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I recently learned about the ruling that praying with black clothes is makrooh/discouraged (from Sayed Sistani) and wanted to ask some clarifying questions about it. I also have some other questions about the ruling of how it is makrooh to pray with shirts that have pictures of faces on them and to have your clothes unbuttoned. Please note, that I asked this question on reddit but my account was shadow banned from there. I did get some answers but couldn't ask follow-up questions so I am posting them here. I will be highlighting the question that were answered on reddit in bolded green text. For reference, here is the link to the ruling: Now since I have questions about 3 parts of the ruling I will add headers to talk about each part (also, if anyone has any hadiths that support or further explain the ruling above, I would appreciate if you can share it just so I can show it to a friend or family member as I inform them about this ruling) Part 1: Wearing black clothes while praying So I have a couple of questions about this ruling which I have listed below: Does anyone know why wearing black clothes (while praying) is considered makrooh? (answered on reddit - have more questions) REDDIT ANSWER: I did get a response about why wearing black is makrooh from a user on reddit (here is the link to the post if anyone is interested). Essentially, the response was that black was associated with the enemies of Islam since during the times of the Imams (عليه السلام) the Abbasids wore black. Similarly, Firawn was known to wear black. So wearing black was not permitted so you don't associate yourself which these evil people. But my question is why black? There are so many other things that people can wear/do that can be used as something to identify/categorize a certain group of people. And I pretty sure that the Abbasids and Firawn didn't wear black 24/7. They probably wore other colors as well? Additionally, hasn't Allah created all colors and things? How do certain corrupt people have a copyright over a certain color to the point where that color is considered makrooh to wear when praying? Does this rule apply during mourning times (such as Muharram) where we are required to wear all black? (answered on reddit - have more questions) If the answer to this question is yes, then how should one go about praying during Muharram? I know that there is the option to quickly change while you are at home but what about the times when you are at the mosque for a Majils or for Matam and the time for prayer occurs during that period? REDDIT ANSWER: So the response that I got from reddit was that praying with black clothes during Muharram or any state of mourning is not Makrooh since black is used to represent a state of mourning? I thought that black is the color of the enemies of Islam? How can black simultaneously represent mourning & be a color that is associated with the enemies of Islam? Now how would this rule apply for women? (since the abaya that women usually wear is black, especially when visiting religious sites or when doing Umrah/Hajj) (answered on reddit - have more questions) REDDIT ANSWER: So I was told how Allah dislikes it when men pray with black clothes but not women since if women wear hijabs/abayas of other colors they are not able to cover their bodies effectively in front of non-mahrams and black is the color that does the best job in covering a woman's body in front of non-mahram men. But for some reason women are required to wear white clothes during Umrah (as stated by this user + he linked this Sistani ruling which says it is preferred that the Ihram to be white during Umrah). My question is, if women are required to wear a white Ihram during Umrah how will they be able to cover themselves properly from non-mahram men since scholars mention how black is the best color that allows a woman to cover herself from non-mahram men? Does this ruling only refer to people who are wearing all black? (ex. black shirts, pants, socks) Or would it be fine for me to pray with black pants and a white shirt? (so I am essentially asking if it would be fine to pray while your outfit consists of partially black colors) Would it be makrooh if I were to pray with a black shirt/pants (or even black undergarments) but wear a white coat on top of those clothes? Part 2: Praying with clothes that has a picture of a face Why does Allah not like it when people pray with pictures of faces on a shirt? I thought that in prayer we are putting our attention towards getting close to Allah. How does face pictures on shirts or on walls take away from the fact that you are praying to Allah? I was also told how you are not allowed to pray in rooms that have pictures in it? Why is that the case? especially if you can't see the pictures when praying? Part 3: Leaving some buttons open while praying Why would leaving some buttons open (when praying) be considered Makrooh? I am not sure is this part of the ruling refers to specific buttons? (such as the buttons of your pants) or is this ruling referring to buttons that are on any part of your clothing (such as the buttons on your cufflinks) Sometimes when I pray I unbutton the cufflink buttons that are at the end of my long-sleeve shirt. Would I need to button this part of my shirt for my prayer to be valid/mustahab?

Salaams to all from this New Shia brother. Question please on Jummah - and correct me if I am wrong. We read 2x rakat salat al Jummah. Believe this replaces Zohar. In between, I notice men read 4x rakaat of something, but not sure what? What is this please? Because afterwards, after the second iqamah, I believe we read Asr prayers? Grateful for confirmation on these prayers and may Almighty God bless you all. Ameen .

SALAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM YA ALI MADAAAAAAAAD OK OK OK so as u may know its currently GCSE season. we are coming to the end of the season with just 2 weeks remaining INSHA'ALLAH PLEASE DUA AND PRAY FOR ME AND MY EXAMS AS IM VERY VERY STRESSED JAZAK ALLAH

Salaam I have a query, I read the Lord's prayer recently. and I fail to see HOW this is haram?????? "Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." What is haram about this ??? Its asking Allah to give us rizq, forgive us and save us from evil? how is it haram?? @A

Salam, Does anyone know if men are allowed to wear bandana during prayer? I'm aware that someone can simply just take it off before praying but I just want the know the ruling of what is permissible and what isn't?

hi everyone, i was wondering if having eyelash extensions is permissible when doing wudu? im talking about the ones that are stuck separately right next to the real eyelashes, it does not touch the skin? also if it depends on who you follow, i follow sayed sistani. thank you in advance

Assalamu Alaikum, I have a question regarding the combination of salah. Note : Kindly answer with reference to actual rulings from the scholars and if it’s the same with all marja’s Question : When we combine prayers ( Ex : Dhuhr and Asr ) , Shias consider The time from the beginning of dhuhr to end of asr is considered as a common time to pray both the prayers,but sunnis cannot pray dhuhr during asr unless as qadha after asr, correct? But this doesn’t apply to the shias, as they consider it a common time,correct? Now, Let’s say Dhuhr is between 12:30 to 3:00 and Asr is between 3:00 to 5:30 , ( As per sunni rulings ) , Can i pray dhuhr at 4 ( inside asr time ) and pray asr seperately at 5:15 ( inside asr time ) as well. Or is the ruling for combination is one prayer after another and no long gap inbetween? Thank you in advance

Asalamu alaykum brothers and sisters, If one does not perform namaz intentionally and this carelessness has been going on for about a month now do they have to make up for their missed namaz or would it be fine for a sincere repent to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). I’m generally confused right now as I watched a sunni scholar state the issue in a video and they said if the missed namaz was due to oversleeping or forgetting one must perform sarah immediately the minute they remember but if it was due to intentionally skipping it due to laziness one must repent and must not make up for it. Instead making voluntary prayers which I don’t know what that typically means. I’d be happy if one of you guys who knows an understanding on this with proof either from a scholar or hadith.

Salam everyone, im 24 and have recently realised that I don’t pray properly. I pray with my husband now and follow along but I feel as though that is not enough. I printed out a booklet, am I allowed to place it infront of me while praying? Am I allowed to flick the pages? My only trouble is when I’m seated down, I don’t know what to say. Can someone confirm if this is valid?

Salam brothers/Sisters, My best friend's father is suffering from cancer. And he is right now in the OT and will undergo a surgery in sometime. I have a kind request to all of you to please please pray for him for this moment. He is genuinely dear to me and is a very helpful and great person. Your prayers might help him. “amma yujeeb-ul muz-tarra iza da’ao wa yakshey fuuss soo’ أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ “Is not He, Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil”

Bismillah i Rahman i Raheem Assalaam o 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah i Wa Barakaatuh I was recently listening to a part of a Majlis and learned that Nafilah, or generally Mustahab prayers may be offered without standing, without facing the Ka'abah. This made me think, that if one would like to offer say, the Nafilah of Maghreb, then will he only pray the prescribed number of Rakats or will he double them if he prays sitting down? I am aware that the 1 Nafilah of Isha is to be prayed as 2 Rakats while sitting down as an obligatory precaution. What about Salat ul Layl, can one perform all of it without facing the Ka'abah and not standing up? If so, will he also need to double the number of it's Rakats? Also, does this also mean that say, a 2 Rakat prayer of Shukrana (thanks) may also be prayed similarly (as in not facing the Ka'abah, not standing up) with/without doubling? JazakAllah Wa 'Alaikum Assalaam Wa Rahmatullah i Wa Barakaatuh

Rumour has it that Witchcraft do prevent prayers from being answered. Living in an environment where witch craft is prevalent. How do one ultimately protect or curre self from witchcraft influence?

I recently watched this Youtube video (which is in Urdu). I watch these type of videos now and then. But this video has stressed me so much. As I know that Shirk is unforgivable and the biggest sin, I am scared of even practising Salah. During Salah or Prayer, millions of things and thoughts come and go through my mind. In this video, the scholar says that 99% of people are committing shirk, because people who think of someone else during prayer, are doing shirk. I just THINK he is wrong(Its just my opinion, so please correct me if I'm wrong). Shirk is simply worshipping someone else besides Allah, or compare someone else with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). I do not think that I am worshipping of whom I am thinking (Naa'oozu billah). I cannot stop myself from thinking other things. I know I am standing in front of Allah during prayer, but thinking of someone or something else during prayer doesn't make it shirk. If I am wrong so please correct me, I will really appreciate it, and I will try my best to think of nothing but Allah during Prayer(Salah).

Salam everyone, ive been struggling to pray lately, I think about prayer all day and when I don’t pray I’m thinking about it too. But I’m having trouble getting up to pray. It’s on my mind 24/7 but I don’t understand why I can’t get up and pray. I’m hoping there’s an explanation for it. I don’t understand why I feel guilt all day but never get up and pray? I need something to push me to pray, I need help. I know how important it is and I really want to get use to praying but why do I feel guilt all day but don’t get up? any advice on how to be consistent or motivated to pray?

Salam everyone, I know this is stupid & I know that prayer is bare minimum. But I’ve been so lazy to pray lately, I promise myself that I’m going to pray & then I just walk past the prayer mat. I think about prayer all day but never do it.. why? Please don’t judge but I just wanted to know if anyone has advice on motivating me to pray.. I’m willing to do anything. Wallah I don’t know why I am like this, I know how important it is but please any advice to keep me going & sticking to prayer will help so much

This post was made because I want people to post Hadith of the Importance of the Turbah of Karbala, I will start, • Umm Salama (عليها السلام) says: I saw Husayn (عليه السلام) sitting in the lap of his grandfather, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), who had a red block of soil in his hand. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was kissing the dust and weeping. I asked him what that soil was. The Prophet (عليه السلام) said: "Gabriel (عليه السلام) has informed me that my son, this Husayn, will be murdered in Iraq. He has brought this earth for me from that land. I am weeping for the suffering that will befall my Husayn." Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) handed the dust to Umm Salama (عليها السلام) and said to her: "When you see this soil turn into blood, you will know that my Husayn has been slaughtered." Umm Salama (عليها السلام) kept the soil in a bottle and kept watch over it until she saw on the day of Ashura, 10th of Muharram 61 A.H., that it turned to blood. Then she knew that Husayn bin Ali (عليه السلام) had been martyred. [al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, vol. 4, p. 398] [al-Dhahabi, Siyar a`lam al-nubala', vol. 3, p. 194] [Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa'l-nihayah, vol. 6, p. 230] [al-Suyuti, Khasa'is al-kubra, vol. 2, p. 450; Jam` al-Jawami, vol. 1, p. 26] [Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Tahdhib al-tahdhib , vol. 2, p. 346] • 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام), passed by Karbala after the battle of Siffin. He took a handful of its soil and exclaimed: 'Ah, ah, on this spot some men will be slain, and will enter Paradise without reckoning!' [Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Tahdhib al-tahdhib , vol. 2, p. 348] • After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام), his son Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (عليه السلام) picked some up, declared it to be sacred dust, and kept it in a bag. The Imams (a) used to perform prostrations on it and make a tasbih out of it, and recited Allah's praises on it. [Ibn Shahrashub, al-Manaqib, vol. 2, p. 251] • The Imams (a) insisted that prostration before Allah must be on clean earth only and that it was preferable if it was performed on that earth of Karbala. [al-Tusi, Misbah al-Mutahajjad, p. 511] [al-Saduq, Man la yahduruhu'l faqih, vol. 1, p. 174]

Assalamualaikum, i would like to ask about the marja' fatwas about applying social distancing during congregational prayer. Is it permissible? Or it is problematic?

Thanks to the resources of Al-Islam.org and the efforts of many here on SC, I pray five times a day, every day, to the best of my ability. As I was initially reading pamphlets that did not come from Shia sources, I am relearning certain parts of my prayer (qunut, the correct words for certain segments of the prayer). My first question is whether or not I can offer prayers at different times in addition to my five dailies. An example of this would be to offer four rakah between Dhur and Asr for the sake of practicing, so that my obligatory prayers would be better in pronunciation, saying the correct phrases, etc. My second question is regarding supplication. I can offer a supplication at any point in the day, not just after the obligatory prayers & these do not have to be in a specific posture or be made in Arabic, yes? As a Christian, I spent a lot of time just "talking to God ((سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى))" about my concerns, fears, and dreams from when I was driving or riding in a car, working on the computer, or even working in the metal shop. I ask because I need to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and I feel like I don't "talk" to Him (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) enough right now. Any answers will be appreciated, thank you in advance.

Bismillah Al-rahman Al-rahim. Is there any hadith from the twelve Imams (عليه السلام) or the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) that describes how to perform the Salat Al-Istighfar? I've googled but people tend to say different things like do 2 Rak'ats or 4 Rak'ats and honestly I don't know if there's any difference between Shia or Sunni opinion on how to perform this salaat. I would appreciate if someone could guide me in full detail. Wa-asalam.

Are Shia required to preform prayer in congregation like Sunnis do?

So, for a while now I've noticed that ny skin dries up after wudhu and I don't particularly like the feeling and I feel bad for my skin; I avoid using lotion tho cause I've read on some Sunni site that it invalidates your Salah and not your wudhu either. I know it's better to use non alcoholic lotions but it's hard to find and also why shouldn't you use alcohol containing products after wudhu? Is it fine if you wait a little and let the alcohol evaporate (like perfumes for examples)?

Wasalam, Do you guys have any tips for those who struggle with praying at adhan time, and instead they keep delaying it? How is one able to rid themselves of such procrastination? Thanks!

If you get your period while praying, should you stop the prayer or continue? Do you have to make it up later or no?

Salaamun-aleykum I have been using http://www.praytime.info/ tool to generate prayers times as I traveled. But since few months ago it’s location setting software is not working stating some issue with google maps. Does anyone know who owns this software and if the developer can fix API to google maps. I really like that tool and have been using it for many years. Thanks

Salam alaykum brothers and sister, Everyday we as Shia pray according to a general method of salat that is agreed upon by the majority of scholars. Albeit very minor differences concerning the details, the method of prayer appears to be well defined in the publications of the maraja and follows a specific fixed structure. My questions is concerning the sources used to understand the exact form of prayer. What are the ahadith of the Masomeen (pbut) that tell us which surah to recite, when to bow down, what to say in prostration etc. I have come across one famous hadith from Imam Jafar Sadiq (عليه السلام) transmitted by Hammad ibn Isa. I would be glad if anyone could provide me with further textual sources regarding this matter. Wassalam