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Naming a New Born Muslim Baby
Assalamu 'alaykum,
I have been asked to put together an article on the name giving of an infant. Can you provide me with the necessary details? I haven't been to a name giving in a very long time and can't remember exactly what procedures are followed, why is it done and how.
Jazakallah.
Wa 'alaykum u's salaam Taheera,
It is one of the responsibilities of the parents to give a child a good name. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam recommended that boys be named 'Abdullah or AbdurRahman or that they be named after the prophets. It is also commendable to give them the names of the sahaba, Rady Allahu 'Anhum.
It is preferable to name the girls Maryam or Asiya or Khadija or Fatima which are the names of the four greatest women or after the names of the Ummahatul Mu'minin, Mothers of Faithful Believers like 'Aisha and Hafsa or other sahabiyaat, Rady Allahu 'Anhunna.
The father can perform the name giving ceremony or he can delegate it to an elder, like the grandfather or the imam of the masjid or any other elder.
The baby is washed, beautifully clothed and perfumed.. Adhan is recited in the right ear and the iqama in the left ear. Then the name is pronounced so that everyone can hear. Then, everyone is congratulated on this joyous occasion.
Of course there have to be sweet meats and don't forget to mention the refreshments and the du'a for the baby and the family.
Please refer to the Hadith Sharif on "Birth of a Muslim" at http://www.iqra.net/Hadith/birth.php
With dua and salaam,
Siddiq
The Importance of Praying Salah in a Masjid
Assalamu 'alaykum brother,
How bad is it for a man to perform his salah at home when the nearest masjid is some ten minutes walk from my home? Also, is tarawih meant to be done with jamaat? This also, how bad it is to do all alone at home?
I hope to receive a quick reply from you.
Jazakallah,
Zaheeb
Wa 'alaykmu us salaam brother Zaheeb,
If the masjid or musalla is so near that we can hear the adhan, then we have to go to the masjid because in that situation, salah is not valid at home without 'udhr (a valid excusable reason) such as illness. It is twenty seven times more meritorious to pray salah in congregation than alone.
Once a blind man came to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam and asked him if he could be allowed to pray at home as he was blind. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "Yes". Then he asked him whether he lived near enough to hear the adhan, and the blind man replied, "Yes". So, the Noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam asked him to come to the masjid to pray. From this we learn that even blindness is not a valid excuse for not going to the masjid if someone lives so near that he can hear the adhan and there is someone to help him reach the masjid if necessary.
For every step we take to go to the masjid, we get thawab (reward from Allah). It is always preferable to go to the masjid. It is even more meritorious to go with wudu. Some people consider it a jihad to walk long distances to a masjid and may Allah exalt their ranks, Amin.
It is not a requirement for tarawih salah to be performed in jama'ah; it can be prayed alone at home. If it is possible, it is always more meritorious to go to a masjid.
But we should never look down upon those who do not go to the masjid but pray at home. We should think that maybe they have a valid reason. The dignity of each and every Muslim is also of paramount importance.
With salaams and du'a,
Siddiq