Religion

Leading the prayer, Reading the Quran without Wudu, Women in Namaz-e-Janaza

Q 1. I have a dilemma of understanding an important issue of our daily life. My understanding is that only an adult man with a good command of Islamic knowledge can lead the prayer. Due to lack of mosques in the U.S.A, whenever we Muslims get together in each other’s houses we start saying our prayer in our houses without a proper imam. Normally we select one of us and have him to lead us for the Salah. Some times, I have seen that even parents ask their teen-age children to lead the prayer. Once I had to say my prayer behind a nine years old child. Could you please throw some light on this issue and help me understand the basic principal of this matter.
A 1. It is good to pray in Jama’ah. Wherever there are two or more Muslims together they should pray in Jama’ah. The Imam should be an adult (baligh) if he is leading the prayers of adults. Minors (non-baligh) are not allowed to lead obligatory (fard) prayers. They can lead voluntary (nafl) prayers if they know about Taharah and can read the Qur’an well. It is good to ask young children of seven years or older to lead nafl prayers sometimes to encourage them and teach them how to lead prayers.
When praying in Jama’ah in someone’s home, the man of the house (sahib al-manzil) has the right to lead the prayer, if he knows how to do it. (Lady of the house can also lead the prayer, if there are only ladies praying together.) The outsiders should not lead prayer in someone’s home without his permission. Among the Muslims in general the person who knows the Qur’an more should be given preference in leading the prayer. If they are all almost equal in their knowledge of the Qur’an then the person who knows more Sunnah should be given preference. Otherwise the most senior person can be chosen to lead the prayer. These are recommendations only. It is permissible for a less knowledgeable (even less pious) person to lead in prayer those who are more knowledgeable (or more pious) than him, as long as he knows the basic rules and method of prayer. The following Hadith of the Prophet -peace be upon him- gives the guidelines in this matter:
Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, “The person who can best read the Book of Allah will lead the people (in prayer). If they are equal in reading, then the one who has more knowledge of the Sunnah. If they are equal in the knowledge of Sunnah, then the one who was first in making the Hijrah (from Makkah to Madinah). If they are equal in that then the one who is more senior (or older) in Islam. Let not a person lead the prayer in the place of the authority of another person and let him not sit in his house in his place of honor, except by his permission.” (Muslim, Hadith no. 1078)
Q 2. Can we read the Qur’an without being in the state of Wudu, but of course being neat and clean?
A 2. For a Muslim the real criteria of being neat and clean is to be Tahir. Taharah is more than being neat and clean. A person is generally considered neat and clean in the society even if he has passed some urine or stool and then wiped himself and washed his hands. But according to the Shari’ah, he is not Tahir. He has to make Wudu to be fully clean and Tahir. As far as the reading of the Qur’an is concerned, it is very important that one should touch the Book of Allah with great respect and reverence and should be in a state of Taharah. It is forbidden (Haram) to read the Qur’an when a person is Junub (after sexual intercourse or wet dream) until he/she takes a full bath. Women in their menses or post-natal bleeding (Hayd and Nifas) can read the Qur’an from memory, but should not touch it, except for female teachers and students who are allowed to touch the Qur’an, as a special case (according to Imam Malik). It is highly recommended and very much emphasized that Muslims males and females always touch the
Qur’an with Wudu. Allah says about the Qur’an, “None touches it except those who are pure.” (al-Waqi’ah 56:79) Although this Ayah is about the angels, but our jurists say that if the most pure angels touch the Qur’an, then human beings should also do that in the state of full purity.
Q 3. This question is from my mother who wanted to know if it is permissible for women to pray the namaaz-e-janaazah with jamaat, which is of course led by the imam?
A 3. Salatul Janazah (funeral prayer) is a Fard Kifayah on men. It means that in a community some Muslims should perform it. If a Muslim dies in a community and some Muslims pray the funeral prayer for that person, then it is enough on behalf of every one. However, if no one does that then the whole community is sinful due to this negligence. It is permissible for women to pray Salatul Janazah with other Muslims in Jama’ah, but it is not obligatory on them. They do not have to leave their homes to attend the funeral prayer, but if they are available or wish to go to the funeral prayer, they are allowed to do so.
Q 4. What is the correct understanding of the verses in the Holy Qur’an in Surah al-Ma’idah, giving particular attention to the ones pertaining to the non-Muslims. How are we to understand the ayah when Allah(AWJ) says: “To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute.” (al-Ma’idah 5:48)
I personally am having difficulty understanding the orthodox position on the status of the non-Muslims. It appears from this ayah that Allah has allowed other revealed religions to come into being to test who will be best in what He revealed to those people. Please explain. (H. Radee Abdullah)
A 4. If you read this Ayah in its context and study the verses 5:44- 50 you will understand the meaning of this Ayah. Allah says that human beings should live by Allah’s rules in their lives. Those who do not govern their lives according to Allah’s rules they are Kafirs (non-believers) Fasiq (rebellious) and Zalim (wrong-doers). He mentioned that He gave the Taurat to the Children of Israel for their guidance but they did not follow its rules properly. He sent the Injil (Gospel) with Jesus -peace be upon him, but the people of Injil did not take care of it. Now He has sent the Qur’an.
The basic points that this Ayah (5:48) gives are as follows:

The Qur’an is the Final revelation of Allah. It contains basically the same message that was given before through other Prophets -peace be upon them all. It confirms whatever is true in previous scriptures and it is a confirmation of the prophecies told in those scriptures about the coming of Allah’s Final Prophet and Messenger Muhammad -peace be upon him.
Allah’s Prophets and their revealed Books gave the message of Tawhid (i.e there is only one God and all worship should be directed to Him and Him alone.), although they differed in some laws and rules (shir’ah wa minhaj).
The Qur’an is complete and comprehensive. Muslims should live by its message and should not follow any other incomplete and unauthentic message in which other people’s vain desires (ahwa’) have infiltrated.
If Allah had willed He would have forced all people to accept the message of the Qur’an, but He has given them the freedom to choose by their own will. So you Muslims continue doing the good deeds and be good examples among the people. Your deeds must be better than others. Do not argue or dispute too much with others. You shall all return to God and He will make the final judgment between all of you.

The Islamic position about non-Muslims is that they should recognize Allah’s Tawhid and Prophet Muhammad as Allah’s Final Prophet for them. They should accept Islam to live happily and successfully in this world and to be saved in the Hereafter. It is Muslims’ duty to give them this message clearly, but without any coercion or intolerance. If others accept this message it is good for them, but if they do not accept, Muslims should still treat them with kindness and gentleness and leave the final judgment to Allah. In our enthusiasm for Da’wah we should not be intolerant and aggressive towards others, but in our politeness and civility we should also not give up our mission and message. We should not be intimidated to become quiet and we should not feel shy to tell the truth. We must know that Islam is Allah’s way for salvation. Islamic message is unique, authentic and divine. Islam is for the whole world and all people are invited to accept this message. It is our duty to give this invitation of Allah in the most beautiful and effective manner. We should be the witnesses of Allah to the world by our words and our deeds to all human beings.