A: A man has to recite al-Hamd and the other Surah in an...

A: A man has to recite al-Hamd and the other Surah in an audible voice in Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha prayers. The voice should be audible to another person standing with him. It may be even louder, but it should not reach shouting level. As is clear from late Ayatullah Khomayni's fatwa, praying fiirada when and where congregational prayer is being conducted is not lawful. Likewise, late Ayatullah al-Khoui tells such a man to go out of that place.

If in spite of these fatwas somebody prays furada at the same time and place where Jama'at prayer is being conducted he commits a sin, but his prayer will not be invalid. However he should keep the level of his voice to the minimum as explained above d) When the voice of an individual in the above question is to such an extent which disturbs the Imame-Jamaat or Mamums in the congregational prayers, what the Islamic Law says about such disturbance?

A: Distrubing a prayer, be it Jamaat or furada is an unlawful act, which Islam does not approve, as was clearly written by late Ayatullah al-Hakim and late Ayatullah al-Khoui in their fatwas. Q. 73: TWO ADHANS BEFORE FRIDAY PRAYER? Why calling two adhans before Friday prayer is not accepted by all Muslims? Who started the 2nd adhan before it? A: Adhan is said when the time of prayer begins. It is wrong to say it before time.

On Fridays, since Prophet's time to 'Uthman's early days, the'Imam used to sit on minbar (pulpit) when prayer time came, and then adhan was called. After the two khutbas, iqamah was recited and the prayer started. This adhan and iqamah together were called two adhans. 'Uthman added one adhan before the time. It is bid'ah. See for reference Tarikhu 'l-Khulafa'. Imam as-Suyuti, Delhi ed., no date, p. 154. Q. 74: WHY DO WE KEEP OUR HANDS OPEN IN PRAYERS?

I would like to know if there is some tradition on the prayers, as the Shi'a and the Malikis hold their hands to the side. A: Keeping hands unfolded (while standing) is the natural posture, and those who follow it do not need any hadith to justify their action. Has any one asked you to quote a hadith that you should keep your eyes open during prayer? It is those who deviate from natural way who should justify their behaviour from Qur'an and/or hadith.

And when we look at their systems, an interesting picture comes before our eyes. It appears from some reports that when Iranian prisoners were brought before 'Umar, they stood before him with folded hands.