Prayer and Wudu

Prayer and Wudu

12/17/2003 Q011 - Duas Against Curses Placed on People
11/25/2003 Q010 - Duas Against Curses Placed on People
11/25/2003 Q009 - Changing Physical Features Through Duaa
11/10/2003 Q008 - Wudu
11/05/2003 Q007 - Wudu
02/23/2003 Q006 - Not Understanding Namaz(Prayer)
02/06/2002 Q005 - Friday Prayer
01/12/2002 Q004 - Making up missed Sala
01/11/2002 Q003 - Sala at Work
08/22/2001 Q002 - Urination and Bathing
06/26/2001 Q001 - In regards to Salatal-Tahajjud

12/17/2003
Return to top Q011:
Assalamualaikum Dear Imam,
Kindly DUA for my husband to at least write/call me to let us know about our marriage. He is missing. I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH and all I want is for us to be together soon. Are there Duas/AYAH which I could recite to make him love me and remember us? Thank you and wassallam

12/17/2003 A011:
Dear Sister
Assalam Alaikum

You need to look for him through the concerned agencies, try to do what is needed to be done first then Pray Allah saying O Allah, Bring me my husband as you joined between Jacob and his son Joseph through your Mercy and Kindness. Keep up your prayer and ask Allah in your Sujood (While prostrating and kneeling down and before Salaam (finishing your Prayer. May Allah be with you.
Yours,
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

11/25/2003
Return to top Q010:
Salaam Imam Sahaab,

I just wanted to ask if you could email me some duas a person can read who has the effect of black magic on her. The situation is that I have a friend who ends up in a lot of pain, headaches, ear aches, stomach pains when she sees her relative. It happens whenever my friend sees her aunty because they do not get on with each other. My friend thinks it is due to jealousy and her aunt placing a (badduwa) curse on her.
I would really appreciate it if you could e-mail me possible duas so the curse does not take affect. I haven't had the time to see my Imam and wasn't sure about some of the sites on the net.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
k-hafiz

11/25/2003 A010:
Assalam Alaikum
I feel very sorry for your friend and her suffering. I will pray Allah for her. The best thing is to read for her the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah (1-5), Aayat Al-Kursi (Verse No. 255) in the same Surah, the End of Surat Al-Baqarah (verses 285 till the end), and Surat Al-Kaferoon(109), verses 112, 113, 114.
Also you can read to her the Duaa: "I seek refuge with the perfect word of Allah from every bad eye, from the unseen harmful things and from evil of Satan. I ask the Almighty Allah, the Lord of the glorious throne, to cure you", (three times) then conclude with Al-Fatihah.
May allah bless you and her, Inshaallah.
Yours,
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

11/25/2003
Return to top Q009:
Assalamu Alaikum,

I have a question about whether we have any wazaif/wirdh/dua to make ourselves look better. For example, incresing height, getting fairer complexion, etc.
Please Reply back.
Respectful Regards

11/25/2003 A009:
Assalam Alaikum
The height, and getting fairer complexion, and other things are God given. They are also due to many factors of physical growth, family linage, country and some other factors that scientists and phycisians know. There is no wird or Duaa to change things like that in a given time. Yes you can ask and make duaa and based on your sincerity Allah will make things look attractive to you and you will have full satisfaction for what God gives you and chooses for you.
Yours,
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

11/10/2003
Return to top Q008:
Asalaam Alaikum Wrb,

I have a problem that whenever I do wudu, a certain very minute amount of air releases after a few minutes of my wudu. Can you tell me how to make istikhara as I am unable to maintain my wudu for more than 10 minutes?

Also tell me the right way of having istikhara and please mention some other methods of istikhara, if any.

Also mention the conditions to follow in the istikara in relation to my above said problem.

Furthermore, can you tell me how to see Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream?

Also tell me some wazeefa for having the love and friendship of God Almighty.

11/10/2003 A008:
Assalam Alaikum

In regard to the issue of Wudu(ablution), the best method is that you make wudu only when you are ready to make your prayer, which means make wudu and pray right away. If any air is released after that or even during the prayer you should not worry about that, If you can ask your doctor he might be able to help you get rid of that.

As for the Istekharah, it is to make two rakaah then to pray Allah and ask him to guide you for the right decision and to name the thing you make Estekharah for, and then to say "O God, if You know that this matter is good for me, make it easy for me, and if You know that this matter is not in my benefit please take it away from me." After that see where your hearts goes? and make up your mind and go from there.

About seeing the Prophet (pbuh) you just Do your Fard, fulfill your obligations, stay away from what Allah had forbidden and establish a good relationship with Allah and His messenger and do more Nafl if you can and leave the rest to Allah.
Yours,
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

11/05/2003
Return to top Q007:
Asalaam Alaikum Wrb,
Could you please help with my problems?

1) If you urinate on your hands or feet can you wash them with water only or do you also need to use soap so they are considered clean? Does this apply to areas on your body covered with sperm or pre sperm?

2) If an area of carpet has dry urine/ excrement /sperm/ pre sperm and you walked over it with wet feet would your Wudu be valid so you can perform Salaat? And if you need to wash something off how would you do it?

3) I know that there is dry urine on the carpet at home and I have walked over it with wudu (wet feet) and gone and prayed at the local mosque. When I now go to that mosque I feel guilty that my salaat will not be accepted as the carpet at the mosque is dirty/ impure because of walking over the dry urine on the carpet at home, and I feel my wudu is broken. Some of my family members have also gone to different mosques, and I now feel that their carpets are impure and I cannot concentrate when I pray there.

4) My parents forgot to circumcise me when I was a baby and now I am 20 yrs old and want to get it done. Does it have to be done by a Muslim doctor?

Could you please answer these 4 questions for me because they are affecting my Salaat? Jazakallahu Khairun

11/5/2003 A007:
Assalam Alaikum

I want to thank you for your honesty and concern.

1- If you feel that there is urine on your body, hands or feet, you do not have to make Wudu, just wash and clean with soap, then pray without feeling guilty or thinking about it. If it is sperm that came out in a wet dream then you must take a shower, then make wudu before Praying.

2-If the urine on the carpet is dry: if you know the exact spot, then wash it, if you do not know where it is, it is recommended that you shampoo the carpet, to get rid of the sense of guilt.

3- Stepping on the carpet with urine and coming to the Mosque, you should not worry at all about that, by the time you arrive to the Mosque your feet will be dry and nothing will stick on the Mosque's carpet.

4-You can still get circumcised by any doctor. If there will be any harm for you in this age, it is better not to.

Again thank you for your concern and you should not feel guilty as long as you do your best.

Yours,
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

02/23/2003
Return to top Q006:
Asalaamu Alaikum,
I need a second opinion, a bit of a guide, a bit of a push...
I'm a 20 yr old college student. Maybe in the last year or so, I have given up my prayers completely. There are a couple of reasons:
1. Not knowing the translations of the Arabic I am reciting during namaaz(prayer), I feel my prayers have become mechanical. I feel like I recite the prayer only because I have to... I dont feel any sort
of a bond or connection with my utterances. I feel as if the words have no meaning... they feel like just that: simple words. I know I should be resourcefull and lookup the translations, but I can
never get myself to do so.
2. Not having prayed in so long, I feel that Allah has no reason to help me in my time of need [I
occasionally pray when I am in distress]. And when I do pray on those occasional moments, I feel as if I am 'using' Allah only when I feel the need for Him. I feel guilty. I feel remorse for not having been a better Muslim. I feel lonely in regards that I cannot reach for His hand because I have refused it too many times. I am heartbroken... and everytime I try to muster some courage and will to pray, I feel like its too late... once again, I leave my prayers.
Please shed some light through your knowledge.
Allah Hafiz.

02/23/2003 A006:
Assalamu Alaikum:
Do not worry, there is still time to get yourself back with God. I wish you could come to the Mosque and see me because I have a lot to say to you.
My advise to you for now is to get hold of yourself and make a new beginning. Allah waits for you. Your sense of regret is a healthy sign. You can start by making salat(prayer) in your own language until you understand the meaning of Al-Fatiha. All of us have ups and downs in our relationship with Allah. Keep trying.
If you live in the Toledo area, please come to the Center. I would like very much to talk to you.

Yours;

Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

02/06/2002
Return to top Q005:
Assalamu alaikum, Imam Farooq,

I have a question regarding Salaat-ul-jumu'ah. Should the congregation for Friday prayer always be during the period of Dhuhr prayer or can it come early or even after the period of Asr has begun?

JazakAllahu khairun,

wassalamu alaikum.

02/06/2002 A005:
Assalamu Alaikum,

Friday Prayer has to be done during Thuhr time because it replaces it on Friday. It can not be done before or after. If some cannot make it on time because of traveling or sickness, he does under any obliged to make Friday, then he can combine thuhr with Asr. But for Friday it has to be done during Thuhr time.
God bless you, my best regards.

Yours;

Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

01/12/2002
Return to top Q004:
Imam Farooq,
How are you, Inshallah in the best of health.

Imam, my question for you is: My job requires that I start work at 6:00am. Fajr is at 6:17. I can't leave my position to be able to pray on time. Can I pray my Isha and Fajr at the same time?

Another question is: I heard on the Aljazeera channel, on TV by an Imam from Iran. He stated that there were 12 rakat sunnah in a day, for the 5 prayer times. I have always prayed 10 for the day. Can you please advise me which would be the correct? What are the sunnah prayers for each prayer time?

Thank you

01/12/2002 A004:
Dear Br.
Assalamu Alaikum,

Thank you for asking about me, I am doing fine Wa-Lhamdu Li-Llah.

Since you start your work at 6:00 am, this means you are able to make Isha on time, but for morning prayer; I understand that you cannot make it at work, this means that you will make it Qadaa (after time is over). My advice to you is to make it when you go home, or when you make Thuhr and Asr, start first with morning prayer. I do not recall in the Fiqh that Morning to be combined with Isha. It is Qadaa you make it with Thuhr.
About the number of Sunnah: They can be 16 Rakaah, or 14 or 12 or 10, all are right. The issue is there are different narration about how many Rakaah the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to make, and what is Muakkadah and what is not.

What you are doing is good, just keep going.

Yours;
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

01/11/2002
Return to top Q003:
Asallamu Alykom:

I have a very common question to the Imam, may Allah reward him for helping me finding an answer to my problem.

I am a Muslim - just like millions of other Muslims - who lives in the West (United States), and I always face a problem at work to find a space to perform my Zuhor and Asr Prayer and some times even Magrib (if it is winter time. There is no private place to pray. I have been praying all prayers together when I get home. I do not think this is the right thing
to do. What do you think my solution could be?

The nature of my work is just office work. I sit on my desk most of the day and I can have several breaks. The problem is that I cannot find a private place to pray.

What do you think I should do?

Jazakom Allah Khayran..

Alssalm Alykom wa Rahmatu Allah

01/11/2002 A003:
Dear Br.:
Assalam Alaikum:

As you mentioned, there are many Muslims just like you, who have the same problem. My answer is: If you intend to make it on time there are two ways:
1- Since you have a break then you can make it in your office.

2- You can go out side to your car and make it while sitting, if you can not then there is no problem in making it at home with the other prayers you miss.

Try your best to find an empty office and make it on time. God bless you.

Yours;

Imam Farooq Aboelzahab

08/22/2001
Return to top Q002:
Asalamu Alaikum wrbu,
Respected Imam,
Will you please clarify the following doubts
1. Is it permissible for men to urinate while standing? Is there any method to clean ones self after urinating?
2. When it is obligatory to take a bath? Is there any recommended method to take obligatory bath?
Wassalam

08/22/2001 A002:
Dear Brother:
Assalamu Alaikum,
1. It is recommended to urinate sitting down, but if you cannot sit down then it is permissible to urinate standing as long as you do not let urine spray on your body or clothing. To clean yourself you have to use water. If water is not available, then it is ok to use paper towels.

2. A bath becomes obligatory after 1) a woman's monthly period is over; 2) when the bleeding stops after childbirth; 3) after intercourse: and 4) seaman ejaculation.

The recommended method of bathing is to clean ones private parts, then make wudu and finally to take a full shower.

With my best regards,

Imam: Farooq Aboelzahab

06/26/2001
Return to top Q001:
Assalamu Alaikum,

I believe that I have received more benefit from Salat Al-Tahajjud than from any other Islamic practice. Would you enlighten us as to Quranic references, Hadith, and the findings of Scholars in reference to this practice.

Also, if the practice of Salat Al-Tahajjud causes us to sleep through Salat Al-Fajr, what should we do?

Most Respectful Regards.

06/26/2001 A001:
Assalamu Alaikum,

Please be advised that Salatu-tahajjud is not FARD (obligatory). It is meant to keep in contact with our Creator, especially at night while people are sleeping. It is an additional Salah that could be used to fill our spare time in worshipping of Allah. If it gives you satisfaction, it is good but we cannot equalize it with obligatory Islamic practices.

Also, if Salatu-tahajjud will keep you sleeping and you will not be able to perform Fajr prayer in its time, then it is more appropriate to pray the Fard (Fajr) on time rather than engaging yourself in a NAFL (additional ) prayer.

Let me also draw your attention to the fact that The worshipping in Islam are means towards an end which is to be acting according to Islam every moment of your life. Islam is mainly a bundle of relationships and dealings between man and God, man and himself, man and every creation in the universe.

God knows best and I wish you every guidance from Allah, the Creator.
Imam: A.M. Khattab

posted 12/27/2003

12/17/2003 Return to top	Q011: Assalamualaikum Dear Imam, Kindly DUA for my husband to at least write/call me to let us know about our marriage. He is missing. I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH and all I want is for us to be together soon. Are there Duas/AYAH which I could recite to make him love me and remember us? Thank you and wassallam
12/17/2003	A011: Dear Sister Assalam Alaikum You need to look for him through the concerned agencies, try to do what is needed to be done first then Pray Allah saying O Allah, Bring me my husband as you joined between Jacob and his son Joseph through your Mercy and Kindness. Keep up your prayer and ask Allah in your Sujood (While prostrating and kneeling down and before Salaam (finishing your Prayer. May Allah be with you. Yours, Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
11/25/2003 Return to top	Q010: Salaam Imam Sahaab, I just wanted to ask if you could email me some duas a person can read who has the effect of black magic on her. The situation is that I have a friend who ends up in a lot of pain, headaches, ear aches, stomach pains when she sees her relative. It happens whenever my friend sees her aunty because they do not get on with each other. My friend thinks it is due to jealousy and her aunt placing a (badduwa) curse on her. I would really appreciate it if you could e-mail me possible duas so the curse does not take affect. I haven't had the time to see my Imam and wasn't sure about some of the sites on the net. Looking forward to hearing from you. k-hafiz
11/25/2003	A010: Assalam Alaikum I feel very sorry for your friend and her suffering. I will pray Allah for her. The best thing is to read for her the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah (1-5), Aayat Al-Kursi (Verse No. 255) in the same Surah, the End of Surat Al-Baqarah (verses 285 till the end), and Surat Al-Kaferoon(109), verses 112, 113, 114. Also you can read to her the Duaa: "I seek refuge with the perfect word of Allah from every bad eye, from the unseen harmful things and from evil of Satan. I ask the Almighty Allah, the Lord of the glorious throne, to cure you", (three times) then conclude with Al-Fatihah. May allah bless you and her, Inshaallah. Yours, Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
11/25/2003 Return to top	Q009: Assalamu Alaikum, I have a question about whether we have any wazaif/wirdh/dua to make ourselves look better. For example, incresing height, getting fairer complexion, etc. Please Reply back. Respectful Regards
11/25/2003	A009: Assalam Alaikum The height, and getting fairer complexion, and other things are God given. They are also due to many factors of physical growth, family linage, country and some other factors that scientists and phycisians know. There is no wird or Duaa to change things like that in a given time. Yes you can ask and make duaa and based on your sincerity Allah will make things look attractive to you and you will have full satisfaction for what God gives you and chooses for you. Yours, Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
11/10/2003 Return to top	Q008: Asalaam Alaikum Wrb, I have a problem that whenever I do wudu, a certain very minute amount of air releases after a few minutes of my wudu. Can you tell me how to make istikhara as I am unable to maintain my wudu for more than 10 minutes? Also tell me the right way of having istikhara and please mention some other methods of istikhara, if any. Also mention the conditions to follow in the istikara in relation to my above said problem. Furthermore, can you tell me how to see Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream? Also tell me some wazeefa for having the love and friendship of God Almighty.
11/10/2003	A008: Assalam Alaikum In regard to the issue of Wudu(ablution), the best method is that you make wudu only when you are ready to make your prayer, which means make wudu and pray right away. If any air is released after that or even during the prayer you should not worry about that, If you can ask your doctor he might be able to help you get rid of that. As for the Istekharah, it is to make two rakaah then to pray Allah and ask him to guide you for the right decision and to name the thing you make Estekharah for, and then to say "O God, if You know that this matter is good for me, make it easy for me, and if You know that this matter is not in my benefit please take it away from me." After that see where your hearts goes? and make up your mind and go from there. About seeing the Prophet (pbuh) you just Do your Fard, fulfill your obligations, stay away from what Allah had forbidden and establish a good relationship with Allah and His messenger and do more Nafl if you can and leave the rest to Allah. Yours, Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
11/05/2003 Return to top	Q007: Asalaam Alaikum Wrb, Could you please help with my problems? 1) If you urinate on your hands or feet can you wash them with water only or do you also need to use soap so they are considered clean? Does this apply to areas on your body covered with sperm or pre sperm? 2) If an area of carpet has dry urine/ excrement /sperm/ pre sperm and you walked over it with wet feet would your Wudu be valid so you can perform Salaat? And if you need to wash something off how would you do it? 3) I know that there is dry urine on the carpet at home and I have walked over it with wudu (wet feet) and gone and prayed at the local mosque. When I now go to that mosque I feel guilty that my salaat will not be accepted as the carpet at the mosque is dirty/ impure because of walking over the dry urine on the carpet at home, and I feel my wudu is broken. Some of my family members have also gone to different mosques, and I now feel that their carpets are impure and I cannot concentrate when I pray there. 4) My parents forgot to circumcise me when I was a baby and now I am 20 yrs old and want to get it done. Does it have to be done by a Muslim doctor? Could you please answer these 4 questions for me because they are affecting my Salaat? Jazakallahu Khairun
11/5/2003	A007: Assalam Alaikum I want to thank you for your honesty and concern. 1- If you feel that there is urine on your body, hands or feet, you do not have to make Wudu, just wash and clean with soap, then pray without feeling guilty or thinking about it. If it is sperm that came out in a wet dream then you must take a shower, then make wudu before Praying. 2-If the urine on the carpet is dry: if you know the exact spot, then wash it, if you do not know where it is, it is recommended that you shampoo the carpet, to get rid of the sense of guilt. 3- Stepping on the carpet with urine and coming to the Mosque, you should not worry at all about that, by the time you arrive to the Mosque your feet will be dry and nothing will stick on the Mosque's carpet. 4-You can still get circumcised by any doctor. If there will be any harm for you in this age, it is better not to. Again thank you for your concern and you should not feel guilty as long as you do your best. Yours, Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
02/23/2003 Return to top	Q006: Asalaamu Alaikum, I need a second opinion, a bit of a guide, a bit of a push... I'm a 20 yr old college student. Maybe in the last year or so, I have given up my prayers completely. There are a couple of reasons: 1. Not knowing the translations of the Arabic I am reciting during namaaz(prayer), I feel my prayers have become mechanical. I feel like I recite the prayer only because I have to... I dont feel any sort of a bond or connection with my utterances. I feel as if the words have no meaning... they feel like just that: simple words. I know I should be resourcefull and lookup the translations, but I can never get myself to do so. 2. Not having prayed in so long, I feel that Allah has no reason to help me in my time of need [I occasionally pray when I am in distress]. And when I do pray on those occasional moments, I feel as if I am 'using' Allah only when I feel the need for Him. I feel guilty. I feel remorse for not having been a better Muslim. I feel lonely in regards that I cannot reach for His hand because I have refused it too many times. I am heartbroken... and everytime I try to muster some courage and will to pray, I feel like its too late... once again, I leave my prayers. Please shed some light through your knowledge. Allah Hafiz.
02/23/2003	A006: Assalamu Alaikum: Do not worry, there is still time to get yourself back with God. I wish you could come to the Mosque and see me because I have a lot to say to you. My advise to you for now is to get hold of yourself and make a new beginning. Allah waits for you. Your sense of regret is a healthy sign. You can start by making salat(prayer) in your own language until you understand the meaning of Al-Fatiha. All of us have ups and downs in our relationship with Allah. Keep trying. If you live in the Toledo area, please come to the Center. I would like very much to talk to you. Yours; Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
02/06/2002 Return to top	Q005: Assalamu alaikum, Imam Farooq, I have a question regarding Salaat-ul-jumu'ah. Should the congregation for Friday prayer always be during the period of Dhuhr prayer or can it come early or even after the period of Asr has begun? JazakAllahu khairun, wassalamu alaikum.
02/06/2002	A005: Assalamu Alaikum, Friday Prayer has to be done during Thuhr time because it replaces it on Friday. It can not be done before or after. If some cannot make it on time because of traveling or sickness, he does under any obliged to make Friday, then he can combine thuhr with Asr. But for Friday it has to be done during Thuhr time. God bless you, my best regards. Yours; Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
01/12/2002 Return to top	Q004: Imam Farooq, How are you, Inshallah in the best of health. Imam, my question for you is: My job requires that I start work at 6:00am. Fajr is at 6:17. I can't leave my position to be able to pray on time. Can I pray my Isha and Fajr at the same time? Another question is: I heard on the Aljazeera channel, on TV by an Imam from Iran. He stated that there were 12 rakat sunnah in a day, for the 5 prayer times. I have always prayed 10 for the day. Can you please advise me which would be the correct? What are the sunnah prayers for each prayer time? Thank you
01/12/2002	A004: Dear Br. Assalamu Alaikum, Thank you for asking about me, I am doing fine Wa-Lhamdu Li-Llah. Since you start your work at 6:00 am, this means you are able to make Isha on time, but for morning prayer; I understand that you cannot make it at work, this means that you will make it Qadaa (after time is over). My advice to you is to make it when you go home, or when you make Thuhr and Asr, start first with morning prayer. I do not recall in the Fiqh that Morning to be combined with Isha. It is Qadaa you make it with Thuhr. About the number of Sunnah: They can be 16 Rakaah, or 14 or 12 or 10, all are right. The issue is there are different narration about how many Rakaah the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to make, and what is Muakkadah and what is not. What you are doing is good, just keep going. Yours; Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
01/11/2002 Return to top	Q003: Asallamu Alykom: I have a very common question to the Imam, may Allah reward him for helping me finding an answer to my problem. I am a Muslim - just like millions of other Muslims - who lives in the West (United States), and I always face a problem at work to find a space to perform my Zuhor and Asr Prayer and some times even Magrib (if it is winter time. There is no private place to pray. I have been praying all prayers together when I get home. I do not think this is the right thing to do. What do you think my solution could be? The nature of my work is just office work. I sit on my desk most of the day and I can have several breaks. The problem is that I cannot find a private place to pray. What do you think I should do? Jazakom Allah Khayran.. Alssalm Alykom wa Rahmatu Allah
01/11/2002	A003: Dear Br.: Assalam Alaikum: As you mentioned, there are many Muslims just like you, who have the same problem. My answer is: If you intend to make it on time there are two ways: 1- Since you have a break then you can make it in your office. 2- You can go out side to your car and make it while sitting, if you can not then there is no problem in making it at home with the other prayers you miss. Try your best to find an empty office and make it on time. God bless you. Yours; Imam Farooq Aboelzahab
08/22/2001 Return to top	Q002: Asalamu Alaikum wrbu, Respected Imam, Will you please clarify the following doubts 1. Is it permissible for men to urinate while standing? Is there any method to clean ones self after urinating? 2. When it is obligatory to take a bath? Is there any recommended method to take obligatory bath? Wassalam
08/22/2001	A002: Dear Brother: Assalamu Alaikum, 1. It is recommended to urinate sitting down, but if you cannot sit down then it is permissible to urinate standing as long as you do not let urine spray on your body or clothing. To clean yourself you have to use water. If water is not available, then it is ok to use paper towels. 2. A bath becomes obligatory after 1) a woman's monthly period is over; 2) when the bleeding stops after childbirth; 3) after intercourse: and 4) seaman ejaculation. The recommended method of bathing is to clean ones private parts, then make wudu and finally to take a full shower. With my best regards, Imam: Farooq Aboelzahab
06/26/2001 Return to top	Q001: Assalamu Alaikum, I believe that I have received more benefit from Salat Al-Tahajjud than from any other Islamic practice. Would you enlighten us as to Quranic references, Hadith, and the findings of Scholars in reference to this practice. Also, if the practice of Salat Al-Tahajjud causes us to sleep through Salat Al-Fajr, what should we do? Most Respectful Regards.
06/26/2001	A001: Assalamu Alaikum, Please be advised that Salatu-tahajjud is not FARD (obligatory). It is meant to keep in contact with our Creator, especially at night while people are sleeping. It is an additional Salah that could be used to fill our spare time in worshipping of Allah. If it gives you satisfaction, it is good but we cannot equalize it with obligatory Islamic practices. Also, if Salatu-tahajjud will keep you sleeping and you will not be able to perform Fajr prayer in its time, then it is more appropriate to pray the Fard (Fajr) on time rather than engaging yourself in a NAFL (additional ) prayer. Let me also draw your attention to the fact that The worshipping in Islam are means towards an end which is to be acting according to Islam every moment of your life. Islam is mainly a bundle of relationships and dealings between man and God, man and himself, man and every creation in the universe. God knows best and I wish you every guidance from Allah, the Creator. Imam: A.M. Khattab