Imam Zaid Shakir

Satan

Imam Zaid Shakir

We have a dream

The Prayer! The Prayer! As-Salah! As-Salah!

Prayer


We are writing this to improve and remind ourselves of this. We are not singling out anyone but ourselves and we are not accusing anyone but ourselves.


Where are we when we are praying? Off in the distance somewhere? Thinking about lunch or about what I am going to do tomorrow? Where are you? Are you even pondering over what you have recited?


The prayer is something that is obligatory upon every Muslim five times. This cannot be missed and the only action that replaces a fard prayer is another fard prayer like it. One of the tips to attain khushu (being spiritually aware in the prayer) in prayer which is by being aware that you speaking to Allah (the Exalted) by using his words in the prayer. Also be aware that you being watched in the prayer.




Entering the moment


We come to the prayer in a state of distraction not realising the gravity of what we are doing. When we are praying we are distracted by the distractions of the world, unable to focus. We move slowly and are tired after the first unit but it’s the only prayer we perform in the Masjid in the day, week or even year. There are some of us who are less fortunate than that we do not even think about praying , we are far, far away from prayer. Lost in our passions as we dissolve on a sofa set in front an endless barrage of commercials and television programs. Giving the endless set of message: what you are is no good be like us, what you have is no good buy from us, what we are is all good agree with us. Our docile, brainwashed mind cannot disagree and we keep sleeping. As they justify their terms as they massacre of innocent civilians so they can strip them of their natural resources, we turn over and watch a dull sit-com; trying to laugh but we want to cry.


Lost in a world that money talks and everyone is cheap. Their lives are cheap that’s why they can get away with murder and they make you think about justice, yes we can perform justice.


Or we are lost in the world of addictions trying to go one step higher, every time. Trying to outdo the last time, trying to push the boundaries of our existence with only a step away from flat lining. The drunk go to pubs and night clubs like scavengers seeking some prey that they can devour.


Yet, once you realise that all this is false and all of it is there to misguide what do you do now? You come back to religion of your birth because you are tying to find some meaning to your life. The only thing that has meaning is Allah (the Exalted) and he has given you Islam to save you from yourself.


It’s time to come to the prayer, remember the things you were taught as a child. Or it's time for you to learn how to pray, properly not cultural style.



Set things right


Use the prayer as the means to set your affairs right. Use the prayer as the foundational pillar that grounds you. Slowly change your ways, leave the lies and speak the truth.


Prayer disconnects one from the world and its trappings; it connects you to your creator. Are you able to wake up and use this connection well? All day you used to notice gaps in the day, should you be doing something then? Now, you realise that you should’ve been praying but you never knew!


You are awake now, you have taken the television off and rejected the nightly programming/brainwashing. You have opened the Quran now, taken it out of its cloth, dusted it down and began to read it. That’s the whole point of having the Quran to read it!



Words

The word Salah meant supplication, in its original meaning, but now it means prayer. At the same time prayer means one thing in English, either supplicating or making the physical movements of prayer.


In Arabic there is a difference between supplicating/Du’a and praying Salah, this may need to be explained to non-Muslims. The Arabic word starts with a strong letter Saad and ends with a weak letter Alif Maqsura; that how we should all end our prayer in a state of weakness to our Lord, achieving a state or realisation of our weakness.



Time


Being negligent of the prayer time is one of our greatest sins. When the time comes in get ready and get it done because if you do not you may find obstacles in your way which are preventing you from doing your work but once you pray then these are all out of the way.


Purification


Be avid about finding out about the ablution and all its rulings. Look for teachers who can teach you around your locality first, then beyond. Once you find a teacher make sure you ask all the questions because if you are not bothered about purification then you can forget about your prayer because you do not have one without purification.


There are three obligatory places that need to washed and one needs to be wiped in the Hanafi school. The face, ear to ear and hairline to chin, the arms, from fingers to elbows, the feet to prodding bone, and finally the head needs to be wiped, one quarter. Everything else is Sunna to wash but should not be left out. Only when you do not wash or wipe the obligatory places mentioned is your ablution not valid.


Is your heart and body being purified? It is if you remember Allah (the Exalted) before performing ablution. This is by saying bismillah or other additions to this statement. If you are in privy then say it in your heart and not out aloud as it is not permissible to pronounce the blessed name of Allah (the Exalted) in the privy!


The washing of the limbs also signifies the removal of the sins committed by them. The face with the sins of our sight, the mouth with the sins of our words, the hands with the sins of our actions. All this falls from us and the water that we made ablution with is not longer valid for anyone else to use, now that it is polluted with our sins.


Beginning the prayer


The initial magnification or Takbir Tahrimah is the starting place of your prayer. Literally translated Takbir Tahrimah means magnification of prohibition, as once we enter the prayer everything is prohibited for us to do, except the prayer itself. We are putting everything to one side and focusing on Allah (the Exalted).


Also notice the position of the hands as they are up in the air, in a similar way in which people surrender to the police or the way in which one soldier surrenders to another. When we surrender we show that there is nothing in our hands. What we are saying in the prayer is that we have nothing in our hands that has busied us from you O Allah. We have left the world behind and are submitting to the commands of our Lord, we are surrendering, we are submitting to the Lord of all creation.


Looking at our hands for the moment, whatever we use our limbs we use, invariably, our hands. So when we raise them to the level of our ears we are raising them showing Allah (the Exalted) that there is nothing that is keeping us busy from Him.


Thinking


What should you thinking about in the prayer? Remember Allah (the Exalted)! He is watching you and you should remember Him in the prayer! This is the whole point of the prayer! Without it your prayer reduces in reward.


The standing

We stand in a way that displays our humbleness, head down trying to realise the act of prayer is not as simple as movements. What is your heart doing? Is it submitting? In terms of Jurisprudence standing is that position in which you cannot touch your knees. This is the position were the Quran is recited so recite it the best manner with the letters correctly pronounced. Do not be shy in going back to basics and learning the recitation properly.


Bowing

Bowing is when the hands touch the knees, keeping the back straight is Sunna. This is your first display of humbleness that everyone can see. As the bowing the head can be for anything but this is unmistakable. Bowing is a sign of respect if done to a king what about bowing to the One whose power encompasses all created beings.



Prostration


This is when you hands, feet, head, knees are touching the floor. There should be at least one toe facing forward, the Sunna is to have all the toes facing forward. What are you doing in this position? Are you staying for a while or are pecking like chickens do? Staying that position and maybe one day you’ll taste the sweetness of prostration. As there is a sweetness in prostration but may only find it in some places. When on our faces are on the floor we affirm the loftiness of Allah (the Exalted) with the words Subhanullah Al-'Ala/ glory be to Allah, the Most High. At our lowest point facing the floor we affirm Allah's majesty.


Sitting


When you have finished the prayer you greet the angels on both your shoulders and those present on your right and your left. The prayer is the ascension of the believer and as this ascension finishes the soul returns to its place. You greet those who you have left.


Afterwards

How are you after the prayer? Have you changed? Do you feel the difference? Are you the same? If you are the same then take a look at yourself and try to see if there is anything you need to rectify. The first breath after you have finished praying should be a breath of relief and joy. Then supplicate and make it heartfelt. Really mean what you say and if you wish to learn more about supplication then please read what we have written on that subject.

Now that you have finished your prayer are you waiting in anticipation for the next prayer? Are you preparing yourself for it?



The opportunities


Take the opportunities that you have been given before they are taken. If you are a person who does not pray but wants to pray then start with one prayer a day, maintain it then add another and another until you are praying five times a day. Use these building blocks as a basis for growth.


It can be difficult for one to change their patterns of life but if you are consistent then you shall see your whole live change for the better. Prayer is something that will change you for the better if you are doing it well, even if you are making mistakes, don’t worry keep trying!


The prayer is one of the first things that you will be asked about on the Day of Judgement and if that is good then you have succeeded, if that has failed then the rest is looking shaky.


The words that the blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said before he left us was, “The prayer! The prayer!” When someone is dying they mention what is the most dear things to them but here he did not mention something about himself rather he mentioned something that will remind others.


Displaying his altruistic nature the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) was always thinking of others, he put others first even in this critical situation. He was in so much pain but despite that he was thinking of others. Reminding us of one of the most important pillars of our practise.


The prayer! The prayer!

Imam Ghazali states in the Etiquette of the religion/Adab fi Al-Din gave the following advice about the Etiquette of prayer

"Refrain from excessive movement, display submissiveness, manifest humiliation, presence of heart, repel whisperings, refrain from outward or inward movement, limbs at ease, bow ones head, place his ring hand over his left, contemplate when reciting, increase in awe, bowing with acquiescence, prostrate with humility, magnify with greatness, testify by witnessing, greet with fear, move with dread and seek contentment."

Prayer is one of our most important barometers of our religiosity and neglect of it means neglect of everything. So build upon this and move forward in your life. Seek excellence/Ihsan.

Imam Zaid Shakir

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Marriage? Really?

Marriage? Really?

Hmm, really did not want to talk about this subject! But ideas have been floating around and I wanted to nail them down for you. I  have added experiences of other people but the names have been changed!

Many moons ago I was sat in a class of hadith with Sheikh Sa’ad Al-Attas when fireworks started going off in the background. I was quite angry and embarrassed. Angry because it was disturbing our lesson and embarrassed because it was bad manners to be disturbing so many people. He asked if it was for a wedding. Then he said, “Marriage is like that, fireworks at the beginning and then its followed by hard work.” That perfectly sums up what marriage is. Two weeks of fun followed by years of hard work! 

The worst thing that spouses can do in a marriage is play the 'tit for tat' game. You did this to me and I'll do the same to you. It can sour many things about a working marriage. Let things slide at home and if you have to mention them do but in respectful way. Note that many of us do things that we are unaware of its affect on others.

Cousin marriages

What those in western countries have lost is a sense of family history and keeping the family name alive. Hence many people marry without paying attention to maintaining family lineage. In many other countries maintaining the family lineage is very important. Therefore most Pakistani, and other denominations, marry cousins or those who are related to them e.g. children of uncles and aunts family etc. This is quite gross to many people but it’s a fact of life for those living in traditional cultures. Other traditional cultures have other criteria like certain villages or cities and so forth. This was true of the British culture around sixty years ago but its not longer the case. Charles Dickins writes about how a father forced his son to marry someone, in one of his books. The majority of traditional cultures are all the same.

One of the unwanted results of the cousin marriages are children born with rare birth defects. This would normally not occur in their homelands. Because even thought people would marry those in the same family it would not be direct children of brothers or sisters. Those in their homelands pressurize their siblings, living in Europe, into marriages of their respective children. Thus children are born with rare diseases and couples are married unhappily ever after.

Recently I read an article in a famous local paper which was nothing but racist. A man had murdered his wife and it implied that this was somehow due to his 'Islamic' upbringing. Lets set this record straight. It was everything to do with parents marrying off their daughters to the wrong man then not allowing a failing marriage to end. Well done parents you have destroyed the lives and three people in one fell swoop! Your daughter, son in law and their children.  

Choosing a spouse

Age

In human history men have married women who are younger than them. It's just a fact of life, whether you like it or not. Its very rare that men marry those older than them. But my advice would be for people to look at compatibility first rather than age; for both genders. Men who marry those who are younger than them will find them childish and will have to put up with this. Particularly if there is a large age gap and you might wish that you married the older woman! Although there are many men-children on their game stations! More mature women are not that concerned about children and some simply do not want any children. People should try to marry those who are similar and not those who are opposites.

Picky?

Please do not have a set criteria for marriage. With much regret we did this and many did not match up. The only thing that you should be concerned about is matching character and religious level. Look at those who are suggested to you and do not go through your checklist.

Those who marry but are not at the same religious level will find problems. Women are usually the worse off because the non-religious male is normally not receptive to his religious wife's practices. He can even stop her from praying and fasting. 

The main criteria men and women should be looking for is good character in a life partner.

Pictures?

Pictures can be deceiving so go and see the person face to face. You might be pleasantly surprised or not! But being face to face has many benefits that emailing or texting does not.

Fairy tales?

Fairy tales and happy endings only occur in books and movies. You are not Rapunzel waiting for her prince to rescue her from a life of celibacy! Nor is he waiting for the supermodel that he might meet by chance on the street! Rather look for a good person and do not turn someone down because you think that they are not your prince charming or does not have super model looks! Or they do not have the financial capability to maintain your standard of living. 

Hanafi’s meet someone half way and do not go overboard. A woman should not overbear her husband by making him feel guilty if he does not provide a certain standard of living. She should be happy with what he has.

The man who has not got a lot of money but has good character is better for your daughter than the rich man who has no character!

Internet sites

It works for some but not others. Also be careful in meeting strangers without family present on both sides. A lot of websites have spammers, false profiles and some are false sites.  Bilal’s Half our deen might be worth checking out if you are inclined this way. Know that many people have not had much success in these ventures. 

Know that the people on these sites are either nasty, timewasters or not serious. Very few are genuine, others have outdated information and some are false profiles. Also some websites are fake so beware of putting in your details especially if there is no security. Some of these sites are just there to steal your details.

Marriage events

Very rarely do people marry from these events but you might be that rare breed. Most of these events are more about meeting and viewing others. Most are not serious about marriage and are more concerned about looking at what's available. Those who are more family orientated events might be worth considering rather than ‘date’ events!

Marrying abroad

This has become a problem for those on a low wage as without £18,600 in wages. There is no possibility of a man or woman taking a spouse from outside the EU. This is something that has been causing many people who are unable to find a spouse in the UK problems. For many men this is a solution because they wives are somewhat sheltered from society. But for women this is a problem because the man who comes from abroad has many difficulties adjusting to life in another country. Culture shock is something that is very common for people who move to other countries.

Polygamy

This could be a way to marry those who are already married but it depends if the male can actually take care of the other women in a correct manner. Its based on being fair with his money and time towards both spouses. Also look at what English law says about this matter. It could be a solution but it could also cause more problems.

High maintenance?

Men do not like women who are high maintenance. What we mean is that they are always demanding or nagging or anything of that nature. Men do not like women who are demanding because they have been working all day and come home to relax. So when you are making requests and other things it makes men think their wives are high maintenance. So choose your times to make requests.

Abuse

We have spoken about abuse of women in a previous post so look them up by clicking here.

In laws?

This is just a fact of marriage so you need to be aware of this. Women are especially aware of the harm that women receive from in laws, namely the dreaded mother in laws. I can understand why many women do not want to live within in-laws because many have been harmed by the mother in laws. I do believe women hate other women; because they see them as threats. Anyone who feels threatened act in ways to harm their competitor which is the incoming woman. Women have to be aware of this and at the same time take each case as it comes. Husbands you have to beware that women do not like other women. So men you have to find separate housing for your wife, its wajib.

Family?

Get them involved in the process as soon as possible. Do not go and see someone about marriage without their prior knowledge. Even though it's not unlawful, because you meet in a public place, it still could lead to people backbiting or slandering you. Meet with families on both sides.

Whoever is the decision maker must be taken with you. We have heard of crazy parents who do not wish their children to marry anyone, except their own choice, and block anyone else. Parents should not think that they have the right to destroy their children's lives. Many times parents want kids to marry their own cousins. So parents if your child comes to you with a potential spouse that they want to marry and there is no reason for you to say no then accept them into your family, for the sake of Allah (the Exalted). You cannot say no unless you have a real cause for potential harm. Like the man is known to harm women or something like that. Not allowing them to marry your child for a silly reason like cast or nationality and they are not is not a valid excuse. This is a sin that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) warned us about. The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) warned us that if people refuse the proposals without valid excuse then corruption would be widespread. Do we not see this now?

Divorce?

Divorce is a way out for people who are in a marriage that simply does not work. The children of a marriage, that it is not successful, must be the priority and not be discarded. Even though the parents are no longer married they are still responsible for them before Allah (the Exalted). Do not allow the contempt that you have for each other cloud your responsibility for your child.

Try to deal with the divorce in a reasonable manner and if you can avoid the courts. Allow each other access to kids and try not to undermine each other's efforts. Heres some  humour to brighten up our moods!

Solve my problems?

Everyone has problems and thinking that by getting married will solve them is a mistake. It does not solve ones problems. Find happiness by living for Allah (the Exalted) and then get married. Otherwise you are letting yourself in for a potential fall.

Find happiness and let your spouse into it. Do not think getting married will solve all your problems because they are new problems to deal with that you might have never thought of.

The married and the unmarried both have problems. The men who complain about their marriages the most are those who are very obedient to their wives inside their homes. Hence complain about them outside the homes. They are lions outside the house and cats at home! Their wives are normally the generals and they are the only soldier; so they are following orders and as well as curfews! 

Kids don’t help

Having kids, in a loveless marriage, rarely makes it work. This is also harmful for the child; to be with parents who do not like each other.

Mothers should not blame or take out the harm they receive on their kids which is very easily done. This occurs more than just marriage situations. As even though children can be testing they have to be brought up right.

Violence and arguments have an affect on the children. If you want to argue then do it away from the kids. Know that children learn from the parents by copying the things it sees the parents do. Whatever you do before the child is teaching it. Beware of teaching them bad things because you are responsible for them.

Kids general

Bringing up kids in the west is extremely difficult because they are torn between western and eastern culture as well as religion.

You have to keep an eye on what your kids are doing. Leaving them at the mercy of the school system is not a good idea. Sending them to the best schools is a start and ask them about what they are learning.

In terms of after school studies choose the madrasa that are concerned about their pupils progress.

Kids need you to spend time with them. Children who misbehave are those who do not see their fathers often, in many cases.

Girlfriends

I have seen this predominantly in men who have one wife at home for their families and another girlfriend outside the home, that their parents are unaware of. This is so wrong that I cannot put my disgust into words. If you want two wives then fine do it that way. Instead this fool has one wife at home who washes his dirty clothes and one girlfriend outside the house who spends all his time with. He really mocks marriage and has preferred the unlawful over the lawful. How can he be successful on the day of judgement when he has involved himself into such haram acts? You are truly an oppressor.

Convenience?

There are many couples who are in loveless marriages and do not sleep in the same beds or even bedrooms. There are many reasons for this. I do think parents have made them marry cousins and there is little love between them but its about family honour. It's very sad and parents should think that there is a better option than force their choice.  

Just because you were forced into an awful marriage that ruined your life does not give you the right to do the same with your children. Many peoples problems stem from failed marriages, the parents, those involved and the kids. Do not ruin your childrens lives for the sake of inflated family honour which means nothing on the day of judgment.

They do not want me

This can happen and is more common than one may think. People who want a particular spouse and but find their advances rejected, this causes much harm. How can one understand that someone feelings about the other are not reciprocated by the other? It does happen and a person cannot waste their life crying about the past and must move on. Otherwise they have not learnt the lesson, waste their present and fail to make a better future. Do not waste your time on someone who does not care about you. So be hopeful, let it go and move on.

Final words

Try your best to look at each offer that you receive. Pray the istikhara prayer seven times and see what occurs. Facilitation is a good sign and the opposite is not good.

Marriage is not a party and you have a lot of hard work to do, each and every day. Your spouse has rights and you have to do your best to fulfill them. Please Sheikh Abdullah Adhami's article on Advice to Husbands click here. 

Money should not be a concern to the fathers of daughters, rather look at the man not the wallet. Rarely is this the case because many look at the papers in the wallet and the man is seen as secondary. 

Finding a spouse is hard and then maintaining a spouse is hard but do not let that put you off. Know that there is no such thing as a perfect spouse because, guess what, you are not perfect. Yet there might be someone perfect for you but not as you imagine perfection. Accept each other for one others faults and thats why its half your deen. I do believe that some men have got a lot to answer for because of their bad treatment towards their wives. See link about treatment of women. But most men, in general, have a lot to answer for regardless of religion.

We hope this has given you some food for thought and that those of you that are not married find wonderful spouses; in sha Allah.

 

Imam Zaid Shakir

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