Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 13)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Thirteen:
From The Etiquettes Of Reciting The Qur’an
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: Indeed this Qur’an that is between your hands, that you read, recite, and write, is the words of Allah. It was given to Jibreel one of the noble angels, who revealed to the heart of Muhammad (SAW) so that he may be a warner with a clear Arab tongue. Allah has described the Qur’an with many great and noble descriptions so that we may hold it in high status and respect it.

(The sheikh then mentions many verses which I will not translate)

So all of these noble verses that were and were not mentioned all show how noble the Qur’an is and our obligation to hold it in high status, and to show good manners when reciting it and to keep from making fun or play with it.

Sincerity

From the etiquettes are to make the intention sincerely to Allah (SWT). Because reciting the Qur’an is from the great acts of worship as Allah says, “Call ye, then, upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him.” and “They were not ordered except to worship Allah sincerely with pure monotheism.”

Having Khushoo’

Also, they should read the Qur’an with their mind present, and contemplating what they are reading as well as understanding it. And they should have khushoo’ in their heart, and they should feel that Allah is addressing them directly, because the Qur’an is the words of Allah (SWT).

Preferably Having Wudhoo’

From the etiquettes is that they should recite while they are pure. Because it is respect to the words of Allah (SWT). A person who is impure should purify themselves before they recite the Qur’an. The impure person can make athkar or duas.

Reciting In A Relaxed Place

The Qur’an should not be recited in a place where people are not going to be quiet and listen. Nor should it be recited in a place designed for answering the call of nature. When a person has the desire to recite the Qur’an they should start by seeking refuge from the Shaytaan. As Allah says, “When thou dost read the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one.” As for reciting the Basmala, this should only be done at the beginning of a surah. With the exception of surata Taubah, which does not have a basmala because the Sahaba differed on whether it was the continuation of surah Al-Anfal so they left out the basmala. If the surah should have had it, then it would be there as Allah says, “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”

Reciting Melodiously

The person reciting should also make their voice nice. In the Saheehayn it is narrated by Jabeer bin Mut’am, “I heard the Prophet (SAW) recite surah attur in Maghrib prayer, and I have never heard a better voice or recitation than that of the Prophet (SAW).” If there are some people around the recitor that might get harmed, like a person sleeping or a person praying, then the recitor should use a low voice.

The person should also recite in a measured tone, as Allah (SWT) says, “and recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.” When a person recites slow that will help them to ponder over what they are reciting. Umm Salama (RA) was asked about the recitation of the Prophet and she said he used to recite it ayah by ayah.

Sajda Tilaawah

They should also make sujood when they come to that point in the surah. Regardless where they are or what time it is, they make takbeer, make sajdah, say subhana Rabe Al ‘Ala, make dua, then get up without takbeer or salaam.

These are some of the etiquettes of reciting the Qur’an, so be sure to take heed of them and try to practice them, and seek the rewards from your Lord.

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 10)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Ten:
From the Mandatory Etiquettes of Fasting
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: Know that there are many manners that are important for the completion of the fast. There are two categories of manners for the fast with the first of them being mandatory to know and memorize and to practice. The second type is recommended to know, memorize and practice.

Praying Five Times A Day

From the mandatory manners is to maintain the obligations that Allah has prescribed for us both what we must say and what we must do. With the most important being the five daily prayers which are of the pillars of Islam, after the Shahada. So it a must to make sure the prayer is preformed with its pillars, obligations, and conditions. It should be performed at its appointed time and with the congregation. For indeed this is from piety. Not praying is from the absence of piety, and is a means for punishment as Allah (SWT) says, “But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction, Excepted, however, shall be those who repent and attain to faith and do righteous deeds: for it is they who will enter paradise and will not be wronged in any way.”

Joining The Congregational Prayer

There are some of the fasting people that neglect the congregational prayers in the masjid. Allah orders us in one verse by saying, “When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest 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 position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed – and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms.” Allah orders us to pray in congregation at the time of fighting and fear. So in the time of safety and security, it should be even more of a priority.

Once a blind man once said to the Prophet , “O Messenger of Allah, I have no guide to lead me to the mosque (to attend the congregational prayer).” He asked the Prophet (SAW) for permission to pray in his house and the Prophet permitted him. Then, when he turned to go, the Prophet (SAW) called him and said: ‘Do you hear the call to prayer?’ The blind man said ‘yes.’ The Prophet then said: “Then respond to it [by coming to the mosque].” (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) didn’t give him a clearance to pray at home. The person who leaves the prayer has missed out on many rewards, for indeed the prayer in congregation is multiplied. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed the prayer in congregation is rewarded by seventy times more than the prayer alone.” (Saheehayn)

When someone leaves the congregational prayer they are subjected themselves to punishment as well as being similar to the hypocrites. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed the hardest prayers for the hypocrites are the ‘Isha and Fajr prayers, and if they knew what was in them in terms of reward then they would come to it even if they had to crawl, I was almost going to leave the prayer and ask someone else to lead the people, then leave with some people and take wood to those who do not come to the prayer and burn their homes with fire.” (Saheehayn)