Issues and Questions

Du'a after the Fard Prayers, Fasting in Shawal, Nikah through E-mail

By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Q. Is there any Dalil from the sayings of Prophet (saw) or his practice that he used to say collective Du'a or supplications after each Fard Salah. In our community we have a difference of opinion. Basically, our Arab brothers are saying that Prophet (saw) did not say the Du'a collectively, therefore, we should not do it, while others say that he (saw) has done it. I would really appreciate if you could clarify this matter.
A. There is a great reward in making Du'a after the Fard prayers. It is reported in a Hadith that the Prophet - peace be upon him - was asked, "Which Du'a is more heard (by Allah)?" The Prophet - peace be upon him - said, "The Du'a during the last part of the night and after the Fard prayers," (see al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 3421). Imam Bukhari and Muslim have mentioned many Adhkar and Du'as of the Prophet - peace be upon him - that he used to make after the Fard prayers. This means that the Prophet used to make these Du'as audibly (bil-jihr). Many Sahabah have mentioned such Adhkar and the Du'as that they heard from the Prophet - peace be upon him. I am sure the Sahabah used to sit and listen to those Adhkar and Du'as from the Prophet - peace be upon him. It is a good habit to make Dhikr and Du'a after the Fard prayers.
It is, however, not mentioned that the Prophet - peace be upon him - used to have a collective Dhikr or Du'a after each prayer. He never asked the Sahabah to sit with him after the prayer to make Du'a with him. Thus, we can say that it is permissible for the Imam to make Du'a audibly or quietly after the Fard Salah. However, it is up to the people to stay or not stay. Those who want they can stay and make the Du'a with the Imam or by themselves and those who want to leave without making Du'a or to begin their Sunnah prayers, they can do so. Muslims should not make it an issue of division or dissension among them.
It is not right to insist on all Musallis to stay until the Du'a is finished and it is also not right to criticize those who make Du'a with their Imam after the Salah. For the sake of those who want to make Sunnah immediately, it is better that the Imam make a short or quiet Du'a after Zuhr, Maghrib and Isha prayers, but he may make an audible and longer Du'a after Fajr and 'Asr prayers. And if the Imam sometimes leaves without making a Du'a that is also permissible.
Q. Is it allowed to perform Nikah through email?
A. According to Muslim jurists, it is not permissible to marry someone by mail or phone. The same thing can be said about the email. Marriage in Islam is a formal legal contract. It should be very clear who is marrying whom. The Shari'ah emphasizes the announcement of marriage and does not allow any ambiguity in this matter. It is for this reason that witnesses for Nikah are necessary.
If the parties who want to get married are not present, they can appoint a Wakil (representative). The person who is getting married has to appoint his/her Wakil. It is permissible to appoint a Wakil through telephone, fax or email. The Wakil then should do the Ijab or Qubool, in person, on behalf of the person who appointed him. Two witnesses who also personally know the party that is not present are necessary for the contract of marriage.
Q. If a person has doubt in his Salah whether he prayed three rak'ah or four, what should he do?
A. The rule of the Shari'ah is that in the case of doubt, one should follow that which is certain or more probable. It is reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet - peace be upon him - said, "If a person among you had a doubt in his prayer and did not know whether he prayed three or four, then he should leave the doubt and follow that which is certain. Then he should make two Sajdahs before the Salam. If he prayed five rak'ah then the two Sajdahs would make even his prayer. But if he prayed four, then these Sajdahs would disgrace the Shaitan." (Muslim, Hadith no. 888.) In another Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that if one had doubt in his prayer, then he should do that which is most likely or probable and then at the end he should make two Sajdahs for Sahw. (see Hadith no. 386)
So if a person had a doubt whether he prayed three or four Raka'at, then three is certain. In this case he should add one more rak'ah to complete four and then at the end make two Sajdahs for Sahw. But if he has more inclination that he prayed four, then he should not add another rak'ah, he should only make two Sajdahs for Sahw at the end of the prayer.
Q. What is the significance of fasting in the month of Shawwal? Is this based on the Qur'an and Sunnah? Please enlighten.
A. Fasting of six days in the month of Shawwal is mentioned in a Hadith of the Prophet - peace be upon him. He said, "Whosoever observes fast in Ramadan and then follows up with six fasts in Shawwal, will be regarded as though he had been fasting every day." (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm, Hadith no. 1984) The meaning is that the reward is like the reward of a person who is always in fast every day of his/her life. It is highly recommended to fast six days in Shawwal, but it is not obligatory (fard). For those who want to fast, it is better that they start fasting from the second day of Shawwal, but they can fast after the Eidul Fitr any six days during the whole month of Shawwal. It is not required to fast six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the month and the fast is very much like the fasts of Ramadan.

Q. I fast now regularly during Ramadan, but in the past I missed many fasts without any excuse. I regret that very much and I want to make up for the days that I missed. Please tell me how I could do that.
A. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is an obligation (fard) upon every adult Muslim who is not sick or on a journey. It is a sin to miss the fasts of Ramadan without any excuse. The Prophet -peace be upon him - said, "Whosoever broke even one fast of Ramadan without an excuse or sickness, even if he/she fasted the whole life after that it will not compensate what he/she missed." (Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm, Hadith no. 655)
Since you regret your negligence, I suggest that you repent sincerely and ask Allah's forgiveness. Allah has promised that those who repent sincerely, Allah accepts their repentance and forgives them. You should also try to make up for your missed days. Calculate how many days of Ramadan you missed. Make qada' for those days by fasting one day for each day that you missed. If you cannot then give the Kaffarah, which is a day's meals or its value to be given to a needy person. We estimate about ten dollars per day for each day's fast. Thus by doing these deeds, you may not be able to compensate totally for the missed days of Ramadan, but at least you will express your sincere repentance and effort to fulfill the commands of Allah.

- DrSiddiqi@aol.com

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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