u/Reverting-With-You

No doubt one of the most challenging parts of post partum was resuming prayer. When babies are very small, especially newborns, they basically always want to be held, and that can get challenging when you need to pray. Holding them during prayer doesn’t always work (my daughter often cried when I went to rukoo and sujood) and rocking them/patting them can interrupt your khushoo.

What I actually found the most helpful was building my daughter’s relationship with the Quran.

First of all, and I will admit I haven’t done enough of this, listen to/recite the Quran out loud as often as possible while you/your partner are/is still pregnant. Babies can hear in the womb, so reciting to them will make them be comforted by the Quran once they are born. Try memorising as much as possible because you won’t have enough energy (or hands lol) to hold the mushaf and focus on proper tajweed that you don’t already know once the baby gets here.

Once they are born, continue reciting to them as much as possible. You will likely rely on your memorised surahs during this time. You can also pray out loud so they can hear you.

Now, newborns are newborns, so you won’t see the effects of this for a while, however, once they grow up a little, they will be soothed simply by hearing the Quran.

My daughter is almost 8 months. I pray Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib with her sitting next to me, observing and listening. She falls asleep at around Isha time, but sometimes wakes up when I leave the bed to pray (same thing during Fajr time). She then gets scared and starts whining, however if I start reciting out loud she gets soothed right back to sleep, or just continues observing me while I pray.

Of course, this won’t work if their reason for fussing is hunger or discomfort due to a full nappy, but if they are just scared or missing you, or even in pain, reciting Quran will definitely help soothe them, In Sha Allah.

Everyone told me that I would understand why Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala gave mothers such value after experiencing the pains of childbirth, but they were wrong. I only understood why later.

Childbirth is excruciatingly painful. I remember thinking to myself that I should have died before experiencing such a pain, and mind you, I had an easy birth, Alhamdullilah. Yet, the birth is only one night. What comes after is infinitely more difficult.

Imagine your body taking such a toll, and then taking care of this incredibly fragile thing all day and night. Even if you have all the help in the world, a mother’s instinct is just completely different.

You are the only one who knows exactly what your baby needs. A lot of the times, your baby only wants you, too. They know your smell and touch, and recognise when you hold them as opposed to someone else holding them.

Your body even physically reacts to your baby’s needs. For instance, if your baby is very hungry, your chest will hurt and milk might come out. If your baby hurts themselves, your heart and stomach will sink, and you might even cry. A father might sleep through his child’s cries, but a mother never will. No matter how tired they are or how immensely they are hurting, a mother will always put her child first. I remember how every muscle in my body ached, I remember thinking to myself, “I’m so broken” but still getting up to soothe my baby regardless.

I remember, during the newborn days, having to hold my baby all throughout the night, because she never took to the crib. Breastfeeding hurt, because her mouth was so small. I cried, whispering to myself, “sabr, sabr, sabr” as my tears fell on her little head. And she was holding onto me, completely at peace. We eventually embraced co-sleeping, and everything got so much better, Alhamdullilah. There is nothing more peaceful than getting a full nights sleep with your baby completely content right next to you. It is biologically normal and expected to sleep like this, so it only makes sense that it is immensely calming to both the mother and child.

And then, there are the duas. I have never made as much dua as I do now for my daughter. Dhikr, too. Especially when she goes down for the night, I just keep doing so much dhikr and making so much dua for her. I ask whoever benefits from this post to please make dua for my daughter to be a righteous believer, and to be happy and healthy. I pray the same for all of your children.

Having a toxic relationship with my own mother, I never understood the Hadiths about the importance of a mother. Then, I had my daughter.

Alhamdullilah for Islam and the honour it gives mothers.

🌷*Times when Duaa is More Likely Accepted*🌷

by Asma bint Shameem

1️⃣ *In the last third of the night*

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Our Lord, descends to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to the invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”

(al-Bukhaari 1145)

2️⃣ *Duaa at the end of the fardh prayers but before tasleem*

🍃 Abu Umamah radhi Allaahu anhu narrated:

“It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, which supplication is most likely to be listened to?’

He said: ‘During the last part of the night and at the end of the obligatory prayers.’”

(At-Tirmidhî 3499; Hasan by al-Albaani)

*Note:*

At the end of the obligatory prayers means *BEFORE* the salaam and *NOT after saying the tasleem*, as most people from the Subcontinent do.

*Proof:*

🍃 Ibn Mas’ood radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet ﷺ  taught them the tashahhud then he said at the end: 

“Let him ask for whatever good things he wishes.”

(al-Bukhaari 5876, Muslim 402)

There are many duaas that are narrated in the authentic ahaadeeth that can be said in tashahhud before tasleem. 

3️⃣ *Duaa made between the Adhaan & Iqaamah‏*

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The Duaa made between the Adhaan and Iqaamah is not rejected.”

(at-Tirmidhi 212; saheeh by al-Albaani)

4️⃣ *When saying the Duaa of Yunus Alayhis Salaam*

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The supplication of Dhun-Nûn (Yunus) when he supplicated, when he was in the belly of the whale, was: ‘Laa Ilaaha illaa Anta Subhaanaka inni kuntu min adh-dhaalimeen

(There is none worthy of worship except You, Glory be to you [from all imperfection], indeed I have been one of the transgressors)’.

*So indeed, no Muslim man supplicates with it for anything, ever, except Allaah responds to Him.”*

(at-Tirmidhi 3505; saheeh by al-Albaani)

🍃Allaah says:

‎-وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ- فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُۨجِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٨٨-٨٧﴾

“And (remember) Dhan-Nun (Yunus), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamites which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): Laa ilaaha illaa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allaah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers. So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allaah, abstain from evil and work righteousness).”

(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87-88)

5️⃣ *During the last hour of Friday*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Friday has twelve hours to it, in it which there is no Muslim who asks Allaah for anything except that Allaah gives it to him. So seek it during the last hour of ‘Asr.”

(Abu Dawood 1048; saheeh by al-Albaani)

6️⃣ *The Duaa of the fasting person until he breaks his fast*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There are three whose du’aa’ will not be rejected: a just ruler, *a FASTING person when he breaks his fast*, and the prayer of one who has been wronged.”

(at-Tirmidhi 2525- saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2050)

🍃 Someone asked the scholars of the Standing Committee:

What is meant by the supplication of the fasting person at the time of breaking his fast?

Does it mean the supplication that the fasting person offers a few moments *before* breaking his fast, or is it straight *after* breaking the fast?”

The scholars said:

“This Hadeeth was narrated by Ibn Maajah.

It says in Az-Zawa’id: Its chain of narration is authentic, and the supplication may be *before* or *after* breaking the fast, because the word `Inda ( translated here as “at the time of”) *includes both.*

And Allaah is the source of strength.”

(Fataawaa Al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah 9/30, Vol. 2)

7️⃣ *The Duaa of the oppressed*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Beware of the Duaa of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allaah”

(al-Bukhaari 4347)

🍃 And he ﷺ also said:

“There are three whose supplication is not rejected:… And the supplication of the *oppressed person*; Allaah raises it up above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it.

And the Lord says: ‘By My Might, I shall surely aid you, even if it should be after a while.’”

(at-Tirmidhi 3598, Ibn Maajah 1752; saheeh by al-Albaani)

8️⃣ *The Duaa of the father (parent) FOR or AGAINST his child*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Three prayers are undoubtedly answered: the prayer of one who is wronged, the prayer of the traveler and *the prayer of a father (or mother) FOR his child*.”

(Ibn Maajah 3862; saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Saheehah 596).

🍃 And similarly the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Three supplications are accepted, there is no doubt about them (them being accepted) : The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of the father *against* his son.”

(At-Tirmidhî 1905; Hasan by al-Albaani)

9️⃣ *The Duaa of the traveler*

See the Ahaadeeth above.

🔟 *The Duaa of a just ruler*

See the Ahaadeeth above.

1️⃣1️⃣ *Duaa made during Sujood*

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make a great deal of supplication (in this state).”

(Saheeh Muslim 482)

1️⃣2️⃣ and 1️⃣3️⃣ *Duaa made at the time of the adhaan or duaa made during battle*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Two supplications are not rejected or are rarely rejected: supplication at the time of the call to prayer and when the battle becomes intense, when they clash and fight intensely.”

(Abu Dawood 2540; saheeh by al-Albaani)

1️⃣4️⃣ *When it is raining*

The Prophet ﷺ said

“Two (Duaas) are not rejected: duaa at the time of the adhaan and duaa at the time of rain.”

(al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak 2534, at-Tabarani in al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir 5756; Saheeh by al-Albaani in Sahih al-Jami‘ 3078)

1️⃣5️⃣ *When hearing a rooster crow*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When you hear the crowing of the rooster, ask Allaah for His Bounty for it sees Angels and when you hear the braying of the donkey, seek refuge in Allaah from the Shaytaan for it sees a Shaytaan.”

(Saheeh Muslim 2729)

1️⃣6️⃣ *When drinking Zam Zam water*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The water of Zam Zam is for whatever it is drunk for.”

(Ibn Maajah 3062; saheeh by al-Albaani)

1️⃣7️⃣ *On Wednesdays between Dhuhr and Asr*

Jaabir ibn Abdullaah radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet ﷺ supplicated inside masjid al-Fath three times: on a Monday, a Tuesday and a Wednesday (three times in a row). 

His duaa was answered on Wednesday between the two prayers (Dhuhr and Asr). 

His happiness with that could be seen on his face.”

Jaabir said: “After that whenever I had a difficult situation I would observe that time to made Duaa and I would see the answer.”

(al Bukhaari in al Adab al-Mufrad, Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani)

🍃 Shaykh Al-Albaani commented on this saying: 

“If this companion wouldn’t have narrated to us that the Prophet 

‎ﷺ  made Duaa to Allaah during this hour we wouldn’t have known. 

The person present witnesses what the absent person doesn’t. This ahadeeth has significant meaning; since Jaabir narrated the information when exactly his Duaa was answered. 

And this shows that the Duaa for the Messenger ﷺ was answered at that hour during Wednesday. Consequently Jaabir began to do that same thing he saw Muhammad ﷺ do on Wednesday between Dhuhr and Asr.” (Saheeh Adab Al-Mufrad)

And Allaah knows best.

I just sent a parcel in an old plastic packaging for nappies. 💀 Lowkey feel bad about it but it was secured in another bag and reinforced with a lot of fragile tape.

Everything good I say is from Allah, and everything bad I say is from Shaytaan and myself and my own ignorance. May Allah forgive me (and anyone else who struggles with waswas about such things.)

Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Paradise lies under the feet of your mother.” (Narrated by Ahmad, authenticated by Al-Albani)

“Whoever cares for two daughters until they grow up, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this”—and he joined his fingers together. (Muslim)

“This world is temporary joys, and the best temporary joy of this world is a righteous wife.” (Muslim)

Imagine such an honour. For your children, attaining Jannah is as easy as obeying you in that which is reasonable. For your parents, attaining Jannah is as easy as taking care of you. You are the closest thing to Jannah that your husband will experience in this world. You — a woman.

As for attaining Jannah yourself, it is as easy as:

“If a woman prays her five daily prayers, fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any of its gates she wishes.” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban; authenticated by Al-Albani)

There is no shame in how our Lord created you: Allah praised you and all your roles as a woman! His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“The reward of a mother’s efforts in raising her child is more valuable than a man’s efforts in jihad or fighting in the path of Allah.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Yes, being a woman is difficult: but there is no difficulty for which you will not be rewarded for in great measures.

“If a woman suffers from labor pains and gives birth to her child, every pain she suffers during the pregnancy and childbirth will be a forgiveness of her sins.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

“If a woman experiences suffering or discomfort in her pregnancy or childbirth, Allah compensates her for every hardship she goes through.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

And no sacrifice will be in vain.

“A woman who dies while giving birth is a martyr.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

“If a servant’s child dies, and he bears the loss with patience, Allah will grant him reward equal to that of a martyr.” (Bukhari)

“If a woman loses a child (before birth), that child will call out to her, ‘I am the fruit of your heart, I am the one who will intercede for you on the Day of Judgment.’” (Muslim)

Alhamdullilah for Islam and the honour it gives women.

Almost six months ago, I accidentally had an unmedicated home birth, which was a blessing in disguise, Alhamdullilah! I am so grateful for that experience, despite how scary it was.

My experience paralleled Maryam’s (may Allah be pleased with her) almost exactly: I was alone, near water, and had dates. I even muttered the same words, that I should have died before experiencing that kind of pain. With the mercy of Allah, however, I was safe and so was my baby girl.

My advice? Stick to the Sunnah.

You see all these modern tricks like eating or drinking certain things like pineapple or raspberry leaf tea, but overdoing it can actually irritate your uterus and give you false labour pains (this happened to me, which is why I was turned away from the hospital later as they thought I was having a false labour again), so just stick to eating dates in the weeks leading up to labour.

Water birth is a must. However, the Sunnah way is to have running water (as Maryam was near a stream), not just a pool like they give you in the hospital (which, they make you get out of it if you bleed anyway, which is pretty much a given, so what’s the point?). I had a shallow bath with constant running water (alternating the temperature), it was peaceful and helped with both the contractions pain and the pain of pushing!

A home birth also protects your modesty, for obvious reasons.

Lastly, I want to emphasise that there is nothing wrong with pain relief or medical intervention if it is necessary! It saves countless of lives. I do want to highlight, however, the natural strength of women that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala blessed us with.

May Allah grant us all safe births, Ameen. 🌹

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As salamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuh sisters. Title.

Preferably in a variety of colours.

UK based or ships to UK.

Jazakallah khair.

Many people have trouble with khushu (attentiveness) during prayer, even if they mastered praying fardh prayers, sunnah prayers, praying on time, etc.

I used to struggle with this too until I implemented this:

Know what you are saying, and how Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala is responding to it.

What we say in prayer is absolutely glorious, sometimes it even sends shivers down my spine. Subhanallah.

Knowing stories behind the Surahs you choose to recite also helps.

In Sha Allah you will be able to increase your khushu.

Doing Sunnah acts during prayer is one of the best ways to gain rewards. Why? Well, we pray 5 times a day at the very least, so you will be doing them frequently.

We know from an authentic Hadith, that:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 8600
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut

So doing as little as moving your finger during Tashahudd can gain you tremendous reward. Imagine that being the reason why you get admitted to Jannah In Sha Allah, Subhanallah. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala is indeed the Most Merciful.

Drop your favourite Sunnah act for prayer in the comments so that you get rewarded whenever someone is reminded of a Sunnah prayer act because of you. Rewardmaxxing.