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harmful objects from the way; and modesty is a branch of faith." [Narrated by Muslim]
Q14: Mention examples of the trait of mercy.
Answer: . Being merciful to old people and revering them
. Being merciful to young people and children
. Being merciful to the poor, the needy, and the destitute
. Being merciful to animals by feeding them and not harming them
In this regard, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You will find the believers in their mutual compassion, love, and sympathy like a single body: if one of its organs suffers, the whole body will react with sleeplessness and fever." [Agreed upon]
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth and the One in the heaven will be merciful to you." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
Q15: What are the types of love?
Answer: . Love for Allah Almighty
Allah Almighty says: {But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 165]
. Love for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, none of you will attain perfect faith until I am dearer to him than his father and his child." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
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. Love for the believers and wishing goodness for them just as one wishes for himself
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "None of you is a real believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.'' [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Q16: Define cheerfulness.
Answer: It is having a cheerful face, along with showing happiness and a smile, being friendly, and expressing delight when meeting people.
It is the opposite of frowning at people, which is a repellent attitude.
Many Hadīths mention the merit of cheerfulness, among them is the Hadīth where Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face." [Narrated by Muslim]
Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Smiling at your brother is counted as a charity." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Q17: What is envy?
Answer: It is wishing that the blessing of others would cease to exist or hating to see others enjoy a blessing.
Allah Almighty says: {And from the harm of the envier when he envies.}
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, and do not turn your backs on one
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another, but be, O servants of Allah, as brothers." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Q18: What is mockery?
Answer: It is ridiculing and despising one's Muslim brother, which is impermissible.
Forbidding mockery, Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, let not some men ridicule others, for it may be that they are better than them; nor let some women ridicule others, for it may be that they are better than them. Do not speak ill of one another, nor call one another by [offensive] nicknames. How evil is the name of wickedness after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the wrongdoers.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 11]
Q19: Define humility.
Answer: It is the quality of not thinking that one is better than other people; thus, one does not despise people or reject the truth.
Allah Almighty says: {The slaves of the Most Compassionate are those who walk on earth humbly.} [Surat al-Furqān: 63] It means that they are humble.
Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No one humbles himself seeking the pleasure of Allah except that Allah will raise his rank." [Narrated by Muslim]
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Allah revealed to me that you should all be humble; so that people should not feel proud over one another, and that they should not wrong one another." [Narrated by Muslim]
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Q20: What are the types of the forbidden arrogance?
Answer: 1. Arrogance in dealing with the truth, i.e., rejecting and not accepting the truth
2. Arrogance in dealing with people, i.e., despising and disdaining them
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise." A man said: "What if one likes his clothes and shoes to be good?" He said: "Verily, Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty. Arrogance is rejecting the truth and looking down on people." [Narrated by Muslim]
- "Rejecting the truth": not accepting it.
- "Looking down on people": despising them.
- Wearing good-looking clothes and shoes is not arrogance.
Q21: Mention some of the types of the forbidden cheating.
Answer: - Cheating in selling and buying, by hiding the defect in the commodity
- Cheating in learning, like the students' cheating on exams
- Cheating in speaking, like in false testimony and lying
- Breaching one's agreements with others
The prohibition of cheating is clear in the Hadīth stating that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) once came upon a heap of food, and when he put his hand into it, his fingers felt some dampness. So, he asked: "What is this, O owner of the food? The
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man replied: "Rain had fallen on it, O Messenger of Allah," whereupon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him said: "Why did you not put the damp part on top of the food so that people might see it? He who cheats has nothing to do with me." [Narrated by Muslim]
"Heap of food": a pile of food.
Q22: What is backbiting?
Answer: It is mentioning one's Muslim brother with what he dislikes in his absence.
Allah Almighty says: {And do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely abhor it. So fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance, Most Merciful.} [Surat al-Hujurat: 12]
Q23: Define talebearing.
Answer: It is spreading words of one another between people with the intent of causing mistrust and dissension among people.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No talebearer will enter Paradise." [Narrated by Muslim]
Q24: What is indolence?
Answer: It is slackening in performing acts of goodness and in carrying out one's duties.
It includes slackness in carrying out obligations.
Allah Almighty says: {The hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. Whenever they stand up for prayer, they
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stand up reluctantly, only to be seen by people, and they do not remember Allah but a little.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 142]
The believer should, thus, abandon indolence, sluggishness, and laziness and should work hard and work diligently in this life in a way that is pleasing to Allah Almighty.
Q25: Mention the types of anger.
Answer: 1. Praiseworthy anger: It is the anger that one feels for the sake of Allah in case the disbelievers, hypocrites, or others violate any of His limits.
2. Dispraised anger: It is the anger that drives one to say and do what he should not.
Treatment of Dispraised Anger
- Performing ablution
- The one who is standing should sit, and the one who is sitting should lie down
- Adhering to the Prophet's advice in this regard, as he said: "Do not get angry"
- Controlling oneself at times of anger
- Seeking refuge with Allah from the accursed devil
- Keeping silent
Q26: What is spying?
Answer: It is pursuing and exposing people's faults and what they hide.
Examples of prohibited spying include:
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- Trying to know people's private affairs in their homes
- Eavesdropping on people's private conversations
Allah Almighty says: {Do not spy on one another...} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 12]
Q27: What is wastefulness? What is stinginess? What is generosity?
Answer: Wastefulness is spending money inefficiently.
It is opposite to stinginess, which means withholding money and not spending it rightfully.
The correct attitude is a moderate way between wastefulness and stinginess, i.e., to be generous.
Allah Almighty says: {And those who neither spend wastefully nor stingily but are moderate between them.} [Surat al-Furqān: 67]
Q28:What is cowardice? What is bravery?
Answer: Cowardice is fearing something that one should not fear.
Such as fearing to say the truth or to forbid evil.
Bravery is prowess upon the truth, such as undertaking the mission of defending Islam and Muslims in the fields of Jihad.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to say the following in his supplication: "Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min al-jubn" (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice).
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in both." [Narrated by Muslim]
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Q29: Mention some of the prohibited words and speeches.
Answer: - Curses and insults
- Saying that someone is an animal or the like
- Saying obscene or indecent words
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade all such things by saying: "A believer is neither a slanderer or an invoker of curse, nor is he indecent or foulmouthed." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibbān]
Q30: Mention some of the methods that may help a Muslim adhere to good morals.
Answer: 1. Supplicating to Allah to grant you good morals and asking Him to help you adhere to them.
2. Being constantly heedful of Allah Almighty and knowing that he knows, hears, and sees you.
3. Remembering the reward of good morals and that they are a cause for entering Paradise.
4. Remembering the consequences of bad morals and that they are a cause for entering Hellfire.
5. Good morals lead to winning the love of Allah Almighty and His creation, whereas bad morals bring about the wrath of Allah and His creation.
6. Reading the biography of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and taking him as a role model
7. Taking good people as companions and avoiding the company of evil people
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Supplications and Dhikrs Section
Q1: What is the merit of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)?
Answer: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember Him is like the example of a living and a dead person." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
This is because the value and worth of man's life depend on how frequently he remembers Allah Almighty.
Q2: Mention some of the benefits of Dhikr.
Answer: 1. It pleases the Most Compassionate
2. It expels the devil
3. It protects the Muslim against evil
4. It brings about recompense and reward
Q3: What is the best Dhikr?
Answer: The best Dhikr is: "La ilāha illallāh" (there is no god but Allah). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah]
Q4: What should one say upon waking up?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāhi alladhī ahyāna ba‘damā amātanā wa ilayhi an-nushūr" (Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after He caused us to die and to Him is the resurrection). [Agreed upon]
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Q5: What should one say when wearing garment?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāhi alladhī kasānī hadha ath-thawba wa razaqanīhi min ghayri hawlin minnī wa la quwwah" (Praise be to Allah Who clothed me in this garment and gave it to me without any power or strength on my side). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and others]
Q6: What should one say when getting undressed?
Answer: "Bismillāh" (In the name of Allah). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Q7: What supplication should be said on wearing a new garment?
Answer: "Allāhumma lakal hamdu anta kasawtanīhi as’aluka khayrahu wa khayra ma suni‘a lahu wa a‘ūdhu bika min sharrihi wa sharri ma suni‘a lah" (O Allah, praise be to You, You clothed me therewith. I ask You for its good and the good of that for which it was made, and I seek refuge with You from its evil and the evil of that for which it was made). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
Q8: What supplication should be said when seeing someone wearing a new garment?
Answer: When seeing someone wearing a new garment, one should supplicate for him and say: "Tublī wa yukhlifullāhu ta‘āla" (May you wear it out and may Allah Almighty grant you another instead). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
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Q9: Mention the supplication to be said when entering the toilet.
Answer: "Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min al-khubuthi wal khabā’ith" (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the male and female devils). [Agreed upon]
Q10: What supplication should be said when coming out of the toilet?
Answer: "Ghufrānak" (I seek Your forgiveness). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
Q11: What should be said before performing ablution?
Answer: "Bismillāh" (In the name of Allah). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and others]
Q12: What Dhikr should be said after performing ablution?
Answer: "Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh wahdahu la sharīka lah wa ash-hadu anna Muahmmadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh" (I testify that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger). [Narrated by Muslim]
Q13: What Dhikr should be said on leaving the house?
Answer: "Bismillāhi tawakkaltu ‘alallāh wala hawala wala quwwata illā billāh" (In the name of Allah, I rely upon Allah, and there is no might nor strength except with Allah). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
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Q14: What Dhikr should be said on entering the house?
Answer: "Bismillāhi walajnā wa bismillāhi kharajnā wa ‘alallāhi rabbinā tawakkalnā" (In the name of Allah we enter, and in the name of Allah we leave, and on Allah, our Lord, we rely) then one should greet his family. [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
Q15: What is the supplication of entering the mosque?
Answer: "Allāhumma iftah lī abwāba rahmatik" (O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy). [Narrated by Muslim]
Q16: Mention the supplication of leaving the mosque.
Answer: "Allāhumma innī as’aluka min fadlik" (O Allah, I ask You for Your favor). [Narrated by Muslim]
Q17: What should be said on hearing the Adhān (prayer call)?
Answer: One should repeat what the muezzin says except when saying: "Hayy ‘ala as-salāh" (come to prayer) and "Hayy ‘ala al-falāh" (come to success). Here, one should say: "La hawla wala quwwata illā billāh" (there is no might nor strength except with Allah). [Agreed upon]
Q18: What should be said after the Adhān?
Answer: Invoke blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. [Narrated by Muslim]
Then, one should say: "Allāhumma rabba hādhihi ad-da‘watit tāmmah wasalātil qā’imah āti Muhammadan al-wasīlata wal fadīlah wab‘athuhu
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maqāman mahmūdan illadhī wa‘adtah" (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer that is about to be established, grant Muhammad the right of intercession and favor and resurrect him to a praised position that You have promised him). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
One should also supplicate to Allah between the Adhān and Iqāmah (the second call to prayer), as it is a time when the supplication is not rejected.
Q19: What are the morning and evening Adhkār (prescribed set of regular supplications)?
Answer: 1. Reciting Āyat al-Kursi, which reads: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what was before them and what will be after them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursī [footstool] extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Highest, the Greatest.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255]
2. Reciting: In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful {Say: “He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is He begotten, and there is none comparable to Him.”} [Surat al-Ikhlās: 1-4] Three times
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful {Say, “I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak, from the harm of all what He has created; from the harm of night’s darkness when it
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spreads around, from the harm of the sorceresses who blow on knots, and from the harm of the envier when he envies.} [Surat al-Falaq: 1-5] - three times
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful {Say, “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the harm of the lurking whisperer, who whispers into the hearts of mankind, from among jinn and mankind.”} [Surat an-Nās: 1-6] - three times
3. "Allāhumma anta rabbī lā ilāha illa anta khalaqtanī wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika mastata‘t, a‘ūdhu bika min sharri ma sana‘t, abū’u laka bini‘matika ‘alayy wa abū’u bidhambī faghfir lī fa innahu lā yaghfiru adh-dhunūba illa anta" (O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favors that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. So, forgive me, for none can forgive sins except You). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Q20: What should be said before sleeping?
Answer: "Bismika allāhumma amūtu wa ahyā" (In Your name, O Allah, I die, and I live). [Agreed upon]
Q21: What should be said before eating?
Answer: "Bismillāh" (In the name of Allah).
If one forgets to say it before eating, he should say:
"Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirih" (In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
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Q22: What should be said after eating?
Answer: "Alhamdullillāhi al-ladhī at‘amanī hādha wa razaqanīh min ghayri hawlin minnī wala quwwah" (Praise be to Allah Who fed me and provided me with this food without any power or strength on my side). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah, and others]
Q23: What should the guest say in supplicating for the host?
Answer: "Allāhumma bārik lahum fīmā razaqtahum waghfir lahum warhamuhum" (O Allah, bless them in what You have provided them with, and forgive them and have mercy on them). [Narrated by Muslim]
Q24: What should one say when sneezing?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāh" (praise be to Allah).
His brother or his companion should say to him: "Yarhamukallāh" (may Allah have mercy on you).
The sneezer should, then, reply saying: "Yahdīkumullāh wa yuslih bālakum" (may Allah guide you and improve your condition). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Q25: What should one say when leaving an assembly, i.e., the "Expiation of assembly supplication"?
Answer: "Subhānak allāhumma wa bihamdik, ash-hadu allā ilāha illā ant, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk" (Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. I testify that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and others]
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Q26: What is the riding supplication?
Answer: "Bismillāh walhamdulillāh" (In the name of Allah and praise be to Allah), "Subhāna al-ladhī sakhkhara lanā hādha wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn wa innā ilā rabbinā lamunqalibūn" (Glory be to Him Who has subjected this for us, for we could not have done it by ourselves. It is to our Lord that we will surely return), "Alhamdulillāh, alhamdulillāh, alhamdulillāh, allāhu akbar, allāhu akbar, allāhu akbar, subhānaka allāhumma innī zhalamtu nafsī faghfir lī fa’innahu lā yaghfiru adh-dhunūba illā ant" (Praise be to Allah - three times - Allah is the Most Great - three times - Glory be to You, O Allah, I wronged myself, so forgive me, for none can forgive sins but You). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]
Q27: Mention the traveling supplication.
Answer: "Allāhu akbar, allāhu akbar, allāhu akbar" (Allah is the Most Great - three times), "Subhāna al-ladhī sakhkhara lanā hādha wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn wa innā ilā rabbinā lamunqalibūn" (Glory be to Him Who has subjected this for us, for we could not have done it by ourselves. It is to our Lord that we will surely return), "Allāhumma innā nas’aluka fī safarinā hādha al-birra wat-taqwā wa min al-‘amali mā tardā, allāhumma hawwin ‘alaynā safaranā hādha watwi ‘annā bu‘dah, allāhumma anta as-sāhibu fis-safar wa al-khalīfatu fil ahl, allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min wa‘thā’ as-safar wa ka’ābat al-manzhar wa sū’ il-munqalab fil māli wal ahl" (O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for goodness and piety, and for deeds that are pleasing to You. O Allah, make easy this journey for us and make its distance short for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the One in Whose care we leave our family behind. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this journey's hardships, and from the terrible
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sights in store and from a misfortunate return to our property and our family).
On returning, one should say the same and add the following:
"Āyibūn tā’ibūn ‘ābidūn lirabbinā hāmidūn" (We are returning in safety, turning to our Lord in repentance, worshiping Him, and praising Him). [Narrated by Muslim]
Q28: What supplication should the traveler make for the resident?
Answer: "Astawdi‘ukumllāh al-ladhī lā tadī‘u wadā’i‘h" (I entrust you to Allah Whose trusts are never lost). [Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Mājah]
Q29: What supplication should the resident make for the traveler?
Answer: "Astawdi‘ullāha dīnak wa amānatak wa khawātīma ‘amalik" (I entrust to Allah your religion, your trust, and your final deeds). [Narrated by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi]
Q30: What supplication should be made upon entering the market?
Answer: "Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul mulk walahul hamd yuhyī wa yumīt biyadihi al-khayr wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadīr" (There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belong the dominion and all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is Ever Living, and He never dies. In His Hand lies all good, and He is competent over all things). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah]
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Q31: Mention the supplication that should be said in times of anger.
Answer: "A‘ūdhu billāhi min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm" (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil). [Agreed upon]
Q32: What should one say to someone who did him a favor?
Answer: "Jazākallāhu khayran" (may Allah reward you). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Q33: What supplication should be said when one's riding animal trips?
Answer: "Bismillāh" (In the name of Allah). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
Q34: What should one say when something good happens to him?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāhi al-ladhī bini‘matihi tatimmu as-sālihāt" (Praise be to Allah with Whose favor good things are completed). [Narrated by Al-Hākim and others]
Q35: What should one say when something bad happens to him?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāh ‘ala kulli hāl" (Praise be to Allah in all cases). [Sahīh al-Jāmi‘]
Q36: What is the way of greeting and returning the greeting?
Answer: A Muslim should say: "As-salāmu ‘alaykum warahmatullāhi wa barakātuh" (May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you).
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His brother should return the greeting, saying: "Wa ‘alaykum as-salām warahmatullāhi wa barakātuh" (And may the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you too). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dāwūd, and others]
Q37: What supplication should be said when it rains?
Answer: "Allāhumma sayyiban nāfi‘an" (O Allah, may it be beneficial rain). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Q38: What supplication should be said after rainfall?
Answer: "Mutirnā bifadlillāhi wa rahmatih" (We have been given rain by the grace and mercy of Allah). [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Q39: Mention the supplication that should be said when the wind blows.
Answer: "Allāhumma innī as’aluka khayrahā wa a‘ūdhu bika min sharrihā" (O Allah, I ask You for its goodness and I seek refuge with You from its evil). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah]
Q40: Mention the supplication that should be said on hearing thunder.
Answer: "Subhāna al-ladhī yusabbihu ar-ra‘du bihamdihi wal malā’ikatu min khīfatih" (Glory be to the One by Whose praise the thunder exalts Him and the angels as well for fear of Him). [Muwatta’ Mālik]
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Q41: What supplication should be said (to oneself) on seeing an afflicted person?
Answer: "Alhamdulillāhi al-ladhī ‘āfānī mimma ibtalāka bihi wa faddalanī ‘ala kathīrin mimman khalaqa tafdīla" (Praise be to Allah Who has spared me what He has afflicted you with and preferred me greatly above much of what He has created). [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Q42: What supplication should be said on fearing to affect something with one's evil eye?
Answer: The Hadīth states: "If one of you sees something from his brother, himself, or his wealth which he finds amazing, then let him invoke blessings for it, for the evil eye is, indeed, true." [Narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Mājah, and others]
Q43: How should one invoke blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?
Answer: "Allāhumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala āli Muhammadin kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrāhīm wa ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm, innaka hamīdun majīd. Allāhumma bārik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala āli Muhammadin kama bārakta ‘ala Ibrāhīm wa ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm, innaka hamīdun majīd" (O Allah, exalt the mention of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as you exalted the mention of Abraham and the family of Abraham, You are Praiseworthy and Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham, You are Praiseworthy and Most Glorious). [Agreed upon]
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Miscellaneous Section
Q1: What are the five assignment rulings?
Answer:
1. Wājib (obligatory)
2. Mustahabb (recommended)
3. Muharram (prohibited)
4. Makrūh (disliked)
5. Mubāh (permissible)
Q2: Explain these five rulings.
Answer:
1. Wājib (Obligatory): such as the five prayers, fasting in Ramadān, and dutifulness to one's parents.
Performing what is obligatory will be rewarded, whereas, abandoning it will be punished.
2. Mustahabb (Recommended): such as the regular Sunnah prayers, the night prayer, feeding people, and the greeting of peace. It is also called "Sunnah" and "Mandūb".
Performing what is recommended will be rewarded and abandoning it will not be punished.
Important Note:
The Muslim must hasten to perform whatever is Sunnah or recommended and follow the example of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
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3. Muharram (Prohibited): such as the consumption of alcohol, being undutiful to one's parents, and severing kinship ties.
Abandoning what is prohibited will be rewarded, whereas, committing it will be punished.
3. Makrūh (Disliked): such as taking and giving with the left hand and lifting up the lower part of the garment during the prayer.
Abandoning what is disliked will be rewarded and doing it will not be punished.
5. Mubāh (Permissible): such as eating an apple and drinking tea. It is also called "Jā’iz" and "Halāl".
Abandoning what is permissible will not be rewarded, as doing it will not be punished.
Q3: What is the ruling on sales and transactions?
Answer: In principle, all types of sales and transactions are permissible, except some types which have been prohibited by Allah Almighty.
Allah Almighty says: {But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 275]
Q4: Mention some of the prohibited types of sales and transactions.
Answer:
1. Cheating: such as hiding the defect in a commodity.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) once came upon a heap of food, and when he put his hand into it, his fingers felt some dampness. So,
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he asked the owner of the food: "What is this, O owner of the food?" The man replied: "The rain had fallen on it, O Messenger of Allah." Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Why did you not put the damp part on the top of the food so that people can see it? He who cheats has nothing to do with me." [Narrated by Muslim]
2. Riba (usury): such as borrowing one thousand from someone to be returned as two thousands.
This excess is the prohibited usury.
Allah Almighty says: {But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 275]
3. Gharar (uncertainty, risk) and Jahālah (ignorance): such as selling milk that is still in the female sheep udder, or fish that is not yet caught.
The Hadīth states: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade any sale that involves Gharar (uncertainty, risk)." [Narrated by Muslim]
Q5: Mention some of the blessings that Allah has bestowed on you.
Answer: 1. The blessing of being a Muslim and not being from the disbelievers
2. The blessing of adhering to the Sunnah and not being from the heretic innovators
3. The blessing of health and wellbeing, including the blessing of hearing, seeing, walking, etc.
4. The blessing of having food, drink, and clothes.
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In fact, the blessings that Allah Almighty has bestowed upon us are numerous and cannot be counted or enumerated.
Allah Almighty says: {If you try to count Allah’s favors, you will not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat an-Nahl: 18]
Q6: What is our duty towards our blessings? How should we show gratitude?
Answer: It is our duty to express gratitude for having such blessings by praising Allah with the tongue and attributing all favors to Him alone, and by using such blessings in a way that pleases Allah Almighty and not in disobeying Him.
Q7: What are the Muslims' festivals?
Answer: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad'ha.
This is mentioned in the Hadīth of Anas who said: "When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people had two days on which they used to play games. He asked: 'What are these two days?' They said: 'We used to play on them in the pre-Islamic period.' Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Allah has given you something better than these two: the day of sacrifice (Eid al-Ad'ha) and the day of the breaking the fast (Eid al-Fitr).'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
All festivals, other than these two Eids, are counted as religious innovations.
Q8: What is the best month?
Answer: The month of Ramadān.
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Q9: What is the best day?
Answer: Friday.
Q10: What is the best day of the year?
Answer: The Day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah).
Q11: What is the best night of the year?
Answer: Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree).
Q12: What should one do on seeing a non-Mahram woman?
Answer: One should lower his gaze, as Allah Almighty says: {Tell the believing men to lower their gazes.} [Surat an-Nūr: 30]
Q13: Who are man's enemies?
Answer: 1. The human soul that prompts one to evil: This is when one follows what his soul dictates to him and follows his personal desires in disobeying Allah Almighty, Who says: {Indeed, the human soul prompts one to evil, except those to whom my Lord may show mercy. Indeed, my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat Yūsuf: 53]
2. The devil: He is the human's foe whose main goal is to mislead man, whisper evil to him, and lead him to Hellfire. Allah Almighty says: {Do not follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is your sworn enemy.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 168]
3. Evil companions: They are those who urge one towards evil and prevent him from goodness. Allah Almighty says: {On that Day, close
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friends will become enemies to one another, except the righteous.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 67]
Q14: What is repentance?
Answer: Repentance means abandoning sins and starting to obey Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says: {I am indeed Most Forgiving to those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds, then stay on the right path.} [Surat Taha: 82]
Q15: What are the conditions of sound repentance?
Answer: 1. Abandoning sin
2. Remorse for committing sin
3. Resolve not to return to sin
4. Restoring the rights to its owners
Allah Almighty says: {And those who, when they commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – who can forgive sins except Allah? – and they do not persist in what they did knowingly.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 135]
Q16: What is the meaning of invoking blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?
Answer: It means supplicating to Allah and asking Him to exalt the mention of His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the highest assembly.
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Q17: What is the meaning of "Subhānallāh"?
Answer: Tasbīh (saying: Subhānallāh) means exalting Allah Almighty above any deficiency, defect, or evil.
Q18: What is the meaning of "Alhamdulillāh"?
Answer: It means praising Allah Almighty and describing Him with all the attributes of perfection.
Q19: What is the meaning of "Allāhu Akbar"?
Answer: It means that Allah Almighty is the Greatest, the Most Magnificent, and the Most Mighty among all other things.
Q20: What is the meaning of "La hawla wala quwwata illa billāh"?
Answer: It means that a person cannot change from one state to another except by the strength and power of Allah.
Q21: What is the meaning of "Astaghfirullāh"?
Answer: It means asking Allah Almighty to erase one's sins and cover one's flaws.
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The End
At the end,
these are some of the questions that parents must explain and repeat to their children, so that they grow up on the sound words, deeds, and beliefs. Raising children on this is much more important than feeding and clothing them, as 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]
Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man is a caretaker of his family and is responsible for those under his care, and a woman is a caretaker of her husband's family and is responsible for them." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
May Allah's peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, and all of his Companions.
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