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Muslim women speaking about hijab

The hijab and niqab worn by some Muslim women have hit the news lately, especially after France's ban on the veil worn by some Muslim women (niqab) went into effect, and after death threats against a British imam who held that wearing hijab (a scarf covering the hair) was a woman's choice (he also held that evolution and Islam need not be at odds). 

Some sort of headcovering for women is a common feature of Middle Eastern cultures (orthodox Jewish women cover their hair, too, and the men wear a hat or yarmulke at all times), which doesn't make it automatically good or bad, but it does make it different in other cultures, and that causes some tension. 

Tafsir of Ayat al Kursi

The title given to Surah al-Baqarah's 255th ayah by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is “Ayat al Kursi” which would mean: “The verse (sign) of (Allah)’s Dominion” Literally Kursi means the “Footstool” but literal meaning cannot apply here therefore metaphorical meaning has to be taken into account as this magnificent verse explains Allah’s Existence, Sovereignty, Power, Knowledge rather the Dominion of Allah azza Wajjal.

Here we have divided the explanation of this verse into three sections for easy understanding

A) Translation of Ayat al Kursi

B) Fadhail (virtues) of Ayat al Kursi according to hadith and also it’s benefits

C) Finally Step by step explanation of this ayah

About Ahl as-Sunnat Wal Jama’at

The Ahl as-Sunnat Wal Jama’at is the largest group of Muslims and the only group whose beliefs and teachings are truly in accordance with the Noble Qur’an and Sunnah of the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The beliefs of this group are the same as the beliefs of the Sahaba or Noble Companions of the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa Sallam) and the Salf-e-Saliheen (our great pious predecessors). In many Ahadith,the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) strongly advised the Muslims to follow his Sunnah and to remain steadfast upon the path of his Sahaba, the Salf-e-Saliheen.

1. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn-e-Abbas says that the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) addressed the people at the time of last hajj“O people! I’m leaving behind among you, the Holy book (Quran) and the Sunnah. If you follow these in letter and spirit, you will never be strayed.” (Hakim Al-Mustadrik Book#1 Hadith # 318)

2. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Follow the way of the largest group of Muslims! For, he who deviates from this group will be thrown into Hell!” [Sunnan Ibn Majah, Hadith # 3950]

Hijab or Niqab?

This has been a matter of discussion amongst Muslims for ages, ulama supporting any of the 2 have concrete proofs, however the times we live in, the Ladies (especially modernist girls/women) are more inclined towards wearing Hijab rather than going for Niqab (If they are ready at first place) , the western mind set looks down upon noble women wearing Jilbab in its true sense (i.e. Niqab).

Note: Technically even Hijab refers to Proper covering from top to bottom, but here It will be referred for those who are not convinced with Face covering.

Some scholars have tried to reconcile between both viewpoints by offering choice to women whether they like to go for Hijab or Niqab (though Niqab is recommended), some like Nasir ud-din Albani have even gone to the extent of justifying that ruling on Hijab supercedes that of Niqaab, this according to us is a wrong conclusion, especially for our sisters in sub-continent where men are often seen preying at women (so in any given condition, anywhere in the world where the women may become easy targets of men satisfying their inner lustful desires, then the ruling of Niqab from merely recommended changes to Wajib and there indeed is proof of it rather a dominant one)

The Ruling on "Witr" prayer

For the easy understanding of readers this following article shall be divided into following 5 parts and then they shall be explained in detail

A) Importance + Legal status of the prayer itself

B) It’s number of rakats

C) Witr is prayed like Maghrib with one salutation in last Rakat.

D) Saying Qunoot before going in Ruku of Third Rakat.

E) For how Long does it’s time last?

Let us start with the Importance + Legal status of this prayer according to Shariah.

The ahnaaf are special in considering the witr prayer as “Wajib (necessary)” whereas the La-Madhabiyyah either consider it as Sunnat-e-Mu’akdah or Nafl prayer (Note: All 4 valid schools remain correct even if they differ with one another whereas the La-Madhabiyyah sect even if it reaches a right opinion they would still be Ahlul Bidah as they are not following a sound school of jurisprudence at first place.) The stance of Ahnaaf is most strict in regards to following Sunnah.

Reciting Surah al-Fatiha behind the Imam?

Recently it has been experienced that some people stubbornly claim that whosoever does not recite Surah al-Fatiha behind the Imam then his prayer is not acceptable (i.e. It is null and void). Whether it is necessary to recite behind the Imam or not is a minor issue, but when arrogant people make rigid statements like: Prayer of people who do not recite is “NULL AND VOID” then it becomes necessary to write a detailed refutation of such extremists. With the Grace of Allah “NOT” reciting behind Imam is something which is proven directly from Qur'an itself

In Light of Qur'an

Qur'an states: When the Qur’an is being recited then “LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND REMAIN SILENT” so that mercy will be showered upon you".(7:204)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir R.A: Imam Ibn Kathir (rah) narrates from Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (ra), Abu Huraira (ra) and Ibn Masud (ra) that this ayah was revealed regarding “REMAINING SILENT WHEN IMAM RECITES”… Then Imam Ibn Kathir says:

The Prayer of Womankind

This article shall be based on overwhelming ahadith which establish from Prophet (Peace be upon him), Sahaba, Tabiyeen and great Fuqaha that prayer of woman is different in many ways from prayer of man.

Proof # 1

عن عبد الله بن عمر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا جلست المرأة في الصلوة وضعت فخذها على فخذها الاخرى وإذا سجدت الصقت بطنها في فخذيها كالستر ما يكون لها وان الله تعالى ينظر إليها ويقول يا ملائكتى اشهدكم انى قد غفرت لها

Translation: Ibn Umar (ra) narrates that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: When a woman sits in prayer then she should place her one thigh upon the other and attach the stomach to her thighs so that it is more concealing for her. Indeed, Allah looks at her and informs the angels by saying: "O Angels! Be witness that I have forgiven her! [Sunnan al Bayhaqi al-Kubra (3/74)]

This hadith is reliable and also corroborated by many ahadith [I’laal al Sunnan (3/33)]

Note: This article is composed on the basis of "Sound Principle" that even if some hadith is weak in it's chain then it can become "Hasan (fair) or Sahih (correct)" due to many corroborating evidences, hence If some people dispute over a certain hadith then they would be wrong principally as the same matter is proven from many different Turaq which strengthen eachother, hence whole article with all ahadith with different turaq (ways) have to be understood. This is amongst the great principles in science of Hadith classification.

Visiting the Grave

Some people in this Present era believe that If somebody visits the graves of Pious people and take them as a means to Allah or seeks blessing through their relics, then this act is either Shirk or Biddah. Some even claim that this act wasn't done by Sahaba or in past centuries. Let us now see this in light of Quran and Hadith

وَكَذَلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهَا إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَانًا رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا

Quran states: Thus did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment. Behold, they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said, "Construct a building over them": Their Lord knows best about them: those who prevailed over their affair said, "Let us surely build a place of worship over them." (18:21)

Fazilat-E-Ramadan