Miscellaneous / General
By
Justice Maulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Spelling of the name of Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam)


Q. "It is a common observation in correspondence and documents that people write "Mohd" instead of writing the full name "Muhammad" (Sallallho Alaihi Wasallam). Ironically, this maltreatment is only with this name. I have never seen any person writing any other name in a short form. Please comment on this habit in the light of Shari‘ah.
                                                                            (Muhammad Yousuf Ghani, Karachi).

A.
It is absolutely a wrong practice. No such abbreviation should be allowed to the blessed name of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam). Likewise, it is also noticed that some people abbreviate the words of salah and instead of writing they write ’‰ŸÂ or in an abbreviated form. This is also an erroneous practice. The words of salah should be written in full.

Congregational prayers for Ladies.
Q."How far the ladies are allowed to offer their prayers in congregation (jama'ah)? What is the most preferable and superior position in this respect, as per Shari‘ah?
                                                                                                                     (Ibid)

A. The ladies are always required to offer their prayers individually. it is not advisable for them to offer prayers in congregation. Rather, it is held to be a makrooh (disliked) practice. Unlike of men, the individual prayer of ladies carries more thawab. However, if some ladies insist on the disliked practice of offering their prayers in congregation, the woman who leads the prayer should not stand in front like a male Imam of salah. Instead she should stand in the middle of the women who perform salah in her leadership. But it is emphasized once again that the congregation of ladies for prayers should always be discouraged.