Transactions & Worship

by Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem Once you enter the state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah, you start reciting the Talbiyah. Because you will recite it perhaps hundreds of times, it is extremely important and useful to know the beautiful dimensions of the Talbiyah. This way, every time you say it you will taste a different sweetness of talking to Allah [swt]. You will repeat it with love, passion and eagerness. Each statement of the Talbiyah has layers upon layers of…

(part 1 of 2): The Sources of Islamic Economics Introduction As a complete way of life, Islam has provided guidelines and rules for every sphere of life and society. Naturally, a functioning economic system is vital for a healthy society, as the consumption of goods and services, and the facilitation of this by a common medium of exchange, play a major role in allowing people to realize their material and other goals in life. Islam has set some standards, based…

(part 1 of 2) The Independence of the Judiciary Islamic Law, through the sacred texts and through its basic principles, prohibits the governing officials from interfering with or influencing the decisions of the court in any way. Islamic Law, in its general principles and individual statutes, seeks to realize its primary objective of establishing justice on the foundation of monotheism. Monotheism is not just lip service. It is realized through actions that verify the profession of faith. These actions must…

(part 1 of 5): Introduction Security and stability are basic human needs, no less important than food and clothing. Without security and stability, a human being is not able to properly conduct his daily life, let alone come up with new ideas or contribute to the development of a high level of civilization. Man has been conscious of the need for security since the beginning of his life on Earth, and he has continuously expressed his awareness of this need…

Question #10/1: “Is the earth round or flat?” Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “It is round,[1] and the issue of the earth being round or flat is not an affair related to actions nor faith, such that it is obligatory for the Muslim to know the Islamically legislated ruling about it if it is related to actions in order to worship Allāh by it like the rest of the acts of worship, or for him to believe in it in the depth…

*Question: “What should the one making istikhāra[1] prayer say if he has two affairs on the same level and does not have an inclination toward either one, meaning 50-50?” Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “What I understand from your question is that he does not have an intention (to do something),[2] therefore there is no istikhāra prayer upon him.” *Question: “Is the istikhāra prayer legislated for one who is confused about doing something or is it legislated for one who has made…

Question #5: “Is it allowed for the resident to combine between two prayers without (the presence of) rain?” Shaykh al-Albānī answers: “Imām Muslim brought out in his Sahīh, the hadīth on the authority of Ibn ʽAbbās who said: ‘The Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) combined (prayers) in Madīnah between Dhuhr and ʽAsr, and between Maghrib and ʽIshā, without (being in a state of) traveling or (the presence of) rain.’ They said, ‘What did he intend by that O…

Salah is the daily ritual prayer enjoined upon all Muslims as one of the five Pillars of Islam. It is performed five times a day by all Muslims. Salah is a precise worship, different from praying on the inspiration of the moment. Muslims pray or, perhaps more correctly, worship five times throughout the day: Between first light and sunrise. After the sun has passed the middle of the sky. Between mid-afternoon and sunset. Between sunset and the last light of…

Every sound structure must have a solid foundation in order to remain strong. Islam’s foundation is the five pillars it was built upon, forming the basis of Islamic teaching as taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), wherein he said: Islam is built upon five pillars: 1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahadah); 2. Establishing regular prayers (Salah); 3. Paying Charity (Zakah); 4. Fasting the (lunar) month of Ramadan (Sawm); 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj) These five pillars are a cornerstone of…

(part 1 of 2): The Day of Arafah and its Preparation The hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the Prophet Abraham, brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life’s most moving spiritual experiences. For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from the four corners of the earth, have made the pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill…