Question What is the ‘Ṣalātul-wusṭa’ – the ‘middle’ prayer that is mentioned in the Qur’ān? Answer The ‘Ṣalātul-wusṭa’ that is mentioned in the Qur’ānic verse, is the middle prayer or mid-afternoon prayer, ‘aṣr. While it has long been acknowledged that there are alternative views reported that it may relate to other designated prayers, the weight of evidence in totality supports the view that it is the ‘aṣr. Reasoning The
Following the resounding defeat of the Labour Party in the recent general election of Dec-2019, bitter recriminations from the fallout continue to reverberate. Party activists that staked enormous political capital in the hope that the Labour Party would oust the incumbent Conservative and Unionist Party from power are now engaged in a series of bitter recriminations, not least over the selection of the new leader. Factions within the party,
Question Many popular Muslim speakers are quoting this ḥadith: “Two voices are cursed in this world and the hereafter; Music at the time of happiness and wailing at the time of calamity.” Is it correct? Answer It is correct to note that some Muslim speakers are citing this tradition at present. On occasion, the word ‘singing’ is sometimes adjoined to, or placed instead of the word music in the translation.
Question: Are we required to have a niyyah (intention) when performing the wuḍu (ablution)? Answer: i. Ṣalāh (prayer) is an integral part of Islam. Its prerequisite is the required level of purity. Most books and manuals of fiqh (jurisprudence) tend to place this subject of Ṭahāra (purification) at the beginning, given its importance. ii. Writing in Bidāyatul Mujtahid (Vol. 1, Kitāb aṭ-Ṭahāra) Ibn Rushd states: ‘Wuḍu (ablution) becomes obligatory when
The companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the Ṣaḥābah, hold a truly special place in the history of Islam. Whether one considers the most famous of them or even those that are perhaps less well known, their steadfastness, sacrifice, commitment and devotion is truly unparalleled. It should be of no surprise that they are credited with having the accolade ‘may Allah be pleased with him/her’ after the very
