Revive Your Iman: Spiritual Boost for Muslims

 The Chapter on Lowering the Curtains: Between Legal Protection and Social Privacy Introduction In Islamic law, many rulings aim to preserve the five necessities: religion, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth. Among these rulings are those related to modesty and chastity, as covering the home and its inhabitants is emphasized in Islam to protect honor and safeguard society from temptation. Hence, the importance of "the chapter on lowering the curtains" arises—a jurisprudential issue that scholars have discussed in detail due to its direct connection to the daily lives of Muslims.   Section One: The Concept and Legitimacy of Lowering the Curtains  1. Definition of Lowering the Curtains Linguistically and Terminologically - **Linguistically**: A *sitr* (curtain) is what conceal something, and *lowering the curtains* means letting them down to cover what is behind them.   - **Terminologically**: It refers to drawing curtains or coverings over windows and door...

 Prohibition of Excessive Weeping Over the Dead: A Perspective from Prophetic Traditions Introduction Weeping over the deceased is a natural human emotion that arises when losing a loved one. Numerous prophetic hadiths clarify the Islamic stance on mourning—some prohibit it, while others permit it as a natural expression of grief. How can these texts be reconciled? What is the difference between permissible weeping and prohibited excessive mourning?   First: Prohibition of Excessive Weeping in Prophetic Teachings Authentic hadiths forbid excessive mourning, especially when accompanied by wailing (niyāḥa), striking one’s cheeks, tearing clothes, and other dramatic displays common in pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyya). Examples include:   1. Hadith of Ibn Umar (RA):    The Prophet ﷺ said: **"The deceased is punished in the grave due to the wailing (niyāḥa) over them."** (Bukhari & Muslim)      This indicates that loud, dramatic mou...

The Chapter of Standing for Funerals and Sitting on Graves According to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ♥ Introduction In Islam, funerals and graves are topics that have received significant attention in the Prophetic Sunnah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established clear etiquettes for dealing with the deceased and visiting graves. Among these etiquettes are standing for funeral processions and sitting near graves, which are Sunnahs carrying great wisdom and reminders of the Hereafter.   Standing for Funerals in the Prophetic Sunnah Several hadiths indicate the legitimacy of standing for funeral processions as a sign of respect for the deceased and sympathy for their family. Imam Muslim reported from Amir ibn Rabi’ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: **"When you see a funeral procession, stand up for it until it has passed by or is placed (on the ground)."** (Sahih Muslim).   This command signifies honoring...

 Chapter: Praying Over Funerals After Dawn Until Sunrise and After Asr Until Yellowing (of the Sun): A Jurisprudential Study Introduction The funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) is a collective obligation (Fard Kifayah) in Islam and one of the significant rights the deceased holds over the living. Numerous prophetic traditions highlight the virtue of attending and performing the funeral prayer, and Islamic law has specified the recommended and disliked times for this prayer. Among the jurisprudential issues scholars have differed on is **praying over funerals after Fajr until sunrise (Isfar) and after Asr until the yellowing of the sun (Isfirar)**.   This article will explore this issue in detail by covering:   1. **The ruling on praying over funerals during these times.**   2. **Evidence from the Quran, Sunnah, and scholarly opinions.**   3. **Jurisprudential differences among Islamic schools of thought.**   4. **Legal analysis and p...

 The Funeral Rulings in Islam Chapter: Washing the Deceased  Washing the deceased is a religious obligation that must be performed for a deceased Muslim. It is a *fard kifayah* (communal obligation), meaning if some perform it, the sin is lifted from the rest.   **Method of Washing**:   1. The washer should be trustworthy, knowledgeable about the rulings, and preferably a relative of the deceased.   2. The deceased’s private parts should be covered, and the body slightly elevated for proper cleaning.   3. The body is washed with water and *sidr* (lote leaves) or soap, starting from the right side and the purest parts.   4. The deceased is given *wudu* (ablution) as for prayer, then the head and beard are washed with water and *sidr*.   5. The entire body is washed three times or more if needed.   6. The body is dried with a clean cloth, then shrouded.   **Evidence**: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: *"Wash he...

 The Prayer for Rain (Salat al-Istisqa) in Islam: Rulings, Method, and Evidence from Prophetic Traditions  Introduction The Prayer for Rain (*Salat al-Istisqa*) is a voluntary prayer performed to ask Allah for rain during times of drought or water scarcity. It is a confirmed Sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ practiced, demonstrating the importance of turning to Allah in all circumstances.   Chapter One: Definition and Ruling of Salat al-Istisqa   1.1 Meaning of Salat al-Istisqa Linguistically: *Istisqa* means "seeking water."   Legally: **A prayer performed to ask Allah for rain when needed.**   1.2 Ruling of Salat al-Istisqa  It is a **confirmed Sunnah** according to the majority of scholars, based on the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.   **Evidence from the Sunnah:**   - Abdullah ibn Zaid (رضي الله عنه) reported: *"The Prophet ﷺ went to the prayer ground to pray for rain. He faced the Qiblah, turned his c...

The Prayer of Fear in Islam: Its Rulings, Method, and Evidence from Prophetic Traditions Introduction The Prayer of Fear (*Salat al-Khawf*) is a prayer legislated in Islam for Muslims during times of war and combat, when there is a fear of enemy attack during prayer. The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated multiple ways to perform it, depending on battlefield conditions and the nature of the threat. This prayer reflects the flexibility and adaptability of Islamic law, even in the most perilous situations. In this article, we will explore the definition of the Prayer of Fear, its rulings, evidence from the Sunnah, and the different methods narrated from the Prophet ﷺ, along with the wisdom behind its legislation. Chapter One: Definition and Legitimacy of the Prayer of Fear 1.1 Meaning of the Prayer of Fear The Prayer of Fear is performed by Muslims when facing an enemy or danger during battle or travel under hazardous conditions. It was prescribed as a mercy to ensure Muslims do not neglect prayer d...

Night Prayer in Al-Muwatta: A Renewing Light in the Darkness of Nights Introduction:    In the silence and stillness of the night, when creation turns to its Creator, the breaths of lovers rise in the darkness, responding to the call of the Most Generous Lord: "Did you not know that My servant so-and-so fell ill, and you did not visit him? Did you not know that My servant so-and-so asked you for a loan, and you did not lend to him? Did you not know that My servant so-and-so humbled himself before Me, and you did not honor him? Did you not know that had you accepted him, I would have accepted you?" The Divine Secrets of Night Vigil   1. **The Secret of Concealment**: Just as Allah concealed Laylat al-Qadr among nights, He concealed the night vigil among acts of worship to distinguish the miserly from the generous.   2. **The Secret of Distinction**: "Indeed, a servant may utter a word pleasing to Allah without giving it much thought, and Allah will raise him...

Friday Prayer in Al-Muwatta: A Detailed Jurisprudential Study Introduction Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah) is one of the great Islamic rituals that brings Muslims together every week. It is an obligatory duty (fard 'ayn) for every sane, adult Muslim who is a resident and has no valid excuse. Its rulings have been detailed in **Al-Muwatta'** by Imam Malik ibn Anas, one of the earliest books of Hadith and Fiqh, which serves as the foundation of the Maliki school of thought.   In this article, we will explore **everything mentioned in Al-Muwatta' about Friday prayer**, analyzing the hadiths and narrations while presenting the opinions of Imam Malik and other jurists. The discussion will cover the following points:   1. **The ruling on Friday prayer and its obligation**.   2. **The timing of Friday prayer and its signs**.   3. **The description and conditions of the sermon (khutbah)**.   4. **Etiquette of Friday prayer: Ghusl (ritual bath),...

Comprehensive Study on Iqamah: Definition, Format, Rulings, Conditions, and Etiquette Introduction The Iqamah holds significant importance in Islamic rituals as it serves as the final announcement preceding the commencement of prayer following the Adhan. This paper examines the definition, format, legal status, validity conditions, timing for congregation response, recommended practices, and juristic issues surrounding Iqamah across the four major Islamic schools of thought, supported by Prophetic traditions. Chapter 1: Definition and Significance of Iqamah 1. Linguistic and Technical Definition - **Linguistically**: Derived from the root “aqama” denoting establishment and continuity. - **Technically**: A specific set of phrases announcing the immediate start of prayer after Adhan. 2. Distinction Between Adhan and Iqamah - **Adhan**: General call marking prayer time and gathering worshipers. - **Iqamah**: Final signal for actual prayer commencement, shorter than Adhan. 3. Religious Imp...