Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As-Salaamu-Aleikum-Wa-Rahmatullahi-Wa-Barkatuhu,

Jazak-Allah for your prompt reply. But still it did not answer my specific questions.

Regarding joining Prayers, though not applying it as a general rule, but when I am in office and I may become very busy in a meeting and fearing that my Asr Salah may be missed, in such a specific situation can I pray Zuhar and Asr together, considering that messenger of Allah(SAW) has allowed such a concession.

Regarding, duas to be said during Ruku, Sajdah and Tasleem, I know that in main stream muslim prayers we say "Subhan Allah il Adheem", "Subhana Rabb eil A'ala" and "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah". What I wanted to know is can we say the complete duas like "Subhan Allah il Adheem wabi Hamdehi", "Subhana Rabb eil A'ala O Tala" and "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu", as I am wondering that it would be better to say the complete duas. Even when we greet someone it is better to say "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu" rather than just "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah"

I would be a great help from you if you clarify my questions for me in certain 'Yes' or 'No', considering the circumstances I have mentioned.

Regards and Salaam

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Join Prayers

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Regarding joining Prayers, though not applying it as a general rule, but when I am in office and I may become very busy in a meeting and fearing that my Asr Salah may be missed, in such a specific situation can I pray Zuhar and Asr together, considering that messenger of Allah(SAW) has allowed such a concession.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, Shariah Law dictates that unless and until one is unconscious, or insane, or unintentionally slept through a prayer time, or completely forgot and the prayer time elapsed….it is an absolute obligatory duty unto the believer that he/she offer his/her prayer at its due and appointed time.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 103:

Indeed the Salaat is a prescribed duty that should be performed by the believers at (their) appointed times.

Dear and beloved, such is the importance and significance of prayer, that Allah Commands and Demands that the believers offer their prayers on time even during times of war, fear, extreme illness, etc.,

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa 102:

102 When thou (O Prophet (saws)) are with them (during war) and stand to lead them in prayer, let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee taking their arms with them: when they finish their prostrations let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed and let them pray with thee taking all precautions and bearing arms.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 238-239:

238 Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle (Asr) prayer and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).

239 If ye fear (an enemy), pray on foot or riding (as may be most convenient); but when ye are in security celebrate Allah's Praises in the manner He has taught you which ye knew not (before).

Beloved brother in Islam to intentionally miss, or neglect, or delay one’s obligatory prayers beyond its appointed time because one is busy in work or worldly matters would be absolutely unacceptable and impermissible in Islam, and a grave sin in the Sight of the Lord.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 107 Surah Al-Maun verses 4-5:

4 So woe to the worshippers

5 Who are neglectful of their prayers

Your Question: ….fearing that my Asr Salah may be missed, in such a specific situation can I pray Zuhar and Asr together, considering that messenger of Allah(SAW) has allowed such a concession.

There is evidence in the authentic and established Sunnah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would join his prayers during times of rain or when traveling….but at all other times the Messenger of Allah (saws) would lead the five obligatory prayers in congregation at their separate and distinct appointed times.

The concession for joining prayers is valid only when the condition applies (rain, traveling, etc.)…just like when one is starving and fear death, it would become lawful to consume even the food which has been declared haraam (swine, dead, etc.); or when water is not available, one may perform one’s wudu through ‘tayammum’, etc.

But if the conditions do not apply and one uses the conditional concessions as a general permission to consume what has been clearly declared haraam, or do ‘tayammum’ when water is available, etc.…then it would indeed be a clear transgression of the boundaries of Allah Subhanah.

In conclusion, it would be absolutely impermissible and unacceptable for a believer who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day to intentionally miss, neglect, or delay his prayers; or join his prayers when the specific conditions of joining-prayers do not apply.

Your Question: Regarding, duas to be said during Ruku, Sajdah and Tasleem, I know that in main stream muslim prayers we say "Subhan Allah il Adheem", "Subhana Rabb eil A'ala" and "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah". What I wanted to know is can we say the complete duas like "Subhan Allah il Adheem wabi Hamdehi", "Subhana Rabb eil A'ala O Tala" and "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu", as I am wondering that it would be better to say the complete duas.

In the state of ruku or bowing in prayer:

Reported Hudhaifah, "I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (saws) and while bowing (ruku) he would say, 'Subhana Rabiyy al-'Adheem."

Related by Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

The general Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) when leading the congregation prayers, was to Glorify the Lord with the phrase ‘Subhanah Rabbe al-Adheem’ (Glory be to my Lord, The Great) when in the state of ruku. There is evidence in the established and authentic Sunnah that at times, and especially in supererogatory prayers, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would make his performance of the ruku in prayer long and make various and several glorifications of the Lord:

1. Ali reported that while bowing, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would say, "O Allah, for You have I bowed, and it is You that I have believed in and to You have I submitted. You are my Lord. My hearing, sight, marrow, bones and nerves and what is carried by my feet are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." (Related by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud.)

2. Aishah reported that while bowing and prostrating, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would say, "Glorified and Holy are You, Lord of the Angels and the souls."

3. Reported 'Auf ibn Malik, "I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (saws) one night and while bowing he (saws) said, 'Glory be to the One of Omnipotence, the Master of the Dominions, of Grandeur and of Honor."' (Related by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa'i .)

In light of the above evidence from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), saying ‘Subhanah Rabbe al-Adheem’ while in the state of ruku in prayer would suffice…and it would be perfectly acceptable to add phrases in the glorification of the Lord Most Exalted, if one wishes to do so.

In the state of sajdah or prostration in prayer:

Hudhaifah reported that when the Prophet (saws) prostrated, he would say "Subhana Rabiyy al-A'la." (Glory be to my Lord, The Most High)

Related by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi,

The Prophet (saws) said, 'The closest one of you comes to his Lord is while he is prostrating, (therefore) make many supplications therein.'

Related by Muslim.

The Prophet (saws) said, 'I have prohibited you from reciting (the Quran) while bowing or prostrating. During the bowing, glorify the Lord. During the prostrations, strive your hardest in making supplications. Most likely, you will be listened to."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

In light of the above evidence from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), saying ‘Subhanah Rabbe al-Aala’ while in the state of prostration in prayer would suffice…and it would be perfectly acceptable to add phrases in the glorification of the Lord Most Exalted and make as many supplications as one’s heart desires.

During the ‘tasleems’ to signify the end of prayer:

In light of the guidance and practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying ‘As Salaam o Alaykum wa Rahmatullah’ during the ‘tasleems’ would suffice, but there is absolutely no harm and perfectly acceptable if one wishes to add the additional phrase ‘….wa Barakatuh’ to it.

Your Question: Even when we greet someone it is better to say "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu" rather than just "As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah"

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 86:

86 When a (courteous) greeting is offered, you meet it with a greeting still more courteous, (or at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.

When meeting or replying to the greeting of one’s brother in faith, although the greeting of ‘As Salaam Alaykum’ would suffice to fulfill the Command of the Lord, it would obviously be better, preferred and more meritorious for one to make additional supplication for their brother by adding the phrase: ‘….wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.’

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan

,