𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 21 | 21 Sha’bān 1444H

In this lesson we will mention some of the most common mistakes which people fall into as it relates to Tarāwīḥ. This lesson is divided into two parts; the first part, which will be covered today, relates to the mistakes committed by attendees, and the second part, which will be covered tomorrow inshaAllah, relates to the mistakes committed by the Imāms. Mistakes when attending Tarāwīḥ (PART 1) (1) Some people believe that Tarāwīḥ is obligatory and that missing Tarāwīḥ will render their fast invalid. This is a misconception! (2) Some people pay more attention to observing Tarāwīḥ than they do with obligatory prayers. https://t.me/madrasatuna/1482 (3) Because Tarāwīḥ is not obligatory, some people neglect it altogether, and instead they spend the most of the night on nonsense. (4) When the crescent for Ramaḍhān is sighted, some people do not perform Tarāwīḥ thinking that this night is not one of the nights of Ramaḍhān. They wrongly assume that Tarāwīḥ starts on the night following the first day's fast, not knowing that the night precedes the day. It's important to know this because when the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever stands the nights of Ramaḍhān (in prayer)...will have all his past sins forgiven,” this, as some of the scholars mentioned, is only attainable if a person prays on all of the nights of Ramaḍhān. [Subul As-Salām (4/182)] (5) Some people come to the masjid with bad smells emanating from them, and this is not permissible, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever has eaten garlic or onion should keep away from us or our masjid.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] The scholars have said that this includes all things which give off a foul smell, such as cigarette smoke, stinky socks, smelly armpits, etc. So a person must get rid of any bad odours before entering the masjid. (6) Some women come to the masjid as though they're attending a party; they wear decorated clothing, use makeup, apply perfume, etc. It's not permissible for a believing woman to leave her home in this manner. The Prophet ﷺ said: “A woman is ’Awrah (should be concealed), for when she goes out the devil seeks to seduce people by her.” [Tirmithi - authenticated by Sheikh Muqbil in Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Musnad] Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ said: “If a woman fumigates herself with Bukhūr, she must not attend the ’Ishā' prayer with us.” [Muslim] (7) Some sisters board a taxi alone to and from the masjid. This is not permissible if the driver is a man, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “No man should remain with a woman in seclusion unless she has a Maḥram.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] (8) A Muslim should aim to pray behind an Imām who is upright and holds fast to the Sunnah, rather than prioritising recitors with nice voices. (9) In order to cater for people's needs, some masjids pray ’Ishā' before its correct time - especially in Summer. This is not permissible, and the prayer is invalid. Allāh said (in what is translated to mean): “Prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed times.” [An-Nisā' 103] (10) Attendees should switch their phones off or set them on silent. If the phone has to be on, they should choose an appropriate ringtone that does not disturb others. Also, musical ringtone are ḥarām. 🔺Note: if the phone rings during the prayer, it's allowed to switch it off or stop it from ringing. This type of movement does not invalidate the prayer. (11) If young kids are brought to the masjid, they must be supervised. Kids who are known to be troublesome should not be brought to the masjid. (12) It is not permissible to loiter the masjid with half empty bottles and food crums. (13) If someone who hasn't prayed ’Ishā' enters the masjid while people are praying Tarāwīḥ, he should join the congregation with the intention of praying ’Ishā' and complete whatever he missed afterwards. This option is better than offering ’Ishā' alone. 🔺Note: it's disliked to establish two seperate congregations at the same time as this may cause confusion.