The Ashton Central Mosque is open for all 5 daily prayers, both for men and women. During the month of Ramadan the fasts are opened collectively in the atrium hall and Tarawih prayers are performed after Isha’ every night. Facilities are also available for community members to observe I‘tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan.
At What Age Does Prayer Become Obligatory?
It becomes obligatory for a Muslim to observe prayers upon reaching the age of puberty.
Puberty is defined by natural manifest signs some of which are common to both genders and others are exclusive to just one gender.
Common puberty signs: Read More…
Scholars call these times ‘awqat al-karahiyyah’ i.e. disliked prayer times. Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars have maintained that they are three: from sunrise until the sun is one or two spear lengths above the horizon; from the time the sun is at its zenith until it moves on; when the sun yellows and the eyes are not hurt by looking at it until sunset. Read More…
Turning towards the direction of the Qiblah [direction of prayer] is among the conditions for the validity of prayer; Allah the Almighty says: So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. And from wherever you go out [for prayer], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces toward it in order that the people will not have any argument against you…[Qur’an 2:150] Read More…
Reading From A Copy Of The Qur`an During Salah
One of the best acts of worship and praiseworthy sunnahs is to combine two meritorious deeds—prayers and reading the Qur`an —in an effort to complete the Qur`an during prayers. Since it is not possible for everyone to do this with the chapters he has memorized, scholars have discussed the permissibility of reading from a copy of the Qur`an during prayers by holding it in one’s hands or placing it on a stand.
The opinion of the Shafi’is and the preponderant opinion of the Hanbalis. It is permissible for both the imam and the person praying alone to read from a copy of the Qur`an during prayers. Read More…
Praying in mosques containing shrines of the friends of Allah is not only valid and permissible, but reaches the status of recommendation as confirmed by primary evidence from the Qur`an and sunnah, the practice of the Companions and the practical consensus of the community.
Evidence from the Qur`an Allah the Almighty says, They dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said, “Construct a building over them”: Their Lord knows best about them.” Those who prevailed over their affair said, “Let us surely build a place of worship over them.” [Al-Kahf,21] The context of the verse indicates that the words in the first quotation were uttered by the disbelievers while those in the second were uttered by the believers. Allah the Almighty relates the two statements without repudiation, demonstrating the permissibility of both opinions. But contrary to the words of the believers which were marked with indecision, the words of the believers imply commendation and resoluteness in their desire to erect a mosque and not a mere structure. Read More…
There is no legal objection to taking children to the mosque and it is even recommended if they are discerning. The aim is to inculcate into them the habit of praying, raise them to love and become attached to places where Muslims gather to worship Allah the Almighty and to make this an inherent part of their personality. All the while, one must be careful to teach them good manners, forbid them from distracting others who are praying or creating chaos in the mosque. One must also assume a gentle and lenient manner and exercise patience without frightening or intimidating them. Read More…
There are numerous hadiths concerning straightening the rows, some of which were included in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and other works.
1. Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said, “Straighten your rows for it is part of establishing prayers.”
2. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Prophet said, “Straighten your rows for I can see you from behind my back.”
3. An-Nu’man Ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet said, “Align your rows or Allah will create dissension among you.” Read More…