Beating the Wife in Islam

The sections of this article are: 1-  Wife beating is not allowed in Islam! 2-  Noble Verses and Sayings that support the prohibition of any type of wife beating. 3-  The Prophet forbade striking on the face. 4-  What about the saying about striking the wife lightly on her hand with a siwak? This saying doesn’t belong to Prophet Muhammad.  5-  More proofs about the translation of Noble Verse 4:34. 6-  Conclusion. Wife beating anytime and for any reason is never allowed in Islam.  There is however a questionable condition where Allah Almighty seems to allow the husband to beat his wife, and that is after he gives her two warnings to stop showing ill-conduct and disloyalty. Let us look at Noble Verses 4:34-36 “(34). Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). (35). If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation: For Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things. (36). Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;” The Arabic word used in Noble Verse 4:34 above is “idribuhunna”, which is derived from “daraba” which means “beat”.  The issue with all of the Arabic words that are derived from the word “daraba” is that they don’t necessarily mean “hit”.  The word “idribuhunna” for instance, could very well mean to “leave” them.  It is exactly like telling someone to “beat it” or “drop it” in English. Allah Almighty used the word “daraba” in Noble Verse 14:24 “Seest thou not how Allah sets (daraba) forth a parable? — A goodly Word Like a goodly tree, Whose root is firmly fixed, And its branches (reach) To the heavens”.  “daraba” here meant “give an example”.  If I say in Arabic “daraba laka mathal”, it means “give you an example”. Allah Almighty also used the word “darabtum”, which is derived from the word “daraba” in Noble Verse 4:94, which mean to “go abroad” in the sake of Allah Almighty: “O ye who believe! When ye go abroad (darabtum) In the cause of Allah, Investigate carefully, And say not to anyone Who offers you a salutation: ‘Thou art none of a Believer!’ Coveting the perishable good Of this life: with Allah Are profits and spoils abundant.  Even thus were ye yourselves Before, till Allah conferred On you His favours: therefore Carefully investigate.  For Allah is well aware Of all that ye do.   (The Noble Quran, 4:94)“ So “daraba” literally means “beat”, or “go abroad”, or “give” but not in the sense to give something by hand, but rather to give or provide an example. Important Note:  Notice how Allah Almighty in Noble Chapter (Surah) 4 He used “daraba (4:34” and “darabtum (4:94)”, which are both derived from the same root.  He used both words in the same Chapter, which tells me that “daraba” in Noble Verse 4:34 means to desert or leave, since that’s what its derived word meant in Noble Verse 4:94.   The next section below will further prove my point. I am sure there are more Noble Verses that used words derived from “daraba” in the Noble Quran, but these are the only ones I know of so far.  In the case of Noble Verse 4:34 where Allah Almighty seems to allow men to hit their wives after the two warnings for ill-conduct and disloyalty, it could very well be that Allah Almighty meant to command the Muslims to “leave” the home all together and desert their wives for a long time in a hope that the wives would then come back to their senses and repent. Noble Verses and Sayings that support the prohibition of any type of wife beating: The following Noble Verses and Sayings from the Noble Quran and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him respectively seem to very well support the above interpretation: “…Do not retain them (i.e., your wives) to harm them…(The Noble Quran, 2:231)“ Narrated Mu’awiyah al-Qushayri: “I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them.  (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)“ Narrated Mu’awiyah ibn Haydah: “I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her.  (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2138)“ Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: “He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women.  (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 008, Number 3468)“ “O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good.  (The Noble Quran, 4:19)”  “And among God’s signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males as mates for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquillity and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect. (The Noble Quran 30:21)”   “Women impure for men impure. And women of purity for men of purity. These are not affected by what people say. For them is forgiveness and an honorable provision. (The Noble Quran 24:26)“ Narrated Abu Huraira: “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 135)“ Narrated Abu Huraira: “A man said to the Prophet , ‘Advise me! ‘The Prophet said, ‘Do not become angry and furious.’ The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, ‘Do not become angry and furious.’   (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 137)“ Abu Huraira reported: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: One is not strong because of one’s wrestling skillfully. They said: Allah’s Messenger, then who is strong? He said: He who controls his anger when he is in a fit of rage.  (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining of the Ties of Relationship (Kitab Al-Birr was-Salat-I-wa’l-Adab), Book 032, Number 6314)“ Allah Almighty loves those who restrain anger: “Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.  (The Noble Quran, 3:134)“ The Prophet forbade striking on the face: Let us look at the following narrations about Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him: Narrated Salim: “….Umar said: ‘The Prophet forbade beating on the face.‘  (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Hunting, Slaughtering, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 449)“ Narrated AbuHurayrah: “The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: When one of you inflicts a beating, he should avoid striking the face.   (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 38, Prescribed Punishments (Kitab Al-Hudud), Number 4478)”  These narrations do not prove the interpretation that wife beating being ok as long as it is not done on the face, because the narrations are general and do not mention any wives.  The striking could be done on our children when we discipline them.  In this case, the above two narrations would fit perfectly with the situation, because while we can still physically discipline our children, we are not allowed to hit them on the face. What about the saying about striking the wife lightly on her hand with a siwak? There is not a single Saying or Noble Verse from Prophet Muhammad or the Noble Quran respectively that mentions any such beating. A siwak is a small piece of wood that is approximately twice as long as an index finger and as thick as a thumb, which was used 1400 years ago to brush the teeth and the bad breath. This saying actually belongs to Imam Shafie, and not to Prophet Muhammad.  Imam Shafie or Minister Shafie is a popular Muslim scholar that came 100s of years after Prophet Muhammad.  I used to have the reference information to his saying about this subject, but unfortunately I lost it.  When I find it insha’Allah (if Allah Almighty wills it) I will post it. More proofs about the translation of Noble Verse 4:34: The following is an email that sent to me by brother A. Tilling; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him. From:    ARJTilling@aol.com To:    ISLM4EVR1@aol.com Subj:    Another Reply to Mr O Abdallah Date:    3/28/02 3:16:15 AM Central Standard Time Peace, I have visited the link and it was what I expected.  But the question I am asking is a linguistic one, not one based on interpretations and jurisprudence.  Here again is the extract I provided: >>>>>>> (4:34) […]as for those women on whose part ye fear rebellion (nushuz), admonish them and banish them to beds apart, (and last) beat (adriboo) them. Then, if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Note from me Osama Abdallah:   Actually the Arabic word is not “adriboo” which is a plural for beating men.  It is “idribuhunna” which is a plural for beating women.  But the two Arabic words mean the same thing, which is “beating”. Continuing with brother A. Tilling email…. The key to the problem is the mistranslation of the two key words nushuz and adriboo. Some of the possible meanings for both the words, according to the lexicon,3 are given below. Again, the appropriate meaning will depend on the context of the verse. Nushuz: Animosity, hostility, rebellion, ill-treatment, discord; violation of marital duties on the part of either husband or wife. Adriboo (root: daraba): to beat, to strike, to hit, to separate, to part. In the context of the above verse the most appropriate meaning for nushuz is ‘marital discord’ (ill-will, animosity etc), and for adriboo is ‘to separate’ or ‘to part’.   Otherwise, it is inviting the likelihood of a divorce without any reconciliation procedure.  Such a step would blatantly contravene the Qur’anic guidance shown in verse 4:35 below.  Therefore, a more accurate and consistent translation of the above verse would be: (4:34) […]as for those women whose animosity or ill-will you have reason to fear, then leave them alone in bed, and then separate; and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek a way against them. The separation could be temporary or permanent depending on the reconciliation procedure.  Such as construction is legitimate within the terms of the language and fits in very well with the divorce procedure outlined in the Qur’an (see 8.5). The verse following the above verse gives further weight to the above translation. (4:35) And if ye fear a breach between them twain (the man and the wife), appoint an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter from her folk. If they desire amendment Allah will make them of one mind. Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Aware. Added weight to the meanings outlined above is given by verse 4:128 quoted below.   Here, in the case of a man, the same word nushuz is used, but it is rendered as ‘ill-treatment’ as against ‘rebellion’ in the case of a woman as shown earlier in the traditional translation of verse 4:34.  One find oneself asking whether since the ill-treatment is on the part of the husband, a process of reconciliation is here to be encouraged! (4:128) If a wife fears ill-treatment (nushuz) or desertion on her husband’s part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best[…] This, obviously, is a double standard and the only way to reconcile the meanings of the two verses, in the contexts they are being used, is to accept the meaning of adriboo as: ‘to separate’ or to ‘part’.  In this connection I would like to refer the reader to an excellent article by Rachael Tibbet from which I quote: (a) Qur’anic commentators and translators experience problems with the term Adribu in the Qur’an not just in this verse but in others, as it is used in different contexts in ways which appear ambiguous and open to widely different translations into English.   ‘Daraba’ can be translated in more than a hundred different ways. (b) The translation of adribu as ‘to strike’ in this particular verse (4:34) is founded upon nothing more than: (i) The authority of hadiths (Abu Daud 2141 and Mishkat Al-Masabih 0276) that this is what Adribu means in this context. (ii) The prejudices and environment of the early commentators of the Qur’an which led them to assume that ‘to strike’, given the overall context of the verse, was the most likely interpretation of the many possible interpretations of adribu. >>>>>>>>> Thanks A Tilling Conclusion: According to the Noble Quran and the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him above, wife beating in Islam is definetly prohibited, possibly even in the case where the wife fails after she was warned twice for her ill-conduct and disloyalty. It is definetly a valid interpretation for Noble Verse 4:34 that Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to desert and leave their wives, and not to physically beat them as many scholars believe. I personally favor this non-violent interpretation, because (1) It is very well supported in Islam as clearly and unquestionably shown above; and (2) It makes more sense and seems more practical in dealing with the bad wife who insists on showing ill-conduct and disloyalty toward her husband and family. And Allah Almighty knows best, and may He forgive me if I made any mistake here. Please email me at   Osama Abdallah this content was reposted from http://www.islamawareness.net/Wife/beating1.html

Charity

‎`Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Guard yourselves against the Fire (of Hell) even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the point that Sadaqah has great benefits and even in its minimum scope and quantity it can ensure our safety against Hell-fire. We are told that if we do not have even a single date or half of it to give to a needy person, we can manage to have the same benefit by talking to him in a compassionate tone, provided we have Faith in our heart.

Do not Be Sad

 So do not become weak [against your enemy, nor be sad… (Quran 3: 139)

 And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.(Quran 16: 127)

 Be not sad, surely Allah is with us. (Quran 9: 40)

 Referring to true believers, Allah informs us that:

Upon such shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 2: 38)

Sadness enervates the souls will to act and paralyzes the body into inactivity. Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart benefits nothing through grief the most beloved thing to the Devil is to make the worshiper sad in order to prevent him from continuing on his path.

Allah, the Exalted, says:

 *Secret counsels [conspiracies] are only from Shaytaan [Satan], in order that he may cause grief to the believers. (Quran 58: 10)

In the following hadith, the Prophet (bpuh) said:

 “In a company of three, it is forbidden for two to hold secret counsel to the exclusion of the third, since doing so will be a cause of sadness for him.”

 Contrary to what some believe (those who have an extreme ascetic bent); the believer should not seek out sadness, because sadness is a harmful condition that afflicts the soul.The Muslim must repel sadness and fight it in any way that is permissible in our Religion.

 There is no real benefit to sadness; the Prophet (bpuh) sought refuge from it in the following supplication: “O Allah, I seek refuge in you from anxiety and grief.”

Grief is coupled with anxiety in this hadith. The difference between the two is that if a bad feeling is related to what is going to happen in the future. Then one is feeling anxiety. And if the cause of this feeling concerns the past, then one is feeling grief both of them weaken the heart, causing inactivity and a decrease in will power.

Enjoining What is Right, Forbidding What is Wrong

Image via Wikipedia

Article written by Muhammad Alshareef.

Ashaab As-Sabt – the people of Saturday. They were a townsfolk from Bani Israel who were tested with the Sabbath, the day when they were to leave their worldly affairs and be devout to Allah. All week long they would go fishing with scant return. But on Saturdays, when they were required to put aside their activities, the fish would come in abundance. A test from Allah!

“Ask them (O Muhammad) concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). For on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.” (Surah Al Araf 7:163)

A group of the townsfolk transgressed, not satisfied with Allahs commandments devising a scheme to by-pass the commandment. They would put out their fishing nets on Friday, and then on Sunday they would come and pick the nets up. Now all the Saturday fish would be caught.

The townsfolk divided into 2 groups when they saw the grave evil and sin that was befalling. The first group tried to advise the transgressors and warn them of the horrific consequences of their action – commanding the good and forbidding the evil.

Thinking they had no responsibility for what was taking place, the other group just went about minding their own business, holding that Allah would eventually destroy the sinners.

And when a community among them said, “Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?”

Listen carefully to the reply of the first group.

“When some of them said: “Why do you preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?”- said the preachers: “To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him.”” (Surah Al Araf 7:164)

So the first group spoke out against the disobedience that was taking place for two reasons: One, so that they would be pardoned before Allah because they tried to hold back the transgressors. And two, so that perhaps the transgressors may hear the reminder and turn back to Allah. It was only this group that survived.

“When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression. When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.”” (Surah Al Araf 7:165-166)

In one sweeping night, the punishment rained down and they were transfigured into pigs and monkeys.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is the nature of a human being to feel the need to do good or feel the drive to indulge in evil. Even if we were to be alone, deserted and secluded, we would still feel a drive to do good or indulge in evil.

But as for our ummah, it should of our characteristic to only do good. And we should not only do good ourselves, but we must encourage others to do good; we must be the driving force. And we should not only distance ourselves from vice, but we must forbid others from doing it also, we must be the obstacle.

Dear brothers and sisters, if we all had Muslim identification badges, and the badge was valid, the description that would go on the badge would read: This man/woman commands the good and forbids evil, for this is how Allah described us.

“Ye (true believers in Islam) are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah…” (Surah Ali Imran 3:110)

Good and evil. When it comes to encouraging one or the other, there are two groups of people. The first are those who encourage others to do good and advise them to stop the evil they may be committing. These are the muminoon and muminaat, the believing men and women, the ones that shall be favored by Allah’s Mercy:

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just (al-maruf), and forbid what is evil (al-munkar): they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” (Surah Al Tawbah 9:71)

The second group of people are those who encourage others towards evil and stop them whenever they see them doing acts of virtue. These are the munaafiqoon and munaafiqaat, the hypocrite men and women who Allah shall shun.

“The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other : They enjoin evil (al-munkar), and forbid what is just (al-maruf), and are close with their hands. They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.” (Surah Al Tawbah 9:67)

The Quran tells us that the winners, those that attain success, are those Muslim men and women who command the good and forbid the evil. And Allah teaches us that He cursed nations before us because they lost this characteristic of encouraging good and forbidding evil:

“Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses. Nor did they (usually) forbid one another the iniquities which they committed: evil indeed were the deeds which they did.” (Surah Al Maidah 5:78-79)

Ten of the Best Manners

From Al-Harmaas ibn Habeeb, who narrarated from his father, who narrarated from his grandfather, that he heard ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anhaa) saying:

“The best manners are ten:

 

• Truthful speech
• Sincerity and courage in obedience to Allah
• Giving the one who asks
• Recompensing the worker [employee]
• Keeping the ties of kinship
• Giving back [being trustworthy] with that which you are entrusted upon
• Honesty and good treatment of the neighbor
• Honesty and good treatment of the spouse
• Honouring the guests

and the top of all, the [best manners] is

– hayaa [shyness & modesty].”

 

[Taken from The Excellence of Aaishah The Mother of The Believers pg 47. Reference in Arabic (Makaarim-al-Akhlaaq of Ibn Abee Dunya(35).]

 

WHEN SOMEONE DIES

True Meaning of

Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raajioon

By Asma bint Shameem

 

 

Yeah, sure we say this statement when someone dies.  Also some of us may say this sentence when they lose something, suffer a setback or harm.  But………..do you know what it means?

Sure, everyone know that it obviously means To Allaah we belong and to Him is our return.  But thats not what I am talking about.  I mean ….do you REALLY, TRULY understand these words and their implications in a Muslim’s life?  It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allaah.

Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allaah, alone.  It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.  So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allaah.  The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah’s property.  Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allaah alone.

“And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth….” (Surah Aal-Imraan:180)

“The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things.” ( Surat al-Ma’ida: 120)

“Say: ‘To Allah belongs the East and the West…” (Surah al-Baqarah:142)

Now, since everything belongs to Allaah, then we have to include even our souls in that list. The very souls that we think of as our “self”; our “nafs”; our “being” — whatever you want to call it — that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allaah. It’s not YOURS. In fact, YOU are not YOURS.

The Benefits of Congregational Prayer

If we knew about the excellence of congregational prayers and the benefits it brings to us and our community we would rush to pray all of our prayers in the Masjid.   Praying together increases the bonds of brotherhood by meeting and greeting on a regular basis, provides the means of knowing the needs or conditions of our neighbors, and uplifts our soul by seeing other people who are performing ibada.  Imagine a person who prays all of his salat in his home, and he rarely goes out except to work.  How then shall his neighbors know he is sick -so that they can visit him; in need of support – so that they can offer help; in need of friendship- so that they can increase their bonds of caring… Secondly, praying in congregation improves our behavior, increases us in knowledge and also faith when we stay for short lectures or group discussions which invariably occur after prayers.

By joining congregational prayers we confirm our presence in the community, become aware of possible activities which our families may enjoy, or provide the community with our own skills and knowledge.  Recently, while looking for a home to purchase, my son made a comment about the house we had just seen, “one of the best selling points of the house is that is is close to a nice masjid.”  I quickly agreed happy that he had thought of this.  Instead of being happy with my comment my children laughed because they meant literally the selling points of THE HOUSE; however, isn’t location a selling point?  I ask that God create or increase the desire among the Muslims to attend masjid for all of their fard prayers especially fajr and isha.

Additionally, let us not forget some hadith about sunna prayers:

1.  Zaid bin Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “O people! perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  This hadith shows us that we should offer our fard salat in the masjid and sunna prayers in the home.  This is done for a few reasons; to bless our homes by praying within them, to be an example to the rest of our household to offer salat, and also to prevent our hearts from showing off .

2.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Observe part of the [Nawafil (voluntary)] Salat (prayers) in your homes. Do not turn your homes into graves.”   [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].  Our homes become as dark graves with no plans of worship and the light which is brought by ibada as well as the blessings upon the home and those who pray within.

Finally, “The distinguishing factor between kufr and Imaan is the deliberate neglect of Salaat.” (Muslim)  Let us be of those who pray on its time with khushoo (calm focus).

 

 

 

The fact that both, the Qur’an and Sunnah, have laid great stress on the congregational prayer and described its unique excellence, shows that the fard prayer is meant to be offered collectively, and no one in the Islamic community should even think of observing it individually unless one has to do so on the account of a genuine reason. The Qur’an says:

“…and bend down in ruku with those who bend down in ruku.” [Al-Baqarah 2:43]

Arguing from this verse, the commentators are generally of the view that prayer has to be offered collectively. The importance of the congregational prayer in Islam is so great that the Muslims have been enjoined to observe it even in the battlefield where danger to life is extreme. The Qur’an has prescribed the following way:

” And when you, O Prophet, are among the Muslims and are going to lead them in salah (in a state of war), let a party stand behind you, carrying their weapons with them. When they have made their prostrations, they should fall back and let another party of them, who have not yet offered salah, say it with you and they too, should be on guard and keep their weapons with them.” [An-Nisaa 4:102]

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