Focus?

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#1 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 17:44

If I was to refer to focus, varifocal, fixed lens and auto focus and blurred, what would I be talking about? And how or what has that got to do with our daily life?

FOCUS
VARIFOCAL
BLURRED
AUTO FOCUS

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Unspecified

7,126

Sister

832

#2 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 17:49

Maybe a trip to the opticians to have your eyes checked....too much reading on ms :-)

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Like x 1

ربي زدني علما
(My Lord! Increase me in Knowledge)

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#3 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:02

A bit more deeper than that.

Where should we be focused? And not be blurred? Have a fixed view and always be in the form of auto focus?

It's been getting to me for a few days and I've seen a slight distraction and how to over come it. Many of us are already focused but many more are blurred!

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Unspecified

7,126

Sister

832

#4 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:10

Wouldn't you say as humans with all our good and bad qualities our focus on Deen does not always remain the same, through difficult times, some of us either lose hope and become neglectful in our duties, some of us tend to come closer to Allah. I believe throughout we tend to vary depending on personal circumstances, environment, influence...etc.

...but our goal should remain focussed, irrelevant of how were feeling or how blurred we maybe at any particular time...ok am I just waffling here, or is anything I'm saying even remotely related to this eyesight issue?

report post quote code quick quote reply

+3 -0Like x 1Agree x 2

ربي زدني علما
(My Lord! Increase me in Knowledge)

Unspecified

1,732

Sister

526

#5 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:11

Alhamdulillah, no need for any corrective lenses or surgeries in the hereafter.

If it was strictly physical, I'd say individual differences (in how our eyes function) could necessitate different corrective lenses for us - perhaps even different lenses at different stages in our lives.

Since this is 'deeper' I'd say, likewise, we need to use whatever 'corrective' measure to remain focused on the hereafter and strive to remain focused - though to get that focus, we might require different corrective actions/prescriptions.

report post quote code quick quote reply

+3 -0Like x 3

Acacia

Unspecified

1,732

Sister

526

#6 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:14

Time for a new prescription perhaps.

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Like x 1

Acacia

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#7 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:27

Correct sister Taalibah.

We need to remain focused on the Deen. No point being blurred.

Take Salah for example, next time you are in Salah, note if your eyes are focused or blurred. If they are blurred, then most likely we are aren't focused and thinking of something else. (ok, not the best thing to think about whilst inside Salah). But notice it, when your vision is blurred, focus on the prayer mat to get back into Salah. Although, if your focus is blurred, yet you are deeply immersed in Salah and with concentration, then you're doing ok, inshaAllah.

We tend to lose focus and drift away even when we know what is best for us. We need to have an auto focus setting all the time, if we leave it to manual, then we can easily get blurred and be off target by miles.

Shaitans job is to adjust our lens at all times and it is our job to remain focused. Our default setting should remain on auto focus. If we find that the settings have changed, the first thing we do is change the settings, and the funny thing is, we know where and how to do it. The same principle should apply in our daily lives, if the settings have changed, go back to the menu and reset the settings to what it should be.

Many times we find ourselves in a position where there is an update. So the first thing we do is and update and explore all the new settings. We need to do this in our daily lives. There is so much we don't know, yet we are all stuck on the old settings. Update, upgrade and get the best out of life. Remain focused.

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Informative x 1

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Unspecified

7,126

Sister

832

#8 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:34

Your last paragraph, are you referring to performing muraqaba, and self assessment?

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

ربي زدني علما
(My Lord! Increase me in Knowledge)

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#9 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:38

I guess, in a way the youth of today understand it.

Many of us don't understand tassawuf, including myself. So this is just another angle, (excuse the pun) As long as we get to the destination which is what we were designed for!

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Like x 1

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#10 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 18:43

Today I'm using a 4 ultrapixel lens, i.e. 4 megapixels but letting in more light. Others are using 5 megapixel, 8 megapixels, 13 megapixels. For many it's about getting the best out of what they have, for others, it's about just having the best.

If only we used this same principle in our daily life, life would be so much clearer. We would all be living in high definition HD!

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Unspecified

1,732

Sister

526

#11 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 19:05

Nice masha'Allah!

How about this to add to it then insha'Allah:

You've got a perfect example right in front of your eyes (regardless of what your metaphorical eyesight might be 20/20 or otherwise requiring corrective lenses and what have you) and you are focused alhamdulillah.

Then, you look away for a moment.

Next, you place something (perhaps a mug of tea) in front of that 'image' without thinking that it will block your sight.

Before you know it, there are all sorts of stuff between you and the 'image' and you find yourself having to exert extra effort to dig through stuff to bring it back to the forefront... and success - insha'Allah, the effort pays off!

You plop it right back in front of you and you fix your gaze but so many things call your attention away... you try desperately to attend to them without letting the 'image' out of your sight for even a moment - your body is moving this way and that, your hands are here and there, but your eyes are fixed.

Your eyes water from the strain of even the fear of blinking! And boom... something is just too demanding/too important at that moment for you that it draws you away... but, alhamdulillah, you hurry back quickly and fix your gaze on the 'image' again - this time without waiting to accumulate junk to have to dig through.

That 'image' in front of you is the perfect example of Rasulullah (sallahllahu alayhi wa sallem), and those mugs and other things are things that are trivial and perhaps even hurtful... or even the act of lingering on things that are irrelevant - causing us to be forgetful too.

A constant struggle towards perfection and towards Falah.

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Winner x 1

Acacia

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#12 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 19:09

Wow, what a writer.

I only write what I say, and many times I don't make sense. MashaAllah what a talented member.

Jazakallah very well put. Highlight of the thread.

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Unspecified

1,732

Sister

526

#13 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 19:15

Alhamdulillah, team effort.

report post quote code quick quote reply

+1 -0Like x 1

Acacia

London

26,903

Brother

9,664

#14 [Permalink] Posted on 6th March 2025 15:48

Let's ask ourselves this Ramadhan. How is our Salah. Is fatigue taking over? Are we losing focus.

Let's fix up our Salah and check our focus.

Below is an answer to a question. I will add to it in brackets and see if are perfecting our Salah in small tiny places. Some, which have an effect on the Salah and it's quality and validity.

islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa-birmingham/135565/method-of...

Method of Hanafi Salah

Question:

Assalaam alaikum,

What is the method of Salah in Hanafi mathab? I know how to pray but i want to be sure that i am offering salah correctly or not.

JazakAllah

Answer:

Bismillah

The method of Salah according to the Hanafi school of thought is as follows: (ample evidence can be found on MuftiSays forum)

(Face Qiblah fully, i.e. face, chest, knees, shins, toes etc)
To raise both hands (palm facing Qiblah) until the thumbs are parallel to the earlobes whilst saying the takbir - Allahu Akbar.
(Fold arms)
To place the right hand over the left, beneath the navel. (Keep the head very slightly lowered so that the eyes are looking down to the prostration area. DO NOT LOOK AROUND, else we make shaitan laugh at us. Do not look to anyone, be it on your left, right or in front of you. Stay focused on one position. Do not look to see what the person next to you is doing - many people use their mobiles when the person next to them is praying, this causes distraction and makes one look away. So avoid doing that if you are the type that uses the mobile or if you are the type that wants to see what the other person is doing. Keep your gaze on the place or prostration)

To recite the thanaa - Subhaanak allaahumma wa bihamdika wa tabaarak asmuka wa ta’aala jadduka walaa ilaaha ghayruk

To recite the ta’awuzh - A`ūdhu billāhi min ash-shaitāni r-rajīm

To recite the tasmiyyah - Bism’Illaha’Rahmani ‘Raheem

To recite Surah Fatihah.

To recite a Surah or 3 verses from any Surah.
(If praying behind an Imam, we must not recite any verses of the Quran, silently or even to practice or to recite along with the Imam, we must listen attentively. And if it is a silent Salah, like Dhohar or Asr, then again, we do not recite from the Quran as this is being done by the Imam - The Imam's recitation will suffice)

To say the takbir and perform the ruku’ - bowing position. (Keep your eyes focusing on your feet area)

the hands should be placed on the knee,

the fingers should be left open wide,

the back should be made straight, (easiest way to do this for men, is to have the arms fully extended, this will automatically straighten the back and keep the head in its correct position, i.e. in line with the back and not bent or hanging)

the head should not be raised or lowered, rather synced with the back,

to recite subhaana rabbi al-‘azim - at least 3 times

To rise up from ruku’ whilst saying samiAllah huliman hamida, Rabbanaa Lakal Hamd.
(if praying behind an Imam, then DO NOT say samiAllah huliman hamida. Only the Imam will say this. As a person praying behind the Imam, after the Imam has said samiAllah huliman hamida, we say Rabbanaa Lakal Hamd, or the one of the other permitted variations)

To stand up straight with the hands placed by the side.

To say the takbir whilst proceeding towards sajdah - prostration:

Rest hands on the ground (fingers facing Qiblah, not spread out)

Place the face between the hands

The nose and the forehead should be placed on the ground (eyes focusing towards the nose)

Arms should be widened that the armpits open up and both elbow and forearm must not touch the ground.

Thighs should be separated from the stomach

Toes should be faced towards the Qiblah (In sajdah, the sides of the feet can be touching each other, or separated. You may find keeping them separated whilst in congregation, helps you stay in your position when standing and when praying alone, touching the feet together comes naturally)

To recite subhanna rabbiyal-a’la - at least 3 times

To sit up whilst saying the takbir. (Whilst sitting, eyes should be looking at the lap, keeping the toes facing Qibla, especially on the right foot, will ensure you maintain your fixed position at all times. When standing, you won't find yourself fidgeting and adjusting as you see the Ghair Muqallideen doing. They look down, make so many adjustments to get back in their line - there's no need for that! The left foot will be laid down flat and will be sat on whilst the right foot will be kept upwards, with the heel reaching the roof and the toes will be facing the Qiblah)

To say the takbir and perform 2nd sajdah

To rise from sajdah until standing up straight, taking support from the ball of the feet, no support should be taken from the ground using the hands, whilst saying the takbir.

This completes the first Rak’ah.

The second Rak’ah will be carried out in the same manner as the first rak’ah, except the thanaa will not be recited.

Upon completing the second sajdah in the second rak’ah, the left foot will be laid down flat and will be sat on whilst the right foot will be kept erect and the toes will be facing the Qiblah. (Try keeping the toes of both feet facing Qiblah if possible, otherwise, keep as many toes facing the Qiblah as possible. All toes on the right foot should be facing the Qiblah and the heel will be pointing upwards. The whole of the bottom of your right foot (the soul) will be vertical, facing the opposite direction of the Qiblah)

The hands should be placed on the thighs (Fingers facing Qiblah to start with, not separated, eyes on the lap)

To recite the tashahud At-Tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-tay yibatu, As-Salamy ‘alika ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahma tullahi wa barakatu, As salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadil-la his-saliheen , Ash hadu al la ilaha illal lahu, wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh. When reaching Ash hadu al la ilaha, the index finger is raised whilst producing a circle with the middle finger and thumb and at the same time, folding back the ring finger and the little finger, all whist the index finger is kept raised till the end of the prayer [others are of the view that the index finger should/can be lowered when saying illal lahu] Keeping the finger raised till the end has is the more popular understanding.

To recite the salat was salaam/durood - Allahumma salli ala Muhammad, Wa ala ali Muhammad, Kama sallayta ala Ibrahim, Wa ala ali Ibrahim, Innaka hamidun majid Allahumma Barik ala Muhammad Wa ala ali Muhammad Kama, barakta ala Ibrahim, Wa ala ali Ibrahim Innaka hamidun majid

To recite the dua Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wala yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, Faghfirli maghfiratan min indika war-hamni, innaka antal Ghafur-Rahim

To say salaam by turning the head to the right and then to the left saying assalamualaikum warahmatullah. This will conclude the salah.

(If one has missed a raka'ah or more, these must be completed after the Imam has concluded the prayer. Instead of saying the salaam with the Imam, let the Imam complete both salaams and then stand up and start your Salah by folding your arms again from the beginning i.e. as if it is your very first raka'ah but without raising your hands to the ears and complete the missed raka'ah)

Note:-

If performing more than 2 rak’ah, after the tashahud the person will stand back up to the standing position and perform the remainder of the rak’ah like the first 2 rak’ah. The salah will then be concluded as mentioned above.

(Mukhtasarul Quduri, Page 68-78. Maktabatul Bushra)

The salah of a woman will be in the same manner as mentioned above with the following exception:

When commencing the salah the hand will be raised up to the shoulders.

The right palm will be placed on top of the back of the left hand beneath the chest.

When going to ruku’ the back will not be completely straightened, rather the person will slightly lean forward so that the hands can reach the knee. (arms and elbows will conceal the figure)

The fingers will be closed - not left wide open in ruku’.

The limbs will be kept close to the body during the ruku’ and sajdah whereas men will spread their limbs.

In sajdah, the forearms will be placed on the ground whilst the men will keep them lifted.

In the sitting position, the women will sit on their buttocks whilst both legs will be placed on the right side.

The Muslim women will adopt the most concealing method in salah.

(Raddul Muhtar, Volume 2, Page 211. Darul Kutubul Ilmiyyah)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

report post quote code quick quote reply

No post ratings

Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
ابو محمد

Focus?

Font Size

Font Weight