MUSLIMAH SCRIBBLER - bringing out the beauty of Islam to the World

Facts and Misconceptions about Istikhara Prayer In the previous post we discussed the basics of Istikhara Prayer and the way to perform it.  If you haven't read it, please go through it first. In this post we will be discussing the misconceptions or myths that revolve around Istikhara Prayer. This is a very important topic so please read till end. MISCONCEPTION 1    "I should Ask Someone Else to do Istikhara on my behalf" I often hear people say, "How can I perform Istikhara when I do not even pray all my daily prayers sincerely"  or  "I do not have enough knowledge of deen, I better ask someone else to do it for me" Some people believe that it is required of them to have a certain kind of ilm (knowledge) in order to perform Istikhara on their own. So they ask others who they think are more pious than them to perform it on their behalf.  This is an erroneous belief. Look at the following hadeeth. Narrated b...

How to Pray Istikhara Prayer How often do you find yourself stuck in a situation wherein you have to take a decision or make a choice . It could be a life changing decision like choosing a  job, spouse or it could be something as simple as choosing between two cars. We all have been there. The thought that you do not know the outcome of your decision can get you extremely nervous and anxious . Who else except The Creator knows what is best for you. Our knowledge is limited but HE سبحانه وتعالى is The knower of All, seen and unseen. For this very reason Allah عزوجل has blessed us with a prayer known as Salat Al Istikhara - The Prayer of Guidance. What is Istikhaara The word Istikhara means to ask Allah عزوجل to guide you to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed. Salatul Istikhara is a prayer in which you ask Allah to help you in making a decision , or to choose the best of two or more things when you need to choose just one of them. ...

The day of 'Arafah We often get so much involved in our lives that we tend to forget the real purpose of our existence. This dunya is full of uncertainty and there is no assurity of us making it to the next day, leave alone next year. While this thought is scary, it is worth acknowledging that Allah سبحانه وتعالى , The Most Merciful , has favoured few days over others and HE has greatly multiplied the rewards of simple acts of worship in these days. Then is it not our duty to make the most of it? Won't we be losers if we let the opportunity go  with the excuse that it is not fard and only a sunnah ! As most of you know I am referring to fasting the day of 'Arafah which is an expiation for the sins of two years. However there is much more to the day of 'Arafah that most of us do not know. WHAT IS THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH IN ISLAM ? The day of Arafah falls on the 9th of dhul hijjah   (12th month of the Islamic calender) every year. It is the ...

Pilgrims performing Tawaf  WHAT IS HAJJ IN ISLAM Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) is the 5th pillar of Islam. The word Hajj comes from the Arabic word Hajja , the literal meaning of which is to move towards something. In Islam, Hajj means to go to the Sacred house (Ka'bah) and perform certain actions. Hajj starts on 8th dhul hijjah (12th month of Islamic Calender) and ends on either 12th or 13th. Read about the virtues of dhul-hijjah (The month of Hajj) here. RULINGS ON HAJJ HAJJ IS OBLIGATORY UPON EVERY ADULT AND SANE MUSLIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IT. "And Hajj to the House (ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (denies hajj),  then Allah stands not in need of the Aalameen. (mankind, jinn and all that exists [The Quran 3:97] So if you are in  good health , having the financial means, means of transportation, sufficient funds t...