The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

Issue No.1001- It is recommended that after offering the prayer, one should engage himself in reciting Dhikrs, supplications and the holy Qur'an. This is called Ta'qīb. It is better that before he leaves his place, and before his wuḍū becomes void, he should recite Ta'qīb facing the qiblah. Many Ta'qībs have been narrated in the books of supplications from the infallible Imams (as). The Tasbīḥ of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) is one of the most important Tasbīḥs and accomplishes extreme divine rewards. This Tasbīḥ should be recited in the following order:“Allahu Akbar” 34 times, “Alḥamdulillāh” 33 times, “Subḥanallāh” 33 times

Issue No.1002- It is recommended that after prayer, one performs a prostration of thankfulness [1], which is to place one’s forehead on the ground with that intention. However, it is better that one should recite dhikr of Allah (swt) [hoping that it might be a desirable act] and it is better to say "شُکْراً لِلهِ" once, three times, or even a hundred times. It is also recommended that whenever a person is blessed with divine bounties, or when the adversities avert, the prostration of thankfulness be performed.

Issue No.1003- [Ṣalawāt] Bestowing peace and blessing upon the holy prophet and his holy progeny (ṣ) during prayer, after prayer and in any situation is highly recommended. It is also recommended that whenever a person hears or utters the sacred name of the holy Prophet of Islam, i.e., Muhammad, Ahmad, or his titles such as Mustafa or Abal Qāsim, he should recite Ṣalawāt, even though he may be offering prayer at that time.

Issue No.1015- Coughing, sighing and sneezing do not invalidate prayer, although it may be intentional. However, uttering ‘Ouch’ or ‘Ah’ and similar meaningful words intentionally will make prayer void, as an obligatory precaution.

Issue No.1016-Dhikr of Allah, reciting Qur’an and supplication anywhere in prayer is permissible, and if one utters a sentence like ‘Allahu Akbar' with the intention of dhikr, but raises his voice to indicate something to someone, there is no problem in it. However, reciting the supplication or dhikr is in any language other than Arabic will invalidate prayer as an obligatory precaution.

Issue No.1017- It is permissible to repeat the verses of sūrah al-fātiḥa or the other sūrahs, or the dhikrs of rukū‘, sajdah and Tasbīḥāt arbaʿah, for more rewards or for precaution, but if it is due to obsession, the prayer will be void as an obligatory precaution.

Issue No.1018- A person offering prayer should not greet anyone with Salām, and if another person says Salām to him, it is obligatory to respond him by using the same words without adding anything to it. For example, if someone says Assalamu ‘Alayk, he should say in reply Assalamu ‘Alayk, and if he says Salamun ‘Alaykum, he should also say Salamun ‘Alaykum in reply. Even if he says “Salām”, he should say “Salām” in reply to him.

Issue No.1018- A person offering prayer should not greet anyone with Salām, and if another person says Salām to him, it is obligatory to respond him by using the same words without adding anything to it. For example, if someone says Assalamu ‘Alayk, he should say in reply Assalamu ‘Alayk, and if he says Salamun ‘Alaykum, he should also say Salamun ‘Alaykum in reply. Even if he says “Salām”, he should say “Salām” in reply to him.

Issue No.1023- If a non-maḥram man or woman, or even a child who can distinguish between good and bad, says Salām to a person in prayer or out of prayer, he should respond.

Issue No.1024- It is not necessary to respond to a Salām which is said in jest or in a joking way or is pronounced in a wrong way that is not considered as the Salām. If a non-Muslim individual says Salām, the obligatory precaution is to answer saying ‘Salām’, or ‘Alayka’ only.

Issue No. 1032 - If one, in order to control his laughter, suppresses himself in a way that his status changes; the colour of his face turns red, and his body moves in a manner that the form of the prayer is disturbed, then his prayer is void. However, there is no problem if it does not reach such an extent.

Issue No. 1042 - If a creditor demands a payment from a person who is performing prayer and it is possible to pay without disturbing the form of the prayer, it is better to do so. However, if it is not possible without breaking the prayer; he should wait until the prayer is finished. This amount of delay is not incompatible with the necessity of immediate payment of the debt. In case, it is necessary to pay the creditor immediately due to a particular necessity; e.g. when the companions and co-travellers of the creditor would leave and he would face trouble; it is necessary that he should break his prayer and pay his debt.