Quick Hadith 050

HADITH 1

Nu'man bin Basheer RA narrates:

"Rasulullah (SAW) used to straighten our rows (of Solat) so much so that it was straight to the extent that an arrow could be straightened (using the row as a guide).

(The Prophet SAW continued to do so) until he saw that we had understood this command.

One day, Rasulullah (SAW) came out (to perform the Solat) and was about to make the Takbir when he saw that one man's chest was protruding from the row (i.e. it was not in line with the others).

So, Rasulullah (SAW) said:

"O servants of Allah, you should definitely straighten your rows, otherwise Allah will cause dissent amongst you." (Muslim, Mishkat)


COMMENTARY

The above is just one of many examples to display that external actions have a great bearing and influence on the conditions of the heart. Straightening of the rows and standing close in congregational Solat is directly linked to mutual love and Muslim brotherhood.

A cursory glance at the state of congregational Solat in our mosques today will give us a clue as to the degree of our mutual love. It is thus, requested that the Imams of the mosques should remind the Musallis of this important duty, as Rasulullah (SAW) himself used to remind the congregation time and again. If we do not follow the way of Rasulullah SAW, we will be doomed in this world, and worst - in the Hereafter. May Allah SWT save us.

As for the arrow described in the above narration, an arrow used in practice would normally become bent. To straighten it, one would require a perfectly straight object as a guide. This parable describes the degree to which there was straightness in the rows of the Sahabah RA.


HADITH 2

Anas bin Malik RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Straighten your rows because the straightening of the rows is (part and parcel of) the completion of Solat."

According to some narrations, it is part of - "Iqaamat-us-Solat."


COMMENTARY

In many verses of the Noble Qur'an, Allah SWT has not only enjoined upon us Solat, but has commanded the "Iqaamat-us-Solat" i.e. "the complete establishment of Solat.

The above Hadith explains that one aspect of this "Iqaamat-us-Solat" - is the straightening of the rows. Thus, by straightening the rows one is in fact acting on verses of the Noble Qur'an, thus fulfilling the Orders of Allah Almighty, thus opposed to those who don't.

Understanding The True Meaning, Application and Implication of FARDHU KIFAYAH

Some acquaintances have sincerely approached me on the stance which I have orated before in my classes:

- the fact that it is wajib for all mature male Muslims to strive and perform their five time daily solat at a place where the Adhaan is called e.g. the masjid, surau / musolla; and excuse is only given when fourteen conditions come into existence (not mentioned here for brevity).

So many say that this is only applicable for Friday Prayers.

This post aims to clarify the meaning and status of Fardhu Kifayah for the practicality and faith of the Muslim Ummah. InshaAllah. When you have read and understood this, practice it, and teach it to your wife, children, family, friends and the whole Ummah of Rasulullah SAW.


FARDHU 'AIN & FARDHU KIFAYAH

Fardhu 'Ain means - Personally Obligatory.
Fardhu Kifayah means - Communally Obligatory.

A Fardhu 'Ain act is what Allah SWT requires from each and every morally responsible person. It is thus insufficient for someone to perform such an act on another's behalf - such as the solat, zakat, Hajj (except for special conditions), keeping agreements, and avoiding wine or gambling etc.

A Fardhu Kifayah act is what Allah SWT requires from the collectivity of those morally responsible, not from each one of them, such that if someone undertakes it, then the obligation has been fulfilled and the sin and responsibility of non-performance is lifted from the rest; on the other hand - if no one undertakes it, then all are guilty of serious sin for neglecting the obligation. Examples include - praying over the dead, building hospitals, lifesaving, fire fighting, medicine, industries people require, the existence of Islamic courts and judges, issuing formal legal opinions, responding to someone who says "Assalaamu'alaikum" and testifying in court.

Allah requires that these obligatory acts exist in the Islamic Community regardless of who does them. But Allah does not require they be done by each person, or some particular one, since the interests of the Community are realised by the existence of these things through the efforts of some of those morally responsible, and do not entail every particular person's performance of them.

In the fulfilment of Fardhu Kifayah - Someone able through himself or his property to perform the Fardhu Kifayah act is obliged to perform it, and someone unable to do it himself is obliged to urge and have the person do it who can. If the obligatory act is done, all are cleared of the sin, and if neglected all the guilty of serious sin.

The person capable of it is guilty because he neglected a communally obligatory act he could have done, and the rest are guilty because they neglected to urge him and have him perform the obligatory act he was capable of.

When an individual is the only one available who can perform a communally obligatory act, it becomes personally obligatory for him.

Relating to the previous issue discussed with acquaintances - the establishment of five-times daily congregational solat in the mosque does not just get fulfilled with just one Imam and one Muadhin. Instead - true establishment of five-times daily prayer occurs only when the majority of Muslim men perform their solats in the mosque. Establishment means the atmosphere and environment of Friday prayers.

If referring to the Shafi'i school, not even the minimum number of people qualifiable for Friday prayers are seen praying five times a day in the mosque.

Thus - relating to the paragraph above marked in red - those who understand must perform it and exhort others, thus Fardhu Kifayah becomes Fardhu 'Ain for them.

The Importance of Congregational Solat

SOLAT - THE PILLAR OF ISLAM

We all know that Solat is a pillar of Islam and on the Day of Judgement the account for the Solat will have to be rendered first.

But are we truly aware of the advices and warning that have been said regarding the performance of Solat at home as opposed to performing it at the mosque with the congregation?

Allah SWT commands in the Qur'an:

"And bow your head with those who bow (in worship)." (Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 43)

The message in the above verse is crystal clear - that we are ordered to perform Solat with congregation. It is narrated that Congregational Solat surpasses the quality of the lone man's Solat by twenty-seven ranks in excellence. (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)


SOME SAYINGS OF RASULULLAH SAW

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW stated:

"It better to join another person and pray than to pray alone; and it is more superior in the company of two men; and the bigger the congregation the more it is liked by Allah." (Abu Dawud)

Nabi Muhammad SAW says in another tradition:

"He who attended the congregation for Isha' Solat, he received the reward of half the night's worship; and he who attended both Isha' and Fajr (Subuh) prayer with the congregation, he received the reward of the whole night's worship." (Tirmidhi)


THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLAT

The Prophet Muhammad SAW himself never omitted even a single congregational prayer. Even during his sickness, it was strenuous for him to walk; nonetheless, with the aid of two of his companions he came (while his auspicious feet were dragging on the ground) to the mosque and prayed with the congregation.

Once the Holy Prophet SAW was constrained to say:

"I intend to tell the Muazzin (the caller of the Azan) to call out the takbir and ask someone to lead the prayer and I myself set the house of that person on fire who did not attended the congregational prayer." (Bukhari & Muslim)


The merciful Prophet SAW proposes a punishment for those who do not attend the congregational prayer at the mosque, even though they perform them at home. One should ponder and be warned as to the consequences of such choices in the way we worship Allah SWT.


THE POWER OF SOLAT

The grand Muhaddith of South Asia - Shah Waliullah Dehlawi RA said:

"By establishing this divine purpose is nothing but that Allah's superiority may be established and no other faith on the surface of the earth may be superior to the Islamic faith. But this can be conceived only when it may be the Ummah's regular practice - that the elite as well as the common run - of the city folk as well as the villagers - and the young as well as the old assemble daily for that worship which is the greatest sign of the faith and the most famous among all the devotions."


THE EFFECT OF SOLAT ACCORDING TO NON-MUSLIMS

An eminent American Sociologist and Physiologist, Mr Denison has written in his book, "Emotion As The Basis of Civilization" that:

"historians have wondered at the phenomenal success of Islam in conquering the world and have attributed it to the unity and solidity Islam has engaged among its adherents, but no historian he says could solve the riddle as to how this came to pass."

Mr Denison says that he has not the least doubt that a great and very effective means of this is the congregational prayer.


THE BENEFITS OF SOLAT

We can deduce from this, that if the Muslim masses were performing prayers with the congregation regularly we would not be in the sorry state that we find ourselves in today.

We should try and pray all our five times Solat with the congregation in the mosque, and if possible we should try to be as close to the Imam as possible, because the first row is superior to the second and thereafter.

Abu Hurairah RA narrates that the Holy Prophet SAW said:

"If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the Adhan and for standing in the first row (in congregational prayers) and found no other way to get that except by drawing lots they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward of the Zuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of Isha' and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl."

Hence, we can see why it is necessary that we perform the five times daily prayers with the congregation in the mosque.

Quick Hadith 127

HADITH 1

Abu Hurairah RA narrates that he heard the Holy Prophet SAW saying:

"O Allah! Guide the Imaams (leaders of the congregation) and forgive the Mu'azzineen (those who call out the Adhaan)." (Mishkaat; Qadeemi)


HADITH 2

Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Three people on the day of Qiyamat will be placed on hillocks of musk:

a) A slave who fulfilled the duty of his Master and the duty of Allah Ta'ala;
b) A person who leads a congregation and his congregation is pleased with him; and
c) A person who calls out the Adhaan for the five daily Solat." (Ibid)


COMMENTARY

The above two Ahadith mention the status of the Mu'azzin (the person who calls out the Adhaan). There are numerous quotations of the Noble Prophet SAW regarding the status of a Muazzin. In fact, on the Day of Qiyamat too, Allah SWT will grant them such honour and respect that people will envy their lot.

Unfortunately, nowadays, due to ignorance of Deen among us Muslims, a Muazzin is considered by many to be somebody low and he is not granted honour according to his position. Not many people know that by ranking they are higher than the Imams of prayer in terms of virtue. Thus - most virtuous is the Mu'azzin; then the Imam of prayer; and then the person who calls out the Iqamah (which tends to be the Mu'azzin's duty too).

The Importance Of Straightening The Saffs In Solat

The Qur'an and Ahadith are replete with advices of maintaining unity among Muslims.

Almighty Allah advises us:

"And hold firmly the rope of Allah and do not disunite." (Surah Al-Imran: Ayat 103)

One way of enhancing unity and avoiding disunity is straightening our Saffs in Salaat.

Let us consider the following Ahadith:

Nu'man ibn Bashir RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW would straighten our Saffs with such care that even arrow shafts could be straightened with them (by using them as a guide) until he saw that we understood (the importance of straightening the Saffs). Once he came out and stood (on his Musalla) and just before making Takbeer he noticed a person’s chest sticking out of the Saff. Rasulullah SAW said, "O Servants of Allah! Straighten your Saffs or else Allah will cause division amongst your hearts." (Muslim vol.1 pg.182; Qadeemi)


Jaabir ibn Samurah RA narrates, Once Rasulullah SAW came to us and said:

"Will you not form your Saffs in the way the Malaaikah form their Saffs by Allah?"

We asked:

"How do the Malaaikah form their Saffs."

Rasulullah SAW answered:

"They complete the first Saff and they stand close to each other." (Ibid pg.181)


Together with straightening the Saffs, there should be no gap between the Saffs.

Abdullah ibn Umar RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Establish your Saffs, make sure your shoulders and in line and close the gaps. Become soft in the hands of your brothers (i.e. if someone moves you in order to straighten the Saff, then comply with him) and do not leave gaps for Shaytaan. Whoever joins a Saff, Allah joins ties with him and whoever breaks a Saff, Allah breaks off ties with him." (Abu Dawud pg.104; Imdaadiya)


Umar ibn al-Khattab RA and Uthman ibn Affan RA in their respective reigns as Khalifahs used to appoint someone who would check that all the Saffs are straight and only after confirmation would they commence the Salaat. (Muwatta Imam Malik: Hadith 453, 454)

Hence, all Musallees should realise the importance that was attached to this fundamental part of Solat by Rasulullah SAW and his illustrious Khulafa Ar-Rashideen RA.

It is desirable for the Imam to advise the people before Solat to straighten their Saffs and appoint a person to check the Saffs are straight. (Shaami vol.1 pg.568).

The manner in which the Saffs should be straightened is that shoulders and heels should be in line.

Imam's Ruku' - Can I Catch That Rakaat ?

In order for a follower (Musalli) in congregational Solat to get the Rakaat, he must join the Imam when the Imam is maintained in the static position of Ruku'.

If the Musalli joined when the Imam has finished the Ruku' and was coming up to the Qawma (standing) position, then the Musalli has missed that Rakaat. He must fully make up for that Rakaat after the Imam completes his Solat.

Must Call Adhaan & Iqaamat ?

In certain situations, males may find that they miss or cannot attend the congregational fardhu prayers at the Masjid. (Note: Praying at a place where Adhaan is called is compulsary for all mature male Muslims).

In such situations e.g. when a person is praying at home/office, if there is a Masjid in the locality, then only Iqaamat will suffice i.e. there is no need to call the Adhaan.

If there is no Masjid in the locality i.e. where Adhaan is not called e.g. in a rural place in USA, then the Adhaan should be called from the place of prayer i.e. the home/office in this case.

What is Best For Women - Solat At Home Or At The Masjid ?

Though permissible, it is actually undesirable for females to read their Solat in congregation. with Jamaat. Every female should read her Solat individually. This is best. The females should not lead their own Jamaat or follow the males' Jamaat.

It is ideal that females read their Solat individually as soon as the menfolk of their household read their Solat separately with Jamaat ai the mosque.

It is reported from Saiyidina Ali RA:

"A woman must not lead the Solat."

Therefore, it is incorrect for a woman to lead the Solat and for other females to follow. The Ulama have found that this practice was not encouraged (that women make their own Jamaat) at the time of Rasulullah SAW. There is no reported incident of women leading the prayer during the time of Rasulullah SAW and during the era of the Khulafa-Ar- Rashideen.

As a final important advice, let us understand that Solat is a means of obtaining the Mercy and Blessings of Allah Ta'ala. It should therefore be performed in the best manner possible. In contrary, to deliberately indulge in an act of undesirability is to earn the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala. These two aspects therefore cannot be reconciled.

Ladies Congregation Solat - Good ?

It is not advisable for women to hold their own jama'ah solat.

The Holy Prophet SAW, has always preferred it for women to offer their prayers in their homes. Some Muslim jurists have held the jama'ah of women as a makruh (undesirable) practice.

However, if some women overlook this principle and hold their own jama'ah, the female Imam should stand in their midst, and not in front of other 'muqtadi' women, as a male imam would do. (Ahsanul Fatawa: Vol.3: Page 313)

However, in the case of Jumu'ah (Friday Prayers) and Eid - the jama'ah of women is neither permissible nor valid. (See Radd-al-Muhtar v.l. p.600)

It means that if some women held their jama'ah (without men) it will be void and they will have to perform Zuhr prayer again. The women should not normally attend the Friday Prayers and Eid prayers of men, because both prayers are not mandatory for them.

However, if some attend the jumu'ah prayer along with men, their obligation of Zuhr will be discharged and they will not have to pray Zuhr again.

Is It Permissible To Pray Behind Ghair Muqalids?

If the Imam who is from the Wahabi, Salafiyya etc. sect does not do anything contrary to the validity of Solat of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah- e.g. perform Masah on regular socks instead of using Khuf (leather-waterproof socks), the congregational Solat behind him will be valid.