Q] He was asked about one who fell asleep in the supererogatory prayer while prostrating; as well as during the bowing, prostration, or sitting in the supererogatory or obligatory prayer.
A] He replied: Whoever, during the prayer, falls asleep, Whether it be long, short, light, or deep, And it removes ones intellect and is sure, Has to renew ones ritual ablution and prayer
Q] He was asked about one who prays between the qibla and the imam.
A] He replied: Whoever does that, one‟s prayer would not be with the imam leading.
He is the only one who should be in front of people as one preceding.
If that were to take place, it is correct for one to stand at his right, not his left.
It’s related that al-Walīd bin Yazīd was made Medina‟s ruler after Hishām.
He prayed in his house and some prayed in the Mosque with him as their imam.
However, the people objected to that. Al-Walīd used to designate then
Marwān‟s house. He declared the takbīr and the people did so behind him.
It is also related that Abdul-Azīz bin Marwān used to pray with the people
Of Alexandria while standing on the roof of the mosque [as if it were a steeple].
The people prayed with him from below. But, some scholars objected to that.
Then the verse was recited: {There have appeared before you sunnahs…} in fact.
What was intended by that is that he differed from the sunnah of the past.
Q] He was asked whether one could pray four units for the supererogatory prayer without reciting the salutations (at-taslīm) after every two units.
A] He replied: The prayer is prayed in twos in the days and eves, Except the odd prayer (al-witr) [which is prayed in threes]. If one intends to pray it the last third of the night, one defers. This delay rather than hastening it is much more preferred. But, the one who does not intend to pray at the nights end, Should hasten to pray it. This would be better for them.
Q] supplicating in prostation
A] I heard [al-Qāsim], may Allah be pleased with him, say that theres no problem with supplicating in ones prostration.
Q] He was asked if the people could make a slave or eunuch their prayer leader.
A] He replied: There is no problem with that as long as the name “Belief” and its ruling are established upon them twain.
Q] He was asked regarding one who prays by him/herself behind the prayer ranks.
A] He replied: If one was to do this, it would be an act that is dire, Because the value of prayer in the ranks is much higher. But, if one was to act upon this [odious] feat, It’s not obligatory on him for the prayer to repeat
Q] About prayers of a traveller
A] He said: Whoever, as a traveller from his people, takes flight
Until the houses of his village leave his sight And waits for his companion to fulfil his need,
Shortens the prayer where the traveller proceeds.
Q] He was asked about prostration on a piece of one’s turban.
A] He replied: There‟s no problem with that as long as he’s found
Prostrating with some of his forehead [on the ground]
Q] He was asked if it is permissible for an individual to pray while wearing the skin of a muskrat.
A] He replied: No, except that it not be carcass (mayta) and be slaughtered ritually.
This is because whether dead or alive, it’s a beast crawling habitually. In this, it resembles a fox. There was a crawling creature that belonged To Muhammad bin al-Qāsim which died close to us after standing a time long.
A lot of musk was taken from it.
Q] He was asked if one who recites a verse of prostration and prostrates for it should recite Allahu Akbar
during the prostration and during the rising from it.
A] He replied: One does that and it is the best because it is from the remembrances of Allah.
Whether one does this or other than it in the prayer, all of it is for Allah.
Q] He was asked about prayer while wearing pants and a cloak.
A] He replied: There’s no problem with that, if Allah wills, if that’s what one wears.
There is no problem wearing a waist-wrap (izār) and a turban in the prayers.
Q] He was asked about prayer under a shelter in the Holy Mosque.
A] He replied: The section in the front or the closest to it is the best;
Except if, out of necessity, one fears the sun and its effects, (On the back or eyes).
Q] He was asked about one who prays while the people are circumambulating the Sanctified House and they pass in front of him.
A] He replied: There’s no problem on him with that.
Q] He was asked about the one who forgets to recite the testimony of faith (at-tashahhud) while following the prayer leader.
A] He replied: One recites the testimony after the imam recites the final salutations.
Then, after one’s salutations, one prostrates the forgetfulness prostrations
Q] He was asked about the one who turns his ring on his finger to count [the units] of prayer or the number of times he has circulated the Sanctified House.
A] He replied: There’s no problem with that. It is from amongst the means
Of memory and precision, if Allah wills, in both of these things.
Q] He was asked regarding a man who prays after the odd prayer.
A] He replied: There’s no problem though, With that if he sees fit to do so.
Q] He was asked whether one who had an itch on their body could enter his hand upon his breast [to scratch it] while he’s praying.
A] He replied: The settling of all limbs is closest to the ideal situation, Even if in a place one itches or has a painful sensation
Q] He was asked concerning the joining of two prayers while travelling and settled.
A] He replied: There’s no problem with it
Q] He was asked concerning shortening the prayer while one is not in fear.
A] He replied: Regarding the shortening for one not in fear, the one who travels will abbreviate,
Whether one is in fear or secure, as well as the righteous person or profligate
Q] He was asked about the testimony of faith [in the prayer].
A] He replied: Regarding the testimony, it is said to be what Ibn Abbās and Ibn Masūd narrated.
The best of what we heard concerning that is what Ali and Zayd bin Ali related:
((In the Name of Allah and in Allah! Praise be to Allah! To Allah belong the best of Names!
I testify that there‟s no god but Allah, the One without partner, and that Muhammad is His Messenger and Slave)).After [the testimony of faith], one recites the eulogy Upon the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny
Q] He was asked about supplicating in the prayer.
A] He replied: Regarding the supplication in the prayers, it is good and permissible.
Whether it be for matters of this world or the next [is immaterial].
{All Praise is due to Allah…It is only You that we seek help from. Lead us to the straight path…} (Q. 1:1-6). All of this is a supplication.
Q] He was asked concerning the prostration of forgetfulness in the prayer.
A] He replied: Whether the forgetfulness prostrations be for deficiencies or additions,
In the prayer, it is to take place immediately after the final salutations.When there is an additional bowing or prostration before the final salutation, The addition demands what Allah has mentioned regarding a prostration
Q] He was asked about joining the prayers.
A] He replied: Theres no problem if one joins the two prayers after sunset or the two in the afternoon.
For the one who joins, the late noon prayer time begins when the noon prayer concludes. The times for the sunset and evening prayers conclude before the twilight. If one desires to [join the prayers], one can do so [without the fear of spite].
Q] He was asked about performing a supererogatory prayer after the dawn prayer (al-fajr).
A] He replied: Whoever prays the morning prayer engages in glorification after it’s done.
One does not pray during the time between it and the rising of the sun
Q] He was asked concerning the final salutation and raising the hands in the prayer.
A] He replied: The final salutations are of the prayer, and it is to the left and the right.
There are divergent statements concerning raising the hands aright. It is preferable to us that one keeps them both settled because their tranquillity Is lowliness. Similarly, the settling of the eyes is due to ones lowly humility
Q] He was asked about the ritual ablution and the recitation in the funeral prayer
A] He replied: It suffices for one to perform the ritual ablution for each limb in one tier.
In the funeral prayer, one recites [from the Qurān] after the first takbīr. Afterwards, one supplicates for the remainder of [the funeral prayer].
Q] He was asked about a person who abandoned the prayer for ten years and used to drink intoxicants. After repenting, does he renew all of those prayers? How does he do so?
A] He replied: Whoever abandoned the prayer for ten years, more than that or less,
Seeks repentance to Allah for all of the previous prayers he missed.
It is similar to seeking repentance for sins and offences other than this.
One makes up the prayers of the day if in the day there was repentance.
The same is the case if the repentance to Allah was after the setting of the sun.
The penitent one makes up the prayers that he missed after the eve had come.
It’s not obligatory to make up the prayers that were missed during those years,
Because repentance to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, is [with a heart sincere].
If it was obligatory for him to make up the ritual prayer [that he neglected],
It would also be obligatory to make up the other obligations that were rejected
Q] He was asked about a man who died while owing a lot of prayers. Does his son or daughter make up the prayers on his behalf?
A] He replied: The prayer cannot be made by the son for the father or mother. No one from amongst humankind can take the liability of another. This is because the prayer is only for the one who prayed.
One intends it for Allah, and in it lowliness is displayed. It’s unlike Hajj because Hajj depends upon competency and aid. One should have provision and ability for a pilgrimage made
Q] He was asked about a non-Arab who has difficulty reciting Qur‟ān and a woman who cannot recite well. Would their prayer be valid?
A] He replied: In the prayer, the non-Arab woman and man Must recite what is easy from the Arabic Qur‟ān. This is based upon what Allah says [as a command]:
{Recite what is easy for you from the Qurān}
Q] He was asked about a person who prays behind an imam of differing views (imām mukhālafa). Does he follow him in his prayer or not? What should he do?
A] He replied: Whoever prays with this imam, does not follow him. Nor does he pray his prayer with such [person of sin]. Instead, he prays on his own like the devout from the Progeny
Of Muhammad used to do. Allah bless them one and many.
This is because the one who prays only does so due to trust, As well as a respite and intention [which establishes it thus]. If one was to pray his prayer without that which was stated,
He would not have prayed because [it would be invalidated].
The Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, said: ((The disobedient does not lead the righteous in the prayer; nor does the Bedouin lead the Emigrant (al-Muhaajir))).
He, peace be upon him and his progeny, also said: ((When you set out on a journey, perform your prayers and place forward the best of you)).
He, peace be upon him and his progeny, also said: ((Your prayer is the prayer of your imam. If he prays sitting, pray sitting. If he prays standing, pray standing))
If the prayer of the imam is not accepted, The prayer of one who follows is rejected.
This is because the prayer is only approved From one whose God-consciousness is proved.
God-consciousness is the same as conviction (al-imān), As well as righteousness and distinction.
Belief is not established by its ruling or name Except upon the one known by [its fame].
Regarding its gnosis, it can only be by one of three views: Either by evident distinction that witnesses have used,
Or by mass-transmitted reports that are supported, Or by a narration that a reliable person reported.
The one whose belief is not known by any of these three descriptions,
His belief cannot be confirmed in reality by one without conviction.
Q] He was asked: How is it discouraged to pray and prostrate on felt (al-labūd) or coarse wool (al-musūh) but not discouraged to wear them?
A] He replied: That is discouraged because out of humility to Allah [the Blessed],
One prostrates upon the earth with their faces and forehead dejected.
Because prostration is only out of humility to Allah, glorified be He;
Lowliness is between the slave and Allah, Majestic and Mighty.
If one was to pray upon those things that you mentioned,
The prayers are not invalidated nor does one have to repeat them.
Q] He was asked about the Ðuha prayer.
A] He replied: One can pray this if one desires. It‟s related that Messenger of Allah,
One day during the Conquest of Mecca, prayed the prayer of Ðuha.
Also, it is related that Muhammad bin „Ali [al-Bāqir] used to declare:
“The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him, never prayed the Ðuha prayer.”
It is narrated that Ali bin Abi Ťālib said: “O sons of my father, I don’t prohibit you from praying to Allah but I dislike for you to differ from the Messenger of Allah