November 2008

1. DEAR ABE: I am a Muslim, and I observe my daily prayers regularly.  But in the past I did not consistently pray.  What does Islam say about those “missed” prayers?  Should I make up for them now; and how should it be done?   --FARIDAH, INDIA

DEAR FARIDAH: Each contact prayer is valid if observed anytime during the period when it becomes due until the next prayer becomes due [1].  A missed prayer is a lost opportunity. You cannot make it up.  If an obligatory prayer is missed, then one can only repent and ask for forgiveness [2].  However, according to the Quran one of the traits of a believer is to observe the contact prayers on time, which you have recently been doing [3]. 

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 70:34, 14:40, 2:239; [2] 38:30-35, 3:135, 40:55; [3] 29:45, Appendix 15 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

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2. DEAR ABE: I read the Quran in English since I do not know Arabic. Do I get the same sawab, good deed credit, as if I were reading in Arabic, or does it not count? --MUNIRE, CANADA

DEAR MUNIRE: Reading the Quran in a language that you understand makes absolute sense.   It makes no sense to read it in Arabic when you do not understand it [1]. Whether it is in English or any other language, we can improve our understanding of the Quran and obey God only if we understand God's words in the Quran [2].  Therefore, language is irrelevant [3].

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 2:171;  [2] 26:198-200;  [3]  41:44.

3. DEAR ABE: Are posters allowed in a bedroom?  I have already bought two posters of my favorite actor, but I am unsure if it is allowed in Islam. -- GUY, SCOTLAND

DEAR GUY: Yes, you can hang posters in a bedroom.  The Quran does not forbid hanging pictures or posters [1].

Relevant Quran Verses: [1]  July 2006 Q&A #1, statues of people, September 2006, Q&A #3, drawings of people, 5:87, 7:32.

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