What Muslim Children Must Know
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Introduction
In the Name of Allah, and all praise is due to Him. To proceed:
Here we shall present a number of religious issues that Muslim children must know. It is the duty of their parents to teach these issues to them at a young age.
It is a simple and comprehensive course covering the topics of creed, Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Sīrah (the Prophet’s biography), ethics, Tafsīr (interpretation of the Qur’an), Hadīth, morals, and Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah). It suits children as well as people of all ages and new Muslims. It could be taught at homes, nurseries, and educational institutions. I have arranged it in sections according to the topics and have put it in the form of questions and answers, which is more liable to stimulate the mind and is better for memorization. The mentor can choose from them whatever suits the age of the students.
I ask Allah to accept it and make it beneficial.
This course is based on the verse where Allah Almighty says:
{O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, and is overseen by rigorous and stern angels, who never disobey whatever Allah commands and do whatever they are commanded.} [Surat at-Tahrīm: 6]
It is also based on the Hadīth of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) where he said: "One day, I was behind the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and he said:
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'O boy, I shall teach you some words (of advice): Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be Mindful of Allah, and you will find Allah by your side. If you ask, ask Allah (alone), and if you seek help, seek help from Allah (alone). You must know that if the whole people gathered to benefit you with something, they would never benefit you except with what Allah has decreed for you, and if they gathered to harm you with something, they would never harm you except with what Allah has decreed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.'" [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad]
The importance of teaching youngsters:
Children should be taught what they need in their religion to become perfect human beings with a sound natural inclination to Islam, and true monotheists adhering to the path of faith.
Imam Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawāni (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:
"It has been narrated that they should be commended to pray at the age of seven and should be beaten for not praying at the age of ten and should be separated in beds. Likewise, they should be taught before reaching puberty the words and deeds that Allah has made obligatory upon His servants. This way when they attain puberty, their hearts, souls, and bodies will peacefully submit and feel familiar with such divine commands." Muqaddimat Abī Zayd al-Qayrwāni (p.5).
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The Creed Section
Q1: Who is your Lord?
Answer: My Lord is Allah Who has raised me and the whole worlds with His favor.
The evidence lies in His saying: {All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-Fātihah: 2]
Q2: What is your religion?
Answer: My religion is Islam, which is all about submitting to Allah through monotheism, yielding to Him through obedience, and dissociating oneself from Shirk (polytheism) and its people.
Allah Almighty says: {The true religion with Allah is Islam...} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 19]
Q3: Who is your prophet?
Answer: Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Allah Almighty says: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah...} [Surat al-Fat-h: 29]
Q4: What are the words of Tawhīd (monotheism) and mention Tawhīd's meaning?
Answer: The words of Tawhīd are "Lā ilāha illallāh". This means that none is worthy of worship except Allah.
Allah Almighty says: {Then know [O Prophet] that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah...} {Surat Muhammad: 19]
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Q5: Where is Allah Almighty?
Answer: Allah is in the heaven, above the Throne and above all the creation. Allah Almighty says: {The Most Compassionate rose over the Throne.} [Surat Taha: 5]
He also says: {He is the Vanquisher over His slaves, and He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 18]
Q6: What is the meaning of the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?
Answer: It means that Allah sent him to the worlds as a bringer of glad tidings and as a warner.
It is a must to:
1. Obey his commands
2. Believe his reports
3. Refrain from disobeying him
4. Worship Allah only in compliance with his Sharia, which requires following the Sunnah and abandoning religious innovations.
Allah Almighty says: {Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 80] He also says: {Nor does he speak out of his own desire. It is but a revelation sent down [to him].} [Surat an-Najm: 3-4]
Allah Almighty also says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21]
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Q7: Why did Allah Almighty create us?
Answer: He created us to worship Him alone without associating partners with Him,
and did not create us for fun or play.
Allah Almighty says: {I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 56]
Q8: What is worship?
Answer: It is a broad term that includes all apparent and hidden sayings and deeds that Allah loves and is pleased with.
Examples of the apparent sayings and deeds include making Dhikr with the tongue, like Tasbīh (glorifying Allah), Tahmīd (praising Allah), and Takbīr (proclaiming Allah’s greatness), praying, and performing Hajj (pilgrimage).
On the other hand, reliance on Allah, fearing Him, and having hopes in Him are examples of the hidden aspects of worship.
Q9: What is our greatest duty?
Answer: Our greatest duty is to believe in the Oneness of Allah Almighty, i.e., adopt Tawhīd.
Q10: What are the types of Tawhīd?
Answer: 1. Tawhīd ar-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness of Lordship): It means to believe that Allah alone is the Creator, the Provider, the Owner, and the Disposer of Affairs.
2. Tawhīd al-Ulūhiyyah (Oneness of Worship): It means to single Allah out with worship, i.e., to worship none but Allah Almighty.
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3. Tawhīd al-Asmā’ wa as-Sifāt (Oneness of the Names and the Attributes): It means to believe in Allah’s names and attributes that are mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah without Tamthīl (drawing resemblance between Allah and His creatures), Tashbīh (likening), or Ta‘tīl (negating).
Evidence on the three types of Tawhīd lies in the verse where Allah Almighty says: {Lord of the heavens and earth and all that is between them. So worship Him and be constant in worshiping Him. Do you know anyone equal to Him?} [Surat Maryam: 65]
Q11: What is the gravest sin?
Answer: Shirk (polytheism), i.e., associating partners with Allah Almighty.
Allah Almighty says: {Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills. Whoever associates partners with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 48]
Q12: Mention the definition of Shirk and its types?
Answer: Shirk is dedicating any sort of worship to other than Allah Almighty.
Its types are:
Major Shirk, like supplicating, prostrating, or slaughtering a sacrifice for other than Allah Almighty.
Minor shirk, like swearing by other than Allah, using amulets, which are things worn or hung to bring about benefit or ward off harm, and slight ostentation, such as praying in a perfect manner while people are looking.
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Q13: Does anyone know the unseen other than Allah?
Answer: None knows the unseen except Allah alone.
Allah Almighty says: {Say, “No one in the heavens and earth has knowledge of the unseen except Allah.” Nor do they know when they will be resurrected.} [Surat an-Naml: 65]
Q14: What are the pillars of Imān (faith)?
Answer: 1. Belief in Allah Almighty
2. Belief in His angels
3. Belief in His books
4. Belief in His messengers
5. Belief in the Last Day
6. Belief in destiny, with the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof
Evidence lies in the famous Hadīth of Jibrīl (Gabriel) that was narrated by Muslim. Gabriel (peace be upon him) said to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): "'Tell me about faith.' He said: 'It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and destiny with the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof.'"
Q15: Explain the pillars of Imān (faith)?
Answer: Belief in Allah Almighty
It is to believe that Allah is the One Who created you and provided for you, and that Allah alone is the Owner and the Disposer of affairs.
It is also to believe that Allah is the only deity worthy of worship,
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and that He is the Magnificent, the Great, and the Perfect to Whom all praise is due and Who owns the beautiful names and the sublime attributes. He has no rivals, and nothing is like Him.
Belief in the Angels
Angels are creatures that Allah created from light. They were created to worship Allah and fully obey His commands.
Gabriel (peace be upon him), who was assigned to bring down the revelation to the prophets, is one of the angels.
Belief in the Books
These are the books that Allah sent down to His messengers. Examples are:
- The Qur’an that was revealed to Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)
- The Gospel that was revealed to ‘Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him)
- The Torah that was revealed to Mūsa (Moses) (peace be upon him)
- The Psalms that were revealed to Dāwūd (David) (peace be upon him)
The Scriptures of Ibrāhim (Abraham) and Moses
Belief in the Messengers
They are the messengers whom Allah Almighty sent to His servants to teach them, bring them the glad tidings of good and Paradise, and warn them against evil and Hellfire.
The best among them are the Messengers of Firm Resolve, who are:
Nūh (Noah) (peace be upon him)
Ibrāhim (Abraham) (peace be upon him)
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Mūsa (Moses) (peace be upon him)
Īsa (Jesus) (peace be upon him)
Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)
Belief in the Last Day
It refers to what comes after death in the grave, on the Day of Judgment, and on the Day of Resurrection and Reckoning after which the dwellers of Paradise settle in their abodes and the dwellers of Hellfire settle in theirs.
Belief in destiny with its good and bad aspects
It is to believe that Allah knows everything that happens in the universe, which He had previously written in the Preserved Tablet and had willed to create and bring to existence.
Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, We have created everything according to a determined measure.} [Surat al-Qamar: 49]
It has four levels:
First: Knowledge of Allah Almighty: This includes Allah’s prior knowledge of everything, before and after it happens.
Allah says: {Indeed, Allah has the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will do tomorrow, nor does any soul know in which land it will die. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} {Surat Luqmān: 34]
Second: Allah had written this in the Preserved Tablet; so, whatever happened and whatever will still happen are written with Allah in a record.
Allah says: {He alone has the keys of the unseen; no one knows them except Him. He knows what is in the land and sea. Not a leaf
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falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, but is [written] in a Clear Record.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 59]
Third: Everything happens by the will of Allah, i.e., nothing happens by Him or by His creatures, except by His will.
Allah says: {For those among you who wish to take the straight path. But you cannot wish except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat at-Takwīr: 28-29]
Fourth: Believing that all creatures are created by Allah. He created them and created their qualities, movements, and everything related to them.
Allah says: {When it is Allah Who created you and all what you do?} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 96]
Q16: What is the definition of the Qur’an?
Answer: It is the word of Allah Almighty, and it is not created.
Allah Almighty says: {If any of the polytheists asks you for protection, give it to him, so that he may hear the Word of Allah...} [Surat at-Tawbah: 6]
Q17: What is the Sunnah?
Answer: It is every saying, deed, approval, physical or moral quality of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
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Q18: What is religious innovation? Should we accept it?
Answer: It is everything that people introduce in the religion that did not exist at the time of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.
We should not accept it; rather, we should reject it.
Because the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every religious innovation is an error." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
Examples of religious innovations are adding to worship, like adding a fourth time washing to ablution, and celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, which was not reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.
Q19: Mention the principle of Al-Walā’ (allegiance) and Al-Barā’ (dissociation)?
Answer: Allegiance: It means loving and supporting the believers.
Allah Almighty says: {The believers, both men and women, are allies of one another...} [Surat at-Tawbah: 71]
Dissociation: It means hating the disbelievers and taking them as enemies.
Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, you have a good example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, “We dissociate ourselves from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We renounce you, and the enmity and hatred have arisen between us and you forever until you believe in Allah alone”.} [Surat al-Mumtahanah: 4]
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Q20: Does Allah accept any religion other than Islam?
Answer: Islam is the only religion that Allah accepts.
Allah Almighty says: {Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 85]
Q21: Kufr (disbelief) could be committed by words, deeds, and beliefs; give examples?
Answer: An example of committing Kufr by words is blaspheming Allah Almighty or His Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
An example of committing Kufr by deeds is degrading the Mus-haf (a bound copy of the Qur’an) or prostrating to other than Allah Almighty.
An example of committing Kufr by belief is believing that there is someone who is worthy of worship other than Allah Almighty, or that there is a creator besides Allah.
Q22: What is hypocrisy and what are its types?
Answer:
1. Major Hypocrisy: It means hiding disbelief and proclaiming faith.
It gets one outside the fold of Islam and it is considered major disbelief.
Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find for them any helper.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 145]
2. Minor Hypocrisy:
Examples include lying, breaking promises, and betraying trusts.
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Hypocrisy does not take one out of the fold of Islam. Rather, it is a sin, and the one who commits it will be subjected to divine torment.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he tells lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Q23: Who is the seal of the prophets and messengers?
Answer: He is Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Allah Almighty says: {Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets...} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 40]
Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I am the seal of the prophets, and there is no prophet after me." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and others]
Q24: What is the miracle?
Answer: The miracle is every supernatural act or event with which Allah Almighty supported His prophets to prove their truthfulness. Examples are:
- Splitting the moon for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)
- Splitting the sea for Moses (peace be upon him) and the drowning of Pharaoh and his soldiers
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Q25: Who are the Companions? Should we love them?
Answer: The Companion is the one who met the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), believed in him, and died as a Muslim.
We should love them and follow their example, since they are the best among the people after the prophets.
The best Companions are the four Caliphs, who are:
- Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)
- ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
- ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him)
- ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)
Q26: Who are the Mothers of the Believers?
Answer: They are the wives of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Allah Almighty says: {The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 6]
Q27: What is our duty towards the Prophet’s household?
Answer: The household of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) includes his wives, his offspring, and the believers from among Banu Hāshim and Banu Al-Muttalib. It is our duty to love and support them, hate whoever hates them, and avoid extremism regarding them.
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Q28: What is our duty towards the Muslim rulers?
Answer: Our duty towards the Muslim rulers is to respect them, obey them in whatever does not involve a sin, not to rebel against them, supplicate for them, and advise them secretly.
Q29: What is the abode of the believers?
Answer: The abode of the believers is Paradise. Allah Almighty says: {Allah will surely admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens under which rivers flow...} [Surat Muhammad: 12]
Q30: What is the abode of the disbelievers?
Answer: The abode of the disbelievers is Hellfire. Allah Almighty says: {then beware of the Fire whose fuel will be people and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 24]
Q31: What is fear? What is hope? What is the evidence?
Answer: Fear means to fear Allah and fear His punishment.
Hope: means hoping for Allah’s reward, forgiveness, and mercy.
Evidence lies in His saying: {Those whom they call upon seek means of nearness to their Lord, each trying to become closer, hoping for His Mercy and fearing His punishment.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 57]
Allah Almighty also says: {Inform My slaves that I am indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful, and that My punishment is the most painful punishment.} [Surat al-Hijr: 49-50]
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Q32: Mention some of the names and attributes of Allah Almighty?
Answer: Allah, Ar-Rabb (the Lord), Ar-Rahmān (the Most Compassionate), As-Samī‘ (the All-Hearing), Al-Basīr (the All-Seeing), Al-‘Alīm (the All-Knowing), Ar-Razzāq (the All-Provider), Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living), Al-‘Azhīm (the Magnificent) in addition to other beautiful names and sublime attributes.
Q33: Explain these names?
Answer: Allah: It means the only God worthy of worship with no partners.
Ar-Rabb: It means the only Creator, Owner, Provider, and Disposer of Affairs.
As-Samī‘: It means the One Whose Hearing encompasses everything, and Who hears all voices despite their differences and variations.
Al-Basīr: It means the One Who sees everything, no matter how small or big it is.
Al-‘Alīm: It means the One Whose knowledge encompasses everything in the past, present, and the future.
Ar-Rahmān: It means the One Whose mercy encompasses all creatures and all living beings, i.e., all the servants and creatures are under His mercy.
Ar-Razzāq: It means the One Who provides for all the creatures including the humans, the jinn, and all other living beings.
Al-Hayy: It means the One Who does not die while all creatures die.
Al-‘Azhīm: It means the One Who possesses all perfection and all magnificence in His names, attributes, and deeds.
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Q34: What is our duty towards the Muslim scholars?
Answer: Our duty towards the Muslim scholars is to love them and refer to them in Sharia-related issues and unprecedented events. We should mention the scholars in a positive way, and whoever mentions them negatively is not following the right path.
Allah Almighty says: {Allah will raise in ranks those who believed from among you and those who are given knowledge. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat al-Mujādalah: 11]
Q35: Who are the Awliyā’ (allies) of Allah Almighty?
Answer: They are the pious believers.
Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, the allies of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve. Those who believe and fear Allah.} [Surat Yūnus: 62-63]
Q36: Does Imān (faith) include words and deeds?
Answer: Faith includes words, deeds, and beliefs.
Q37: Does Imān increase and decrease?
Answer: Imān increases by obeying Allah and decreases by disobeying Him.
Allah Almighty says: {The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases
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when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 2]
Q38: What is Ihsān (benevolence/excellence)?
Answer: To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, He sees you.
Q39: When will the deeds be accepted by Allah Almighty?
Answer: Deeds are accepted by Allah Almighty when two conditions are fulfilled, which are:
1. If the deed is dedicated with full sincerity to Allah Almighty
2. If the deed complies with the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)
Q40: What is Tawakkul (reliance) on Allah Almighty?
Answer: It means reliance on Allah Almighty in bringing benefit and warding off harm, while utilizing the available means.
Allah Almighty says: {Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him.} [Surat at-Talāq: 3]
"Sufficient for him": It means He will grant him sufficiency.
Q41: What is the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil?
Answer: Enjoining good: means enjoining people to do every act of obedience to Allah Almighty and forbidding evil means forbidding people from every sin with which they disobey Allah Almighty.
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Allah Almighty says: {You are the best nation ever raised for mankind: you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 110]
Q42: Who are Ahl-us-Sunnah wa al-Jamā‘ah?
Answer: They are those people who adopt the way of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions in words, deeds, and beliefs.
They are called "Ahl-us-Sunnah" because they follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and refrain from introducing innovations in the religion.
"Al-Jamā’ah" (group) refers to the fact that they have united on the truth and were not divided therein.
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The Fiqh Section
Q1: Define Tahārah (ritual purification)?
Answer: Tahārah means purification from Hadath (ritual impurity) and Khabath (material impurity).
Purification from "khabath" is by removing material impurity from one’s body, clothes, or place of prayer.
Purification from "hadath" is by performing ablution or Ghusl (ritual bath) with pure water, or by performing Tayammum (dry ablution) in case the water is unavailable or it is difficult for one to use it.
Q2: How could one purify what is affected by Najāsah (material impurity)?
Answer: By washing it with water until it becomes clean.
As for what is licked by a dog, it has to be washed seven times the first of which must be with dust.
Q3: What is the merit of ablution?
Answer: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a Muslim - or a believer - performs ablution and washes his face, every single sin that he committed with his eyes will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every single sin that he committed with his hands will be washed away from his hands with water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every single sin that he committed with his feet will be washed away from his feet with the water, or with the last drop of water, until he finally becomes purified from all his sins." [Narrated by Muslim]
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Q4: How should we perform ablution?
Answer: We perform ablution by: - Washing the hands - three times
- Rinsing the mouth three times, and sniffing water into the nose and blowing it out of the nose - three times
Madmadah: It means rinsing the mouth with water then spitting it out.
Istinshāq: It means sniffing water into the nose with the right hand.
Istinthār: It means blowing water out of the nose with the left hand.
- Washing the face - three times
- Washing the arms including the elbows - three times
- Wiping over the head, moving the hands forwards then backwards, and wiping the ears
- Washing the feet up to the ankles - three times
This is the most perfect manner of performing ablution as authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the Hadīths of Al-Bukhāri and Muslim that were narrated by ‘Uthmān, ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd, and others. It was also authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in Sahīh al-Bukhāri and others that he washed each of the organs of ablution once and sometimes twice.
Q5: What are the obligatory acts of ablution? How many are they?
Answer: The obligatory acts of ablution are the acts that render one’s ablution invalid if one of them is left out. They are:
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1. Washing the face, which includes rinsing the mouth and sniffing water into the nose
2. Washing the arms including the elbows
3. Wiping over the head, which includes wiping the ears
4. Washing the feet up to the ankles
5. Maintaining the prescribed order by washing the face first, followed by the hands, then wiping over the head, and finally washing the feet.
6. Succession, which means washing the organs of ablution successively without leaving an interval of time that allows the organs to become dry.
An example in this regard is when one performs only half of the ablution and then completes it some other time. In this case, one’s ablution is invalid.
Q6: What are the Sunan (recommended acts) of ablution? How many are they?
Answer: The recommended acts of ablution are those acts which if performed, one's reward increases, and if one does not perform them, he incurs no sin, and his ablution is valid. They are:
1. Saying: "Bismillāh" (In the Name of Allah)
2. Using the Siwāk (tooth-cleaning twig)
3. Washing the two palms
4. Washing between the fingers
5. Washing the organs for a second and third time
6. Starting with the right organs first
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7. Saying the following Dhikr after ablution: "Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad ‘abduhu wa rasūluh" (I testify that there is no god but Allah with no partners with Him, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger)
8. Performing two Rak‘ahs (units of prayer) after ablution
Q7: What are the invalidators of ablution?
Answer: The invalidators of ablution are: 1. Whatever comes out of the two private parts, i.e., urine, feces, or wind
2. Sleep, madness, or loss of consciousness
3. Eating camel meat
4. Touching the front or back private parts with hand without a barrier
Q8: What is Taymmum (dry ablution)?
Answer: Tayammum: It means using dust or the like of earth when water is unavailable, or it cannot be used.
Q9: How do we perform Tayammum?
Answer: We perform Tayammum by striking the dust once with the palms of the hands and wiping the face and the back parts of the hands once only.
Q10: What are the invalidators of Tayammum?
Answer: All the invalidators of ablution,
also when water is available.
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Q11: What are the Khuffs and Jawrabs? Is it permissible to wipe over them in ablution?
Answer: The Khuffs refer to the leather socks that one may put on his feet.
The Jawrabs, on the other hand, refer to socks that are made of other than leather.
It is permissible to wipe over them in ablution instead of washing the feet.
Q12: What is the wisdom behind wiping over leather socks?
Answer: It is meant to make things easy for people and alleviate the hardship of performing ablution, especially in cold weather during winter, and while traveling when it is hard for one to take off the socks.
Q13: What are the conditions of the validity of wiping over leather socks?
Answer: 1. To put on the leather socks while being in a state of Tahārah (ritual purification), i.e., after performing ablution.
2. The leather socks must be pure, since it is impermissible to wipe over what is impure.
3. The leather socks must cover the whole feet including ankles.
4. Wiping over leather socks must be within the limited period of time, which is a day and a night for a resident, and three days and three nights for a traveler.
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Q14: What is the manner of wiping over leather socks?
Answer: It is by putting one’s wet fingers over his toes and wiping over them up to the shin, using the right hand to wipe over the right feet and the left hand to wipe over the left feet. The fingers should be kept apart during the wiping, and it should be done once without being repeated.
Q15: What invalidates wiping over leather socks?
Answer: 1. Expiry of the specific duration of time for wiping, since it is impermissible to wipe over them after that duration: a day and a night for a resident, and three days and three nights for a traveler.
2. Taking off the leather socks or one of them after wiping.
Q16: What is the meaning of Salāh (prayer)?
Answer: Salāh is worshiping Allah by specific words and acts. It starts with Takbīr (saying: Allāhu Akbar i.e., Allah is the Greatest) and ends with Taslīm (salutation of peace that ends the prayer).
Q17: What is the ruling of prayer?
Answer: Prayer is an obligation upon every Muslim.
Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, prayer is prescribed for the believers at specific times.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 103]
Q18: What is the ruling on abandoning the prayer?
Answer: Abandoning the prayer constitutes disbelief, as the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The covenant (that
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distinguishes) between us and them (disbelievers) is the prayer; so, whoever abandons it has indeed committed disbelief." [Narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, and others]
Q19: How many prayers are obligatory upon the Muslim in one day and night? What are the number of Rak‘ahs in each prayer?
Answer: There are five obligatory prayers in one day and night. They are the Fajr (dawn) prayer: two Rak‘ahs, the Zhuhr (noon) prayer: four Rak‘ahs, the ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer: four Rak‘ahs, the Maghrib (sunset) prayer: three Rak‘ahs, and the ‘Ishā’ (night) prayer: four Rak‘ahs.
Q20: What are the conditions of prayer?
Answer: 1. Islam, as the prayer of a disbeliever is invalid
2. Sanity, as the prayer of an insane person is invalid
3. Discernment, as the prayer of the undiscerning child is invalid
4. The intention
5. Commencement of the prescribed time
6. Tahārah, i.e., removal of Hadath (ritual impurity)
7. Purification from physical impurity
8. Covering the ‘Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered)
9. Facing the Qiblah (direction of the Ka‘bah)
Q21: What are the pillars of the prayer?
Answer: They are fourteen pillars, which are:
1. Standing in the obligatory prayer for the one who is capable
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2. The opening Takbīr, which is saying: "Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest)
3. Reciting Surat al-Fātihah
4. Rukū‘ (bowing) while straightening one’s back and making his head in alignment with his back
5. Rising from Rukū‘
6. Standing up straight
7. Sujūd (prostration): It is by placing one’s forehead, nose, palms, knees, and tiptoes on the ground while prostrating
8. Rising from Sujūd
9. Sitting between the two prostrations
It is an act of Sunnah to sit on one’s left foot, while keeping the right foot straight upward and keeping its toes facing the Qiblah.
10. Serenity, which is calmness in performing each physical pillar
11. The last Tashahhud
12. Sitting for Tashahhud
13. Making Taslīm by saying: "As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh" (may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you) - twice.
14. Maintaining the prescribed order of the pillars as mentioned; so, if one intentionally prostrates before bowing, his prayer is invalid. However, if he does so unintentionally, he must return back to perform bowing first then prostrate.
Q22: What are the obligatory acts of the prayer?
Answer: The obligatory acts of the prayer are eight; they are:
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1. Making Takbīrs (saying: Allāhu Akbar), other than the opening Takbīr
2. Saying: "Sami‘allāhu liman hamidah" (Allah hears whoever praises Him) by the Imam and the one praying alone
3. Saying: "Rabbanā wa laka al-hamd" (O our Lord, all praise belongs to You)
4. Saying: "Subhāna rabbiya Al-‘Azhīm" (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) once in Rukū‘ (bowing)
5. Saying: "Subhāna rabbiya Al-A‘lā" (Glory be to my Lord, the Highest) once in Sujūd (prostration)
6. Saying: "Rabbighfir lī" (O Lord, forgive me) between the two prostrations
7. Saying the first Tashahhud
8. Sitting for the first Tashahhud
Q23: What are the Sunan (recommended acts) of the prayer?
Answer: They are eleven, which are:
1. Reciting Du‘ā’ al-Istiftāh (the opening supplication), after making the opening Takbīr, by saying: "Subhānak Allāhumma wa bihamdik, wa tabārak ismuk, wa ta‘ālā jadduk, wa lā ilāha ghayruk" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You)
2. Making Ta‘awwudh (saying: A‘ūdhu billāh min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm) (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil)
3. Saying: "Bismillāh ar-Rahmān ar-Rahīm" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful)
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4. Saying: "Āmīn" (Amen)
5. Reciting a surah after Surat al-Fātihah
6. Reciting the Qur’an audibly by the Imam
7. Saying after Tahmīd (praising Allah): "Mil’as-samāwāti wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’a mā shi’ta min shay’in ba‘d" (filling the heavens, the earth, and whatever else You will)
8. The Tasbīhs (Glorifying Allah) after the first Tasbīh in Rukū‘, i.e., the second and third Tasbihs or more
9. The Tasbīhs (Glorifying Allah) after the first Tasbīh in Sujūd
10. Saying more than once: "Rabbighfir lī" between the two prostrations
11. Invoking the peace and blessings of Allah upon the Prophet and his family in the last Tashahhud and making supplication thereafter
Fourth: The physical Sunan (recommended acts) of the prayer, which are called "postures", are:
1. Raising both hands with the opening Takbīr
2. Raising both hands when performing Rukū‘
3. Raising both hands when rising from Rukū‘
4. Lowering the hands after that
5. Placing the right hand over the left one
6. Looking at one’s place of prostration
7. Leaving a gap between the feet while standing
8. Gripping the knees with both hands with the fingers spread out in Rukū‘, while straightening one’s back, and making one’s head in alignment with one's back
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9. Resting the organs of prostration on the ground, while making sure that all of them touch the ground.
10. Keeping the arms away from the sides, the abdomen away from the thighs, and the thighs away from the legs; keeping the knees apart and keeping the feet erected with the toes separated and their bottom touching the ground; putting the hands in alignment with the shoulders while being spread out and with the fingers joined.
11. Engaging in Iftirāsh (to place the left foot on its side and sitting on it; and keeping the right foot erected while resting on the bottom of the toes facing them towards the Qiblah) while sitting between the two prostrations and during the first Tashahhud. However, performing Tawarruk (to sit with the left posterior on the ground; the right foot erected with the toes pointing towards the Qiblah; and the left foot on its side emerging from under the right foot) during the second Tashahhud.
12. Putting the hands spread out on the thighs with the fingers joined between the two prostrations and during the Tashahhud as well; however, in the latter, one may clench the little and ring fingers of the right hand, making a ring with the thumb and middle fingers, and pointing with the index finger when mentioning Allah.
13. Turning the face to the right and then to the left when making Taslīm
Q24: What are the invalidators of the prayer?
Answer: 1. Leaving out one of the pillars or conditions of the prayer
2. Talking deliberately
3. Eating or drinking
4. Frequent and successive movements
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5. Leaving out one of the obligatory acts of the prayer deliberately
Q25: How should a Muslim perform the prayer?
Answer: The manner of the prayer is as follows:
1. Face the Qiblah with one’s whole body, without deviating or turning away from that direction
2. Make the intention, in one’s heart without uttering it, to perform a specific prayer
3. Make the opening Takbīr by saying: "Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest), while raising the hands to be in alignment with the shoulders
4. Place the right palm on top of the left hand above the chest
5. Recite the opening supplication by saying: "Allāhumma bā‘id baynī wa bayna khatāyāy kamā bā‘dta bayna al-mashriq wa al-maghrib, Allāhumma naqqinī min khatāyāy kamā yunaqqa ath-thawb al-abyad min ad-danas, Allāhumma ighsilnī min khatāyāy bil mā’i wa ath-thalji wa al-barad" (O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah, wash away my sins with ice, water, and hail).
Or by saying: "Subhānak Allāhumma wa bihamdika, wa tabārak ismuka, wa ta‘ālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You)
6. Seek refuge with Allah by saying: "A‘ūdhu billāh min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm" (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil)
7. Say Bismillah and recite Surat al-Fātihah by saying: {In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful} All praise be to
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Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed; not of those who incurred Your Wrath, or of those who went astray.} [Surat al-Fātihah: 1-7]
Then, one says: "Āmīn", which means: O Allah, answer the supplication.
8. Recite the Qur’an as much as is easy, and prolong the recitation in the morning prayer
9. Bow, which means bending one’s back to glorify Allah; and making Takbīr when bowing, while raising the hands to be in alignment with the shoulders. It is a Sunnah to extend one’s back and make the head on the same line with the back, while placing the hands, with the fingers kept apart, on one's knees.
10. Say the following in Rukū‘: "Subhāna rabbiya Al-‘Azhīm" (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) - three times. If one adds to that: "Subhānak Allāhumma wa bihamdik, Allāhumma ighfir lī" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise. O Allah, forgive me), that will be good.
11. Raise your head from Rukū‘ while saying: "Sami‘allāhu liman hamidah" (Allah hears whoever praises Him), then raise your hands up to the shoulders. The one praying behind the Imam does not say: "Sami‘allāhu liman hamidah"; rather, one should say: "Rabbanā wa laka al-hamd" (O our Lord, praise be to You).
12. After rising from Rukū‘, one says: "Rabbanā wa laka al-hamd mil’a as-samāwāti wa mil’a al-ardi wa mil’a mā shi’ta min shay’in ba‘d" (O our Lord, praise be to You as much as would fill the heavens and the earth, and as much as would fill whatever You will after that).
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13. Make the first prostration while saying: "Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) and prostrate on seven parts of the body: the forehead, the nose, the palms, the knees, and the tiptoes; keeping the arms away from the sides and not spreading out the arms on the ground and facing the Qiblah with the tiptoes.
14. Say in the prostration: "Subhāna rabbiya Al-A‘lā" (Glory be to my Lord, the Highest) - three times. If one adds to that: "Subhānak Allāhumma wa bihamdik, Allāhumma ighfir lī" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise. O Allah, forgive me), that will be good.
15. Raise the head from prostration while saying: "Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).
16. Sit between the two prostrations on the left foot, with the right foot erect, putting the right hand on the edge of the thigh, just above the knee, while clenching the little and ring fingers and raising the index finger and moving it when making supplication; joining the tip of the thumb with the tip of the middle finger to make a ring; putting the left hand, with the fingers spread out, on the edge of the thigh, just above the knee.
17. Say the following while sitting between the two prostrations: "Rabb ighfir lī warhamnī wahdinī warzuqnī wajburnī wa ‘āfinī" (O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, provide for me, improve my situation, and grant me safety).
18. Perform the second prostration in the same manner as the first one in terms of what is to be said and done; make Takbīr at the moment of prostrating.
19. Rise from the second prostration while saying: "Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) and perform the second Rak‘ah (unit of prayer) like the first one, but without reciting the opening supplication.
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20. Sit after the second Rak‘ah while saying: "Allāhu Akbar" in the same manner of sitting between the two prostrations.
21. Recite Tashahhud, in this sitting posture, saying: "At-tahiyyātu lillāhi wa as-salawātu wa at-tayyibāt, as-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhā an-nabiyy wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh, as-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhi as-sālihīn, ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad ‘abduhu wa rasūluh. Allāhumma salli ‘alā Muhammad wa ‘alā āli Muhammad kamā sallayta ‘alā Ibrāhīm wa ‘alā āli Ibrāhīm innaka hamīdun majīd, wa bārik ‘alā Muhammad wa ‘alā āli Muhammad kamā bārakta ‘alā Ibrāhīm wa ‘alā āli Ibrāhīm innaka hamīdun majīd, a‘ūdhu billāhi min ‘adhābi jahannam wa min ‘adhābi al-qabr wa min fitnat al-mahyā wa al-mamāt wa min fintnat al-masīh ad-dajjāl" (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Abraham and the family of Abraham, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. I seek refuge in Allah from the torment of Hellfire, from the torment of the grave, from the trial of life and death, and from the trial of the Antichrist). Then, one may supplicate Allah asking for whatever he wishes of the good of this life and the Hereafter.
22. Make Taslīm on the right, saying: "As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh" (May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you), then make Taslīm on the left.
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23. In case it is a three-Rak‘ah or four-Rak‘ah prayer, then the first Tashahhud should stop at the point of saying: "Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad ‘abduhu wa rasūluh" (I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger).
24. Stand up while saying: "Allāhu Akbar" and raise the hands to be in alignment with the shoulders.
25. Perform the rest of the prayer in the same manner of the second Rak‘ah, except that Surat-al-Fātihah should only be recited.
26. Sit in the Tawarruk position, keeping the right foot erect, extending the left foot from underneath the right leg, resting the posterior on the ground, and putting the hands on the thighs in the same manner as in the first Tashahhud.
27. Recite the whole Tashahhud while sitting in this position.
28. Make Taslīm to the right, saying: "As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh" (May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you), then make Taslīm to the left.
Q26: What Adhkār (regular supplications) should be recited after making Taslīm and ending the prayer?
Answer: - "Astaghfirullāh" (I ask Allah for forgiveness) - three times.
- "Allāhumma anta as-salām wa minka as-salām tabārakta ya dhal-jalāl wa al-ikrām" (O Allah, You are the Source of Peace and all peace comes from You, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honor).
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- "Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr, Allāhumma lā māni‘a limā a‘tayt wa lā mu‘tī limā mana‘t wa lā yanfa‘u dhal-jaddi minka al-jadd (There is no god but Allah alone with no partners. To Him belong the sovereignty and praise, and He is Omnipotent over all things. O Allah, none can withhold what You have given, and none can give what You have withheld. No wealth or fortune can benefit anyone, as all wealth and fortune come from You).
- "Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr, lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh, lā ilāha illallāh wa lā na‘budu illā iyyāh, lahu an-ni‘matu wa lahu al-fadl wa lahu ath-thanā’ al-hasan, lā ilāha illallāh mukhlisīn lahu ad-dīn wa law kariha al-kāfirūn" (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the sovereignty and to Him belongs the praise, and He is Omnipotent over all things. There is no power and no strength except with Allah, there is no god, but Allah and we worship none but Him. From Him (alone) come all blessings and favors, and all good praise is due to Him. There is no god, but Allah and we make our worship purely for Him (alone) even if the disbelievers hate that).
- "Subhānallāh" (Glory be to Allah) - thirty-three times.
"Alhamdulillāh" (praise be to Allah) - thirty-three times.
"Allāhu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) - thirty-three times.
Then, to complete one hundred, say: "Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr" (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the sovereignty and to Him belongs the praise, and He is Omnipotent over all things).
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- Reciting Surat al-Ikhlās and Al-Mu‘awwidhāt (Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nās) three times after the Fajr and Maghrib prayers, and once after the other prayers.
- Reciting Āyat al-Kursi (verse no. 255 of Surat al-Baqarah) once.
Q27: What are the regular Sunnah prayers? What is their merit?
Answer: - Two Rak‘ahs before Fajr
- Four Rak‘ahs before Zhuhr
- Two Rak‘ahs after Zhuhr
- Two Rak‘ahs after Maghrib
- Two Rak‘ahs after ‘Ishā’
Regarding their merit, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah builds a house in Paradise for whoever prays twelve voluntary Rak‘ahs in one day and night." [Narrated by Muslim, Ahmad, and others]
Q28: What is the best day of the week?
Answer: The best day of the week is Friday, as the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Friday is among the best of your days. It is the day Adam was created and the day he died. It is the day on which the Trumpet will be blown and the Screak will be made; so, send more blessings on me on that day, for your blessings will be presented before me."
They said: "O Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be presented to you while your body is decayed?" He replied: "Allah Almighty
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has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and others]
Q29: What is the ruling on the Jumu‘ah (Friday) prayer?
Answer: It is an individual duty on every male, adult, sane, and resident Muslim.
Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, do not let your wealth and your children distract you from Allah’s remembrance. For whoever does that, it is they who are the losers.} [Surat al-Munāfiqūn: 9]
Q30: What is the number of Rak‘ahs in the Jumu‘ah prayer?
Answer: The Jumu‘ah prayer consists of two Rak‘ahs in which the Imam recites the Qur’anic verses audibly, and which are preceded with two Khutbahs (sermons).
Q31: Is it permissible not to attend the Jumu‘ah prayer?
Answer: Not attending the Jumu‘ah prayer is impermissible, except for a Sharia-approved excuse. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever misses three Friday prayers out of negligence, Allah places a seal upon his heart." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and others]
Q32: Mention the Sunnah acts to be performed on Friday?
Answer:
1. Taking a shower
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2. Putting on perfume
3. Wearing the best of clothes
4. Going early to the mosque
5. Invoking blessings upon the Prophet frequently
6. Reciting Surat al-Kahf
7. Walking to the mosque
8. Seeking the hour in which supplication is most likely to be answered
Q33: What is the merit of the congregational prayer?
Answer: ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Praying in congregation is twenty-seven times better than praying alone." [Narrated by Muslim]
Q34: What is Khushū‘ (humility) in prayer?
Answer: It means the attendance of the heart and the serenity of the body while performing the prayer.
Allah Almighty says: {The believers have attained true success: those who humble themselves in their prayers.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 1-2]
Q35: What is the definition of Zakah?
Answer: It is a due right on a specific type of property, to be given to a specific group of people, at a specific time.
It is one of the pillars of Islam and an obligatory charity that is taken from the rich and given to the poor.
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Allah Almighty says: {Give Zakah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 43]
Q36: What is the recommended charity?
Answer: It is different from Zakah, as it is giving anything by way of charity to be used in any of the aspects of goodness at any time.
Allah Almighty says: {Spend in the way of Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 195]
Q37: What is the definition of Siyām (fasting)?
Answer: It means worshiping Allah by abstaining from the invalidators of fasting from the break of dawn until sunset, while having the intention of fasting. It is of two types:
First: Obligatory fasting: such as fasting the month of Ramadān, which is one of the pillars of Islam.
Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those who were before you, so that you may become righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 183]
Second: Voluntary fasting: such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays; fasting three days every month, the best of which are the White Days (13th, 14th, 15th) of every lunar month.
Q38: What is the merit of fasting Ramadān?
Answer: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadān out of faith and seeking reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven." [Agreed upon]
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Q39: What is the merit of voluntary fasting?
Answer: Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts a day for the sake of Allah, Allah will keep his face away from Hellfire (the distance of) seventy autumns for that day." [Agreed upon]
"Seventy autumns" means: seventy years.
Q40: What are some of the invalidators of fasting?
Answer: 1. Eating and drinking deliberately
2. Vomiting deliberately
3. Apostasy
Q41: What are the Sunnah acts of fasting?
Answer: 1. Hastening to break the fast
2. Having the Suhūr (pre-dawn meal) and delaying it
3. Increasing good deeds and acts of worship
4. Saying: "I am fasting" if insulted
5. Supplicating at the time of breaking the fast
6. Breaking the fast by fresh dates or ripe dates, or drinking water if dates are unavailable
Q42: What is the definition of Hajj (pilgrimage)?
Answer: Hajj means worshiping Allah Almighty by visiting His Sacred House and performing specific rituals during a specific time.
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Allah Almighty says: {Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah upon all people who are able to make their way to it; whoever disbelieves, then Allah is in no need for the worlds.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 97]
Q43: How many pillars of Hajj are there?
Answer: 1. Ihrām (entering the ritual state of consecration)
2. Standing at ‘Arafah
3. Performing the Tawāf (circumambulating the Ka‘bah) of Ifādah (pouring forth)
4. Performing Sa‘y (walking at a brisk pace) between Safa and Marwah
Q44: What is the merit of Hajj?
Answer: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah, while abstaining from intercourse and foul language, will return (free from sins) as if he were born anew." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and others]
"As if he were born anew" means free from sins.
Q45: What is the definition of ‘Umrah?
Answer: ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) means worshiping Allah Almighty by visiting His Sacred House to perform specific rituals at any time.
Q46: What are the pillars of ‘Umrah?
Answer: 1. Ihrām (entering a ritual state of consecration)
2. Tawāf (circumambulating the Ka‘bah)
3. Sa‘y (walking at a brisk pace) between Safa and Marwah
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Q47: What is Jihad (striving) in the cause of Allah?
Answer: It means exerting one’s utmost effort in spreading Islam and defending it and its people or fighting the enemies of Islam and Muslims.
Allah Almighty says: {And strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if only you knew.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 41]
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The Prophetic Sīrah (Biography) Section
Q1: What is the lineage of our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)?
Answer: He is Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hāshim. Hāshim was from the Quraysh, which belongs to the Arabs, who are from the offspring of Ismā‘il (Ishmael) the son of Ibrāhim (Abraham) (peace be upon him).
Q2: What is the name of our Prophet’s mother?
Answer: Āminah bint Wahb.
Q3: When did his father die?
Answer: His father died in Madīnah when he was still an embryo and was not born.
Q4: When was the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) born?
Answer: He was born in the Year of the Elephant, on Monday, in Rabī‘ al-Awwal.
Q5: Where was he born?
Answer: In Makkah.
Q6: Who are his wet nurses?
Answer: - Umm Ayman, the bondmaid of his father
- Thuwaybah, the bondmaid of his uncle Abu Lahab
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- Halīmah as-Sa‘diyyah
Q7: When did his mother die?
Answer: His mother died when he was six years old, and his grandfather, ‘Abdul-Muttalib, took care of him after his mother’s death.
Q8: Who took care of him after the death of his grandfather ‘Abdul-Muttalib?
Answer: When he was eight years old, his grandfather died and his uncle, Abu Tālib, took care of him.
Q9: When did he travel with his uncle to the Levant?
Answer: He traveled with his uncle to the Levant when he was twelve years old.
Q10: When was his second trip?
Answer: He traveled for the second time on a trade journey with the money of Khadījah (may Allah be pleased with her). When he returned, he married her when he was twenty-five years old.
Q11: When did the Quraysh rebuild the Ka‘bah?
Answer: The Quraysh rebuilt the Ka‘bah when he was thirty-five years old.
On disagreeing about who would restore the Black Stone to its place, they sought his judgment; so, he put it on a piece of cloth and ordered each of the four tribes to hold one end of the cloth. Then, when they lifted it, he (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) restored it to its place with his hands.
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Q12: How old was he when he was assigned the mission of prophethood? To whom was he sent?
Answer: He was forty years old, and he was sent as a bringer of glad tidings and as a warner to all people.
Q13: How did the revelation start?
Answer: It started with the true vision: He would see no vision, except that it would occur just the way he had seen it.
Q14: What was his state before the revelation? When did the revelation descend upon him the first time?
Answer: He was worshiping Allah in the Cave of Hirā’,
and the revelation descended upon him while he was in the cave in that state.
Q15: What were the first Qur’anic verses that were revealed to him?
Answer: The verses where Allah Almighty says: {Read in the name of your Lord Who created, created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know.} [Surat al-‘Alaq: 1-5]
Q16: Who was the first one to believe in his message?
Answer: The first to believe in his message from among the men was Abu Bakr; from the women: Khadījah bint Khuwaylid; from the boys: ‘Ali ibn
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Abi Tālib; from the freed slaves: Zayd ibn Hārithah; and from the salves: Bilāl al-Habashi (may Allah be pleased with them), in addition to others.
Q17: How was Da‘wah (preaching) to Islam carried out?
Answer: Da‘wah to Islam was carried out secretly for almost three years. Then, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was commanded to call people to Islam in public.
Q18: What was the state of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and those who believed in him after starting to make Da‘wah publicly?
Answer: The polytheists started hurting him and the Muslims severely, until the believers were given the permission to emigrate to Najāshi (Negus) in Abyssinia.
The polytheists unanimously agreed to kill the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him); nevertheless, Allah protected him and supported him with his uncle, Abu Tālib, to defend him against them.
Q19: Who died in the tenth year of the Bi‘thah (start of the Prophet’s mission)?
Answer: Both his uncle Abu Tālib and his wife Khadījah (may Allah be pleased with her).
