Secrets; I Tried To Keep Us Together, You Were Busy Keeping Secrets

A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman - II

Afternoon

Preparing a healthy lunch.

Performing Thuhr prayer

(4 Rak'ah of Sunnah, 4 Rak'ah Fard, and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)

Regarding the Sunnah prayer, 'Aa'ishah said: "When the Prophet used to be in my house, he would offer four Sunnah Rak'ahs before Thuhr, then he would go and lead the congregation, and thereafter return home and offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs. Similarly, he would lead the Maghrib prayer in the congregation and come back and offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs. Likewise after having led the 'lshaa' prayer, he would come back to my apartment and offer two Sunnah Rak'ahs." [Muslim]

Obviously, for women it is preferable to perform both Sunnah and Fard Prayer within the home; Umm Humayd As-Sa'idiyyah said: "O, Prophet of Allah, I love praying behind you." Thereupon the Prophet of Allah told her: ''I had known that you like praying with me. But your prayer in your private room is better than your prayer in other rooms of your house, and your prayer in other rooms of your house is better than your prayer in the halls of your house, and your prayer in the halls of your house is better than your prayer in your community's mosque, and your prayer in your community's mosque is better than your prayer in my mosque." [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani] However, the Prophet did not forbid women from going to the mosque as he said: "Do not prohibit the female-servants of Allah from coming to the mosque of Allah. When a wife of one of you asks for permission to go to the mosque, she should not be refused this permission." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

„X Saying this Du'aa' when leaving the house: If a woman goes to the mosque or must leave the house for her needs or the needs of the family, she should say this Du'aa', "In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no might and power but in Allah." Allah's Messenger said: "When a man leaves his house, saying: 'In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah there is no might and power but in Allah', it is said to him at that time, 'Your are guided, you are taken care of, you are protected.' Then Satan turns away from him, and another Satan says, 'How can a man approach you, who is already guided, cared for and protected?"' [Abu Daawood]

„X Du'aa' when entering the house: The prophet said: "When a man enters his house, let him say: '0 Allah, I ask of You the good of entry and the good of exit. In the name of Allah, we enter; in the name of Allah, we exit. And upon Allah, our Lord, we depend.' Then he should say Salaam to his family." [Abu Daawood]

Performing 'Asr prayer:

(4 Rak'ah Fard)

The prophet said: "He who leaves the 'Asr prayer is like one who has lost (some of) his family and his property." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The significance of the afternoon prayer is often likened to that of Fajr prayer. The Prophet said: "A person will not be sent to Hell who has offered his Fajr prayer and his 'Asr prayer." [Muslim]

Evening

Preparing a healthy dinner for the family.

Perform the Maghrib prayer

(3 Rak'ah Fard and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)

It is advised that the family makes the prayer together in congregation at times when two or more are present. Young children may even be encouraged to participate in the activity. This is a good way of strengthening family ties and setting a positive example for the children.