Page 135 - The Importance of the Ahl Al-Sunnah

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tyrant ruler, making little of it (prayer) or denying it, Allah
will neither unite his gathering nor bless his affairs. Be
aware, his prayer will not be valid and his zakat or hajj
will not be accepted. As long as he does not repent, nei-
ther his fasting nor his virtue will be accepted. So, he who
repents, Allah will restore for him His Grace (and forgive
him).” (Ibn Majah)

The Tarawih Prayer
This prayer is a sunnah mu’akkad for men and women,
because the Prophet (saas) performed it and his Companions
(Ashab al-Kiram) and the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs contin-
ued to do so after his death. It is sunnah to pray this prayer in
congregation. (Zaylai, Nasbur Raya, 2:152; al-Shawqani, Nayl al-
Awtar, 3:50; al-Zuhayli, Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuh
[1405/1985], 2:43)
Tarawih is performed only during the month of Ramadan
after the night prayer and before the witr prayer. It is musta-
habb (recommended) to pray it after midnight or after one-
third of the night has passed. Although it can be performed
alone, it is more virtuous to pray it in congregation.
According to the Hanafi school and based on Umar’s (ra)
actions, this prayer consists of twenty rak‘ahs. Toward the end
of his caliphate, he performed this prayer as twenty rak‘ahs as
head of state at al-Masjid al-Nabawi. None of the Companions
opposed him. The Prophet (saas) said:
“You must then follow my sunnah and that of the rightly
guided caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it.” (Sunan Abu
Dawud, Book 40, Number 4590)

Prayer surahs
Surat al-Fatiha

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