The Book of Prayers

By Hajjah Ayesha Abdullah Scott

The Book of Prayers is part of a series started by Hajjah Ayesha to address the pillars of Islam in a perspective differing from most; a request made by her students worldwide to address their faith of understanding.

As a woman who has attained the title of a Shaykh due to an accepted seclusion supervised by her beloved teacher Maulana Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi al-Haqqani; her words held a resounding impact and have been a form of guidance for many.

A great deal of time was taken in the preparation of this book. We pray the contents will help and enlighten the beauty of prayer given as a gift to our most Beloved Muhammad saw during his night journey to His beloved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781543765823

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Copyright © 2021 by Hajjah Ayesha Abdullah Scott.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1   Meaning of the parts of Prayer

Chapter 2

Chapter 3   The Abandonment of Prayer

Chapter 4   The ten classes of people whose prayer is not accepted by Allah (s.w.t.)

Chapter 5   The Compulsory Prayers

Chapter 6   Sunnah Prayers

Chapter 7   Other prayers

Chapter 8   The Friday prayer

Chapter 9   The Prayer of Fear

Conclusion

DEDICATION

This Book is dedicated to my beloved husband Sheikh Mohd Zaid Alif Sani. Without his love, support, guidance and advice, this book would not have been written.

I would also like to thank my spiritual father and guide - Maulana Sheikh Nazim Adil Al-Naqshbandi who has looked after us and guided us and still does.

My grateful thanks go out to all my friends and relatives that encouraged me to write this book.

Special thanks go to Haji Malik Davidson and his wife Malika for editing this book and all those who have given their help and support to bring this book to fruition.

Amin.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In The name of Allah - The Most Merciful and The Most Beneficent, I began to write this humble book in the name of Dzat (Essence) The Highest, and by putting my hand forward seeking His barakah that is never ending that has been bestowed upon our Most Beloved Muhammad (s.a.w). I send praise after praise (filled with nikmah) by reciting and sending the most beautiful gratitudes (syukur) from the depth of my heart. Blessings and greetings upon our Master Muhammad (s.a.w) and upon his family and all his Companions.

After many requests from friends and relatives all searching for more understanding of why we pray, what the rewards of prayer are, what invalidates prayer and many other questions; this humble servant was persuaded with the blessings, guidance and support of the awliyas, Prophets, and Allah (s.w.t) to write this simple work titled The Book of Prayers.

Any faults in this work belong to this lowly servant who seeks forgiveness and guidance from Allah Almighty, the most Compassionate and most Forgiving. All knowledge, wisdom and praises belong to Allah Almighty (s.w.t), the most Exalted and most High.

Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), his family, companions (sahaba), the rightly guided caliphs, the four imams and the awliya of Allah Almighty.

May Allah - the Real and Absolute Master (s.w.t.) accept this small humble effort. Amin!

Shaykh Ayesha Abdullah Scott al-Anam

Madrasah Sayyidina Rasool ur-Rahmah

Behrang, Malaysia

FOREWORD

In the name of Allah - The Most Merciful and The Most Beneficent, Praise be to Allah! Praise be to Allah! The Lord of The World, Lord of The Arsh of The Highest. He is The First, and The Last; The Outward, and The Inward. He is Knower of all things.

The Paradises and all the beautiful nikmah in it are created for the people who are sending their prayers, their blessings, and their greetings to our Most beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

And I bear witness that there is no God, but Allah and I bear witness that our master Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His Emissary.

O Allah, send blessings and greetings to our leader Muhammad (s.a.w.) and upon the family of our leader Muhammad (s.a.w.) and all his companions (sahaba).

INTRODUCTION

Prayer (sålat) is one of the five pillars that is made incumbent in Islam and should be performed with love and devotion to Allah Almighty. However, one should remember we need prayers, not Allah Almighty who requires our prayers. It is our link to our Lord Allah Almighty (s.w.t), just as the placenta is the baby’s lifeline to the mother. If the placenta is broken the baby will die; so, would a Muslim who does not pray; they will be considered spiritually dead.

The position of prayer among the other pillars of Islam is that of the head on a man. It is the most perfect combination of praise, remembrance, supplication and forgiveness.

Abdullah ibn Umar (r.a.) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that the position of prayer in the faith is like that of the head on the man’s body.

Hadith al-Tabari

CHAPTER ONE

Meaning of the parts of Prayer

1. Intention (niyyat)

Whosoever makes the intention to pray with full sincerity (ikhlas) and love (muhibbah) while being careful to recite as correctly as they can; remembering their Lord Allah Almighty in their hearts; their body will be protected from harm both in their grave and on the terrible day of Judgment.

2. Qiyam (standing straight before the prayer starts)

Whosoever performs this act each time properly, when they die the ground will expand so that their grave will be wide. They would not be closed in and squeeze by the ground.

Saiyidina Umar (r.a.) reported Allah’s messenger (s.a.w) saying, This is the one [i.e. Sa’d ibn Mu’adh Ansari (r.a.)] on account of whom the throne moved, for whom the gates of heaven were opened, and whose funeral seventy thousand angels attended. He was compressed, but afterwards the pressure was removed from him.

Sunan An-Nasa’i – Hadith 2059 (Volume 2, pg 533)

3. Takbir Ihram/Tahrimah/Allah Adhim/Allah A’ala

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Allahu akbar

Apart from Allahu Akbar together with dua for the opening of prayer (dua afitah), both will provide believer with Nur (light) in the grave.

Dua Afitah

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Subhanaka allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabara kasmuka

wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka.

"O Allah, how perfect You are and praise be to You.

Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty.

There is no god but You."

4. Al-Fatihah (The Opening Surah of the Quran)

When recited with love and sincerity, this surah will provide you with clothing in the grave and on the Day of Judgment.

Many people believe that all of mankind will be naked on the Day of Judgment. However, this is not the case as mankind will be divided into three groups on that day and one of those group members will be dressed and riding an animal.

Abu Dharr (r.a.) reported that the truthful and trusted one (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) reported to me that the people will be collected in three groups; one group will be riding, eating and dressed; and as for another group, the angels will drag them on their faces and the fire will gather them together; and one group will run while Allah (s.w.t) will throw disaster upon their back and there will remain nothing till a man will give his garden in exchange for a camel without retaining control thereon.

Mishkat-ul-Masabah – Hadith 17 (Vol 3, pg 105)

Abu Dharr (r.a.) reported that truthful one whose word is believed (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) told him that mankind would be assembled in three groups – one riding with food and clothing, one being dragged on their faces by the angels who assemble them to Hellfire, and one walking and running. Allah will cast a calamity and riding-beasts so that none will remain, with the result that a man who has a garden will be ready to give it for a saddled she-camel but will be unable to get one.

Sunan An-Nasa’i - Hadith 2090 (Vol 2, pg 547)

Do you really think that Allah Almighty (s.w.t) will allow His Beloved Holy Prophet (s.a.w) and his family, the other prophets and saints; all of whom are very shy and modest to be shamed by nakedness on that day?

5. Ruku’ (Bowing)

The act of ruku’ (bowing) will provide those in the grave with a prayer mat or carpet for those permitted to continue praying in their graves (i.e. the ones who purified their hearts in this world so that in the grave their bodies will not decay. They will be allowed to continue their worship until the Day of Judgment)

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Never think of those killed in the Way of Allah as dead. Rather they are alive, with their Lord and receiving provision. (Surah Al-Imran, 3:169)

This ayat refers to all the martyrs - the ones who died in battle and the greatest martyrs of all are the ones who died fighting their own ego and nafs.

6. Adhdal

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (r.a) The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:

"When the Imam says: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears the one who praises Him), then say: ‘Rabbana wa lakal- hamd,’ (Our Lord, and to You be the praise)

Whoever says that and it coincides with the angels saying it, his previous sins will be forgiven."

Sunan An-Nasa’i – Hadith 1064 (Vol 2, Book 12)

The recitation of Sami Allahuliman hamidah by the imam in congregation or the person praying if he is alone. Followed with the response Rabbana lakal hamd by the congregation or for the one praying if he/she is alone.

Benefits of Al-Kauthar (Quran 108: 1-3)

1. Verily We have granted you (O Muhammad s.a.w) al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise)

2. Therefore turn to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)

3. For he who makes you angry