A Prayer Time I-Cal maker

I was trying to sort out my schedule one morning, and I thought "wouldn't it be splendid if there was a way to put the prayer times on my iCal calendar?" A quick google search later and I found this:


http://praytimes-ics.appspot.com/

It's an extremely simple webapp that you enter your location into, choose your calculation method, and click which feed type you want! The calendar will download to your Mac, then all you have to do is click on it and it'll put itself into iCal! :D

A Prayer App Idea

I had this idea for an app the other day, I think it'd be cool if someone made it. 


In Fiqh us Sunnah, we are told that the entire world is a masjid to us. A hadith was quoted which goes:


"Abu Zharr asked the Prophet, "What was the first mosque on the earth?" He said: "The Masjid al-Haram [in Makkah]." Abu Zharr asked: "which is the next oldest mosque?" The Prophet sallallahu alehi wassalam said: "The al-Aqsa Mosque." Abu Zharr asked: "How much time was there between [the building of the two]." The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam replied: "Forty years." Then, he said: "Wherever you may be, at the time of salah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque." This is related by the group."


Also, there's hadith floating around that say that the earth will testify against us. A quote I found supporting this goes:


Al-Tabarani narrated on the authority of Rabi'ah al-Jarashi: "Protect [yourselves] from the earth for it is your mother and there is no one who does any act, good or eveil, except that it will tell about [it]."


(from http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?14744-Why-do-pray-sunnah-in-a-diiferent-spot-from-where-we-prayed-fard&s=d76dc9d354a714958718a7281924cd8a)


So we can pray anywhere (as long as the area meets the cleanliness requirements), and the very ground we prayed on will testify that we have prayed there. So my idea was for an app that allows a person to save the coordinates of the place they prayed, a picture of the place, and a note about it (which prayer they did at what time and so on) and put it in an album that can be shared online! They'll be able to see (in Google Maps or such) all the places they prayed and (when sharing) all the places that other users have prayed. That way they can work together to cover the world in prayer, and find places that they haven't prayed in before. 


I think it's kinda neat too because it'll encourage people to pray in really unique places. I think the strangest place I ever prayed was on top of a watermill out in the countryside in the middle east. It was such a serene little building. Props to the person who prays at the north pole! :D 

How to Give a Khutba

Last friday, it happened that all of the guys who usually give the khutba were unable to attend Jumaa. The result was everybody sitting around waiting for 45 minutes because no one knew if they were coming or where they were. Finally, one of the older men got someone to give the sermon. A thought then occurred to me: what if they had asked me to do it? 


Okay, it's a little bit more complicated than that. It starts with deciding who is best to be Imam:


Selecting an Imam


Imam selection is done in the following order:


a) The person who knows the most Quran
b) The person who knows the most sunnah
c) The person who performed the migration (hajj?) first
d) The person who is the eldest


Who can be imam? (I was going to list them as they were given in Fiqh us Sunnah, but I changed my mind) Instead, I'll tell you whose imamate is NOT acceptable:


Someone who has a health problem which does not allow him to remain in a state of purity should not be an Imam for people who don't have this problem. 


Okay, so it turns out you're the most qualified to be the Imam, now what?


1) Greet the people when you come to the pulpit, and take a seat. A simple "Salam-alaykom" should do. Then ask someone to give the adhan. 
2) Stand up, and start the khutba off by praising Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAW) used to say:


"All praise be to Allah, we seek His aid and we seek His forgiveness and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls. Whomever Allah guides, no one will be able to mislead him. Whoever He leaves astray will have no guidance. And I testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger whom He sent with the truth and as a warner before the Hour. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be guided aright, and whoever disobeys them will only harm his own self and he will not harm Allah, the Exalted, at all."


3) Give the first khutba. The khutba should be a bit short, or as long as it usually is in your place of prayer. Remember, the purpose of the khutba is to encourage people to do good, and warn them about the consequences of wrongdoing. Fiqh us-Sunnah says to admonish (warn) the congregation, but I feel too much warning, doom and gloom will make them resent the religion. I think the ideal khutba, from my own experience, has a healthy mix of Quran, hadith, arabic wording, talk of reward, and talk of punishment, while providing the congregation with information they can use instantly. Of course, I always enjoy a good story too. ;)


4) According to islamicity.com, conclude the first khutba by inviting everyone to make a supplication (dua) to Allah (SWT), and sitting down. 


5) *brief pause for supplications* in my local masjid, we use a bit of time after duas to give some announcements.


6) The second Khutba. Start off again by praising Allah (SWT) and sending peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), then reiterate what was discussed in the first khutba, summarizing and generally ensuring that the audience really understands the message.


7) The supplication before the prayer, say the following, pausing after each to allow the congregation to say "Ameen" (translations in blue)


"Allahuma’ Eghfir Lil’ Muslimeena wal Muslimat"
"Almighty God, forgive the Muslim men and women"


"Wal Moumineena wal Mouminaat"
"And the believing men and women"


"Al-Ahya’ee minhum wal amwat"
"Those who area live and those who died"


"Innaka samee’un mujibul dawat"
"You are indeed the One who listens and accepts all supplications"


Now you can add any additional supplications you like, such as praying for muslims in another part of the world. 


8) Conclude the khutba by saying:

"Ibada Allah: inna Allah Ya’amuru Bil Aadli wal Ihsan, wa Ita’ee Zil Qurbaa, wa yanhaa anil fahshaa’ee wal munkaree wal bagh’yi. Ya’Izukum La’allakum tazakkaroon"

"Servants of Allah: indeed Allah orders us to be just and to excel in what we do, be generous and to take care of our kin and relatives, never do what is forbidden of all sins and not to transgress. He almighty advises you so you can remember."

9) Ask the muezzin to call the iqamah to start the prayer:

"Aqimi Salah, innaa asalata tanha anil fahshaa’ee wal munker" 

(no translation, sorry :( ) 

10) Begin the salat.

Congratulations! You survived giving a khutba! 
For more information, check out:


http://www.islamicity.com/library/Articles/Khutba_GuideLine.htm

Qunut Nazila, The Supplication of Calamity

Last week I made a short post about a mid prayer supplication that we did during Jumaa prayer that I had never done before. Fortunately, last week we did it again, but this time the Imam said it by name, it is called Qunut Nazila, or the Supplication of Calamity.


Sahih Muslim, Chapter 94 is actually dedicated to it, but Bukhari's got some quotes too:


Narrated Muhammad bin Sirin: Anas was asked, "Did the Prophet recite qunut in the Fajr prayer?" Anas replied in the affirmative. He was further asked, "Did he recite qunut before bowing?" Anas replied, "He recited qunut after bowing for some time (for one month)."  (Bukhari Book #16, Hadith #115)


**By "for one month" I think they meant, RasulAllah (SAW) did this every day for a month. It seems there was an incident where Seventy of our men were killed by some men from another tribe who had claimed to be muslims:


Narrated 'Abdul Aziz: Anas said, "The Prophet sent seventy men, called Al-Qurra 'for some purpose. The two groups of Bani Sulaim called Ri'l and Dhakwan, appeared to them near a well called Bir Ma'una. The people (i.e. Al-Qurra) said, 'By Allah, we have not come to harm you, but we are passing by you on our way to do something for the Prophet.' But (the infidels) killed them. The Prophet therefore invoked evil upon them for a month during the morning prayer. That was the beginning of Al qunut and we used not to say qunutbefore that." A man asked Anas about Al-qunut, "Is it to be said after the Bowing (in the prayer) or after finishing the Recitation (i.e. before Bowing)?" Anas replied, "No, but (it is to be said) after finishing the Recitation."  (Bukhari Book #59, Hadith #414)


So, how do you perform Qunut Nazila? Well, it appears the nice folks over at Sunnipath have already answered nearly all questions anyone could have on the topic:


From: http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=3&ID=1621&CATE=389


a brief summary:


In the last rukaa of an obligatory prayer (it's not recommended for sunna prayers), stand up straight after performing rukuu (the L shaped bow with hands on knees for those of you just joining us), raise your hands to about chest level, palms facing the sky (typical supplication form I'm sure you've all seen it), and supplicate. 


It seems there is no exact supplication (trials and tribulations change), so supplicate for the removal of whatever calamity has stricken our good people at the time. There's no shortage of them these days: the nutcase ruining Libya, the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, the unrest in Syria (check out the BBC if you need some more). Also, since it's not a Quranic recitation, you could probably do it in your native tongue. I'm pretty sure Allah (SWT)'ll understand :)


Once you're done supplication, carry on your prayer like normal!

Missing Prayers

You'd think that with (at the very least) about an hour and a half to do it, you wouldn't be able to miss any prayers. 10 minute wuduu, 7 minute prayer (I take it slow and steady, sue me :P) that leaves you with, what?, nearly an hour and 15 minutes to a) find a sink, and b) find a place to pray, how hard can that be?


But, thanks to our good (HAH!) man (HAH!) Satan, the inevitable happens and we find ourselves missing our prayers. What does this mean? What do we do? Well, let's find out.


There are a few ways to find yourself with a missed prayer:


1) You slept through the prayer.


This is easy to deal with. You simply pray when you wake up:


In Fiqh Us-Sunna, Supererogatory Prayer, pg 99, we find the author quoting a hadith that says:


"There is no negligence while one is asleep but forgetfulness occurs when one is awake. If one of you forgets the prayer or sleeps through its time, then he should perform the salah when he recalls it." 


In a nutshell: sleep through the prayer? Pray it when you wake up.
Now you have to make an effort of course, it doesn't make much sense to say: go to bed without planning to wake up and pray, then just pray when you wake up. That's the same as intentionally missing a prayer because you are intending to sleep through it. 


2) You've forgotten the salah


You're still in the clear, it was an accident, accidents happen. The ruling is the same as for sleeping through it, just do the prayer when you remember.


Here's one issue though, you've lost your prayer by sleeping through it, or forgetting it, and it's now time for the next prayer. What do you do? Do you do the prayer you missed, or the current prayer?


On pages 100 to 101 of the Supererogatory Prayer book of Fiqh Us Sunnah, there's a great big messy rationalization that some guy (Ibn Hamza) went through to try and explain the sin of intentionally missing a prayer. Near the beginning, however, he says:


"Abu Hanifah, Malik, and Ash-Shafi'i say that he can make up the prayer after its time has expired, and Malik and Abu Hanifah even say that if a person intentionally misses a prayer or a few prayers, then he is to make up those prayers before he prays the present salah, even if he has missed all five prayers and should, while making them up, miss the present salah. They say that if he missed more than five prayers, he is to begin by praying the salah whose time is present (and then he is to make up the prayers he missed)."


Also, take a look at this link: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Islamonline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546664


this guy had the same question, and the Imam gave the same answer.

3) You fell unconscious and missed the prayer

This one's even EASIER. You don't even have to make it up! (Don't even think about it: INTENDING to make yourself fall unconscious to get out of prayer counts as intending to miss the prayer). This refers to the good old fashioned pass-out, due to hunger, heat, illness, whatever. One second your awake enjoying a good chat, next thing you know you're waking up with everyone standing over you with concerned faces. 

From Fiqh Us Sunnah, Supererogatory Prayer, page 99:

If one falls unconscious, then he need not repeat the salah, unless he regains his consciousness with enough time to purify himself and perform the salah within it's proper time.

Abdurrazzaq relates from Nafi' that Ibn Umar once fell sick and become unconscious and missed the prayer. When he regained his consciousness, he did not make up the missed prayer.

4) You delayed the prayer


The way I see it, there are only 2 prayers you can TRULY lose; Asr and Isha. You see, we are actually allowed to combine duhur with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha (according to Fiqh Us-Sunnah "Due to some pressing need"). If you're going to miss duhur, you can combine it with Asr, and if you're going to miss Mugharib, you can combine it with Isha, but if you're going to miss Asr or Isha, there's nothing to save you. 


Page 118 of Fiqh Us-Sunnah, Supererogatory Prayer:


Imam Muslim has said "The Messenger of Allah (SWT) combined the Zuhr and Asr and then the Maghrib and Isha in Madinah without there being any danger or rain." Ibn Abbas was asked: "What did he desire by that action?" He replied: "He did not want any hardship for his ummah."


There, now you don't  have any excuse!


Although every time I do this, I can't help but feel a LITTLE cheap....:S
But what happens if you do miss it. You've left your prayer, and now it's gone. Never coming back, and you can almost hear the devil cackling as he runs away. Well buddy, you're pretty much hooped: the majority of the scholars believe that it is a sin and the missed salah must be made up. MADE up, not repeated:


"By law, there is no way for one who leaves a salah intentionally to make its qadah. He may, however, resort to increasing his voluntary and supererogatory acts."- Ibn Taimiyyah


Ibn Hamza then says "Concerning one who leaves a salah intentionally until its time expires, he will never be able to make up for that salah. Such a person should turn to Allah and ask His forgiveness and increase his good deeds and nawafil in order to increase his weight (of good) on the Day of Resurrection." 


Then there's the quote I mentioned earlier about re-praying the lost prayers in order. But Ibn Hamza quotes the Quran saying "Woe unto the worshippers who are heedless of their prayers," (Quran 107:5) and "And then there succeeded them a later generation who wasted the prayers and followed their own lusts, but they will meet with destruction."(Quran 19:59). And said that if you can intentionally miss it and make it up, why will is it mentioned with affliction and transgression? And then it gets all complicated. SO......


My recommendation to you is to:
a) do the prayer you left (it can't hurt)
b) ask for God's Forgiveness
c) do good deeds to try and outweigh the sin
d) DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Khanzab

So there you are, doing your duhur,  you're making your way through your prayer, coming up from sujuud and into the second rukaa. You start going through your Al Fatiha and deciding which Surat your going to recite, but you can't for the life of you remember where you heard that line before. You know, the one....some guy was saying it....he was in a movie, and you think there was a motorcycle chase. Man, motorcycle chases are awesome, but they're so unrealistic. I wonder how hard it is to get a motorcycle licence. How would the instructor teach you? Would they sit behind you? That would be so awkward. I'm pretty awkward, I should fix that. I wonder if I should whiten my teeth today? I don't even know if those white strips are working, maybe I should stop drinking coffee, I heard it stains teeth. Aw man, I want Timmies now! I think I'll get a cup after this....wait...how did I get here? Okay, my head was on the ground....then I came up...I'm sitting now..so I must have done two bows....so now I recite Tashhaddud..no...I need to go down one more time...what if I don't? should I just add another rukaa? Or do the prostrations of forgetfulness? maybe I should just start over....no I don't need to...




If you said yes (come on, I know you have :P ), then YOU my friend, have had a good little chat with your fiend and mine: Khanzab. Khanzab is a devil responsible for screwing over our prayers. Distracting us with stuff until we have no idea how many rukaa's we've prayed. AND MAN IS IT IRRITATING. 


So what do you do? How do you cast him out? Well, according to this hadith:


“Oh Rasūlullah! The Shaytān comes between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein.” Rasūlullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “That is a shaytān that is called khanzab¹. If he affects you seek refuge in Allah  from him and spit drily to your left three times.” The companion said, I did that and Allāh took him away from me.
(Narrated by Muslim, 4083)


you simply spit on your left 3 times. Now, I'm not going to argue with hadith, that's what it says, okay try that. Personally, I have my own little techniques. 


THIS IS MY OWN INFORMATION, THIS IS WHAT I DO, IT HAS NO BASIS IN RELIGION, SO I DON'T GUARANTEE IT'S RIGHT AND WON'T GET YOU IN TROUBLE WITH THE LORD.


Technique 1) My first technique to keep my count during prayers was just that. As I start each rukaa, I imagine a number drawn in a strange way. Some way I'll remember (for rukaa 4, the 4 was usually the Fantastic 4 symbol :P). That way, if I lost count, I would just remember the numbers I've thought of and how they looked.


Technique 2) Count something. for me, it was usually corners of the prayer mat, but if there's something within your immediate field of view (specs of dust on the carpet, or something that doesn't require you to look around a whole lot). Again, if I lost count of the numbers of rukaa's, I'd just look for the things I counted.


Technique 3) This is my newest one, and probably the least likely to get you in trouble. In your mind, ask for a different thing in each rukaa, and each time you bow. For example, in rukaa 1 maybe ask for help improving your character, in 2: forgiveness, 3: cheesecake, 4: get out of debt. And stick with it, only change them up every few months (or after you've got what you asked for). That way you'll learn that if you just finished asking for cheescake, you're heading into rukaa 4. 


Good luck! 

It's a Woman's (next) World

WHAT. THE HECK. So APPARENTLY doing the stuff a wife is expected to do is worth as much as going to juma, congregational and funeral prayers, visiting the sick, performing Hajj and Umra, and FIGHTING IN JIHAD. I doth quote:

Asma (RA) reported that she approached the Prophet (SAW) on behalf of woman and mentioned that men excelled women due to their participation in Friday and congregational prayers, visiting the sick, attending funeral prayers, performing the Hajj and Umra, and due to their participation in Jihad. The Prophet (SAW) replied: "Go and inform the women that their beautification for their husbands, discharging their rights, seeking their pleasure and obeying them is equal in reward (to the above mentioned acts) of men" [Kanz-ul-Amaal] (Taken from DailyHadith App for Iphone)

So, while guys are out their, risking their necks jihad, or standing in rows for long periods of time, shoulder to shoulder with Bashir Big Beard and Tareq Turban, or sitting on the floor as their lower extremities slowly lose feeling listening to an Imam lecture on for an hour, women can sit at home, put on their makeup and make themselves even prettier while watching T.V, maybe do some chores with a youtube video playing on the counter, perhaps prepare a snack for their hubbies and themselves or do whatever else was asked of them AND GET THE SAME REWARD. 

"But Th3luba you chauvinist!" you may exclaim "we have to do what our husbands tell us to do! How is that fair?" To which I wittily respond "See last weeks post. And really, 70 years (if even that) of being a good wife pretty much gets you an ETERNITY of bliss. Some guys never even SEE a jihad, let alone participate in one, and all you have to do is keep us happy (it's not hard, it really isn't. We have two moods: hungry and....let's call it cuddly (for the kiddies sake)) so enough complaining; go give your man a hug and swap it for a Palace in Paradise." 

Fast Every Day, Pray All Night

Fast and Prayer, probably the 2 most difficult things to do in Islam. We have to starve ourselves from dawn to sunset for fasting, and we have to get up 5 times a day (up to twice during the night occasionally), wash ourselves if need be, hold our bodily needs for 4 minutes while remembering and reciting stuff in arabic (which for many isn't their native language) and making sure we perform the prayer right. Compare that to zakat: a little bit of math and a cheque, and Hajj: (need I remind you we only HAVE to do this once?) fly overseas, go with the flow. 


This is probably why there's such great merit in fasting and prayer, so wouldn't it be marvellous if you could get the reward of fasting for a year, and praying all night without all the pesky fasting for a year and praying all night stuff? Turns out, you can!


Fasting all Year:


Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.  (Muslim, Book #006, Hadith #2614)


Where by "perpetually" it's understood to mean "all year". 


Also, you don't have to fast them all together, just any six days throughout the month. Oh, and in case you didn't know, Shawwal is the month after Ramadan. 


But there's another way too!


Narrated Qatadah Ibn Malhan al-Qaysi: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) used to command us to fast the days of the white (nights): thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the month. He said: This is like keeping perpetual fast.  (Sunan Abudawud, Book #13, Hadith #2443)


Where the "white nights" are the 3 nights where the moon is fullest, and "perpetual fast" I'm pretty sure means "all year". Of course, I assume you'd have to do this every month, but it's sunnah to fast 3 days of every month anyway. 


Praying all night:


'Abd al-Rahman b. Abd 'Amr reported: 'Uthman b. 'Affan (narrated the mosque after evening prayer and sat alone. I also sat alone with him, so he said: 0, son of my brother, I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: He who observed the 'Isya' (Isha) prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed up to the midnight, and he who prayed the morning prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed the whole night.  (Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1379)


So, pray Isha in congregation and you get half a nights worth of prayer, pray fajr in congregation and you get half a nights worth of prayer, pray them both and you get a whole nights worth of prayer. Now when, ladies and gentlemen, is it MOST beneficial to pray all night???? What 10 special nights of the year are we recommended to spend in prayer??? The last 10 nights of Ramadan of course! Happy Praying! :D

The Salat to End All Salat: Sunday

I was reading in The Book of Religious Learnings (Ihya Ulum-Id-Din) and I came across some salat that make Tahajjud look like a mere "Bismillah". These are the most intense prayers I've ever heard of, and they yield some of the biggest rewards I've too.

**I'm not making this up. This book is very well known, and the author says these prayers an on the authority of the Prophet (SAW) himself.

Also, I don't know if these rukaa (i.e if the prayer calls for something like 12 rukaa) are all in one big prayer, or if it's broken up into groups of 2 or what. Although, I'd imagine that they should be done in groups of 2 rukaa's. Since, any time we have to do some funny number like that, we do it in 2's, like for night prayer, or taraweeh. 

Sunday

4 Rakaa's

Recite in each rakaa:

• Al-Fatiha (as usual)
• Amanar Rasul: 2:285-286 In the Quran
• 285) Amana alrrasoolu bima onzila ilayhi min rabbihi waalmuminoona kullun amana biAllahi wamalaikatihi wakutubihi warusulihi la nufarriqu bayna ahadin min rusulihi waqaloo samiAAna waataAAna ghufranaka rabbana wailayka almaseeru
• 286) La yukallifu Allahu nafsan illa wusAAaha laha ma kasabat waAAalayha ma iktasabat rabbana la tuakhithna in naseena aw akhtana rabbana wala tahmil AAalayna isran kama hamaltahu AAala allatheena min qablina rabbana wala tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bihi waoAAfu AAanna waighfir lana wairhamna anta mawlana faonsurna AAala alqawmi alkafireena
• 
  
• 285) The Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."
• 286) Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. "Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people. "

Innumerable merits will be written for you like the number of Christian males and females. 

Come back next week for Monday's Prayer!

Tahajjud, the late night prayers, or as I like to call it: the H-bomb of prayers.

I'm sure you've read about the benefits and recommendations of staying up late, or waking up late to pray. If not, here are a few:

Surat 25: Al-Furqan

63) And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they  reply back with mild words of gentleness.

64)  And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing.

Surat 51: Al-Dhariyat

15) Verily, the Muttaqun (the pious. See V.2:2) will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in the Paradise),

16) Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinun (good-doers. See V.2:112).

17) They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope].

18) And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.

Verily, the rising by night (for tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allah). 
(  سورة المزمل  , Al-Muzzammil, Chapter #73, Verse #6)

And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e. the offering of Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. tahajjud prayer). 
(  سورة الإنسان  , Al-Insan, Chapter #76, Verse #26)

So I am here today to tell you the whats and hows of this recommended prayer, so here's what you do:

1) You need to wake up, or plan to wake up. Waking up your family is recommended too.

Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who amongst you is afraid that he may not be able to get up at the end of the night should observe Witr (in the first part) and then sleep, and he who is confident of getting up and praying at night (i. e. tahajjud prayer) should observe it at the end of it, for the recitation at the end of the night is visited (by angels), and that is excellent.  (Book #004, Hadith#1651)

Also, Abu Ad-Darda has reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, and sleep overcomes him until the morning comes, for him will be recorded what he had intended, and his sleep will be a charity for him from his Lord." (Fiqh us Sunnah)

The best time, of course, is during the last 3rd of the night:

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

2) Wipe your face, brush your teeth (Narrated Hudhaifa : Whenever the Prophet got up for tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak.  (Book #21, Hadith #237)) , look to the sky and say:

There is no God but You. glory be to You. I seek forgiveness from You for my sins, and I ask for your mercy. O Allah, increase my knowledge and let my heart not swerve after you have guided me, and bestow upon me from Yourself. You are the Granter of bounties. All praise be to Allah who restored us to life after our death and unto Him is the resurrection. 

3) Whip out a copy of the Quran and recite the last 10 Ayahs of Surah Al-Imran, starting at #190.

4) Say:

O Allah, to You belongs the praise.

You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and what is therein.

And to You belongs the praise.

You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and whatever is therein.

To You belongs the praise.

You are the truth and Your promise is true.

And the meeting with You is true.

And Paradise is True.

And the Fire is true.

And the Prophets are true.

And Muhammad (SAW) is true.

And the Hour is true.

O Allah, to You have I submitted.

And in You have I believed. 

And in You have I put my trust.

And to You have I turned.

and by You I argue.

And to You do I turn for my decisions.

Forgive me my former and latter sins, and those done in private and those done in public. 

You are Allah, there is no God besides You.

5) Pray two quick Rak'ahs

Aishah says: "When the Prophet (SAW) prayed during the late night, he would begin his prayers with two quick rak'ahs." (Muslim)

Anas relates that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Prayer in my mosque is equal to ten thousand prayers (elsewhere). And prayer in the Sacred Mosque is equivalent to one hundred thousand prayers (elsewhere). And prayer in the battlefield is equivalent to one million prayers (elsewhere). And what is more than all of that is two rakahs by a servant (of Allah SWT) during the middle of the night. 

6) Pray whatever you'd like. 

There's no limit to the number of rakahs you can perform; tahajjud would count even if you just prayed one rak'ah of Witr, but whatever you pray, Witr should be the last payer. This means I'm going to have to explain what Witr is, doesn't it? 

Okay, without going in to great detail (and believe you me there is a lot of ways to do witr. In fact, I just found out I have been doing it wrong! ToT)

Right, for a 3 rukaa'd Witr, it's going to be just like any other prayer, except you don't sit for at-tahiyat in the second rukah: you just stand up again, and in the third rukah, there is a Quranic recitation after Al-Fatiha, and then there is a special dua called the Qunut to be said. So, from the beginning:

1) "Allahu Akbar"

2) Opening Dua

3) Al Fatiha

4)Quran

5) Bow

6) rise

7) Prostration 1

8) sit

9) Prostration 2

10) stand up

11) Al Fatiha

12) Quran

13) bow

14) rise

15) Prostration 1

16) sit

17) Prostration 2

18) STAND UP.

19) Al Fatiha

20) QURAN

21) Raise your hands and make takbir (say: "Allahu akbar")

22) Fold your arms like usual

23) Recite the Qunut:

"O Allah, guide me aright among those You guide aright,

and grant me health and pardon among those You grant health and pardon.

And care for me among those You care for

And bless me in what You have given

and protect me from the evil of what You have predestined.

You alone decrees, and none decrees against You.

He is not abased whom You befriend.

Blessed are You, O Lord and You are Most High.

And Allah's blessings be on (His) Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

24) Raise your hands and make takbir (say: "Allahu Akbar")

25) bow

26) rise

27) Prostration 1

28) sit

29) Prostration 2

30) sit

31) Finish the prayer (recite At-tahiyat and whatever else you normally do, then say the salams to the right and left.)

7) Recite:

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Lord of the angels and the spirits

O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger.

And I seek refuge in Your granting well being from Your punishment.

And I seek refuge in You from You.

I cannot reckon Your praise: You are as You have praised Yourself.

8) Now that that's all done and finished with, I like to take this time to make Dua for whatever; good health, pass exams, forgiveness. If it's the last third of the night, and you did all that, I'd imagine you'd be in pretty good standing to have your prayers answered! :D

Spice Up Your Salat

Most of us are taught how to pray by someone close to us, but usually, we are taught the simplest way to pray and we stick with that. I recently found out that during different parts of prayer there are a number of different things which can be said, some very short, some quite long. All of my information was obtained from "Fortress of the Muslim: Invocations from the Quran and Sunnah" by Darassalam publications (and they cite all their references, so no worries, check it out for yourself if you want). But here's what you can do (I tried putting it all in a table, but I couldn't do anything with the table after that, it was too big.)

1. Takbeeratul-Ihram

I. Allahu Akbar

· God is the Greatest

2. Opening Prayer

I. Allaahumma baa’id baynee wa bayna khataayaaya kamaa baa’adta baynalmashriqi walmaghribi, Allaahumma naqqinee min khataaayaaya kamaa yunaqqaththawbul-‘abyadhu minad-danasi, Allaahummaghsilnee min khataayaaya, bith-thalji walmaa’I walbarad.

· O Allah (SWT), separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah (SWT), cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah (SWT), wash away my sins with ice and water and frost.

II. Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta’aalaa jadduka, wa laa ‘ilaaha ghayruka.

· Glory is to you O Allah (SWT), and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.

III. Wajjahtu wajhiya lillathee fatarassamaawaati wal’ardha haneefan wa maa ‘anaa minal-mushrikeen, ‘inna salaatee, wa nusukee, wa mahyaaya, wa mamaatee lillaahi Rabbil-‘aalameen, la shareeka lahu wa bithaalika ‘umirtu wa ‘anaa minal-muslimeen. Allaahumma ‘Antal-Maliku laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta. ‘Anta Rabbee wa ‘anaa ‘abduka, dhalamtu nafsee wa’taraftu bithanbee faghfir lee thunoobee jamee’an ‘innahu laa yaghfiruth-thunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta. Wahdinee li’ahsanil-‘akhlaaqi laa yahdee li’ahsanihaa ‘illaa ‘Anta, warif ‘annee sayyi’ahaa, laa yasrifu ‘annee sayyi’ahaa ‘illa ‘Anta, labbayka wa sa’dayka, walkhayru kulluhu biyadayka, washsharru laysa ‘ilayka, ‘anaa bika wa ‘ilayka, tabaarakta wa ta’aalayta, ‘astaghfiruka wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayka.

· I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, as a true believer. I am not of those who associate partners with Allah (SWT). Verily, my prayer and my devotion, my living and my death, are for Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds, He has no partners. Thus I have been commanded and I am among those who have submitted. O Allah (SWT), You are the King, there is none worthy of worship but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged my own soul and confess my sin. Forgive all of my sins, surely none forgives sins but You. Guide me to the perfection of my character, for none guides to its perfection but You. Protect me from the evils of my character, for none may protect me from its evils but You. I am here at Your service. All goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I am (created) by You, and I am (returning) to You. You are Most Blessed, Most Exalted. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.

IV. Allaahumma Rabba Jibraa’eela, wa Mikaa’eela, wa ‘Israafeela faatirassamaawaati wal’ardh, ‘Aalimal-ghaybi washshahaadati, ‘Anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibaadika feemaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon. Ihdinee limakh-tulifa feehi minal-haqqi bi ‘ithnika ‘innaaka tahdee man tashaa’u ‘ilaa siraatim-mustaqeem.

· O Allah (SWT), Lord of Jibrail, Mikail and Israfil. Maker of the heavens and the earth. Knower of the unseen and the seen. You judge between Your slaves regarding that in which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is difference, by Your leave. Surely, You guide whomever You please to the straight path.

V. Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, Allaahu ‘Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera,wa Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. ‘A’oothu billaahi minash-shaytaan min nafkhihi, wa nafhihi, wa hamzihi.

· Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. I seek refuge in Allah (SWT) from satan. From his breath and from his voice and from his whisper.

VI. Allaahumma lakal-hamdu ‘Anta noorussamaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta qayyimus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, [wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Rabbus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu laka mulkus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Malikus-samaawaati wal’ardhi] [ wa lakal-hamdu] [ ‘Antal-haqq, wa wa’dukal-haqq, wa qawlukal-haqq wa liqaa’ukal-haqq, waljannatu haqq, wannaaru haqq, wannabiyyoona haqq, wa Muhammadun (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) haqq, wassaa’atu haqq] [ Allaahumma laka ‘aslamtu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa ‘ilayka ‘anabtu, wa bika khaasamtu, wa ‘ilayka haakamtu. Faghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘aasrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu] [‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta] [ ‘Anta ‘ilaahee laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta].

· O Allah (SWT), praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. [ Praise is to You, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all they contain.] [ Praise si to You, Yours is the dominion of the heavens and he earth and all they contain.] [ Praise is to You, You are the King of the heavens and the earth.] [ And praise is to You.] [ You are the Truth, Your Promise is true, Your Word is true, Your audience is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Prophets are true, and Muhammad (SAW) is true, and the Hour of Judgement is true.] [ O Allah (SWT), to You I have submitted, and uon You I depend. I have believed in You and to You I turn in repentance. For Your sake I dispute and by Your standard I judge. Forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have declared.] [You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.] [ You are my God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.]

3. Al-Fatiha

4. Quranic Recitation

5. Rukuu

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-’Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem

· Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me.

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbul-malaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka raka’tu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu khasha’a laka sam’ee, wa basaree, wa kukhkhee, wa ‘adhmee, wa ‘asabee, wa mastaqalla bihi qadamee.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I bow and in You I believe and to You I have submitted. Before You my hearing is humbled, as is my sight, my mind, my bones, my nerves and what my feet have mounted upon.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, dominion of majesty and greatness.

6. When Rising from Ruku

I. Sami’allaahu liman hamidah.

· Allah (SWT) hears whoever praises Him.

II. Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd, hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan feeh.

· Our Lord, praise is Yours, abundant, good and blessed praised.

III. Mil’as-samaawaati wa mil’al-‘ardhi wa maa baynahumaa, wa mil’a maa shi’ta min shay’in ba’d. ‘Ahlath-thanaa’I walmajdi, ‘ahaqqu ma qaalal-‘abdu, wa kullunaa laka ‘abdun. Allaahumma laa maani’a limaa ‘a’tayta, wa laa mu’tiya limaa mana’ta, wa laa yanfa’u thal-jaddi minkal-jadd.

· (A praise that) fills the heavens and the earth and what lies between them, and whatever else You please. (You Allah (SWT)) are most worthy of praise and majesty, and what the slave has said – we are all Your slaves. O Allah (SWT), there is none who can withhold what You give, and none may give what You have withheld. And the might of the mighty person cannot benefit him against You.

7. During Sujood

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa

· Glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbulmalaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka sajadtu wa ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu, sajada wajhiya lillathee khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sam’ahu wa basarahu, tabaarakallahu ‘ahsanul-khaaliqeen.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I prostrate myself and in You I believe. To You I have submitted. My Face is prostrated to the One Who created it, fashioned it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah (SWT), the best of creators.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, of dominion, of majesty and greatness.

VI. Allaahum-maghfir lee thankbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa ‘aakhirahu wa ‘alaaniyatahu wa sirrahu

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu biridhaaka min sakhatika, wa bimu’aafaatika min ‘uqoobatika wa ‘a’oothu bika minka, laa ‘uhsee thanaa’an ‘alayka ‘Anta kamaa ‘athnayta ‘alaa nafsika.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek protection in Your pleasure from Your anger, and I seek protection in Your forgivenss from Your punishment. I seek protection in You from You. I cannot count Your praises. You are as You have praised Yourself.

8. Between 2 Sujood

I. Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee.

· My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

II. Allaahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa ‘aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa’nee.

· O Allah (SWT) forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me and elevate me.

9. During Tashahhud

I. Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu, wattayyibaatu, assalaamu ‘alayka ‘ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. ‘Ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wa ‘ash-hadu ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu

· All greetings of humility are for Allah (SWT), and all prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (SWT), and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

10. Blessings on the Prophet (SAW) after Tashahhud

I. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘alli Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka hameedun Majeed. Alaahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and on the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim (AS) and on the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah (SWT), bless Muhammad (SAW) and the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have blessed Ibrahim (AS) and the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

II. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyatihi, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema. Wa baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyyatihi, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema. ‘Innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and upon his wives and progeny as You have bestowed Your favor upon the family of Ibrahim (AS). And bless Muhammad (SAW) and his wives and progeny as You have blessed the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are full of praise, Most Glorious.

11. After the final Tashahhud and before ending the Prayer

I. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-aqbri wa min ‘athaabi jahannama, wa min fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati, wa min sharri fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of Hell-fire, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Anti-Christ.

II. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-qabri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaali, wa ‘a’oothu bika in fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-ma’thami walmaghrami

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Anti-Christ, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.

III. Allaahumma ‘innee dhalamtu nafsee dhulman katheeran, wa laa yaghfiruththunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta, faghfir lee maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamnee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely You are Forgiving, Merciful.

IV. Allaahumma ‘a’innee ‘alaa thikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibaadatika.

· O Allah (SWT), help me to remember You, to give You thanks, and to perform Your worship in the best manner.

V. Allaahum-maghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘asrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu, wa maa ‘asraftu,wa maa ‘Anta ‘a’lamu bihi minnee. ‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta.

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have done openly, what I have done in excess, and what You are better aware of than I. You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays. There is none worthy of worship but You.

VI. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-bukhli, wa ‘a’oothu bika minal-jubni, wa ‘a’oothu bika min ‘an ‘uradda ‘ilaa ‘arthalil-‘umuri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatid-dunyaa wa’athaabil-qabri.

· O Allah, I seek Your protection from iserliness, I seek Your protection from cowardice, and I seek Your protection from being returned to feeble old age. I seek Your protection from the trials of this world and from the torment of the grave.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-jannata wa ‘a’oothu bika minan-naar.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You for Paradise and seek Your protection from the Fire.

VIII. Allaahumma bi’ilmikal-ghayba wa qudratika ‘alal-khalqi ‘ahyinee maa ‘alimtal-hayaata khayran lee wa tawaffane ‘ithaa ‘alimtal-wafaata khayran lee, Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka khashyataka fil-ghaybi wash-shahaadati, wa ‘as’aluka kalimatal-haqqi fir-ridhaa walghadhabi, wa ‘aas’alukal-qasda fil-ghinaa walfaqri, wa ‘as’aluka na’eeman laa yanfadu, wa ‘as’aluka qurrata ‘aynin laa tanqati’u, wa ‘as’alukar-ridhaa ba’dal-qadhaa’I, wa ‘as’aluka bardal-‘ayshi ba’dal-mawti, wa ‘as’aluka laththatan-nadhari ‘ilaa wajhika wash-shawqa ‘ilaa liqaa’ika fe ghayri dharraa’a mudhirratin wa laa fitnatin mudhillatin, Allaahumma zayyinna bizeenatil-‘eemaani waj’alnaa hudaatan muhtadeen.

· O Allah (SWT), by Your knowledge of the unseen and by Your power over creation, let me live if You know that life is good for me, and let me die if You know that death is good for me. O Allah (SWT), I ask You to grant me fear of You in private and in public. I ask You for the word of truth in times of contentment and anger. I ask You for moderation in wealth and in poverty. I ask You for blessings never ceasing and the coolness of my eye that never ends. I ask You for pleasure after Your judgement and I ask You for the delight of gazing upon Your Face and the joy of meeting You without any harm and misleading trials befalling me. O Allah (SWT), dress us with the beauty of Faith, and make us guides who are upon (correct) guidance.

IX. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka yaa Allaahu bi’annakal-Waahidul-‘Ahadus-Samadul-lathee, lam yalid wa lam yoolad, wal lam yakun lahu kufuwan ‘Ahad, ‘an taghfira lee thunoobee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You. O Allah (SWT), You are the One, the Only, Self-Sufficient Master, Who was not begotten and getets not and none is equal to Him. Forgive me my sins, surely you are Forgiving, Merciful.