Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 212
Justice (‘ Adl ), Benevolence ( Ihsan ) & Kinship ( Ita’i Dhil-Qurba ) in Worship 207 example of the balance that is found in Islamic teachings. In certain other circumstances, women are entirely excused from saying any prayers whether in congregation or individually. This applies to the time of their menstruation or their post-natal period of bleeding. Another feature of worship lies in its choices of saying prayers loudly or quietly. Human moods change in accordance with the changes occurring from morning till evening and from nightfall to the break of dawn early next morning. Mornings and evenings and also the hours of the night promote an inclination to sing in most persons. The middle of the day from the decline of the sun till late afternoon is a period when even the birds cease to sing. This is the time for quietness and siesta. That is why three of the five daily prayers can be offered in a loud singing voice while the other two are said quietly. Similarly in some sections of each prayer chanting is permitted, while in other parts of the same prayer silence is required. Moods change not only from the change in the hour but they also change from person to person. Options are provided to suit all. A uniquely different injunction applies to the Tahajjud , or the pre-dawn prayer. For this prayer neither chanting nor silence are compulsorily admonished. The choice lies between the following two options: