Nafl
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
VIRTUES OF VOLTENTRY PRAYERS
O Allah (The Exalted) bless our Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) among the First.
O Allah (The Exalted) bless our Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) among the Last.
O Allah (The Exalted) bless our Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
among the Prophets.
O Allah (The Exalted) bless our Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
among the Messengers.
Respected brother/sister! We should spend our time in the worship of Allah (The Exalted) and not in sin or wasting the precious time that Allah (The Exalted) has given to us. We should not waste time in watching soaps, talking on the phone to a friend which is not important or reading literature that will not benefit and which one will have to answer for on the Day of Judgment. We should spend our time in the dhikr of Allah (The Exalted), Salaat-‘Alan Nabi (Durood), better still making up one’s missed prayers one will not get the opportunity after death. Let us learn about some of the voltentry prayers that we can pray and achieve closeness to Allah (The Exalted).
TAHIYYA-TUL-WUDHU
After performing ablution and before the water dries, to offer two cycles of Salaah is recommended (Mustahab). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Whosoever performs ablution and does it well, and with physical and mental concentration offers two cycles, for that person Paradise becomes necessary (wajib).” i
Ghusl
After Ghusl to offer two cycles of prayer is recommended (Mustahab). If after performing ablution one offers any Fardh or other prayer, this will suffice for tahiyyatul wudhu. ii
TAHIYYATUL MASJID
To fulfil the rights of the Masjid, offer two cycles when entering the Masjid which is Sunnah. Although it is better to pray four. Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Whosoever enter the Masjid, offer two cycles before sitting.” iii
Manner Of The Salaah
1. If you enter the Masjid at a time when Salaah is Makrooh (disliked), then perform dhikr, durood etc. the rights of the Masjid will be fulfilled. iv
2. If you have performed a Fardh or Sunnah Salaah in the Masjid, tahiyyatul Masjid will be fulfilled, even if the intention was not made.
3. Tahiyyatul wudhu is for those who have not entered the Masjid for Salaah but for lectures, dhikr etc. v
4. If you are going to wait for Salaah, then offer tahiyyatul Masjid, however, as soon as you enter the Masjid you offer any Fardh or Sunnah then this will suffice. vi
5. It is better to perform tahiyyatul Masjid before you sit and if you remember latter then perform it then. vii
6. Tahiyyatul Masjid is sufficient once a day and not every time. viii
7. If someone went in the Masjid without wudhu and can’t pray, then recite the following four times:
“Subha-nal-lahi Wal-Ham-du-lil-lahi Wa-Laa-ila-ha Il-lal-lahu Wal-Laahu-Akbar” ix
(Pure is Allah (The Exalted) and praise be to Allah (The Exalted) and there is no deity except Allah (The Exalted) and Allah is great). 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
TAHAJJUD PRAYER
(The night prayer)
Allah (The Exalted) states the virtue of those who wake up for the Tahajjud prayer in Surah Sajdah second ruku.
Entering Paradise Without Accounting
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “People will be gathered in one field and a caller will say ‘Where are those who would leave their sleep’, they will stand but will be few in number and will enter Paradise without accounting and then the people will be ordered for accounting.” x
Most Beloved Prayer
‘Abd-Allah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) told me, “The most beloved prayer to Allah (The Exalted) is that of Dawud (upon him be peace) and the most beloved fast to Allah (The Exalted) are those of Dawud (upon him be peace). He would sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and would fast on alternate days.” xi
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would recite the last part of Surah Imran and offer Tahajjud prayer sometimes consisting of four, six or eight cycles with lengthy Surahs and he also offered on occasions three witr of ‘Isha with them too. Then with total submission and extreme humbleness the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would make supplication for us, his beloved Ummah.
Look at the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) the Tahajjud Salaah was obligatory on the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) but it is not for us. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) remembered us in his prayers; we should remember him by following his Sunnah. Remember that ablution is obligatory for Salaah and that it is done properly the way the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has shown us. All parts should be washed carefully when passing water through the fingers and beard. Try to use the Miswak to clean the teeth, as not only does it make the gums stronger but cleans the teeth and prevents disease and infection. The Salaah prayed after using a Miswak is seventy times virtuous than Salaah without a Miswak, Subhanallah!
Why Pray Tahajjud?
Al-Mughira (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet and legs became swollen. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “Should I not be a thankful slave.”” xii
Should we not be thankful to Allah (The Exalted) and offer at least the five obligatory prayers on time?
When To Pray?
Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him) related that, I asked ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the night prayer (tahajjud and witr) of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) as to what was the normal practice. She replied “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) slept (after ‘Isha) in the early part of the night. Thereafter he awakened (for tahajjud prayers) until the time of Suhoor (Sehri), thereafter he would say witr prayer. After that he would go to his bed and if he felt inclined, he would go to his wife. When he heard the adhaan he got up. If he was in a state of Janabah (impurity) he would take a bath otherwise he would perform wudhu and go to mosque for prayer.” xiii
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would offer eleven cycles1, and that was his prayer. He would prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Qur’an) before he would raise his head. He would pray two units (Sunnah) before the Fajr prayer and would lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer.” xiv
1 Of which 8 were of Tahadjud and 3 witr. 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Sleeping Is a Condition
The Salaah offered after ‘Isha is called ‘Salatul Layl’ and the Salaah offered after sleeping be it for few seconds is called Tahajjud. Whatever is prayed before sleeping in not Tahajjud. xv
How Many Cycles?
The time of Tahajjud commences in the last third of the night. Tahajjud is Sunnah and consists of a minimum of at least two cycles and a maximum of eight cycles. xvi
What To Pray?
Shaykh Ahmad Raza Khan states that; “If possible recite as much Qur’an as possible, otherwise in every cycle recite Surah Fatiha and then Surah Ikhlas three times. One will receive the reward of completing a Qur’an in each cycle.” xvii One can recite any Surah as there is no restriction.
After Tahajjud
After Tahajjud prayer, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would take some rest or sit with the members of his family and talk about the Ummah. When Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) would call adhaan for Fajr prayer, then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would offer two Sunnah at home, in the first cycle after Surah Fatiha, Surah Kafiroon and in the other cycle after Surah Fatiha he would pray Surah Ikhlaas. (In the two Sunnah after the Fardh of Maghrib, he would recite the same Surahs at times).
Call From The Unseen
Ibraheem bin Adham (may Allah be pleased with him) was once asleep in the Ka’ba when a voice was heard from the unseen saying, “The night prayer puts out the fire of hell and one will stay steadfast an the bridge of ‘Pul Sirat.’” After this he never missed the Tahajjud prayer. xviii
Four Ways To Wake Up For Tahajjud
1) To eat less as it makes a person drink more if one eats more, 2) During the day do not work to much so that one becomes weak, 3) Do not miss the Siesta (Kaylula) as this is a Sunnah 4) Save yourself from sin as sinning makes the heart ‘hard’ and makes it difficult to wake up.
Imam Thouri (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) said that, “Because of one sin I could not wake up for Tahajjud for five months.” People asked what was the sin? “Someone was crying and in my heart, I thought he is showing others.” He said. xix
Allahu Akbar! Today thinking bad of someone in the heart is a thing of the pass, we have exceeded and feel no shame and talk bad about others to people, may Allah (The Exalted) save us from these Major sins and give us the ability to make true repentance and seek the knowledge of religion, Ameen!
Four Spiritual Ways
1) Do not have hatred in the heart for any Muslim and free yourself from worrying about the worldly affairs, 2) To have the fear of Allah (The Exalted) and not to desire the world, 3) Find the virtues of standing in the night from the Qur’an, hadith and the life of the pious, 4) Have love of Allah (The Exalted) and most importantly thinking that Allah (The Exalted) knows your condition. xx
ISHRAAQ SALAAH
Sins will be forgiven
It is reported in a tradition that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “If anyone sits in his place of prayer when he finishes the Morning Prayer (Fajr Salaah) till he prays the two cycles of Ishraaq. Saying nothing but what is good; his sins will be forgiven even if more than the foam of the sea.” xxi
The fire of hell shall not touch the skin of that person who reads four cycles of Ishraaq Salaah. xxii Subhanallah!
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘After reading the Fajr Salaah with congregation continue to perform the dhikr of Allah (The Exalted) until after the sun rises then performs two cycles of prayer will be rewarded with Hajj and ‘‘Umrah, this is called the Salaah of Ishraaq. xxiii How easy is it to gain the reward of Hajj and ‘Umrah! 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
When To Pray?
After offering the Fardh of Fajr, remain seated on the prayer mat till the sun rises and is sufficiently high2. During this period, it is better to remain busy in remembering Allah (The Exalted) reading the Kalima Shahadah or Durood or any other remembrance or supplication. He should not indulge in useless worldly talk or even business. When the sun is high, then one can offer two or four cycles of Superogratory prayer. The reward for this is equal to the reward of offering one Hajj and ‘‘Umrah. If one was engaged in worldly affairs after the Fardh of Fajr and then offered Ishraaq Salaah, it would be valid. However, the reward will be reduced.xxiv
2 Meaning at least twenty minutes from the start of sunrise has passed
After Ishraaq
After Ishraaq Salaah and breakfast, one should engage in the earning of permissible livelihood and then read Chasht Salaah at the time of Chasht.
THE CHASHT SALAAH
Abu Dhar Ghiffari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “There is charity upon every bone (there are 360) in every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i. e. saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqa, and every Takbir (i. e. saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqa, and every praise of His (saying Al-hamdu Lillah) is a Sadaqa and every declaration that He is One (La illha ill-Allah) is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a Sadaqa, and all of these will suffice by offering two cycles of Chast.” xxv Subhanallah!, Subhanallah!
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “In return of one cycle of Chasht, 10,000 good deeds are written.” xxvi
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Whosoever holds fast (continuously offer) two cycles of Chast, his sins will be forgiven, be it the size of the ocean.” xxvii Subhanallah!
How Many Cycles To Pray?
This is Sunnah and there are at least two cycles or at the most twelve cycles, and it is better to pray all twelve. In the hadith it states, “Whosoever prays twelve cycles of Chasht, Allah (The Exalted) will make a palace from gold for him.” xxviii The time for this is when the sun has well risen upto the start of midday, however, it is better to pray it when the sun has quarter risen in the sky. xxix
When To Pray?
The time for Chasht Salaah begins when the sun is bright and ends an hour before midday [Zawwal] (according to Shariah). One can pray it straight after the Ishraaq prayer. xxx
Allah (The Exalted) sent a revelation to Musa (upon whom be peace) and asked “Would you not like the mountains to continuously supplicate to you?” “Indeed my Lord” replied Musa (upon whom be peace). Allah (The Exalted) said that, “Offer the Chasht prayer continuously.” xxxi
One who is suffering from poverty and starvation recites Ya Wahhabu (The Bestower) frequently or repeats it 40 times in the last prostration (Sajdah) of Chasht prayer; Allah (The Exalted) will relieve him of his poverty and starvation. Whoever wants something, should perform prostration three times in the house, and lift the head and repeat this name 100 times; his want will be fulfilled by the Grace of Allah (The Exalted).
Benefits Of Chasht Salaah
1. One who leaves home with ablution and with the intention of Chasht Salaah gets the reward of an ‘Umrah. xxxii
2. Chasht Salaah is a minimum of two and at most twelve cycles of superogratory prayers.
5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
3. By reading only two cycles of Chasht Salaah, all the minor sins are forgiven and Sadaqah fulfilled for all the three hundred and sixty joints of the body. xxxiii
4. By reading four cycles of Chasht Salaah Allah (The Exalted) ensure the fulfilment of the daily tasks in an easy manner. xxxiv
5. One who reads eight cycles of Chasht shall be written down as from the obedient and pious. xxxv
6. A house in paradise shall be made for one who reads twelve cycles of Chasht Salaah. xxxvi
SALATUL AWWABEEN
To observe six cycles superogratory after the two Sunnah of Maghrib Salaah, one gets the rewards of worshipping Allah (The Exalted) for twelve years. These six cycles are known as Salatul Awwabeen.
Sins Forgiven
Muhammad bin Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that he saw his father reciting six cycles after Maghrib Salaah and heard him saying that he had seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) doing that. Also that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “If any servant of Allah(The Exalted) prays six cycles after Salatul Maghrib, his sins will be forgiven even if they are more than the foam of the sea.” xxxvii
The Reward!
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Whosoever after Maghrib before talking, offers two cycles Salaah, Allah (The Exalted) will give him a place in paradise.” Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “What if he prays four?” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “He becomes as if he has performed Hajj upon Hajj.” Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “What if he prays six cycles?” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Fifty years of sins will be forgiven.” xxxviii Subhanallah! What more can be said about this Salaah!
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Whoso after Maghrib prays six cycles and does not say anything bad in-between them, then it will be equivalent to twelve years worship.” xxxix
Six Cycles in two cycle intervals is the minimum number of Cycles for Salatul Awwabeen, the maximum being twenty. The reward for this prayer is equivalent to superogratory prayers for twelve years. xl Allahu Akbar!
SALAT-UL-HAAJAT
(PRAYER IN TIMES OF NEED)
What To Pray?
When one has a need from Allah (The Exalted) or requires something from a person or they are in some sort of difficulty, then carefully perform Wudhu, and pray two or four Cycles Superogratory Salaah. In the first cycle after Surah Fatiha pray ‘Ayatul Kursi’ three times. In the second cycle after Surah Fatiha pray Surah Naas once. xli
Hudhayfa (may Allah be pleased with him) said that, “When anything distressed the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) he prayed.” xlii
The Blind Man
A blind man went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “Invoke Allah (The Exalted) for me that he helps me.” He replied, “If you wish I will delay this, and it would be better for you, and if you wish I will invoke Allah (The Exalted) (for you).” He said, “Then invoke him.” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to him, “Go and make an ablution, offer two cycles of prescribed prayer (Salat), then say, “O Allah, I am asking you and turning to you with your Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), the Prophet of mercy; O Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), I am turning with you to my Lord with your intercession 6 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
concerning the return of my sight so that He will fulfil my need. ‘O Allah (The Exalted), allow him to intercede (with you) for me.”” 3
3 Ahmad (4:138. 17246-7) Tirmidhi (hasan sahih gharib, Daawat Ch.119). Ibn Majah (Book of Iqamat al-salat wal-sunnat, Ch. On Salat al-hajat, 1385). Nasai (Amal al-yawm wal laylat p. 417-8. 658-660. al-Hakim (1:313, 1:526), Tabarani in al-Kabir, and rigorously authenticated as sound (sahih) by nearly fifteen hadith masters including Ibn Hajar, Dhahabi, Shawkani, and ibn Taymiyya.
4 Misbahus Zijaja Bar Hashia ibn Majah
5 Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir and Al-Mu’jam As-Saghir Imam Tabarani. In defence of At-Tawassul. Page: 1.
The blind man went and did as the Messenger of Allah mentioned. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the Messenger of Allah’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) session with his blindness cured.
With regards to this hadith about the blind man being asked to make supplication with the Wasila of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Allama ‘Abdul Ghani Delhwi (may Allah be pleased with him) says that, “It proves the permissibility of mediation and that of the Messenger of Allah’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) intercession. This command is that during his life, but also after his demise.” 4 Thus, one is allowed to seek the Wasila of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) even after his demise.
Then, after the physical death of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and during the time of the caliphate of ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) a man came to ‘Uthman ibn Hunayf (may Allah be pleased with him). This man complained to ‘Uthman ibn Hunayf out a matter which he needed to be fulfilled through the caliph, but which was not being fulfilled. ‘Uthman ibn Hunayf ordered the man to go to the place where ablution would be performed, perform ablution, perform two units of Salaah and after saying Salaam to say the following:
“O Allah, I am asking you and turning to you with your Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), the Prophet of mercy; O Muhammad, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) I am turning with you to my Lord with your intercession concerning the return of my sight so that He will fulfil my need.”
‘Uthman ibn Hunayf told him to return after doing this, and they would go together to the caliph. This man went and performed what was told. However, instead of returning to him, he elected to go on his own to the caliph. When he reached the door of the caliph, the gateman took him by the hand and sat him on a carpet next to ‘Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) and he asked him “What is your need that you wanted fulfilling?” I forgot all about it until just now.” The man informed the caliph told him, “Whenever you have a need, come to me and I will satisfy it for you.” 5 Subhanallah!
This hadith carries proof that it is permissible is Islam for one to ask Allah (The Exalted) for things by the Messenger of Allah (The Exalted) during the lifetime and after his physical departure.
Make The Following Supplication
‘Abd-Allah bin Abu Aufa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “If anyone wants something from Allah (The Exalted) or from a human being, perform ablution and let him make it well. Then offer two cycles of superogratory prayer, glorify Allah (The Exalted) and send blessed salutation on the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and thereafter make supplication in the following words: –
“There is no deity but Allah (The Exalted) the Clement and Generous, Glory be to Allah (The Exalted) the Lord of the mighty throne. Praise be to Allah (The Exalted), the Lord of the Universe. I ask You which will guarantee Your mercy, actions that will make certain Your forgiveness, a supply of every virtue and freedom from every offence. Do not leave a sin of mine which You do not pardon, a worry which You do not remove, or a need that meets Your pleasure which You do not fulfil for me.”
In a four cycle prayer you can recite the following, in the first cycle recite Surah Fatiha and ‘Ayatul Kursi’ and the other three recite Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlas, then Surah Falaq and then Surah Naas once.
SALAATUL ISRAAR OR SALAATUL GOUTHIYA
This is also a beneficial prayer for the fulfilment of needs. When one has a intention of anything good, one can offer this prayer. This is also known as Salat-ul-Ghouthiya. Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Qadir al-Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) himself narrates this. 7 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Imam Abul Hassan Nurud-Deen ‘Ali bin Jarir Lakhmi writes in Bahjatal Asrar and Mulla Ali Qari and Shaykh Abdul Haqq Muhaddith Dehelwi (may Allah be pleased with them all) narrate from Ghouth Al-Azam (may Allah be pleased with him) after the two Sunnats of Maghrib, offer two cycles of voltentry prayer. In every cycle recite Surah Fatiha and eleven (11) times Surah Ikhlas (Qulhu Wallah) after completing the prayer, praise Allah (The Exalted) and recite Durood on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) eleven times, and say the following eleven times:
Ya Rasool Allah Ya Nabi Allah Aghithni Wam Doodni Fi Qadaai Haajati Ya Qadiyal Haajaat.
O Messenger of Allah! O Prophet of Allah! Help and assist me in fulfilling my need, O fulfiller of needs.
Then walk eleven steps towards Iraq and on every step say:
Ya Ghouth Thaqalayni Wa Ya Kareemat Tarafayni Aghithni Wamdudni fi Qadaai Haajati Ya Qadiyal Haajaati.
O Helper of Man and Jin! O Generous to Man and Jin! Help me and assist me in fulfilling my need, O fulfiller of needs.
Then make supplication to Allah (The Exalted) with the intercession of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace.) xliii
SALAT-UL-ISTIKHAARAH
(PRAYER FOR SEEKING GUIDANCE)
What To Pray?
Whenever one intends to do something one should take guidance from Allah (The Exalted). To seek such guidance from Allah (The Exalted) is called “Istikhaarah.” It has been quoted in the hadith that when a person makes an intention for something then prays two cycles of Superogratory prayer. In the first cycle after Surah Fatiha pray Surah Kafiroon and in the second cycle after Surah Fatiha pray ‘Surah Ikhlas’.xliv
Make The Following Supplication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, ‘When one intends to do something, one should say two cycles of Superogratory prayer and then say the following Supplication:
O Allah (The Exalted), I ask Your guidance by Your knowledge. I ask you for power, and I ask You out of Your great abundance, For surely you have the power I do not, you have the knowledge and I don’t. For You are the One who is aware of the unseen. O Allah (The Exalted) if You know that this matter is for me regarding my religion, my livelihood, and my future well being (or he said, “my affairs in this world and the next”) ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. However, if You know that this matter is bad for me regarding my livelihood, and my future well being (or he said, “my affairs in this world and the next.”). Turn it away for me, turn me away from it, ordain well for me where-ever it is, then make me pleased with it.” xlv
It is better to perform this prayer seven times on different days and recite the above supplication, with ablution sleep facing the Qibla, before and after the supplication pray Fatiha and durood. If you see white or green in your dream then it is a good sign and one can go ahead with the deed, however, if one sees black or red, then it is not good and one should abstain from it.
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) told me, and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke the truth, that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) say, “No one will commit a sin, then get up and purify himself, then pray, then ask Allah’s (The Exalted)forgiveness without Allah (The Exalted) forgiving him.”
Helps When Taking Decisions i.e. Marriage etc.
This Salaah will benefit one when taking decisions on a proposal for marriage or before setting out on a journey or undertaking any other important assignment, one should seek guidance from Allah (The Exalted) through Salatul Istikhaarah. 8 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
1. There is no Istikhara for pious actions such as Hajj, Jihad etc. However, you can perform Istikhara to designate a fixed time for them. xlvi
2. It is better to perform Istikhara at least seven times and then see wherever your conscience is fixed that is what is best for you. Many pious persons say that if you see whiteness or greenery in your dreams then it is good and if you see darkness or redness then it is a bad thing and you should stay away from it. xlvii
SALATUL TAWBA
(The repentance prayer)
Humans make errors and when a person regrets this in the court of Allah (The Exalted) He forgives. Remember if you commit a sin it is necessary (wajib) to repent.
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that, “Whenever a person commits a sin, performs ablution and offers prayer then repents, Allah (The Exalted) will forgive that person.” xlviii
There is no prescribed way of offering this prayer, so offer two cycles and pray any Surahs and make sincere repentance.
SALATUL TASBIH
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to his uncle Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) “O uncle! Shall I not offer you? Shall I not forgive you? Shall I not give you? Shall I not do good to you? There are ten things that when you do them, Allah (The Exalted) will forgive your past, future, old, new, ones committed by mistake, and those committed intentionally, minor and major, those hidden and in open.” He then taught him the method of the prayer, then said, “If possible offer everyday, if not then every Friday, if not then once a month, if not then once a year, if not then definitely once in a life time.” xlix
How To Pray?
There are many rewards for this prayer. There are four cycles for this. Besides the dislike times one can offer them at any time. It is better to offer it before the mid-day prayer (Dhuhr). The method is as follows: after the takbeer recite Thana and after that recite the following fifteen (15) times: ‘Subhanallahi Walhamdulil lahi Walaa ilaaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar.’ Then recite ‘Aoodhubillah’ and ‘Bismillah’ and Surah Fatiha and a Surah then recite the same ten (10) times then go into the bow (ruku) and after reciting ‘Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Adheem’ recite another ten (10) times then after coming out of the bow recite it another ten (10) times and go into prostration (Sajdah) and after’ Subhana Rabbiyal A’la’ another ten (10) times then after the first prostration in the sitting position (Jalsa) recite another ten (10) times and then go into the second prostration and after the tasbih recite another ten (10) times and then stand and before you recite ‘Bismillah’ recite it fifteen (15) times, then likewise offer another three cycles. In every cycle recite it seventy-five (75) times and in total it will be three hundred (300) in the four cycles.
Manners Of Salatul Tasbih
1. It is better in the first cycle to pray Surah Takaathur after Surah Fatiha, in the second cycle to pray Wal-‘asr, in the third cycle to pray ‘Qulya Ayyuhal Kafiroon’ and in the fourth ‘Qul Huwallahu Ahad’. If you don’t know them then one can pray any Surah.
2. In the bow and prostration after reciting ‘Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Adheem’ and A’laa recite the prescribed Tasbih. l
3. If Sijdah Sahw6 becomes necessary, do not pray this tasbih.
4. If you recite the tasbih anywhere less than ten times you can make it up elsewhere. li
5. Besides the disliked times you can offer it any time, and it is better to offer it before the Dhuhr prayer.
6 This is the two prostrations at the end of the Salaah when you have missed a Wajib act in Salaah. 9 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
SUN ECLIPSE
The Salaah of Sun Eclipse is Sunnat-e-Muakedah and the Salaah for a Moon Eclipse is Mustahab. It is Mustahab to pray the Sun Eclipse Salaah by Jamaat but it can be prayed alone. If it is prayed with Jamaat then all the conditions are the same as per Jumu’ah except for the Khutba. The same person leads this Salaah as the same for Jumu’ah and if they are not available then the Salaah should be prayed alone either in the home or Mosque. lii
1. Pray the eclipse Salaah when the eclipse is on the Sun and not after the eclipse has moved. If the eclipse has moved but it is still shadowing the Sun then you can still start the Salaah and whilst there is an eclipse and if a cloud covers it then still pray the Salaah. liii
2. If the eclipse occurs during a time where Salaah is not allowed then do not pray the Salaah and perform Dua and if the sun then sets, then finish the Dua and pray Maghrib Salaah. liv
3. The Salaah for Eclipse is prayed like a normal Nafl Salaah, that is two Cycles and in every Cycle one Ruku and two Sajdahs just like other Salaah.
4. There is no Adhaan, Iqamah or praying loudly in the eclipse Salaah and perform Dua after the Salaah upto the time when the sky becomes clear. You can pray more than two Cycles but perform Salaam in either two- or four-Cycle intervals. lv
5. If people do not gather together then call them with these words “Assalaatul Jamia”. lvi
6. It is better to pray the Jamaat for the Salaah in either the ‘Eid place or the Jamia Masjid (the main Masjid) and if it’s prayed elsewhere then there is no harm. lvii
7. If you know them, then pray Surah Baqarah and Aal-e-Imran or its length size Surats and in Ruku and Sajdah also make them long and after Salaah perform a Dua until the eclipse is over. It is also allowed to delay the Salaah and extend the Dua. It does not matter whether the Imam when performing Dua is facing the Qibla or facing the congregation and this is actually better and all the Muqtadis should say Ameen and it is also all right for the Imam to lean when performing Dua on the stick or wall but not climb the Mimbar as this not allowed. lviii
8. If the sun eclipse and a funeral Salaah clash together then pray the funeral Salaah first. lix
9. There is no Jama’ah (congregation) for the moon eclipse even if the Imam is present, all should pray on their own. lx
Salaah is Mustahab During Times of Difficulty or Fear
It is Mustahab to pray two Cycle Salaah for the following situations; Hurricane, darkness during the day, fearful light during the night, strong storm, heavy snow, the sky goes red, lightning, thunder, plague or other disease spreading, earthquake, fear of an enemy or any other difficult situation. lxi
May Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability to perform volentry prayers throughout our lives, in our spare time,following the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), the companions and the pious, so we may get closer to Allah (the Exalted), Ameen! 10 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
i Muslim
ii Raddul Mohtar. Faizan-e-Sunnat, virtues of Salaah
iii Bukhari & Muslim
iv Raddul Mohtar. Faizan-e-Sunnat
v ibid
vi ibid
vii Durre Mukhtar. Faizan-e-Sunnat
viii ibid
ix ibid
x Baihaqi
xi Bukhari
xii ibid
xiii Tirmidhi
xiv Bukhari
xv Bahare Shariat with reference to Raddul Mohtar
xvi Qanoon-e-Shariah
xvii Faizane Sunnat
xviii ibid
xix Tambihul Mughtareen
xx Faizane Sunnat
xxi Abu Dawood & Mishkat
xxii Baihaqi
xxiii Tirmidhi
xxiv ibid
xxv Muslim
xxvi Nuzhatul Majalis
xxvii Ahmad & Tirmidhi
xxviii Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah
xxix Raddul Muhtar
xxx Faizane Sunnat
xxxi Nuzhatul Majalis
xxxii Abu Dawud
xxxiii Muslim
xxxiv Ahmad
xxxv ibid
xxxvi ibid
xxxvii Mu’jim Tabarani
xxxviii Nuzhatul Majalis
xxxix Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah
xl Mishkat & Abu Dawood
xli Qanoon-e-Shariat
xlii Abu Dawood
xliii Bahar-e-Shairat
xliv Qanoon-e-Shairat
xlv Mishkat
xlvi Guniya
xlvii Radd-ul-Mohtar
xlviii Faizane Sunnat
xlix Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi
l Shami
li Durre Mukhtar
lii Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar
liii Johra Nera
liv Johra, Radd-ul-Mohtar
lv Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar, Fatahul Qadir
lvi Durr-e-Mukhtar, Fatahul Qadir
lvii Alamgiri
lviii Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar, Fatahul Qadir
lix Johra, Bahar
lx Durr-e-Mukhtar, Hidaya, Alamgiri, Fatahul Qadir
lxi Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar