When You Are in this Situation

Question: If a worshipper remembers that he has not performed ‘Asr prayer after performing the Maghrib prayer, should he observe ‘Asr and Maghrib [again] or ‘Asr prayer alone?

Answer: He should perform ‘Asr alone, because Maghrib was performed at its time. Similarly the ‘Asr prayer he performed was observed at its time because its time is the time he remembered it.

Question: A worshipper remembers that he has not performed Zuhr prayer after the adhaan of Maghrib was pronounced and before the Maghrib prayer. What should he do?

Answer: He should pray the Zuhr prayer before the Maghrib prayer.

Question: Should he perform the Zuhr prayer in congregation with the Maghrib prayer, meaning should he perform the Zuhr prayer behind the Imaam who is praying Maghrib and when the Imaam terminates his prayer, he complete his fourth rak’ah.

Answer: Yes

Taken from al-Haawee min Fataawaa ash-Shaykh al-Albaanee, p. 187-187

Trial is a Cure

A believer’s affliction is like a treatment for him as it brings out diseases from him, which if it remains in him will destroy him or reduce his reward and lower his rank. So the test and trials extracts those diseases from him and makes him ready for complete reward and lofty status. It is well know that the existence of this trial is good for a believer than the absence of it as stated by the Prophet: “By the One in whose Hand my soul is, there is no decree that Allaah has decreed for a believer except that it is good for him and that is for only a believer. If good times come to him, he is grateful and thus it is good for him; and if bad times befall him, he is patient and, thus, it is also good for him.”[1]

This test and trial is from the perfection of his support, honor and well being. For this reason, those who are the most afflicted among people are the Prophets followed by those who are close to them in eemaan then the next people close to them. A man will be tested in accordance with his level of eemaan. If his eemaan is strong, he will be tested more severely, and if his eemaan is weak, he will be tested in accordance with the level of his eemaan. Calamity will keep befalling a believer until he walks on the surface of the earth with no sin on him.

Taken from Ighaathah al-Lahfaan min Masaa’id ash-Shaytaan by Ibn Qayyim

---

[1] Muslim recorded something similar to it (2999)

Indispensable Priciples (1)

First Principle: Judging with what Allaah has revealed is an individual obligation upon every Muslim and it comprises of six fundamentals

First fundamental: It is obligatory to judge with Allaah’s law. Allaah the Most High said: “And from those who say, ‘And judge, [O Muhammad], between them by what Allaah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allah only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient. [Soorah al- Maa’idah: 49]

Second fundamental: It is obligatory to refer judgement to the law of Allaah and to accept and submit to His law. Allaah the Most High said: “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission. [Sooratun-Nisaa’: 65]

Third Fundamental: There is a threat to whosoever does not judge with the law of Allaah. Allaah the Most High said: And whoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.” [Soorah al-Maa’idah: 44].

 Allaah the Most High also said: And whoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” [Soorah al-Maa’idah: 45].

Allaah the Most High said: And whoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed - then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.”[Soorah al-Maa’idah: 47].

The fourth fundamental: One should beware of opposing the commandment of Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah the Most High said: So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” [Sooratun-Noor: 63].

The fifth fundamental: The judgement of Allaah is the best of judgement. Allaah the Most High said: “Then is it the judgement of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allaah in judgement for a people who are certain [in faith].” [Sooratul Maaidah: 50].

The sixth fundamental: The rulings of the Sharee’ah that have come from Allaah are light and inspiration.  Allaah the most High said: “And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path.” [Sooratush-Shoorah: 52]. 

Source: Al-Hukm bi Ghayri maa Anzal Allaah, p. 6 by Shaykh Bandar al-'Utaybi

Be Generous like Abu Damdam

One should be generous with one’s honour like the generosity of Aboo Damdam among the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them). He used to say when morning came: “O Allaah, I do not have wealth to give as charity to the people, but I have given out charity with my honour. Whoever abuses me or slanders me is absolved.” The Prophet then said, “Who among you can be like Aboo Damdam?” [1] This type of generosity contains safety and soundness of the breast, ease of the heart and freedom from being hostile to the creatures.

Source: Madaarij as-Saalikeenby Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

---

[1] Recorded by Aboo Daawood (4887)

When the Imaam does not Perform Jalsah al-Istiraahah

The great scholar of hadeeth in this era, Shaykh al-Albaanee (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Imaam does not perform Jalsah al-Istiraahah (sitting of rest), it is proper for the ma'moon to follow him, because following the Imaam is one of the obligations of Salaah as stated by the Prophet: "The imam has been appointed to be followed. When he says takbeer, then say takbeer; when he bows, then bow. When he says Sami’ Allaahu liman hamidah (Allaah hears the one who praises Him), say Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise). When he prostrates, then prostrate. If he prays standing, then pray standing, and if he prays sitting, then pray sitting, all of you.’ This hadeeth is emphasizing the necessity of following the Imaam even if he breaches some of the Sunan.

Source: Fataawaa ash-Shaykh al-Albaanee fil-Madeenah wal-Imaaraat pp. 92-93