Assalamu-alaikum
I'm 20 years old and have realised that it's time I start taking Islam more seriously and become more dedicated to my religion, I just have some questions I'd like answering -
1)When doing Dua after Salah; is it OK to say it in English? Also, when I do Dua it's as if I'm having a conversation thanking Allah for everything I have in life and asking for forgiveness, is this allowed?
2) Istinjha - does this need to be done everytime one performs Wudu?
3) Can a male pray namaz in a t-shirt?
Jazakhallah
Asalaamu Alaikum Wr Wb, my brother truly it is a blessing from Allah that you have been given an inclination to go towards Allah by fulfilling your obligations and the biggest obligation we have is praying our Salaah. The purpose of our creation is to worship Allah and the best of all worship is Salaah therefore Salaah is the purpose of our creation.
Hadhrat Annas (radiallaho ta'ala anhu) narrates that Rasulallah (sallalaho alaihe wasallam) said,
"The first thing that a person will be questioned about is his prayers." (Tibrani)
How long does it take us to pray a fard Salaah? a few minutes? We spend hours watching TV, talking on the mobile to friends and on useless things that will not benefit us but we cannot even spend a few minutes praying Salaah for the one who created us and has given us everything we can feel touch see and hear? Truly we are at loss if we continue like this.
How ungrateful is a person that eats the sustenance that He has given us, takes advantage of the life that He has given us, but does not bow down his head to Him? That is why we are reminded that the first thing that we will be asked about on the day of judgement is our prayers. Therefore we should be punctual in our prayers so that we are not shamed on the day of judgement and we can be blessed with respect in the court of Almighty Allah.
Hadhrat Umar (radiallaho ta'ala anho) narrates that Rasulallah (sallalaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Prayer is a pillar of faith. Whoever abandons it has destroyed his faith." (Baihiqi)
Rasulallah (sallalaho alaihe wasallam) has proclaimed that prayer is the pillar of our faith and one who does not pray is called a destroyer of faith. No Muslim would ever desire that he should be classified as the destroyer of faith.
Therefore we must realise that Salaah is our obligation and we must fulfill it to the best of our ability. At least start off just praying the Fard prayers and then slowly build up and read the Sunnah and nawafil.
In regards to your questions:
1. The best dua's are the ones in the Qur'an so you should try to learn them for they are short but it is best to make dua in the language you know best so that you can ask of Allah and share your feelings with him. Start off by praising Allah and glorifying him and sending salutations to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam). Pray for your parents, yourself and all Muslims from Adam (As) until the last believer on earth, Pray for the Ummah in this present day.
Humble yourself in dua and talk to Allah like he is in front of you and ask him for your needs and wants but ask for realistic things. Repent as much as you can in dua humbling yourself before Allah in meekness and thank him always as much as you can in dua for Allah gives more to those who thank him. End the dua sending salutations to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and by glorifying Allah.
Never hesitate to make dua to Allah for dua is the biggest weapon for a believer. So we should use it wisely and not hold back from using it as much as we can. The best dua's are in the latter part of the night at Tahajjud time as well as on Jumma after Asr just before Maghrib begins.
2. Isthinja only needs to be performed if one urinates, excretes waste or pre-seminal disharge(mazi).
3. One is allowed to perform salah in clothing that is short-sleeved, as long as it is such clothing that one would normally wear in public. One should not fold the sleeves to make it short as this has been forbidden in hadith but if it is already short sleeved then it is fine.
Here are some very beneficial articles for you to help you on your journey to Jannah and to make best use of every second of your life in this world:
10 Steps to Increasing our Iman(Faith)
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthread.php?134290404-10-Steps-to-Increasing-our-Iman(Faith)
30 ways the youth should spend everyday of their lives!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthr...he-youth-should-spend-everyday-of-their-lives!
Easy Dhikr which is light on the tongue but heavy on the scales!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthr...s-light-on-the-tongue-but-heavy-on-the-scales!
My Daily Ibadah (worship) check!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthread.php?134289943-My-Daily-Ibadah-(worship)-check!
10 steps to getting closer to Allah
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthread.php?134292389-10-steps-to-getting-closer-to-Allah
Forty Very Easy, Quick & Rewarding Good Deeds for all of us to do Everyday!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthr...rding-Good-Deeds-for-all-of-us-to-do-Everyday!
Not praying Salaah 5 times a day? Here's the solution!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthr...ying-Salaah-5-times-a-day-Here-s-the-solution!
VERY Rewarding Nafl Salaahs we can Pray Everyday!
http://www.islamicboard.com/showthr...Y-Rewarding-Nafl-Salaahs-we-can-Pray-Everyday!
Here are some very beneficial lectures which you and your siblings should listen to, to increase your imaan and fear of Allah:
Remembrance: ask Allah for his forgiveness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-EK9r3rMzQ
Angel of Death!!! - Sheikh Ahmed Ali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUzRJXlB2uA
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 1/4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieX7ZQtHl0s
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 2/4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK_2sVGMW08
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 3/4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpmzA2hk1Bo
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - Death (The Destroyer of Pleasures) [part 4/4]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km39GfL62TQ
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki - The Journey of the Soul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAwHEXE3-n0
HARD HITTING Lecture on HELLFIRE & the Day of JUDGEMENT! يوم القيامة والجحيم
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O6L_fBk7VM
Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 1/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTehIeCOUU
Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 2/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTtk7rWx_U
Sheikh Ahmad Ali - Hellfire Talk Part 3/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmiD86w9fBc
Islam - Punishment of the Grave by Sheikh Riyadh ul Haq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWb-hYIm2WE
Death and the Grave by Murtaza Khan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r2nzJVecqo
How can we not appreciate what we have after watching this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkEBUC0APMg[/QUOTE]
AMAZING short speech -"The Goodly Life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fugf1DcNyc
Please remember me in your dua's.
and Allah knows best in all matters