worship

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. I saw a newspaper picture of a sheikh whom I personally know and respect where he was in a church lighting a candle, which we all know is part of a ritual performed by Christians. I also read where some Muslim "authority" from an Arab country bless and ask Almighty Allah to forgive and exalt the dead pope a few years ago.are these actions warranted to appease the Christians and other non-Muslim entities in the name of interfaith dialogue?Jazakum Alluhu khayran.

Can Muslims enter other religious places such as temples or churches and follow their traditions out of respect, the same as we expect non Muslims to respect our way when they come in to a mosque?  I am a convert and my family does not know I am Muslim.  So to keep the peace and a good relationship with them, sometimes they like me to go.  Also my only brother will get married soon in a temple and I would like my husband and I to go.  We have to keep our heads covered, even the men as a form of respect and when you enter you go to the front and give a donation and touch your head to the ground.  We in our hearts know we are Muslim, we know that there is only one god with no association.  I am aware that prophet Mohammed use to visit other places of worship.  Please let me know.  Thank you.

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. What are the ways in which a Muslim may worship Allah? Is salah the only way of worship or does it include dhikr, da`wah, etc.? Please list various ways. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Respected scholars, as-salamu`alaykum. Can Muslims enter other religious places, such as temples or churches, and follow their traditions out of respect, the same as we expect non-Muslims to respect our ways when they come into a mosque? I am a convert and my family does not know I am Muslim.So to keep the peace and a good relationship with them, sometimes they like me to go. Also my only brother will get married soon in a temple and I would li ke to go with my husband.We have to keep our heads covered, even the men, as a form of respect and when you enter you go to the front and give a donation and touch your head to the ground. We in our hearts know we are Muslims, we know that there is only one god with no association. I am aware that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit other places of worship. Please let me know.

Dear respected scholars, as-salamu`alaykum.Are non-muslims allowed to preach their religion and to build their places of worship in an Islamic State?If yes then why building of churches are not allowed in Saudi Arabia whereas muslims are building their Mosques in London and Paris etc.?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. We saw that a mosque was destroyed by the US occupation forces in Iraq. Is it permissible for non-Muslim invaders to destroy mosques durin g war? And is it permissible for Muslims to destroy churches and other non-Muslim places of worship? May Allah reward you!

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Why do not we see any difference to our lives despite that we perform Prayer and other acts of worship in Islam? Where is the defect? Can you please shed light on this critical issue? May Allah bless you all!

Scholars of Islam, As-Salamu `alaykum. What is the concept of worship in Islam - in detail?

As-salamu `alaykum. I have heard a lot of Muslims talking about the 15th of Sha`ban as a time for fasting and extra worship, yet I have never read any authentic hadiths to support this. What is your opinion regarding that?

As-Salamu `alaykum. I perform all my obligatory prayers on time, alhamdulullah. In addition to that, I also perform various optional prayers like Salatul-Tasabeeh and Salatul Hajah daily after Maghrib, Salatul-Istighfaar daily after Zuhr, and many other good deeds. Could you kindly advise me whether it is permissible to pray all these optional prayers on a regular basis, as we are not allowed to follow Islam extremely? Please support your answers with reasons and Hadiths. Thank you.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I follow the Hanafi Madhhab (School of Fiqh) in `ibadat (acts of worship). I try to stick to one madhhab because I don’t want to pick and choose rulings for their convenience.Some scholars say wiping over ordinary socks while making wudu’ (ablution) is valid, while the Hanafi School rejects it. Is this true and if it is, would my salah be valid?I find the Hanafi ruling regarding joining Prayers is more of a hardship than a help. May I join my Prayers in the time of one of them, and if I do so, is my Prayer valid if the rest of it is according to Hanafi rulings? What about hardship when not traveling? I am really not convinced by the Hanafi arguments. Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum wa Rahamtu Allah wa Barakatuh. Recently, I read a book by a scholar in our country. The basics of Islam are explained in it. Under the topic of Salah, Zakah and Siyam, etc., it is said that these types of activities are aimed at softening the heart of man to surrender completely to the Will of Allah. In other words, these acts of worship are not meant for themselves; rather they constitute the way to salvation. After reading that, a question came to my mind: we perform prayers for seeking Allah's pleasure, and to gain salvation in Hereafter. But, as it is mentioned in the book, are we per forming prayers as training only for the real submission to Allah. Can you please clear all these doubts? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Should a schizophrenic person perform the five pillars of Islam? Is the view different when he is showing the symptoms and when he is not? Jazakum Allah khayran. ]]>