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 brother burhan

assalamo alaikum

could you pls. answer my questions.

jazakallah
saabirah

1.. Which pillar of Islam is Ramadan? We have learnt that it is the third pillar, but according to Bukhari Sharif it is the 5th pillar? I have learnt the fifth pillar is Hajj.

2.. We usually do "Niyat" for fasting? Is it necessary?

3.. During Iftar, we say the dua "Allahuma Lakas sumtu Alla Rizkika Aftartu"? Some people say there is

no dua, no need to say this duaa.Kindly explain.

4.. How many rakats are minimum for Tahajud? And maximum?

5.. There is one Ayat in the Holy Quran where it is written Allah is loving? Can you please tell me which verse it is?

 6.. When we are praying with a congregation, while prayer is in progress, if for some reason someone moves out of line and there is space between two worshippers, do we move and close the gap during prayer or do we wait for that part of the prayer to finish?

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Answer:

Fasting and Tahajjud

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 comment: Which pillar of Islam is Ramadan? We have learnt that it is the third pillar, but according to Bukhari Sharif it is the 5th pillar? I have learnt the fifth pillar is Hajj.

Ramdan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam. The five pillars of Islam are:

The testification that there is no god but Allah, and Mohamed (saws) is His Messenger.

The obligatory five prayers.

The zakaah.

The fasting of Ramadan.

The pilgrimage of Hajj.

Your comment: We usually do "Niyat" for fasting? Is it necessary?

The ‘neeyah’ or intention for the obligatory fast is necessary, but does not have to be a verbal one. If one makes an intention in the beginning of Ramadan to fast the whole month, that would more than suffice as making the neeyah for the fasts. Allah Subhanah is indeed the All Knowing and He even knows the secrets of our hearts. When a person wakes up for his morning meal (suhoor) to start the fast, that in itself is a neeyah; thus it is not necessary to make a verbal neeyah for each fast of Ramadan.

Your comment: During Iftar, we say the dua "Allahuma Lakas sumtu Alla Rizkika Aftartu"? Some people say there is no dua, no need to say this duaa. Kindly explain.

There is indeed an authentic narration that the Messenger of Allah (saws) did supplicate Allah in the manner you have quoted. He (saws) also supplicated while breaking his fast in this manner, “Zahaba zamau, wabtallatul uruku, wa sabaka ajru, Insha Allah.” It means: The thirst is quenched, the veins are wet, and the reward (of the fast from Allah) is guaranteed, Insha Allah.

Both of these supplications are from the Messenger of Allah (saws) and there is absolutely no harm if any one or both are made while breaking the fast. But we must also bear in mind that the Prophet (saws) did not always make these supplications all the time while breaking his fasts. At times, he would just say, ‘Bismillah’ and break his fasts. Thus, the best opinion is that it is preferable to say any of these supplications when breaking the fast, but it is not obligatory.

Your comment: How many rakats are minimum for Tahajud? And maximum?

The number of rakah for Tahajjud have not been fixed. There is an authentic narration that the Messenger of Allah (saws) used to pray 11 rakahs including witr, and there is also another narration that states that he (saws) prayed 13 rakahs including witr.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to pray the Tahajjud or any voluntary prayers in a two rakah combination and advised the believers to pray the same. There is no minimum set, thus the minimum if one wants to pray the voluntary night prayers would be two rakahs. And there is no maximum set, thus one can pray any number of rakahs in a two rakah combination and end it with the witr prayers. The Tahajjud or night prayers are voluntary and the more one prays, the more reward he/she will earn from Allah Subhanah.

Your comment: There is one Ayat in the Holy Quran where it is written Allah is loving? Can you please tell me which verse it is?

There are several aayahs where Allah Subhanah Himself declares that He is the Loving, and he has chosen the attributes of the people He loves. He has always specified the attributes of the people He loves in the aayahs where He declares his love for those people.

Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 222: For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 76: Nay. Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright, verily Allah loves those who act aright.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 134: Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 146:….And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 159:….For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).

There are also several aayahs in the Holy Quran, where Allah specifies the attributes of the wicked people that he does not love.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 32:Say: "Obey Allah and His Apostle"; but if they turn back Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.

Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 276:Allah will deprive usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.

Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 57:As to those who believe and work righteousness Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.

I have just quoted a few aayahs from the Holy Quran, and there are several others where Allah specifies whom He loves and whom He does not love.

Your comment: When we are praying with a congregation, while prayer is in progress, if for some reason someone moves out of line and there is space between two worshippers, do we move and close the gap during prayer or do we wait for that part of the prayer to finish?

Yes, one should immediately move and fill the gap in the prayer itself without breaking his/her prayer. There is a huge reward from Allah for the one who fills the gap and every believer is encouraged to fill the gap immediately as soon as the person leaves the congregation for any reason. One is allowed to move front, back, right or left…. There is absolutely no harm and it does not break or effect the prayer of the one who moves. The ‘saff’ or line of prayer must be maintained at all times.

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 and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan