General Remarks on Prayer

             As already pointed out, the Muslim’s mind should always be occupied with the remembrance of God and his tongue be busied with utterances of praise and glory of Him. Besides the above mentioned forms of prayer, there are many other occasions where prayer is strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad. Such occasions are like these:

1.         The time of excessive rain;

2.         The time of drought and shortage of rain;

3.         The time of moon or sun’s eclipse.
 

             In times like these the Muslim is advised to pray as many units and as long as he wishes.
 
             There are other times where he utters certain expressions without resorting to the prescribed form of ordinary prayers. In such utterances he expresses gratitude God and appreciation of His favors, hope in Him and reliance upon His aid, remembrance of Him and prayer for His mercy. Among these times are:

1.         The time of childbirth;

2.         The time of performing marriage;

3.         The time when going to and rising from bed;

4.         The time of leaving the house and returning to it;

5.         The time of entering and leaving toilet;

6.         The time of starting a journey or entering a city;

7.         The time of riding or driving;

8.         The time of entering a boat;

9.         The time of distress;

10.        Before a looking glass or facing a mirror;

11.        After bath or ablution;

12.        When receiving the first fruits of the harvest;

13.        When visiting the graveyard.

             On each of these occasions the Muslim is advised to remember God with proper and fitting utterances expressing his feelings and thoughtfulness.

            There are given prayers for these occasions, but one can use whatever one knows as long as it is in praise of God and remembrance of Him. Here we give more specific examples to be used as a suitable pattern:

  1. Before meals or drinks one says:

    2. ÈÓã Çááå

    “Bismi-l-Lahi" this means

    “In the name of God"

  2. When finishing meals one says:

    3. ÇáÍãÏ ááå ÇáÐì ÃØÚãäÇ æÓÞÇäÇ æÌÚáäÇ ãÓáãíä

    “Al-Hamdu Lil-Lahi-L-Ladhi At’amana, wasaqana, wa Ja’alana Muslimeen.”

    This means

    “All praise is due to God Who has given us to eat and drink, and Who has made us Muslims.”

  3. When visiting the Sick, one says:

ÃÐåÈ ÇáÈÃÓ ÑÈ ÇáäÇÓ , æÇÔÝ ÃäÊ ÇáÔÇÝí ,

áÇ ÔÝÇÁ ÅáÇ ÔÝÇÄß ÔÝÇÁÇð áÇ íÛÇÏÑ ÓÞãÇ

“Adhhibi-l-ba’sa Rabba-n-nas Wa-shfi Anta-Sh-shafi; la shifa e’lla shifa-uk-shifaan layughadiru Saqama" this means

 

“Take away the sickness, O Lord of all people! And restore to health, You are the Healer; there is no healing but the healing You give; grant recovery which leaves no ailment behind.”


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