Importance of Solat Asar

Every Muslim knows that Salaah is the most important pillar of Islam after Imaan. Salaah has in fact been ordained as the corner stone of success of the People of Imaan. This is why the Shari'ah has emphasized that it should be performed correctly and punctually.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan: Safeguard your Salaah and (especially) the middle Salaah (i.e. Asr Salaah) and stand before Allah with humility. (Surah al-Baqarah) To 'safeguard' our Salaah means 'to perform it at its prescribed time and to be steadfast in it so as not to miss a single Salaah '. When this aayah (verse) was revealed, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) warned the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu anhum} against staying away from the Masjid, and even threatened to burn the homes of the men that performed their Salaah at home. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer) In the above aayah, the Asr Salaah has been emphasized since it occurs when people are generally preoccupied in worldly activities.

A Sign of True Imaan Invariably the hours of Salaah will be encountered during the times of business and work - and this is the real test of Imaan. It is really a sign of true Imaan when a Muslim businessman suspends his business dealings and leaves his workplace to answer the call of Allah even during peak hours when customers surround him on all sides.

Once Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhu} was in the shopping centre. It was time for Salaah and people stood up, closed their shops and proceeded to the Masjid. Hadrat Ibn Umar (Radiyallahu anhu} was delighted at seeing this and remarked, 'These are the people regarding whom this a ayah (in Surah an-Noor) was revealed: (Real) men whom neither trade nor merchandise distracts from the remembrance of Allah.’ Virtues of Asr Salaah Regarding the virtue and excellence of Asr Salaah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) has said, 'Whoever performs the two 'cold' salaahs (i.e. Fajr and Asr) shall enter Jannah. ' (al-Bukhaari and Muslim) He has also said, 'The person who performs Salaah before the sun rises and before it sets (i.e. Fajr and Asr) shall never enter the Fire (of Jahannam).’ (SahihMuslim)

In fact, very special virtues have been attached even to the four raka 'aat Sunnah Salaah before Asr. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) has said: 'May Allah grant mercy and blessings to the person who performs four raka 'aat (Sunnah) before Asr. ' (Abu Daawood) Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) has also said: 'The person who regularly performs four raka'aat (Sunnah) before Asr, Allah will forbid his body from the Fire (of Jahannam). ' (at- Tabarani)

Delaying Asr till before Sunset

Unfortunately very few people are able to resist the love of wealth and go to the Masjid only because of their love for Salaah. As a result, they either delay their Zuhr and Asr Salaah or discard them altogether. Let alone missing the Asr Salaah completely, serious warnings have been given against delaying it till just before sunset.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) has said, “This is the Salaah of the hypocrite: He sits waiting for the sun until it is between the two horns of the shaytaan (i.e. just before sunset). Then ( very hastily) he goes and strikes his head four times on the ground (and) he does not remember Allah therein, but a little.” (Sahih Muslim) Missing Asr completely However, regarding to those people who miss their Asr Salaah completely Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam) has said: 'He who misses his Asr Salaah (i.e. reads it after its specified time) is as if he has lost his wife, children and all his wealth.’ (Sahih Muslim)

In other words, Salaah is so precious that missing one Salaah should make us grieve and mourn its loss like the pain suffered by a man who has lost his wife, his children and all his belongings.

May Allah protect us from missing our Salaah because of the very grave consequences in the Hereafter. Another Hadith warns that for a person who totally neglects or misses his Asr Salaah, all his actions are rendered worthless.

(Mishkaat p.60) This is why the Qur'aan specifically emphasizes the importance of the Asr Salaah. Yet, it is sad and shocking that so many businessmen and workers remain busy in their shops and offices, and read their Asr Salaah during sunset or make it qadha afterwards. Those who are guilty of this should reflect upon the above Ahaadith. Allah Ta'ala also says: Verily Salaah is compulsory on the Muslims at its prescribed time. (Surah an-Nisaa: 103) Therefore, to read a Salaah other than at its prescribed time without a valid Shari' excuse, makes a person deserving of severe punishment.

In Surah al-Maa-oon, referring specifically to the hypocrites, Allah warns them with destruction for neglecting their Salaah and not performing it on time. Yet, these examples are found in abundance amongst Muslims today. The Successful Believers Describing the successful Believers, Allah Ta'ala declares: They are those who are punctual in the performance of their Salaah. (Surah al-Mu'minoon: 9) We engage in business as a means of gaining sustenance. Allah Ta'ala, our Sustainer, has promised sustenance with ease and barakah (blessings) if we perform our Salaah on time and with jama'ah (for males) by observing all its etiquette. But, if our business becomes an obstacle to establishing Salaah, it is actually an obstacle to gaining rizq from Allah Ta' ala. This will deprive our earnings of any barakah and instead of bringing us happiness and enjoyment it will becomes a means of torment and grief.

May Allah guide us to adopt the ways of our Pious Predecessors and those who have earned His pleasure, and may He help us to realise that our success lies truly in submitting to His orders in the manner demonstrated by our Master, Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallaam). Aameen

No excuse not to pray..

Check out the extent to which these muslim brothers and sisters go to fulfill the call of prayer! Mashallah!! Frankly, i am ashamed of myself... :(

I pray that Allah blesses us with such strong Iman.Ameen

Salaah ( Prayer)

Salah (The ritual prayer of Islam) If a person really believes in Allah (God), how will he show it? And how will it affect his life?

For a Muslim, his faith is first demonstrated by the five daily ritual Prayers called Salah. These Prayers are obligatory for all, and they are the first thing the Muslim will be asked about on Judgment Day.

Five times a day a Muslim is asked to stop whatever he is doing - be it sleep, work, or play - and make a ritual ablution before facing his Lord in Prayer. No matter what his actions, the most important thing to a Muslim is his relationship with Allah. This relationship is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the ritual Prayers. Only if the Prayers are sound and proper will the deeds be sound and proper.

In the Prayer, the Muslim faces towards the Ka'bah in Makkah, the symbol of the Oneness of Allah and the unity of Muslims. He stands, bows, and prostrates to his Lord while praising Him, reciting some of the words He revealed in the Qur'an, and asking for His forgiveness and mercy. In doing so, the Muslim reminds himself of his position in the universe as a humble servant of Allah and of his total dependence on his Creator, Cherisher and Sustainer.

What can you do in a minute...

What Can You Do in One Minute?
Praise be to Allah.

Time is of the essence, it is too precious to be wasted or neglected.
The wise person is the one who pays attention to his/her time and does
not treat it as a vessel to be filled with cheap things and vain talk.

Instead, he/she limits it to worthy efforts and righteous deeds that
please Allah and benefit other people. Every minute of a person's
life carries the potential to raise his/her own status and to make
his/her people happier, little by little.

If you are keen to attain the highest position, and bring the most
happiness to your people, then forget about relaxing and keep away
from empty amusement.

In one minute you can do a lot of good and earn much reward. In just
one minute, by giving in charity, studying, memorizing, or striving to
do good deeds, you can make sure that this minute of your life is not
wasted. One minute may be recorded in your book of good deeds if you
know how to make the most of it and take care of it:

Strive to make the most of each minute

If you forget it, you forget the most important thing, the truth.
There follows a list of things that can be done in one minute, by the
permission of Allah:

1. In one minute you can recite Soorat al-Faatihah 3 times, reciting
rapidly and silently. Some scholars said that the reward for reading
al-Faatihah is more than 600 hasanahs, so if you read it 3 times you
will, by the permission of Allaah, gain more than 1800 hasanahs - all
of that in one minute.

2. In one minute you can recite Soorat al-Ikhlaas (Qul Huwa Allaahu
Ahad) 20 times, reciting rapidly and silently. Reciting it once is
equivalent to one-third of the Qur'aan. If you read it 20 times it is
equivalent to reading the Qur'aan 7 times. If you read it 20 times in
one minute each day, you will have read it 600 times in one month, and
7200 times in one year, which will be equal in reward to reading the
Qur'aan 2400 times.

3. You can read one page of the Book of Allaah in one minute.

4. You can memorize a short aayah of the Book of Allaah in one minute.

5. In one minute you can say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa
shareeka lah, lahu'l-mulk wa lahu'l-hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in
qadeer (There is no god except Allaah alone with no partner; to Him be
dominion and praise, and He is Able to do all things) - 20 times. The
reward for saying this is like freeing 8 slaves for the sake of Allaah
from among the sons of Ismaa'eel.

6. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaahi wa bi hamdihi (Glory and
praise be to Allaah) 100 times. Whoever says that in one day will be
forgiven for his sins even if they are like the foam of the sea.

7. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaahi wa bi hamdihi Subhaan
Allaah il-'Azeem (Glory and praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah
the Almighty) 50 times. These are two phrases which are light on the
lips, heavy in the balance and beloved to the Most Merciful, as was
narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim.

8. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When
I say 'Subhaan Allaah, wa'l-hamdu Lillah, wa laa ilaah ill-Allaah, wa
Allaahu akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no
god except Allaah, and Allaah is Most Great)', this is more beloved to
me than all that the sun rises upon." (Narrated by Muslim). In one
minute, you can say all of these words more than 18 times. These words
are the most beloved words to Allaah, the best of words, and they
weigh heavily in the balance of good deeds, as was narrated in the
saheeh ahaadeeth.

9. In one minute you can say, Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah
(there is no strength and no power except with Allaah) more than 40
times. This is one of the treasures of Paradise, as was narrated by
al-Bukhaari and Muslim. They are a means of putting up with
difficulties and of aiming to achieve great things.

10. In one minute you can say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah approximately 50
times. This is the greatest word, for it is the word of Tawheed, the
good word, the word that stands firm. If these are the last words of a
person, he will enter Paradise, and there are other reports which
indicate how great these words are.

11. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdih, 'adada
khalqihi, wa ridaa nafsihi, wazinata 'arshihi, wa midaada kalimaatihi
(Glory and praise be to Allaah, as much as the number of His creation,
as much as pleases Him, as much as the weight of His Throne and as
much as the ink of His words) more than 15 times. This words bring
many more times the reward for other forms of tasbeeh and dhikr, as
was reported in saheeh ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him).

12. In one minute you can seek the forgiveness of Allaah more than 100
times by saying "Astaghfir-Allaah (I seek the forgiveness of Allaah).
The virtues of seeking forgiveness are no secret, for it is the means
of attaining forgiveness and entering Paradise, and it is the means of
being granted a good life, increasing one's strength, warding off
disasters, making things easier, bringing rain and increasing one's
wealth and children.

13. You can say a few brief and concise words in one minute, and
Allaah may bring about some good through them that you could never
imagine.

14. In one minute you can send blessings on the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) 50 times by saying Sall-Allaahu
'alayhi wa sallam (May Allaah bless him and grant him peace). In
return Allaah will send blessings upon you 500 hundred times because
one blessing brings ten like it.

15. In one minute you can motivate your heart to give thanks to
Allaah, to love Him, to fear Him, to put hope in Him, to long for Him,
and thus travel through the stages of 'uboodiyyah (total enslavement
to Allaah). You could do this when you are lying on your bed or
walking in the street.

16. In one minute you can read more than two pages of a useful book
that is easy to understand.

17. In one minute you can uphold the ties of kinship by calling a
relative on the phone.

18. You can raise your hands and recite any du'aa' you wish from the
books of du'aa', in one minute.

19. You can say salaams to and shake hands with a number of people in
one minute.

20. You can forbid an evil action in one minute.

21. You can enjoin something good in one minute.

22. You can offer sincere advice to a brother/sister in one minute.

23. You can console someone who is depressed in one minute.

24. You can remove something harmful from the road in one minute.

25. Making the most of one minute motivates you to make the most of
other periods that would otherwise be wasted.

Al-Shaafi'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: When people go to
sleep, I let my tears flow, and I recite a verse of the most eloquent
poetry. Is it not a waste that nights go by and I do not increase in knowledge, yet this time is counted as part of my life?

Finally, the more sincere you are towards Allaah and the more aware
you are of Him, the greater will be your reward and the more your
hasanaat will increase.

Note that most of these actions will not cost you anything; they do
not require tahaarah (purity) and they will not tire you out or take
much effort. On the contrary, you can do them whilst you are walking,
or in your car, or lying down, or standing, or sitting, or waiting for
somebody.

These actions are also among the greatest means of attaining
happiness, expanding the chest (i.e., bringing relief and joy) and
removing stress and anxiety. May Allaah help us and you to do that
which He loves and which pleases Him. May Allaah bless our Prophet
Muhammad.

Prayer Times in Singapore

Salaam to Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

Below is the link to the prayer times in Singapore for the year 2008 (courtesy of MUIS). Click here for the link to that table.

Wasalaam

Bismillah

Some examples of not being modest which are common these days-being too proud of material items,blaming others,being excited over ‘happenings’ or short term happiness,expressing one’s emotions without thinking,being loud or doesnt have a stable tone of voice,the list can go on.

Its important for us to watch what we do,the walks and talks,our behaviour,what we SAY,what we choose to HEAR,and where we GO.

One way to remain modest-is to keep your Wudhu’ on always.Below is a a nice way of keeping modest through your Wudhu’:-

When washing your hands,remind yourself that,’I will only do good’
When gargling,tell yourself,’I will only speak of good things’
When cleaning your nose,say,’I will only go near good things and keep myself clean’
When washing your face,say,’I will only look at good things and may Allah give me piousness’
When washing your ears, say,’I will only hear good things’
When washing your forehead,say,’I will sujud more to Allah and love him for all that He has blessed me and more’
When washing your right hand,say,’I will do more good,for me and for the Ummah’
When washing your left hand,say,’I will not do bad things,may Allah keep me away from sins’
When washing your right foot,say,’I will only step to good places’
When washing your left foot,say,’I will not step to bad places and may Allah keep me away from sins’

MasyaAllah.How beautiful is that.

Imagine if you do that 5 times a day.You just got to remind yourself while you are washing up.It does not take extra time,but it cleanses yourself,spiritually,mentally,emotionally,and soulfully.And then you pray with a happy,content heart.

Insyallah, May Allah reward us,
Ameen.