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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).

Islam considers Praying (Salat) five times a day [1] as one of the most important practical principles. The more times one does something, the more it becomes part of him/her and his/her character; so does prayer. Also, if there were just one prayer a day, people would be more at risk of skipping it by telling themselves: it is only one! Let’s do it tomorrow! But, essentially, why should Muslims perform the daily prayers? Here are some of the answers to this question. Daily Prayers in Islam (Salat) Help to Be Always Clean Of the prerequisites of the prayer is the purity of the body from major impurities , minor ones [ii], and the purity of clothes and place. These conditions need a state of physical and spiritual cleanliness to stand before God. So, praying five times a day bounds Muslims to take a bath regularly, wash the face and hands at least five times a day. These are the practices of personal and public hygiene. According to Prophet Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)), the prayers act like a river passes nearby one’s house: “If there was a river at your door and you took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on you? That is the parable of the five prayers by which Allah removes sins from one’s soul.”[1]. Moreover, several narrations recommend wearing perfume and brushing the teeth before ablution (Wudu) and prayers (Salat) [2,3,4]. These and other narrations, emphasize the importance of appearing clean in public and private. Daily Prayers in Islam (Salat) Promote Solidarity among Human beings and End Social Rankings Muslims, all, should pray in the same uniform way, and manner, facing the same direction. No matter what their social position is, where they are on this planet, and what language they speak. This, particularly, means that all human beings are the same before God. Moreover, all the identical acts and words during prayer and positioning towards the same direction, are the practices of promoting solidarity among Muslims, especially when repeated at some times every day. Becoming Organized by Praying every day Praying five times a day at certain intervals is an important tool. Since it allows a Muslim to organize his/her day, be aware of time, practice and take the control over his/her daily life. Spiritual Impacts of Daily Prayers in Islam (Salat) Becoming more Confident Much of what we say in our prayers is actually asking for divine help to be righteous in our decisions and actions. And, God has promised in the Quran to respond to whoever that calls him (40:60). This gives a good feeling. Knowing that a kind, wise and superior power hears us and will help us through the hard moments. He also makes us more confident and determined in our decisions. Inner Peace Just as we need food to meet our physical needs, Islam teaches us to pray and worship to get the food for our souls. That is inner peace and tranquility. Fewer Errors and Sins One of the main objectives of daily prayers (Salat) is to remember God. It also helps to purify ourselves and keep away all the evil thoughts and actions. "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing ... And Allah knows that which you do." (29:45). Prophet Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)) said that Satan is afraid of the faithful Muslim who performs the prayers (Salat) in their right times. Once a Muslim forgets to do the prayer at the right time, Satan becomes encouraged to tempt him/her to do great sins [5]. If we once do wrong to someone, we will be ashamed of him/her, or we do not even dare to face him/her the next time we meet. Prayer has the same effect. It is the confrontation of one's conscience, knowing that nothing can be hidden from God, whether manifested or concealed. Then, it becomes more difficult to commit evil deeds when we have to stand five times a day in front of God who knows every detail about us. Remembering the Philosophy of Life Another purpose of prayer for a Muslim is to remember. At fixed intervals, no matter how busy a Muslim is, he/she might ask himself, “OK, why am I here, what do I do in this world?” Also, prayer helps Muslims to be accountable for their daily actions which greatly change their perceptions of life. On top of everything, worshiping God is the purpose for which the humankind was created: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56). Last but not least, what do we usually do to one who has done a favor to us? The answer is: try our best to compensate, or at least to thank him/her even several times. Now, how can we compensate the blessings that God has given us? It is not possible! Then, we pray to thank Him for all the wonderful, beautiful blessings that He has given us. Although we do not deserve many of them. Notes: Can be removed by ritual bathing (Ghusl) [ii] Can be removed by ablution (Wudu) References:

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!

Salam, if someone is at someone else's house and he became najis in the bathroom and it's almost time for prayer can he pray in that najis state?

Salaam brothers and sisters! I opened a thread some months ago, but in case not everybody knows I converted to Shia islam about a year ago! I'm currently living in Barcelona, Spain, and here the Shia community is pretty small... I made some research and I could find a Shia Islamic Center in Barcelona, but it is about 40 minutes from where I live. Close to my house (less than 5 min) they opened a new Mosque, with new materials, modern setting-up, and looking pretty beautiful. Buuuut, it is a Sunni mosque (since the majority of muslims here in Spain are Sunni). I of course can drive or go to the Shia one sometimes, but for a 'daily' visit, would it be a problem maybe going to the Sunni mosque? Would Sunni brothers take it as an offence? To make a different wu'du, prayers, usage of turbah, etc..? Thanks for reading and your attention!

salam alaykum! When i was a child I got abused by my father. He used to abuse my mother and siblings too. sometimes he would just leave me and my family for a long time, like a half year. He would go to our homeland, iraq. After some time we decided to move there. We lived there a year and then moved back. Time passed, he changed. He's not abusing me anymore. Not long time ago my brother started to abuse me. One time he even wanted too kill my mother, i know its crazy. He was out of he's mind. My mom did forgive him. But now we moved back to iraq. I really don't want to live here but i want a change. I used to pray but not all the time, its on and off. I was in a really dark place. No one was there for me not even my mother. Whenever I would tell her in tears that I'm feeling sad and she'd say "you are so unthankful go away". But after the years passed i started to sin. I lost my faith. I believed in Allah SWT of course but I wasn't really righteous or so. I've been suffering a lot. But after all this time I started to pray. I've become more righteous. But the thing is my mother, she always says something or does something to push me away. I'm so tired. I'm really trying to be good with her. I admit i'm not the perfect child. i have my mistakes. but It feels like she doesn't even love me, seriously. I feel very unloved in my family. Its not like i've been the devil or so hahah. I'm understanding to my parents, i don't get them upset, i don't get angry at them unlike my brother. He has never been understanding he has just been a huge pain in the ass but still they love him more. I'm not jealous i just want to know why? have i done something to make them hate me? whenever i ask them they say that they love me even more than my brother. I know its a lie, I'm not a fool. I'm just tired not having anyone by my side. and now when i've moved to iraq it just made things worse. I really want to move back. I'm just so tired, I'm exhausted. Seriously i wouldn't mind if someone would kill me and that makes me sick, because i should be grateful for breathing. I'm really trying to have patience. When i didn't pray i was really depressed and i felt empty but now I pray but still i feel exhausted but not depressed. Not like before. What should i do? can i even do anything? Is Allah trying to test my patience?

Salam alayikum! Whenever I pray it feels hard to breathe and I feel this huge pain in my heart. Even when its cold I feel warm, sometimes I even start to sweat. Can you give me an answer why? I would really appreciate an answer.

Salam aleykum, I was wondering how one can pray on an airplane when one cannot do it standing? I have heard many different things and I would just like some clarity regarding how it is done. In the past I have been lucky with prayer times but I have a flight coming up iA where I think my prayers will become qadha if i dont perform them in the air.

Why is the Shia Prayer different to the way Sunnis pray ?

If I wear a very long Hijab (I think its called Jilbab? Example here, Do I have to wear clean clothing underneath as well? (e.g. new pyjama's) Because I go to the bathroom in my pyjama's, can I wear something on top of them to pray in?

Salamun Aleykum dear brothers and sisters, I wanted to ask a question about reciting loud- or silently during prayers. I'm not talking about the Qirat (reciting Surah al-Hamd and another Surah of the holy Quran). I want to know if I have to recite, while Ruku or Sajda, the recitations loud or silent (Subhana rabial Adhimi wa bihamdih & Subhana Rabi'al ala wa bi'Hamdih and the Tashahud and Taslim). My Marjaa Taqlid is Seyed Ayatullah Sistani. Excuse my english, but I'm not a native english speaker, nor am I living in the UK or USA ! Looking forward for your Answers! Wa Aleykum Salam WalAsr

Alsalamu Alaykum Allah says: “وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ” “I did not create the jinn and the humans except that they may worship Me”. [The Quran 51:56] According to the above mentioned verse, worshiping is the purpose of man’s creation, but in one hand, worshiping of Allah is not merely summarized to theoretical matters and spiritual actions but has physical and material aspects, in addition to them, like; praying, fasting, jihad, etc. On the other hand, man has both physical and mental structures in a way that Allah has appointed his body as steed and tools for his spirit. Spirit, without body, is not able to do fighting, sabering and so on, or even bowing down to his Lord. Body, due to be material, is in dire need to material affairs to be alive in such a manner that will be exhausted and died without them, some affairs like; water, food, air, etc. Spirit also, without tools and material causes, is not able to do acts of worship and spiritual works, then the purpose of man's creation will not be achieved, therefore sustenance and livelihood are vital for man’s body. So due to have capability to worship the Lord, it has been emphasized in Islam to do working to gain Halal property. Actually worship and earn livelihood are interdependent, because spirit of man without his body is not able to perform worship and his body without food is not stable. It is reported a Hadith from the prophet [peace be upon Him] to have said, ‘َالکادُّ لِعِیالِهِ کَالْمُجاهدِ فی سَبیلِ الله’ ‘Someone who tries to earn his family’s livelihood is as like as one who does jihad in Allah's way’. Hence Allah has expressed the case of man’s livelihood after the purpose of his creation, since He said, ‘Indeed it is Allah who is the All-provider, Powerful and All-strong’. [The Quran 51:58]

Asalam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakato I hope my sisters are all in good faith and good health inshallah <3 Before i begin, i ask again that please if there are any sneaky brothers on here, respect the situation and stop reading. Bismillah. Sisters i need your help, coming from a sunni family and being an undercover shia, i need the answer to this difficult question. Can i still fast, pray, fulfill marital obligations, etc...if i am "spotting"? As in, i'm finished my menstrual cycle but i keep seeing a little bit of blood everyday. Can i still pray? This has never happened to me before, it's only because i messed up on my contraceptives, thats what my doctor said. And i asked my mom but she is unsure of the answer, she told me that i still cannot pray. Please provide hadiths with answers if you can? Thank you sisters <3 Walaikum Asalam

This is a question by a member who wishes to remain anonymous. I read somewhere that from the time of Sunset until the time of Maghrib that we should not pray. This might be because other people would see us praying and think either 1) we are praying too early or 2) they would rush to pray Maghrib when it was not Maghrib time yet. Is it true that there is a prohibition of praying between Sunset and Maghrib and we should only make dua during that time? If we are in our private room and nobody can see us praying, can we pray a prayer between Sunset and Maghrib, to make up a prayer that we missed from our past?

I have a question regarding fatwas from Ayatollah Sistani and Ayatollah Khui relating to the dress worn while praying: According to Ayatollah Khui: Makrooh Things 874. To wear a black, dirty or tight dress or the dress of a person who is a drunkard or a dress (or a ring) which carries the image of a living creature upon it. http://www.al-islam.org/islamic-laws-ayatullah-abul-qasim-al-khui/prayers#abominable-things According to Ayatollah Sistani: Makrooh Things Issue 874: To wear a black, a dirty, or a tight dress, or to put on a dress of a person who is a drunkard, or of one who is careless about najasat. Similarly, to wear a dress which has images printed or drawn on it, to keep the buttons open, to wear a ring which has images engraved on it. http://www.al-islam.org/islamic-laws-ayatullah-al-uzma-sayyid-ali-al-husaini-seestani/rules-salat-part-i-iii My question is that Khui mentions a dress with the image of a living creature upon it as makrooh while Sistani mentions a dress which has images printed or drawn upon it as makrooh. Does this mean if I wear a shirt while praying with a picture of a non living thing on it for e.g. 'a cricket bat' its not makrooh according to Khui but makrooh according to Sistani? Or does Sistani also imply a living creature when he uses the word 'images'? I am asking this question as alot of people around me, myself included, sometimes wear T shirts with images (living or non living) drawn upon them while praying. I will be grateful if someone can please provide some answers on my query and help me with the clarification.

Because of my age and non muslim family I say,my prayers in english and have had trouble finding rakats etc. In english. I did download the shia toolkit app which has the quran, dua, ziarahh, and salah in mostly english with some being in arabic,or urdu only. Is it permissable to say all prayers in english for now? I would,like to learn arabic,but i cant right,now.

As salam alaykoum wa rahmatoulahi wa barakatuh, I know a man can pray anywhere right? But what about a woman, I was wondering if it was allowed for her to pray "on the go"? for example: in a park, in an airport, etc... that would imply that people might see her since those places are public obviously... JazakAllah khairan for your answers!

A sunni brother asked me, "why do shias pray through Imam Mahdi or one of the imams in the time of help or when we need something?" So if anyone can answer this it would be greatly appreciated Hamza