of a saddle is one cubit or 2/3 of a cubit.

Does This Rule Apply to Congregational Prayer?

But this ruling applies only when one of these three pass in front of the imam or a person who is praying on his own, not when they pass between the rows of a congregation praying behind the imam during prayer in congregation, as the sister who asked the question thinks.

The Evidence from Ibn Abbas’ Hadith

The evidence for that is the report in which ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Abbas said: “I came along riding on a female donkey one day when I had just reached the age of puberty. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was leading the people in prayer in Mina, without any kind of wall in front of him. I passed in front of part of the row, then I got down and sent the donkey to graze, and joined the row, and no one rebuked me for that.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Imam Al-Bukhari gave this hadith the heading of “Sutrat al-Imam sutrat man khalfahu (the sutrah of the imam is the sutrah of those behind him).” This hadith clearly proves our point, which is that the person who is praying behind the imam does not have to have a sutrah, and it does not matter what passes in front of him, especially since Ibn ‘Abbas passed in front of them with his donkey, which is one of the things which invalidates prayer if it passes in front of the imam or a person who is praying on his own.

 Ibn `Abd al-Barr said:

This hadith – i.e., the hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri which says “If any one of you is praying, he should not let anyone pass in front of him. Let him push him away as much as he can, and if he insists then let him fight him, for he is nothing but a shaytan (devil)” – indicates that it is makruh to pass in front of a person who is praying if he is praying on his own and without a sutrah. The same ruling applies to the imam if he is praying without a sutrah.

Does the Imam’s Sutrah Apply to the Whole Congregation?

But with regard to the person who is praying behind the imam, it does not matter what passes in front of him, just as it does not matter what passes in front of the imam or person praying alone if it passes behind the sutrah. The sutrah of the imam is also the sutrah of those who are praying behind him.

We say this concerning the imam and the person who prays alone, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If any one of you is praying…” According to the scholars, this means praying on his own, because of the hadith of Ibn `Abbas. Hence we say that the person who is praying behind the imam does not have to push away the person who passes in front of him, because Ibn ‘Abbas said:  “I came along riding on a female donkey one day when I had just reached the age of puberty. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was leading the people in prayer in Mina, without any kind of wall in front of him. I passed in front of part of the row, then I got down and sent the donkey to graze, and joined the row, and no one rebuked me for that.” (Al-Tamheed, 4/187)

Does a Woman Walking in Front Break the Prayer?

On this basis, the sister who asked this question, and other people, do not have to push away anyone who passes in front of them if they are praying behind the imam, and there is no sin on the person who passes in front of the row if this is done  for a reason. Pushing a person away and preventing them from passing in front is to be done by the imam or the person who is praying alone, if a person wants to pass between him and his sutrah.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: https://islamqa.info/en/3404

Why Should You Fast Shawwal?

 

Ramadan is over, yes. But there’s still a chance that you could gain more rewards even after Ramadan, and that is by fasting 6 days of Shawwal. And guess what, if you do it, it’s considered a sign of an accepted Ramadan! Watch the video for more information.  - aboutislam.net

What Is the Meaning, Significance of Eid Takbir?

 

Let us quickly review the background of the chant you mentioned; it is called Takbir of Eid.

Eid means an Islamic, public celebration.

Such celebrations occur twice a year. Each time following the completion of one of the five pillars of Islam.

The first, Eid al-Fitr, marks the completion of fasting the blessed month of Ramadan, the fourth pillar of Islam.

The second, Eid al-Adha, marks the completion of Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah), the fifth pillar of Islam.

According to the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) everyone is urged to attend Eid Prayer—men, women, and children.

A Day of Joy & Gratitude

During Eid, Muslims express their gratitude to Allah for enabling them to observe the major acts of worship preceding each Eid.

And they also visibly show joy and congratulate each other.

Therefore, Eid is a day of joy, thanksgiving to Allah, brotherhood, and unity.

Muslims have no public celebrations apart from Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said what means:

[…] Every nation has its festival, and this is your festival. (Al-Bukhari)

Also, the time for Eid Prayer is when the sun has risen about three meters (10 feet) above the horizon.

Eid Prayers cannot be said after midday. It is better to hold Eid Prayers in the open if there is no rain or bad weather.

The Prophet never performed Eid Prayers in the mosque except once due to rain.

There is neither Adhan (call to prayer) nor Iqamah (second call to prayer) called for these prayers.

After performing prayer, the imam delivers a khutbah (sermon, speech) just like Friday khutbah.

Some of the Good Manners of Eid

It was reported that Sa`id ibn Jubayr said,

Three things are Sunnah (prophetic traditions, preferred to be followed by Muslims) on Eid: to walk (to the place of prayer), to take a bath, and to eat before coming out (if it’s Eid al-Fitr).

People should exchange greetings on Eid. They walk to prayer wearing their best clothes and change their route on returning.

Additionally, it is also considered good Islamic practice to visit one another and exchange gifts. (Editor’s Note: Please maintain social distancing while you meet, due to the COVID-19 pandemic)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Exchange gifts in order to foster love. (Al-Bukhari in his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

The true spirit of Eid is reflected in generosity to the poor and the needy.

It is recommended to make lots of istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) and pray that Allah accepts our fast, pilgrimage (after Eid ul Adha), prayers, and devotion, and grant the Muslim nation glory and success.

Eid Takbir

The loud chanting of Takbir of Eid is one of the greatest Sunnahs of this day. It brings us to your question of the meaning of the Takbir.

The transmitted wording of takbir is: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la Ilaha illa Allah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, walillah al-hamd“.

Additionally, there are other forms used by the Prophet’s Companions and reported to us from trusted chains of transmission.

They are generally combinations of the expressions below. These are the most respected forms of praise and exaltation to Allah in Prophetic traditions.

They are to be recited loudly and in unison by everyone attending Eid Prayer. And everyone on their way there. This show of power enforces the feeling of unity and solidarity and declares the joy of Eid to all.

Meanings of Expressions Used

Allahu Akbar: This statement is said by Muslims numerous times. It means “Allah is the Greatest”. Muslims praise Allah in every aspect of life, and as such, they say “Allahu Akbar” as they proceed to Eid Prayer.

La ilaha illa llah: This expression is the most important one in Islam. It is the declaration of faith that every person has to announce to be considered a Muslim. It is part of the first pillar of Islam.

And this means, “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah.” The second part of this declaration means, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Al-hamdu lillah: This means, “all praise be to Allah” and is said as an expression of thanks and gratitude to Allah. A Muslim (a person who chooses to surrender peacefully to the Creator) invokes the praises of Allah when he finishes any work, thanking Allah for His favors.

A Muslim is grateful to Allah for all His blessings. It is a statement of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude from the creature to his Creator.

Subhan Allah: This means: “Allah is Exalted. Glory be to Allah. Far removed is He from anything imperfect associated with Him and from anything unsuitably ascribed to Him.”

Also, it is an expression that Muslims use to express wonder, exclamation, or surprise.

It is also an expression of respect for Allah.

More Expressions

Allahumma salli `ala Muhammad: This means “may the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon Muhammad.” It is an expression that Muslims use whenever the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned or written. 

In the Quran, Allah has ordered Muslims to say such an expression. This reflects the Muslim’s love and affection towards the Last Prophet, who carried the burden of conveying the last divine message to mankind.

Allahu Akbaru Kabeera: This means that God is Greater than everything that exists and the term “kabeera” is a superlative form of the same meaning. This expression is simply an emphasis on the greatness of the Creator. 

Al hamdu lillahi katheera: This is also an expression of emphasis on the gratitude of the Muslims towards their Creator. Its meaning is: “high gratefulness and thankfulness is to be to Allah, the Creator.”

It is strongly recommended to repeat in a loud voice Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi-l-hamd after every congregational prayer on the days and nights of Eid.

- aboutislam.net

About Sahar El-Nadi

Sahar El-Nadi is an Egyptian freelance journalist who traveled to 25 countries around the world and currently based in Cairo. Sahar also worked in many people-related careers in parallel, including presenting public events and TV programs; instructing training courses in communication skills; cross cultural issues; image consulting for public speakers; orientation for first-time visitors to the Middle East; and localization consulting for international educational projects.