Ideal Muslimah- 4th lecture- teacher Umm Yusif

Ideal Muslimah

Lecture #4

(From the book Ideal Muslimah by Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Hashimi)

Chapter 1: The Muslim Woman and Her Rabb

1.   She Prays Sunnah and Nafil Prayers (cont.) p. 18

The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) taught that the most beloved deed in the sight of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is that which is done continuously, even if it is a little, as is stated in the hadith in which `A'ishah   (May Allah be pleased with her) said: "The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said: ` The most beloved deed to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is that which is continuous, even if it is little.'" If `A'ishah started to do something, she would adhere to it. [Bukhari and Muslim]

a. Optional Prayers:

1098. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I performed along with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) two Rak`ah of optional prayers before Zuhr and two after the Zuhr (noon prayer), and two after the Friday prayer, and two after the Maghrib (evening) prayer, and two after the `Isha’ (night) prayer.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: There are two kinds of Nawafil which are performed before or after the obligatory prayer. Firstly, the one which were performed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) more frequently. According to the present Hadith, their total comes to ten Rak`ah while in other Ahadith their total is twelve or fourteen Rak`ah. They are called Sunnah Mu’akkadah or As-Sunnan Ar-Rawatib That is, the Rak`ah which are proved from the saying and practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and which were performed by him usually. These are said to be Compulsory prayers. Secondly, such Nawafil which were not performed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) regularly. These are called Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah and are said to be Optional prayers. In any case, Nawafil have great importance in creating a special link between the worshipper and Allah, and for this reason the believers do not neglect them. But their status in Shari`ah is of Nawafil the performing of which is rewarding and omission of which is not sinful. One thing that should be borne in mind in respect of As-Sunnan Ar-Rawatib or Mu’akkadah is that it is better to perform them at home. This was the usual practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and this is what he ordained the Muslims.

1099.`Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is a Salat (prayer) between every Adhan and Iqamah; there is a Salat between every Adhan and Iqamah.” (While saying the same for the) third time (he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added), "It is for him who desires (to perform it).”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The two Adhan here means Adhan and Iqamah, as has been elucidated by Imam An-Nawawi. That is, offering of two Rak`ah between Adhan and Iqamah is Mustahabb (desirable). It comes in the category of Ghair Ratiba or Ghair Mu’akkadah Nawafil. These Nawafil can be performed after the Adhan of every Salat before the congregation stands for the obligatory Salat.

From Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen

2.   She Performs Her Prayers Properly

The true Muslim tries hard to perform her prayers properly, with deep concentration and precision of physical movements. She thinks about the meaning of the ayat she is reciting, and the words of praise and glorification that she is uttering. Her soul is flooded with fear of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), and with gratitude to Him and sincere worship of Him.

a.   She says the adhkar after prayers and mornings and the evenings

"Whoever glorifies Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) (says subhan Allah) after every prayer thirty three times, praises Allah   (says al-hamdu lillah) thirty three times, and magnifies Allah   (says Allahu akbar) thirty-three times, which adds up to ninety-nine, then completes one hundred by saying La illaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shaika lah, lahu'l-mulk wa lahu'l-hamd, wa huwa `ala kulli shayin qadir, his sins will be forgiven, even if they were like the foam of the sea." [Muslim]

Dhikr Chart:

http://abdurrahman.org/sites/salaf-us-saalih/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ibd160001.pdf

3.   She Pays Zakat on Her Wealth

a. Jewelry
b. Punishment for not paying zakat

4.   She Fasts During the Day and Prays at Night in Ramadan  

The true Muslim woman fasts the month of Ramadan, and her soul is filled with faith that: "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore the wise Muslim woman must strike a balance, during this all-too-short blessed month, between her domestic duties and the opportunity this month brings to draw closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) through worship and good deeds. She should not let her household chores distract her from performing the obligatory prayers at the appointed times, or from reading Qur'an or praying nafil prayers. Nor should she let traditional late-night family gatherings keep her from praying qiyam allay and tahujjud, and making du`a'.