Friday 18 July 2014

Zekr: Qur'an Software

Back in time, I learned reading Qur'an the classic way, that is using the book. But nowadays, I spend most of my work on computer. Although I still prefer, classic, but I discovered a software version which I think is useful, the software is called Othman Quran Browser. It is a nice simple Qur'an browser, with high quality font, which can be resized. I'm not sure, but I think this program is only available for Linux user as I haven't find any Windows installer of it. Below is the picture of the said program running on my Ubuntu,

Othman Quran Browser

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Time, Place, Dress and Types of Salat

The following were taken from the book of M. Abdul Karim Saqib. A Guide to Prayer in Islam.

TIME OF ṢALAT

Each ṣalat must be offered at or during its proper time. No ṣalat can be offered before its time. There are five obligatory ṣalat in a day.

Fajr Prayer

The time for the Fajr or the morning prayer starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.

Zuhr Prayer

The time for Zuhr or the early afternoon prayer starts when the sun begins to decline from its zenith and ends when the size of an object's shadow is equal to the size of the object.

        Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A.) narrated, "The angel Jibreel came to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and said to him, 'Stand up and pray Zuhr'. So the messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) prayed Zuhr when the sun had declined from its zenith. Then the Angel Jibreel came again at the time of Asr and said, 'Stand up and Pray Asr'. Then Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) prayed Asr when the shadow of everything was equal to itself. Then Jibreel came the next day to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and said, 'Stand up and pray Zuhr'. Then Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) prayed Zuhr when the shadow of everything was equal to itself. Then Jibreel came again at Asr time and said, 'Stand up and pray Asr'. Then he prayed Asr when the shadow of everything was twice its length. Then Jibreel said, (after praying 10 prayers with Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) in two consecutive days) that the time of prayer is in between these two times."

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Ablution: Tayammum

In circumstances when water cannot be found, or just enough is available for drinking, or it is injurious to health: in such situations Tayammum (dry ablution) can be performed.

The procedure below is given according to Qur'an and Hadith. ". . . And if you don't find any water, then take clean earth (or sand) and rub it on your face, and hands. Allah does not wish to put you in a difficulty, bet he wants to make you clean, and complete His favour unto you, so you should be grateful to Him." (Surah V. verse 6). (The permission to use sand for this purpose is allowed in the Qur'an).

Here is the complete sixth verse of Surah V (Al-Maaida),

 

Sunday 2 March 2014

Prayer: Ablution

If someone needs to go to the toilet, he should use the toilet and do istanja before doing wudu.

Siwak (Tooth-Stick)

It is a good practice to clean the teeth with a tooth-stick, or a toothbrush before performing wudu. In this way you can avoid many diseases which are caused by unclean teeth.

As mentioned in the hadith Aisha (R.A.) reported Allah's messenger as saying:
The use of a toot-stick is a means of purifying the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord as well. (Ahmad, Darmi, and Nisai)
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) also said:
If I wouldn't have felt that it is difficult for my people I would have ordered them to use a tooth-stick with every prayer, that is, before doing each wudu. 
So, Muslims should always try to fulfil this wish of our Prophet (S.A.W.).

Saturday 1 March 2014

Surah Al-fatihah: A first post to please Allah (S.W.T.)

English Translation

Translator: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
  1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 
  2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; 
  3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful; 
  4. Master of the Day of Judgment. 
  5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. 
  6. Show us the straight way, 
  7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.