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Is it considered good to focus only on obligatory prayers and reduce time spent on extra acts like reading the Quran, studying Islam, and making Duas when my exams are near?

Salam everyone Lately I've been really busy with some personal issues and depressive. It's just I feel I can't achieve my goals on time. I feel my Time is running out... when I look at the clock...and just after some time I look at again ...it seems like a second but honestly it's like three hours ago The thought that I am falling behind and there is no way I can catch up, creates a gut-clutch of anxiety that leaves me feeling panicky. And separate. If I believe I am ‘behind’ someone else, I feel that awkward discomfort of icky comparison. I feel bad and I don't know how to deal with this kind of feeling. I think I'm useless and not productive enough.... I feel disoriented and sometimes I think there is no purpose of my life... random thoughts How do deal with this?

Salam! As the topic title says, how do you get Barkat in time and money. I feel like I don't have barkat. It takes me longer to complete any work than most people. Some people do so much and still they always have so much time. Also, I do earn money but I am unable to hold on to it. This is a problem I have seen with many other people. People joke about some people that they cannot keep money in their hands. I didn't understand it but it is happening to me now. As long as I have money in my account, bad things keep happening to me until I spend all of my money. It's not even about paying Khums, it seems like I cannot save any money. There are other people who have hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars but all the bhatta collectors always target me. This issue of not having barkat in time is only with me, but not having barkat in money is with a lot of people. I don't even want to earn money now because I think what's the point if I won't be able to spend it or save it. I went to Ziyarat with my mother and I noticed she is always spending money on other people. That's why people like her, and they expect the same from me. But I refuse to spend money and buy gifts. Why do I have to constantly give something to other people so that they tolerate me? I don't expect gifts from other people constantly. I thought that I am not pretty or smart, that's why people don't like me and I have to constantly spend money to please them. But my mother is very pretty and very intelligent, but people treat her in similar way. Anyway, I have heard a lot of motivational speakers talking about having barkat in time and money. Is there anyway we can get it? Are there any duas we can read?

I recently started watching Rurouni Kenshin and have been thinking to myself if what I am watching is haram because their are some haram elements such as the music in the background and mild sexual references and so on. I pray five times a day and read Quran and Dua, but I'm not sure if I could better spend my time doing something more productive. I also wanted to ask is what I'm doing a waste of time? The Quran speaks of all the good we should do while we are on this earth is watching something like anime beneficial, negative or neutral. Islamically after you finish your obligations (prayers) listen to some Quran and Dua should you further strive to learn more about Islam or is their leeway to watch tv, anime etc.

As-salaamu 'aleikum, I reverted to Shia Islam 1 year ago and wanted to ask if someone could list me highly recommended Prayers and Duas, their times when to be prayed, and location, etc. For example: I want to know good daily prayers like the prayers on Friday. I don't know anything about these. Or special actions that should be done on special days of the week. You know... just give me everything you know and are sure about ^^ I'm gonna list the things i have learned so far, or I'm learning, or i know that i want to learn. Just so that it is not repeated. I know the benefits and times of recitation for the following prayers: - 5 daily Prayers, Salat al Layl, Ayat al Kursi, Dua Imam e Zaman, Dua al-Ma'rifa-tul-Imam, Dua al-Ghareeq, Dua al-Ahd, Dua al-Nudba, Thank you very much for your help. Please also state good literature for a beginner (hadith, other books) The GOAL for me is to build a SOLID BASIS, a steadfast and consistent level of iman, because i had problems with that (flactuations). I need a good routine of Prayer, Dua, Deeds, Actions etc. Please don't state the obvious like: Reading the holy Book, or saying Takbir ( xxx times a day), etc. That is what I'm trying to achieve anyways. Thank you! May God bless you and give you the same reward for every word i recite or read.

An awesome short film made by Masaf institude about Imam of Era,... and us.

Was Allah all alone before start creating? Allah with complete, permanent, non-changing knowledge of what he is going to create would wait before creating? Time is relative concept of order or sequence, some say. Allah is a creator by nature, so Allah would create. Allah al-awwal actually describing causal relationship instead of time difference? Since Allah will not change, Allah would not start having the will to create at some point of time? Created beings exist after Allah wills it with His power with His words based on His knowledge. 7:54 and 11:7 give impression of time frame during Allah's creating. But Allah is not operating within time frame? Please help me here. Thanks.

Why Prophet was exempted from the dividing the time among wives ? Some opponents of Islam say that the Quran is not from God because there is some verses that talk about personal life of prophet that is not related to Islam and Muslims. تُرْجِي مَن تَشَاءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُؤْوِي إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ وَمَنِ ابْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَا آتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًا (Al-Ahzab.51) "You may put off whichever of them you wish and consort with whichever of them you wish, and there is no sin upon you [in receiving again] any [of them] whom you may seek [to consort with] from among those you have set aside [earlier]. That makes it likelier that they will be comforted and not feel unhappy, and all of them will be pleased with what you give them. Allah knows what is in your hearts, and Allah is all-knowing, all-forbearing." Actually , the social life of the Prophet was so busy and nearly any month has been imposed a war on him.. In addition, the responsibility of education and training people and resolving conflicts of people and fighting against hypocrites and guiding Islamic nation was upon the prophet (SAWA) So if he wanted to take the time to divide among women could not do the great responsibilities , And the prophet's life should be relaxed to perform its responsibilities without concern with peace of mind. And this is mentioned in the Quran to Muslims know this decision is only for the Prophet not others.. Also if Quran did not exempt the Prophet and the Prophet could not divided time in difficult conditions the Prophet lost the people's trust and hypocritical accused the Prophet that he introduces himself as an example, while deal with it's wives in injustice way! Therefore because of prevent this misunderstanding this verse came in the Quran. In addition, we know that the Prophet, even in the final days of life were divided time between women fairly.

Salam, I've done a cursory search for any topics on how long our prayers are or should be but have come up empty. I've seen some people mention hypothetical, such as 10min prayers but not for how many rakas. This is surprising to me how difficult it is to find such information since it is a pillar of our faith. I've seen hadiths mention Jafar Al Sadiq (as) in sujood long enough to say Subhana'Allah.. 300x! And similar narrations of the Prophet (saw) as well as his recitation of other verses or dua in certain positions at night. I don't have these narrations at hand but would like to gather them here for this discussion soon. I have a difficult time determining this, I'm sure I'll always feel the need to do more, I'd like to continue the struggle regardless of the bare minimum considering we have such great examples in the Prophet(saw) and the AhlBayt (as). Right now, I hold prayer for about 30-45 for a full 4 rakas including wudu. The mental pressure from work responsibilities (more like stigma created in my own mind) makes it hard to concentrate on the prayer which in turn makes the salat or namaz last much longer in order to make up for such breaks in concentration! Also for reference, I am a native English speaker as well as only recently starting to fulfill my obligations of the daily prayers (about a month or so) and even more recently starting Sunnah and Witr prayers ( a few days or so). By no means an example to hold up but rather quite the opposite, ignorant. I'm hoping to find hadiths of the Prophet and his family (sawwm), personal times such as averages, minimums and maximums to the best of your knowledge, and criteria for these durations, such as Sunnah vs fard, per rakah or as a whole, tired or awake, very spiritual vs not (we all have ups and downs), speaking etc... In the end, only God can measure and weigh these individually and as a whole but I'd like to have this information somewhere for our benefit. I'm recalling a verse saying we should pray until we find peace or die. That's a good place to start This would make a good app like fitbit actually! I am a programmer by trade so if any brothers or sisters would like this, I'd love to contribute for only the blessings of God regardless for your own profits.

Is the time for Jihad here? Is it that time when we all stand united with IMAM E ZAMANA(AS) and fight? All the oppression in Iraq and Palestine is driving me mad. I want to go there and fight for and with my brothers and sisters in faith. I cannot stand the pain they are going through. I need to and I want to do something for them. May Allah(SWT) ease their pain and suffering and may they find peace soon.

Canada criminalizes criticism of Israel: Analyst Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper ® and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:55PM GMT 32 The pro-Israel Canadian government is modifying the country’s criminal code to ban any criticism of the Zionist regime for atrocities against Palestinians, an analyst says. In a column for Press TV website, Brandon Martinez has analyzed the proposed cyber-bullying law (Bill C-13) by the administration of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “The Zionist ruling clique of Canada, through their front-man Stephen Harper, is seeking to beef up the already-existing Orwellian ‘hate propaganda’ law, which has been primarily used to curtail criticism of Zionists and Israel,” wrote Martinez. He said Canada’s criminal code is to ban criticism or promotion of “hatred” against people distinguished by “national origin.” “This means, say, if you condemn Israelis for their inhumane treatment of Palestinians, you could find yourself in court facing down the self-appointed thought police and commissars of political correctness,” wrote Martinez. He singled out the case of German-Canadian publisher, Ernst Zundel, who has been facing court and jail due to his criticism of Zionists who are “the self-appointed architects of public discourse, the self-declared arbiters of truth and morality.” The analyst said the Canadian police have refused to provide any protection to Zundel, whose Toronto home has been “torched by Zionist terrorists.” “Zundel’s story is a testament to the power and control of Jewish extremists in Canada,” wrote Martinez. Harper is under criticism for its violations of the rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. Many native Canadians remain among the poorest members of the Canadian society, with most of them suffering poor educational, economic and social conditions. KA/HSN/SS Full article. So the greener pasture ain't that green anymore now huh? Hahahahaha... :D

Salaam alaykum Brothers I must say first im a new shia imami, im becoming from maliki madhab and i'am in the middle of the transition, and i have some probems to understend the salaat time and the broking time of the fast in this Holy Ramadhan that will start the 9 of july ( as i get) the first i learn reading the pays of the zuhur and asr mus be praying together, and the magrib and isha too. But i didnt get exacly how is is, im sure is more simple than i think this is the time of the salat for the Tuesday Imsaak 3:35 Fajr: 3:52 Sunrise: 5:39 Dhuhur:13:09 ASR: 17:09 Sunset: 20:39 Magrib: 20:59 Isha: 22:17 in witch excltly time i must perfom the dhuhur- asr and in witch time the magrib-isha according with that time? and other acording to that time at witch time i must brock the fasting I must do this asks for here beacause i downt know any follower of Ahlul bayt (AS) in Turkey that knows english . Wa salaam and thanks for the help

Salam Dear Brothers and Sisters, This will be my first post on ShiaChat...IA I will be more active here in the future, Ok...So I have come to the conclusion that I am ready for marriage, To indeed confirm my readiness - I read: Selecting a Spouse: The Heavenly Path. It was a good read and It discussed many aspects of relationships, However I face a few obstacles that the book did not discuss-I was hoping some scholars here can help me with them: Obstacle #1) My parents are currently in the worst state of their marriage ever. You name it - it happened: police, physical & verbal fights, court, etc. Since about a few months ago third party interference has died down and now all that remains between them are angry phone calls. They do not live with each other - but they're still married. They are not in the mind set of finding someone for me - they are not even considering looking - nor do I have the heart to ask them to look for it would add to their emotional burden. Obstacle #2) Sexual Frustration: (Please stop reading now if you are not mature enough to handle this subject) I long for intimacy and gratification - this is not just a guy problem - recently its been escalating. I've done harram things which I will have to be punished for - either in this life or the next - and I need to continuously repent for my actions. In addition, because I'm a virgin I cannot undergo temporary marriage. I follow Ayatullah Syed Ali Al-Husaini Seestani. (I've done some things recently that have eased the sexual tension, i.e. exercise. I read about exercise as a form of relief somewhere on this forum and it works.) Obstacle #3) (women will understand this one more than the men) Physical attraction - although it may be verbally disregarded in dialogue about marriage - people see it as something someone should not exclusively look for in a spouse - true but it is nonetheless there - acting as an unconscious gravity. I know that if I want to get a spouse who takes care of his body - I should in turn take care of mine. The obstacle here is my weight, in my mothers paraphrased words: you need to lose weight before you can get engaged. So I've concluded she's right - it hurts - but she's right. She also has mentioned I need to grow my hair. Although there is nothing scholars can say about this issue - I still feel compelled to share it. I'm currently reading more books to increase my readiness: From Marriage to Parenthood: The Heavenly Path, Islamic Laws According to the Fatawa of Seestani, etc. Questions for Scholars: What can I do to find a spouse? Where can I start looking? What services are available for me on this site? On another recommend site? How can I ask Allah for a spouse? I feel ashamed to this - I'm not sure why. All mature comments and questions are welcomed. Was'Salam

Newly-crowned IBF/WBA titlewinner Lamont Peterson has agreed in principle to an HBO-televised return bout against Amir Khan, the man he dethroned last month for the belts by disputed decision, on May 19 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

In The Name of Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful. This is an interesting document on theology: http://www.scribd.com/doc/75311059/A-Short-Discourse-on-the-Unlimited-One dealing with three issues: God and His Attributes; God and Time; God and Omnipresence. NOTE: It is written by an amateur and NOT a Shia scholar so NOT everything in the book may be sanctioned by Shias and believed by them. Also, even though the result he tries to bring may be in line with the Shiite beliefs but his methodology and his way of reasoning - how he reaches this result - may NOT be agreed to by Shias. May Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì, bless us all, our families and our loved ones. May He guide us all to The Straight Path with His Perfect Guidance and may He, The Forgiver of Sins, The Oft Forgiving forgive all our sins for, indeed, there is neither any refuge nor any respite for the sinners except in Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì.