ON ISTINJAA

Etiquette of Istinjaa

(Istinjaa is to purify oneself after answering the call of nature.)

(1) In the toilet use water to purify the affected parts.

(2) Enter the toilet with the left foot and emerge with the right foot.

(3) Before entering the toilet recite the Masnoon Dua.

Similarly, recite the Masnoon Dua after having emerged.

 

 

 

(4) Do not enter the toilet bare-headed.

(5) Abstain from talking while in the toilet.

(6) Do not cough or clear the throat unnecessarily inside the toilet.

(7) Do not recite anything inside the toilet.

(8) Do not take into the toilet any paper or object on which is written an aayat of the Qur'aan, any Hadith, name of Allah or of an Angel, or Nabi. However, if such an item is wrapped in a cloth and kept in the pocket, then it will be permissible.

(prevention of loss or theft)

(9) It is Makrooh (detestable) to stand while urinating. However, this will be permissible for a valid reason.

(10) When relieving oneself in the toilet do not be entirely in the nude.

(11) Use the left hand when cleaning yourself in the toilet. It is Makrooh to use the right hand.

(12) Do not use cloth, writing paper, newspaper or any material the purpose of which is not for toilet use nor any impure object for cleansing oneself in the toilet. Istinjaa should be made with soft clay-stone which is absorbent and which has cleansing properties. (It is permissible to use toilet paper. - Translators).

(13) Do not face the Qiblah in the toilet nor have the back towards the Qiblah.

(14) When having to answer the call of nature in an open veld, etc., sit as concealed as possible and as far away from the gazes of people as possible. Do not expose yourself to others in the slightest way.

(15) Do not relieve yourself along the road nor in the shade of a tree. People taking rest under trees will be highly inconvenienced and put to difficulty.

(16) Do not urinate in a hole in the ground, for perhaps it is inhabited by some poisonous animals (snake, etc.) which may suddenly emerge.

(17) Do not urinate in stagnant water no matter how abundant it is.

(18) Do not urinate in such a place or in such a way that urine splashes against you. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that carelessness in this regard results in punishment in the grave.

(19) Do not urinate in the bathroom.

(20) When having to relieve yourself outside, do not face the sun and the moon nor against the wind.

(21) When going into the toilet remove your ring on which there is an inscription bearing the Name of Allah or of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

 

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net 

ON Manners of Conversation

The Manners of Conversation

In Surah al-Hajj, Allah described the believers:

وَهُدُوا إِلَى الطَّيِّبِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَهُدُوا إِلَى صِرَاطِ الْحَمِيدِ

"And they have been guided to the purest of talk; and guided to the path of Him who is worthy of praise (22:24)

When one speaks, one should speak only what befits a situation and be brief in doing so. If one is amongst the youngest present, you should not speak unless you are asked to, or you know that your talk will be well received, will benefit or please others. One should not prolong speech, but be clear, concise and to the point rather than prolonging on and on.

Anas (رضى الله عنه) reported;

"The Prophet's (saw) speech was clear and succinct, neither too long nor too short, and he disliked chattering and ranting." (Sahih Bukhari)

Similarly it was reported in Bukhari and Muslim that 'Aisha (رضى الله عنها) said,

"The Prophet (saw) spoke [so few words] that you could count his words."

If you hear the athān/azan (calling of prayer), stop talking, listen to it and respond to the call of Allāh. Many people, even those with Islamic knowledge, continue talking while the athān/azan is being called. This is rude, as those hearing the athān/azan should listen to it and quit speech, study and even the recitation of the Qurān. Thoughtfully, one should reflect on the words of the athān/azan and the meaning of the call, and one should stop doing all other things, such as speech, study or recitation of the Quran even.

Speech, and the adab of conversation reflects one's personality. It is speech and the actions of the tongue that may lead a person to the hellfire. The tongue is the best and most delicate muscle, for it can benefit and harm. The wise one is He who thinks before speaking. This not only involves the tone, the topic of conversation, the benefit of our speech and the adāb and ettiquettes of listening and debating, but encompasses also one's intention. When one speaks, the tongue should not just flow mindlessly, but one should think about the consequence first.

credits:  Adab in Islam

http://adabinislam.blogspot.com/2007/11/manners-of-conversation.html  

   

WHY DO WE USE RIGHT HAND INSTEAD OF LEFT?

It is a sunna to use the right hand for noble matters, and the left hand for lowly matters, whenever reasonably possible.  This is a general recommendation. It is not sinful or prohibited to use the left hand; doing so without need is, however, blameworthy because it is going against recommended Prophet practice.

Sayyida `Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) related that, The Messenger of Allah loved using the right in wearing his shoes, combing his hair, purification, and in all his matters. [Bukhari and Muslim]

She also related that, The Messenger of Allah’s hand (blessings and peace be upon him) was for his purification and eating, and his left for the toilet and anything lowly. [Abu Dawud; Nawawi declared it rigorously authentic in his Majmu`]

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) said, It is from the sunna that you enter the mosque with your right leg, and leave with your left leg. [Hakim]

The hadiths related to this are numerous.

Ibn Daqiq explained that this is a general recommendation from which certain particulars have been excepted, such as entering the washroom, cleaning one’s private parts, leaving the mosque, and the like, for the sunna in these is to use the left. [Sharh Umdat al-Ahkam]

The scholars deduced from the hadiths related to right and left that the general principle is:

1. To prefer the right [hand or foot] for all noble matters, such as:

          Wudu’

          Entering the mosque

          Wearing clothes

          Praying to the right of the imam if the lines are even [otherwise, evening the lines is superior]

          Giving salams to the right first in prayer

          Turning one’s head to the right first in the adhan when saying Hayya `ala al-Salah

          Brushing the right side of one’s teeth first

          Starting to cut one’s hair from the right side first

          Serving food or water to those on one’s right first

          Sleeping on one’s right side

          Shaking hands

          Eating and drinking with one’s right

          Giving and taking things

          Brushing one’s hair.

2. To prefer the left for all lowly or less desirable matters, such as:

• Going from a more noble to a less noble place:

o        Going out of the house

o        Going out of the mosque

o        Entering the toilet

• Cleaning one’s private parts or filth

Ref: [Ibn Daqiq Sharh Umdat al-Ahkam; Saffarini, Ghida� al-Albab (2.91-93); Nawawi, Majmu` (1.408-410); Kasani, Bada�i` al-Sana�i` (1.22); Baji, al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta� (7.234-235); Khadimi/Barkawi, al-Bariqa fi Sharh al-Tariqa (4.74-77)]

credits:  http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1686&CATE=111  

 

The Etiquette for Salat al-Jumuah

O believers, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you but did know." [Al-Jumuah, 62:9] Purifying and cleaning oneself
The person intending to perform Salat al-Jumuah is highly encouraged to have ghusl (full bath or shower). The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the ghusl for Salat a-Jumuah is recommended (sunnah) but not obligatory. The ghusl is performed starting from the time of Fajr Prayer. Also, if a person performs ghusl and then later invalidates his ablution, he need not repeat the ghusl. Making ablution (wudhu) suffices. Furthermore, one ghusl may be used for removing sexual defilement (janabah) and for Salat al-Jumuah.
Going early to the masjid
There is a great reward in going early to Salat al-Jumuah, beginning after sunrise. By leaving for Salat al-Jumuah, one gets the reward of waiting for the Prayer, making dhikr (remembering Allah) and voluntary prayers during that time. Abu Umamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, "The angels sit at the doors to the Masjids and with them are scrolls in which they record the people [who come]. When the Imam appears, the scrolls are rolled up." Abu Umamah was asked, "Does the one who comes after the Imam still have a Friday Prayer?" he said, "Certainly, but he is not one of those who is recorded [as coming early]." [Ahmad and al-Tabarani]
Dressing well for Salat al-Jumuah
This is a special time that requires Muslims to appear in the best manner possible. One should therefore put on his best attire for Salat al-Jumuah.
The Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, "If one has the means, he should buy two pieces of clothing, other than his work clothes or [everyday clothing], to wear on Friday." [Abu Dawud]
Performing tahiyyat al-Masjid
If a person comes late to the Friday Prayer while the Imam is delivering the khutbah, should he pray the two rak`ahs of tahiyyat al-Masjid (prayer of greeting the mosque) and the sit or should he simply skip them? The strongest opinion is to perform the tahiyyat al-Masjid based on the Hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam): "If one of you comes to the Masjid, he should pray two rak`ahs before he sits" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. However, tahiyyat al-Masjid is not required of the person giving the khutbah. Also, this requirement is limited only to prayers offered in a Masjid.

1. Walking to the Masjid whenever feasible as there is a reward for every step taken to the Masjid.
2. Avoiding stepping over people to get to a particular spot in the Masjid.
3. Avoiding dividing two people who are sitting together.
4. Not making someone stand and taking his place.
5. Not clasping one’s hands and intertwining one’s fingers while waiting for the prayer.
6. Sitting in the front rows and close to the Imam whenever possible.
7. Remaining quiet while the Imam is delivering the khutbah. This actually includes listening to the Imam and not playing with anything while the Imam is speaking.
8. Going to the Masjid in a state of calmness and not being hurried.
9. Reciting surah al-Kahf (surah 18) as an authentic Hadith states: "For whoever recites surah al-Kahf on Friday, it will be a light for him from that Friday to the next." [Al-Bayahaqi and Al-Hakim] The surah could be read any time of the day.

Indeed, Salat al-Jumuah is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. The Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) has described the wonderful blessings and benefits that Allah has vouchsafed upon Muslims through this magnificent act. Knowing how important this prayer is in Allah’s sight, Muslims must do their best to perform it in the best way possible. They should strive and sacrifice for the sake of this Prayer.

Credits:   http://blog.iloveallaah.com/2010/07/the-etiquette-for-salat-al-jumuah/  

MANNER OF EATING

There are certain table manners that are indispensable. Say 'Bismillah' when starting, to thank Allah and say 'Alhamdulilah' when finished. Eat what is in front of you. Eat using your right hand. A hypocrite was eating with his left hand when the Prophet saw him and advised him to eat with his right. The man falsely said 'But I cannot' The Prophet said 'May it be so' and the hypocrite was not able to lift his right hand again.

The companions of the Prophet followed his example in stressing the use of the right hand while eating. Omar was Khalifa when he saw a man eating with his left hand and similarly advised him to eat with his right. The man answered 'My right is busy' Omar repeated his request and the man repeated his answer. Omar asked him 'What is it busy with?' The man answered that it had been severed in one of the battles. Omar blamed himself for neglecting such handicap and ordered the treasurer to provide the man with a servant to help him.

If eating with your hand, use three fingers with small bites, lifting it gently with ease to your mouth. Close your mouth while eating to avoid unnecessary noises. To eat on the floor is nearer to what the Prophet used to do. However, there is no problem to eat at a table. Imam Ghazali said, 'To eat at a table is to make eating easier and there is nothing against that.' Do not start eating ahead of the elders or the nobles. If you are the elder, do not commence eating before everyone is at the table.

It is preferred that eating should not be conducted in silence. It is good manners to talk during meals. Topics should be nice stories suitable for eating. At the end of the meal, if hands are to be washed, the elder or the noble should be asked to proceed first.

At the end of a meal, thank Allah as in the Hadith reported by Abo Dawood and Nasa'i in 'the deeds of day and night.' Thank Allah who fed us and provided us with drink. It is very appropriate to make a prayer for your hosts as it is reported by Muslim that Al-Migdad ibn Al-Aswad reported that the Prophet said, 'May Allah feed those who have fed us, and provide drinks to those who provided us with it.'

Do not express your disapproval or dislike of certain foods. Either eat it or pass it over quietly. Abu Huraira reported that 'the Prophet never expressed his dislike of a food. If he liked it he will eat it. If he disliked it, he will set aside.'

Do not put in your plate more than can eat. Leftovers could be thrown out, it shouldn't, and wasted. Put smaller portions twice rather than one large portion that you will not eat. The Prophet did not approve of leaving any food in a plate since as he said 'You don't know which portion is blessed'. Food is a blessing of Allah, to misuse it is contrary to Islam. Do not forget the poor and the needy who do not have the portion you are throwing away.

source: http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1949&CATE=111