Q1. If a person enters a mosque while the Fajr prayer is in progress, is it permissible for him to offer two Rak'ahs of Sunnah in spite of knowing that by doing so, he might miss out on the Jama'ah prayers and will have to offer Fard prayers alone? On the contrary, can he offer two Rak'ahs of Sunnah after the Fard prayers? Ahamed A. Shakoor, Al-Khobar A1. The two Sunnah Rak'ahs of Fajr are strongly recommended and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to offer them even while traveling. It was narrated that Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not adhere more firmly to any Nafal (voluntary) prayers than the two Rak'ahs of Fajr.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Therefore Muslims must offer these two Rak'ahs of Sunnah. But if a person reaches the mosque and finds the Fajr prayer in progress, he should join the Jama'ah with the Imam because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When the call for starting prayer is given, there is no prayer except the prescribed prayer.” (Muslim). Moreover, if a person misses the Sunnah prayer, he may offer it after sun rise (Ishraq) or after the two Rak'ahs of Fard prayers. Qays Ibn Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that once he missed his Sunnah prayers while offering Fajr prayers with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and then the Messenger of Allah saw him praying again, so he asked him “ Qays. Why are you offering Fajr prayers again?”. Qays said, “Messenger of Allah, I did not pray the two Rak'ahs before Fajr.” The Prophet said, “Don't offer them now.” According to another version narrated by Abu Dawood, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) remained silent, which indicated his approval. Q2. Are there any prescribed number of Sunnah Rak'ahs before and after Jum'uah (Friday) prayer? A2. There are no prescribed number of Sunnah Rak'ahs to be offered before Jum'uah (Friday) prayer. However, one can pray any number of Sunnah Rak'ahs till the Imam begins the Friday sermon. After concluding Jum'uah (Friday) prayers, one may pray two Rak'ahs in the mosque or four Rak'ahs at home ,because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever among you prays after Jum'uah, let him pray four (Rak'ahs)” (Muslim). And Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray two Rak'ahs after Jumah at home. Q3. While traveling, is it permissible to jointly offer Salat Al Jum'uah (Friday prayers) with Asr prayers, just like we can combine Duhur and Asr prayers? A3. The one who is traveling can join Duhur with Asr, Magrib with Isha and can shorten all the four Rak'ahs to two Rak'ahs. But the rules of offering Salat Al Jum'uah are different from the regular Duhur prayers. While traveling, one cannot joint Salat Al-Jumuah with Asr prayers and must wait till the call of the Asr prayers to offer them. However, if a traveler prays Salat Al Jumuah with other travelers or if he doesn't join the Jumuah prayers in the mosque, in that case he may jointly offer Duhr and Asr prayers, even on Friday. Q4. Do I have to pay Zakah for a piece of land that I own, but haven't decided what to do with it yet? A4. There is no Zakah on this land unless you decide to put it in the market for sale. In that case you should pay 2.5% of the value of this land as Zakah. Q5. Is it permissible to give Zakah to my siblings? A5.It is permissible to give Zakah to your siblings, if they are poor or needy, or they need financial help to pay off a debt. In fact giving Zakah to needy siblings carries more reward since giving charity to relatives is both charity as well as upholding ties of kinship. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Charity given to a poor person is charity, but charity given to a relative carries two rewards, the reward for charity and for upholding the ties of kinship.” Q.6 My husband deals with Riba (usury) in his work, although I advised him several times to find other work. Is my husband's income Haram? A.6 There is no doubt that Riba (usury) is a major sin that takes away the blessings of the wealth as Allah said in His book “Allah will destroy Riba (usury).” (2:276) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the one who consumes Riba, the one who pays it, the two persons who witness it and the one who writes it down. So any form of usury dealing is a major sin. However, the one who deals with Riba (usury) and earns it is the one responsible for this sin and not his family who use his income for their expenses. __
