How Is It To Make Dua in Your Mother Tongue?

Madani Muzakara

1.   Explaining the poetry of Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān

Question: Please explain this couplet:

Jō gadā dekhō liyē jātā hai tōrā nūr kā

Nūr kī Sarkār hai kyā is mēin tōrā nūr kā ^[1]

Answer: The word tōrā is used twice in this couplet but have different meanings in both instances.

In the first line, it refers to a bag or satchel of money, which was how money was stored in previous times. Gadā means beggar. In the second line, tōrā means deficiency or scarcity.

This couplet means: whoever comes to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asking for goodness will attain it in abundance. This is because he is a light that does not fade. Just by way of example, think of the light emitted by a lightbulb. If a person were to come, sit in its light, and eventually leave; the bulb’s light is not lessened or affected in any way.^[2]

2.   How is it to make dua in your mother tongue?

Question: Can a dua be made in your mother tongue, like Pashto etc, or are they only accepted if made in Arabic?

Answer: Dua can be made in your mother tongue. A person can express his heartfelt emotions and feelings more accurately in his mother tongue, because not everyone knows Arabic. The duas found in the Quran and hadith, which are called maˈthūr, should be recited to attain blessings.^[3]

3.   How is it to eat qurbānī meat in Ṣafar?

Question: Can qurbānī meat be used in Ṣafar?

Answer: Yes! Qurbānī meat can be used any time of the year. Yet, doctors have different parameters when it comes to this. Some say meat should be eaten within ten to fifteen days, regardless of what type it is. Perhaps this opinion is excluding dried meat, as meat was dried in previous times. Having said this, dried meat is also eaten nowadays.^[4]

4.   How is it for an employee to sleep during work hours?

Question: If an employee sleeps during work hours, must his wage be deducted?

Answer: It is necessary for an employee to work at moderate pace during contracted hours. One-hour breaks are usually given in which employees can eat, pray, and even rest if there is time leftover. Yet, if an employee sleeps at a time when he should be working, the employer can overlook this, or fine him after notification.^[5]

5.   How is it to write “Don’t embarrass us by asking for credit” upon your shop?[6]

Question: Some shops have phrases like “Don’t embarrass us by asking for credit”, or “Loans sever love” written upon them. Is it right to do this?

Answer: Writing statements like this is inappropriate. It is common for credit to be given like this in business, and it is possible the one writing these sentences has given credit to others. Giving a loan (or credit) to someone in need is a sign of Islamic brotherhood, love, and good character. It is also a good deed. Granting respite to a debtor is wājib, and he who gives respite receives the reward of giving charity.^[7]

6.   How is it to recite Āyat-al-Kursī during prayer?

Question: Can Āyat-al-Kursī be recited during salah?

Answer: It can absolutely be recited, as it is part of the Quran. It should be recited in the prescribed method of Quranic recitation during salah.^[8]

7.   Placing cotton in the nose and ears of the deceased after ritual washing

Question: After ritually washing the deceased, cotton is placed in their nose and ears. Is this needed?

Answer: As mentioned in Bahār-i-Sharīat: “After the deceased is washed, there is no harm in placing cotton in their nose, ears, mouth and other places. Yet, it is better not to.”^[9]

8.   Reciting the Quran whilst looking at it is better

Question: Why is it superior to recite the Quran whilst looking at it rather than reciting from memory?

Answer: Reciting by looking is superior as this involves looking at and touching the Quran, and these are forms of worship.^[10] The risk of making a mistake is lower too, as doubts may arise when reciting from memory. Reciting from memory in front of people can lead to ostentation or them considering you a memoriser of the Quran. Reading from the Quran by looking carries less risk of showing off.^[11]

9.   If deceased parents do not appear in a dream, does it mean they are displeased?

Question: If one’s deceased parents do not appear in someone’s dream, is this because they are displeased?

Answer: No, this does not mean they are displeased.^[12]

10.   What should be done if a wājib of salah is missed?

Question: What should be done if a wājib of salah is missed?

Answer: If it was missed due to forgetfulness, performing sajda sahw at the end will rectify the salah. If abandoned deliberately, sajda sahw will not suffice and the salah must be repeated.^[13]