Holding the mushaf in Taraaweeh 

Holding the Mushaf In the Taraweeh
It is allowed for the Imam to hold the mushaf while in Taraweeh.
The proof for that is the following narration:
 وكانت عائشة يؤمها عبدها ذكوان من المصحف 
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to be led in prayer by her servant Dhakwaan from a Mushaf [Reported by Bukhari in Mu’allaq form. Reported with a connected chain by Ibn Abi Dawood in Kitab al-Masaahif (no. 792) and others. The checker of the book, al-Waa’idh, graded it Saheeh (pg. 657)]
While it is allowed, it is better for him to recite from what he has memorized even if he repeats it again and again.
 عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيِّبِ «أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ الرَّجُلُ فِي الْمُصْحَفِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مَا يَقُومُ بِهِ لَيْلَهُ، يُكَرِّرُهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ
On the authority of Sa’eed al-Musayyib rahimahullah who said: that he disliked that a man read from the Mushaf in the prayer if he has [memorized] what he can recite in the night prayer. Repeating [what he has already memorized] is more beloved to me”
[Reported by Ibn Abi Dawood (no. 814) in Kitab al-Masaahif and others. The checker of the book, al-Waa’idh, graded it Saheeh Li Gharihi (pg. 663)]
This is because it is closer to the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) and decreases the movements needed when putting the Mushaf down and carrying it again.
As for the one behind the Imam, it is not allowed for him/her to hold the mushaf. The Scholars have ruled against it. The fatwa of Shaikh Bin Baz rahimahullah on this issue can be seen here: http://alifta.com/Search/ResultDetails.aspx?languagename=en&lang=en&view=result&fatwaNum=&FatwaNumID=&ID=1898&searchScope=14&SearchScopeLevels1=&SearchScopeLevels2=&highLight=1&SearchType=exact&SearchMoesar=false&bookID=&LeftVal=0&RightVal=0&simple=&SearchCriteria=allwords&PagePath=&siteSection=1&searchkeyword=104111108100105110103#firstKeyWordFound
The only exception is for the one who is correcting the Imam.
The proof is:
كان أنس يصلي وغلامه يمسك المصحف خلفه فإذا تعايا في آية فتح عليه
Anas ibn Malik radiallahu anhu used to pray and his servant used to hold the Mushaf behind him. If he got stuck in a verse, he used to correct him”
[Reported in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah with a Saheeh chain]
And Allah Knows Best

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan

One must stop talking when the Imam is speaking, not necessarily after the adhan or when he gives Salam

The Scholars mention that one must stop talking when the Imam is speaking, not necessarily after the adhan or when he gives Salam.
Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahullah said:
“The silence is obligatory in the condition the Imam is giving the khutbah. So what is before the khutbah, even after the Imam comes, it is not obligatory to be silent. And between the two khutbahs, it is not obligatory to be silent” [Sharh Saheeh Bukhari (3/555)]
Shaikh Yahya ibn Ali al-Hajoori hafidhuhallah said: 
” Chapter: Speaking when the Imam sits after the Salam and between the two khutbahs and after completing the Khutbah is allowed
…The Khutbah includes recitation of the something from the Quran. As for during the silence of the Khateeb when he sits after the Salam or when he is sitting between the two khutbahs or after completing the Khutbah, then the statement that speech is disliked during those times whether by the Imam or those behind the imam has no evidence for it” [Ahkaam al-Jumu’ah pg. 269]
The general principle for speaking during the Khutba is as Imam Zuhri rahimahullah said:
  فَخُرُوجُ الإِمَامِ يَقْطَعُ الصَّلاَةَ وَكَلاَمُهُ يَقْطَعُ الْكَلاَم.‏
The imam coming out stops prayer and his speaking stops conversation 
[Reported by Malik in Muwatta, Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, and others. Also ascribed to Sa’eed ibn Musayyib with a Saheeh chain]
So when he speaks it is not allowed to speak. 
And Allah Knows Best
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan

Giving a Talk during Taraaweeh – Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen

Giving a Talk during Taraaweeh – Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen
Question: What is the ruling on the sermon/ talk between the Salatul-Taraaweeh or in the middle of it and it is constantly (done)? 
Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) answered, “As for the sermon, then “NO” because this is not from the guidance of the salaf, but he admonishes them if there is a need or if he wills after the taraaweeh. And if he intends by it worship, then this is BID’AA. And the sign of intending worship is that he persists in doing it every night. Then we say, “Why, oh brother, do you give a sermon to the people?” Perhaps some people have work; they want to finish taraaweeh and leave to reach the statement of the Messenger (praise and peace be upon him): “Whoever stands with the imam until he finishes, it is written for him Qiyaamu Layl.” And if you love the sermon and also half of the people love it rather three fourths of the people love it, then do not imprison the last fourth because of what is loved by the three fourths. Did not the Messenger (praise and peace be upon him) say, “If one of you leads the people, then make it light. Verily from those who are behind him are the weak and sick and one with a need” or as he said (praise and peace be upon). It means that you do not measure the people by yourself or by the others who love the speech and the sermon. Measure the people by that which eases them. Lead them in taraaweeh, and when you are finished with that and you have finished your salaat and the people have finished, then say what you will from speech.” 
Translated by: Ali ibn Nathaniel Grays
Source: Taken from an Arabic site but its origin is from ( لقاء الباب المفتوح 118 )

The Ruling on Women Attending Lectures in the Masjid

It is allowed for women to attend the general lectures given in the masjid.

Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan hafiduhallah said:

From that, it is permitted for her to attend the Masaajid to participate in the good in terms of the congregational prayer and attending the sittings of remembrance with modesty and holding fast to the precautions that will keep her away from fitnah and preserve her honor” [Mulakhas al-Fiqhi (1/210)].

Shaikh Muqbil rahimahullah mentioned that she can even attend the lessons in the masjid if she is menstruating:

Question: Is it allowed for a woman to attend the sittings of Knowledge and lessons in the masjid?

Answer: “There is no harm inshallah. The Hadith:

إني لا أحل المسجد لحائض ولا جنب

It is not permitted for a menstruating woman or one who is junub (sexually impure) to stay in the mosque [Reported by Abu Dawood no. 232]

is a weak Hadith. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

إن حيضتك ليست في يدك

Your menstruation is not in your hand [Muslim no. 298]

And he (ﷺ) said:

أفعلي ما يفعل الحاج غير ألا تطوفي في البيت

You should perform all that a pilgrim would do, except circumambulation until you are pure (i.e. performed Ghusl) [Bukhari no. 1650 and Muslim no. 1211]

So there is no harm if she attends the lessons of Knowledge in the Masjid”.

[http://www.muqbel.net/fatwa.php?fatwa_id=3328]

As for an all women’s class in the masjid, then this was not something known in the time of the Salaf. In fact it is an innovation.

Shaikh al-Albani rahimahullah wrote in Saheeha (6/401):
I say: as for what is recently spreading here in Damascus in terms of women frequenting the Masaajid in specific times to hear a lesson from one of them, from what they call the Daa’iyaah (Female caller) as they claim. That is from the newly invented affairs which were not in the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) nor the time of the Salaf. It was only instituted for the pious Scholars to teach them in a specific place as comes in the Hadith [See: Saheeha no. 2680] or in the lesson of the men with a barrier for them in the Masjid if it is possible. Otherwise, the men will overcome them and it is not possible for them to learn knowledge and ask about it.

If there are women today from those who have been given something of knowledge and sound fiqh based on the Book and Sunnah, then there is no harm if she establishes a specific sitting in her house or in one of the women’s house. That is better for them. How not when the Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the congregational prayer in the Masjid:

بيوتهن خير لهن

Their houses are better for them (for praying) [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 567]

If the affair is like this for the prayer which the woman must have etiquette and modesty, so how is knowledge in the house not more deserving? Especially when some of them raise their voices [in the class] and others participate with them [in doing so]. So their is an buzzing that comes from them which is ugly and dispraised. This is what we heard and witnessed unfortunately.

Then we have seen this newly invented matters has spread to some other lands like Oman for example. We ask Allah for protection from every innovation and newly invented matter“.

He also said in his annotation to the Hadith (no. 1999) in Saheeh Targheeb was-Tarheeb (2/442):

…The routes of this Hadith have been mentioned in Saheeha (2680) and I have mentioned there that it is an innovation for a woman to teach in the masjid with women as some do in Damascus and other than it. Our Prophet (ﷺ) spoke the truth when he said:

بيوتهن خير لهن

Their houses are better for them (for praying) [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 567]

[Taken from Qamoos al-Bid’ah (pg. 430-431)]

Note: Women who are coming to the masjid must be dressed appropriately according to Islamic regulations. If they are not dressed appropriately, they are not allowed to come to the masjid.

عَنْ عَمْرَةَ بِنْتِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهَا سَمِعَتْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَقُولُ لَوْ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأَى مَا أَحْدَثَ النِّسَاءُ لَمَنَعَهُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا مُنِعَتْ نِسَاءُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لِعَمْرَةَ أَنِسَاءُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مُنِعْنَ الْمَسْجِدَ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ

Amra, daughter of Abd al-Rahmin, reported:
I heard ‘A’isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). say: If the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had seen what new things the women have introduced (in their way of life) he would have definitely prevented them from going to the mosque, as the women of Bani Isra’il were prevented [Muslim no. 445]

Imam Shawkaani rahimahullah said:

It occurs from the aforementioned Ahaadith in this chapter that the permission given to the women from the men to go to the masjid is only if there is not along with their going out anything that calls to fitnah in terms of perfume, jewelry or any adornment, which is obligatory upon the men. It is not obligatory [for her to go] with the presence of what calls to fitnah nor is it allowed. It is prohibited for them to go out due to his (ﷺ) statement:

فلا تشهدن

“…let her not attend…” [Muslim no. 444]

[Nayl al-Awtaar (3/161)]

Imam Sa’adi rahimahullah said:

…If they come out in adornment, perfume, and good form, then it is prohibited for them to come out and it is obligatory upon her guardian, the Islamic ruler, and whoever has ability to prevent her from coming to do so. This is because if she is safe from temptations herself, then she will tempt the people. So whoever sees her and is tempted or follows her with his eyes, then his sinful and she is also sinful because she is the cause. Also, the one who it is obligatory to prevent her from coming is also sinful [for not doing so] and in Allah aid is sought” [Ta’leeqaat ‘ala Umdahtul-Ahkaam pg. 94]

And Allah knows best
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan

Hastening to break the fast 

Today’s Ramadan benefit is about hastening to break the fast and not waiting for the Muadhin. You find many people today delaying the iftar even after the time has entered according to the timetable and instead wait for the Muadhin. The Muadhin himself sometimes delays the time for the adhan due to breaking the fast himself or with the argument of making sure that the time entered. In either case, the Salaf used to hasten to break the fast and they did not wait for the Muadhin. If the time entered, the Sunnah is to break the fast.
The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam said:
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ
 “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”
[Saheeh al-Bukhari no. 1957]
The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam used to hasten to break the fast without waiting for the Muadhin:
Proof:
كان إذا كان صائما أمر رجلا فأوفى على نشز ، فإذا قال : قد غابت الشمس أفطر
“If he was fasting sallahu alayhi wa salam, he would order a man to ascend a high place. If he [the mann] said: the sun has set, he sallahu alayhi wa salam used to break his fast”
[Silsilatus-Saheeha (5/118)]
Shaikh al-Albani rahimahullah wrote commenting on the above Hadith: 
“I say: in this Hadith is his concern sallahu alayhi wa salam to hasten to break the fast after the he sallahu alayhi wa salam was sure the sun set. So he ordered the one who ascended a high place to inform him of the setting of the sun so he sallahu alayhi wa salam could break his fast. And that did not occur from him except to affirm his statement sallahu alayhi wa salam: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” It is investigated in al-Irwaa (917). It is truly unfortunate that we see the people today opposing the Sunnah. For verily many of them see the sun set with their eyes and along with that do not break their fast until they hear the adhan of the land…”  [Then the Shaikh mentioned two reasons for this ignorance]
The Companions radiallahu anhumma used to hasten to break their fast and they too did not wait for the Muadhin
Proof:
 حدثنا وهب بن بقية ، أخبرنا خالد ، عن حميد ، عن أنس ، أنه  لم يكن ينتظر المؤذن في الإفطار وكان يعجل الفطر
“Anas ibn Malik radiallahu anhu did not wait for the Muadhin for Iftar. He used to hasten to break the fast”
[Reported by al-Firyaabi in as-Siyaam no. 51 and something similar was reported by at-Tabarani in Mu’jam al-Kabir no. 677. The Muhaqiq of as-Siyam by al-Firyaabi, Abdul Wakeel an-Nadwi, said: It’s chain is strong (pg. 58). And it is as he said ]
Some of the Companions radiallahu anahum used to hasten to break their fast so much that they would hide from the people lest they see them! 
Proof:
 حدثنا أبو معاوية عن الأعمش عن مجاهد قال : إني كنت لآتي ابن عمر بفطره فأغطيه استحياء من الناس أن يروه
Mujahid said: “I used to bring Ibn Umar radiallahu anhumma his iftar and he used to hide it out of shyness that the people would see him”
[Reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf and its chain is Saheeh]
So let us practice the Sunnah of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam and break the fast as soon as the time enters and let us not delay it waiting for the Muadhin.
May Allah grant us beneficial knowledge
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan