Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt and a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, emphasized that frequently sending prayers upon Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is a recommended act of worship.
He explained that Allah commanded believers to send prayers and peace upon the Prophet, as stated in the Quran: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O believers, send blessings upon him and salute him with peace.”
He also referred to the well-known Prophetic saying: “Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah sends ten upon him.”
According to Ali Gomaa, sending prayers upon the Prophet is among the deeds whose acceptance may be hoped for from a Muslim, whether the person is obedient or has committed sins.
Why Should Muslims Frequently Send Prayers Upon the Prophet?
Ali Gomaa advised anyone who falls into sin and then repents to frequently send prayers upon the Prophet, explaining that this practice can help a Muslim remain steadfast and resist returning to wrongdoing.
One simple form is saying: “O Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet.”
Sending prayers upon the Prophet is a recommended act that Muslims can regularly practice because of the great reward associated with it.
Is Judicial Khul Valid Without the Husband’s Approval?
Dr. Atiya Lasheen, professor of comparative jurisprudence, explained that questioning the validity of judicial khul on the grounds that the husband did not personally agree to the divorce has no basis in Islamic jurisprudence.
He explained that khul is an established form of ending a marriage and differs from ordinary divorce, which is generally initiated by the husband. In khul, the wife requests separation in return for returning the marital dowry.
What Is the Difference Between Divorce, Judicial Separation and Khul?
Islamic jurisprudence recognizes several forms of marital separation, including divorce initiated by the husband, judicial separation ordered by a judge for legitimate reasons, and annulment based on circumstances that prevent the continuation of marital life.
Khul is another form of marital separation. It occurs when a wife seeks separation in return for returning the dowry, including situations in which there is no apparent wrongdoing by the husband.
Dr. Atiya Lasheen cited the well-known case of the wife of Thabit ibn Qays, who told the Prophet that she could not continue living with her husband. The Prophet asked whether she would return the garden he had given her, and then instructed her husband to accept it and separate from her.
Must the Husband Personally Pronounce Divorce for Khul to Be Valid?
Lasheen explained that the belief that khul is valid only if the husband personally pronounces divorce is not accurate.
He noted that the instruction given in the relevant Prophetic narration does not necessarily indicate an obligation, but rather a recommendation in this context.
He further explained that a judge may act on behalf of the husband in issuing a judicial khul ruling, just as a judge may issue judicial separation for recognized legal reasons. Therefore, judicial khul issued through the proper legal process is considered valid according to the stated ruling.
Can Prayer Begin Before the Adhan Ends?
Sheikh Ahmed Mamdouh, an official at Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, explained that a Muslim may begin prayer before the Adhan has completely finished, provided that the prayer time has already entered.
There is no requirement to wait until the muezzin finishes the entire Adhan. Once the prayer time begins, the worshipper may say the opening Takbir and start the prayer.
The key condition for the validity of the obligatory prayer is that its prescribed time has begun. The completion of the Adhan itself is not a condition for prayer to be valid.
Is Prayer Valid If It Begins Before the Prayer Time?
If someone begins the prayer before its prescribed time has actually entered, the prayer is not valid and does not fulfill the obligation, even if the person mistakenly believed that the time had begun.
Therefore, the worshipper should make sure that the prayer time has entered before starting the obligatory prayer.
Must You Wait Until the Muezzin Finishes the Adhan?
No. If the prayer time has already entered, a worshipper does not have to wait until the Adhan ends before beginning the prayer.
However, it is recommended to listen to the Adhan and repeat its words after the muezzin, following the established Sunnah.
What Should Muslims Say During the Adhan?
A Muslim is encouraged to repeat the words of the muezzin. When the muezzin says “Come to prayer” and “Come to success,” the listener says: “There is no power or strength except through Allah.”
After the Adhan ends, it is recommended to send prayers upon the Prophet and then make supplication.
Is prayer upon the Prophet accepted from a sinner?
Yes. According to the cited ruling, sending prayers upon the Prophet is among the deeds whose acceptance may be hoped for from both obedient Muslims and those who have committed sins.
Is judicial khul valid without the husband’s approval?
Yes, according to the stated ruling, judicial khul is valid, with the judge acting on behalf of the husband in issuing the ruling.
Must the Adhan finish before prayer can begin?
No. If the prescribed prayer time has entered, the worshipper may begin praying before the Adhan is completed.
What if someone prays before the prayer time begins?
The prayer is not valid if it was performed before its prescribed time, and the obligatory prayer must be performed again after the time begins.
What should be said when the muezzin says “Come to prayer”?
The listener says: “There is no power or strength except through Allah.” After the Adhan, sending prayers upon the Prophet and making supplication are recommended.
