Etiquette of Prayer & Other Questions
Question
Moiz sahib. Assalamo alaikum wa rehmatulla. I shall be grateful if you very kindly clarify the following; In your translation of the first Ayah of surae Qalam, you have described the sura, in preceding explanation, as surae Noon? I order to memorize a particular sura (by heart), can one recite it repeatedly in, while offering prayers? What is the propriety of offering prayer without covering head and bare- chested i.e. without wearing a shirt etc.? I have heard that Islamic teachings do not allow giving ones own name to an adopted son. So can one bear witness in the Nikah Nama of such an (adopted) person which shows the adopting father as the real father. Thanks and jazakallah khair.
Answer
Wa Alaykumu Salam The Surah (i.e. chapter) may be referred to as Qalam or Noon. The Prophet (pbuh) did not name the Surahs, the Companions (ra) did. Thus, the interpretation is that the Surah as a whole is in reference to whatever the letter "noon" - in Arabic - connotes. It brings the attention of the listener or reader to what "this is" about. One should not attempt to memorize the Qur'an while praying. There should be separate time for that. Prayer is to connect with the Almighty and elevate one's spiritual state. Trying to memorize is not conducive to prayer and repeating something over and over does not lend itself to the proper communication required in prayer. We will assume you are speaking of males; covering the head for males is not a requirement. On the other hand, not wearing a shirt - though not prohibited - does not seem befitting the spiritual state one wishes to enter. In the moment of prayer we are present ourselves before the King of mankind and our attire should be befitting for such an occasion. However, if a person does not own a decent apparel (a shirt, for instance), then he may pray without one. Typically, legal documents mention the relationship of the persons signing it or involved in the contract. If no such detail is mentioned then one may indicate it by writing it if it is allowed. If not allowed, the name in of itself should clarify that the persons do not share the same name even though the person has signed under biological father. If there is no deception intended then there is nothing wrong with doing so. I hope this helps. God knows best. Answer published by Ronnie Hassan
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