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:

Dear Burhan:

Asalaam-u-Alaikum.

1. In the summarized and basic prayers as outlined, does it apply to all prayers including the Fajr, all fard and all sunnat prayers?

2. Is it mandatory to wear a 'toopi'/hat while praying at all times?

3.  Is it permissible to say "dua ma yaad karjo" and "bhul chuk maaff karjo" to anyone on 'big' nights such as Ramadan, Moharram, Eid, etc.?

4. How do one end a prayer and what must one say (dua)to end it in Arabic while in 'Sajadah'?

5. Can one pray in clean T-shirt and jeans or do I have to cover myself completely, ie: bare arms, head and feet.

6. Once one does wudoo/ghusl, lets say for Zohar prayers, can one continue to pray at the time of Magrib prayers and so on without further wudoo/ghusl, as long as one is sure that one is clean?

Best Regards and God Bless.

(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:

Should one wear cap while praying?

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: In the summarized and basic prayers as outlined, does it apply to all prayers including the Fajr, all fard and all sunnat prayers?

We would appreciate if you could clarify this question, as we are unable to understand what exactly is your query.

Your question: Is it mandatory to wear a 'toopi'/hat while praying at all times?

Wearing a cap is not obligatory while praying.   At the time of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the normal dress code of the Arabs was such that they used to cover their hair with their head-gear or turban, and thus at most times the Prophet (saws) prayed with his head covered.   But there are instances, whereby he (saws) also prayed without a head cover.

Ibn 'Asakir related that the Prophet (saws) would sometimes remove his cap and place it in front of him as a ‘sutrah’ for prayer.

But, it is obligatory for a believing woman to cover her head while offering her prayers.

Your question:  Is it permissible to say "dua ma yaad karjo" and "bhul chuk maaff karjo" to anyone on 'big' nights such as Ramadan, Moharram, Eid, etc.?

A believer is a brother and a sincere well-wisher of his brother believers.    There is absolutely no harm if one asks his believing brother to remember him in his supplications to the Merciful Lord.   Similarly,  there is no harm if a believer asks his brother believer to forgive him,  if he has hurt him intentionally or unintentionally.

Your question: How do one end a prayer and what must one say (dua)to end it in Arabic while in 'Sajadah'?

When one says the ‘tasleems’ on both right and left sides, after he has prayed the ‘tashahud’, that is considered the end of his prayers.

The prostration or ‘sajdah’ is a position where the believer is closest to His Merciful Lord.   This is a position of extreme submission, whereby a person bows down on his forehead in absolute humility to His Lord and Creator.   One may say any number of praises and glorify His Lord while in prostration, and the best amongst the glorification of the Lord is to say, “Subhanah Rabbe-al-A’ala” (Glorified is Allah, the Most High).     

Your question: Can one pray in clean T-shirt and jeans or do I have to cover myself completely, ie: bare arms, head and feet.

If one’s t-shirt and jeans are clean of impurities, there is no harm in praying in them.  

Your question: Once one does wudoo/ghusl, lets say for Zohar prayers, can one continue to pray at the time of Magrib prayers and so on without further wudoo/ghusl, as long as one is sure that one is clean?

If one does wudu for prayer (eg. Zuhr prayers) and does not invalidate his wudu by answering the call of nature, or sleeping, or passing wind, or does not become unclean due to sexual intercourse; there is no harm if he prays any number of prayers.   His wudu done will be valid until he breaks his wudu.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan