*Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim*'
{In the name of Allah most Gracious Most Merciful}
Allah says, in Quran
This day, I have perfected your religion for you,
completed My Favour upon you,
and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.
(Al-Maeda-3)
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
{In the name of Allah, praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be
upon His messenger
{ Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings}
________________________________
SALAT (Prayer)
(part 4)
Attending Ccongregational Prayer at the Mosque
Taken from my Elder sister Asma Islamic Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Seekers-Of-Islam/
________________________________
Congregational prayer five times a day and Salat-u-Jumuah on Friday are
obligatory on men, based on the following evidence.
Allah the Exalted said:
1. {O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the
prayer on the day of Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah [The religious
talk (khutba) and prayer (salat)] and leave off business (and every other
thing.) That is better for you if you did but know!} (V.62:9)
2. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whomever leaves three Jumuah (prayers)
consecutively, considering it not very important, Allah will seal his heart.”
(Ahmed)
3. “I had a strong inclination to order the boys to gather firewood for
me, then go to the houses of those who pray in their homes without excuse (like
illness) and burn their houses down.” (Muslim).
4. “Whoever hears the athan (call to prayer), then doesnt come to the
mosque (but prays at home), then he has no (acceptable)prayer unless he has an
excuse (a valid one-for instance, fear or illness).” (Ibn Majah)
5. A blind man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said: “O Messenger of
Allah, I have no guide to lead me to the mosque, so grant me a leave from
attending the congregational prayer in the mosque,” which the Prophet (pbuh)
did. But after he turned away, he called him back, and said, “ Do you hear the
call to prayer?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “Then respond to it.” (Muslim)
6. Abdullah bin Masudt , said: Whoever wants to meet Allah tomorrow as
a Muslim should guard these five daily prayers by praying them when the adhan
is called. Allah has prescribed for your Prophet (pbuh) practices of guidance,
and if you pray in your homes, as some laggards do, you would abandon the sunna
(example) of your Prophet; and if you were to abandon from prayer in the sunna
of your Prophet, you will go astray,. We used to see no one lagging behind from
prayer in the mosque except the known munafiq (hypocrite), and a sick person
used to be helped to the mosque supported between two men until he would stand
up in the row.
ATTENDANCE OF WOMEN FOR
CONGRAGATIONAL PRAYER IN THE MOSQUE
It is permissible for women to go out to the mosque which has seperate ladies
section, to attend daily congregational prayer, on condition that they avoid
clothing, ornaments or perfume that will attract attention of the opposite sex
or invite turmoil or confusion.
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Do not prevent the women from their share in the mosque when they seek your
permission.” (Muslim)
This hadith indicates that a married woman should ask the permission of her
huband and the unmarried girl should ask the permission of her father or
guardian.
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Any woman who puts on perfume should not attend Isha (prayer) with us.”
(Muslim)
“Any woman who puts on perfume and goes to the mosque for prayers, her prayer
will not be accepted until she washes (it off).” (Ibn Majah).
“Do not forbid your women from (attending to congregational prayers in) the
mosque, and their homes are better for them.”
(Abu Dawud).
This indicates that the prayer of a woman in her house is better for her than
her prayer in the mosque.
A Womans Dress in Prayer
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Allah will not accept the prayer of a woman who is of menstruating age, except
with a khimar (a long scarf which covers her hair, neck, and chest.)” (Abu
Dawud and others)
This hadith indicates that if a woman has attained puberty, Allah will not
accept her prayer unless she covers herself properly. This includes covering
her head and neck and wearing a long dress which covers her legs and feet (or
wears heavy socks which will cover her feet and legs so that none of her skin
can be seen underneath them), in addition to wearing a dress which will cover
her whole body.
It is permitted for her to expose her face and hands in prayer if there is no
male stranger to see her, as there is no proof that she is required to cover
those parts in prayer.
As for outside of Prayer, all of the womans body is awrah, that is, a male
stranger should not be able to see any part of her.
As-Salaam Walekum
Asma bint Saeed
New Delhi
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Seekers-Of-Islam/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/
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