ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 6) Q. 80: Changes in Adhan I tell some brothers that the 2nd caliph 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab took Hayy 'Ala Khayril 'Amal out of the Adhan and added "As Salatu Khairum Minanawum ". They say where is your proof? So that s why I 'm coming to you to know where is the proof in the Sunni books?

A: These are well-known facts, although Sunni scholars keep them hidden from their followers.' Allamah Qawshaji and 'Allamah Taftazani (two authoritative Sunni scholars and theologians) have written in their books, Sharh Tajrid and Sharh Maqasid, respectively, that: "Umar (2nd Caliph) said: 'There were three things in the days of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W).

I forbid them and make them haram (unlawful) and shall punish for them: Mut'ah (marriage) of women and Hajjut-Tamattu', and Hayya 'ala Khayril-amal." Imam Malik ibn Anas has narrated in his al-Muwatta' that during the caliphate of 'Umar the Mu'azzin came to call him for the dawn prayer and found him asleep. He said: As-salatu Khayrum minan nawm (Prayer is better than sleep); 'Umar woke up and ordered the Mu'azzin to include it in the Adhan of Fajr." (Kanzul ummal, vol. 4, p. 270).

When 'Ali (A.S) heard it, he said: "Do not add in Adhan what is not in it." (Naylul-Awtar of Imam Shaukani, vol. 1, p. 238). But obviously, Khalifa's order was obeyed. Many other references can be quoted for these things, if necessary. Q. 81: BID'AH IN TARAWIH I read in a book that the "Tarawih " prayer is bid'ah according to shia. Can you give me a short history of its institution and how it came into being?

A: Nawafil prayers are not allowed with Jama'at except salatul-istisqa' (the salat for praying to Allah to send rain). But 'Umar, in defiance of this rule of shari'ah, made people pray nawafil with Jama'ah in the nights of the holy month, and he himself said that it was a good bid'ah! See for example the following report of Sahih al-Bukhari (the chapter of Taraweeh): 'Abdu'r-Rahman, son of 'Abd said : "I went with 'Umar to the Masjid in a Ramadhan night; and there were people disorganised....

Then 'Umar said: 'I think it would be ideal if I make them pray together with one reciter' (i.e., behind an Imam of Jama'at); so he thus decided and gathered them behind Ubay ibn Ka'b.... Then I went there with him another night and the people were praying with one Imam.