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It is related that once the Prophet (
)
said to his beloved uncle, ‘Abbâs ibn ‘Abd-ul-Muttalib:
“O ‘Abbâs! O my dear uncle! Should I not
present you a gift? Should I not bestow something to you? Should I not inform
you of something greatly beneficial? Should I not show you such an act which, if
you render it, Allâh will forgive all your sins, old and new, those committed
in error and those committed deliberately, those small or large, committed in
secrecy or openly? [This act is] that you pray four rak’ât (Salât-ut-Tasbîh)
… (he described the method)” After describing the details of its
performance, he said: “If possible, perform this prayer daily. If you cannot
do that, then do it every week, or every month. And if you cannot do that, then
perform it once a year and if you cannot even do this, then perform it at least
once in your lifetime.” [M-1252, from Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Bayhaqi
with similar report in Tirmidhi]
There are specific details regarding how one is to
perform this special nafl prayer, involving the recitation of large
quantities of tasbîhs (glorifications of Allâh) in parts of the prayer.
We have not included those in this article.
Regarding the authenticity of this prayer, Tirmidhi
states,
“Multiple hadîth have been narrated from the
Prophet (
)
regarding the Salât-ut-Tasbîh. Although the chains of narrators of
these are not sahîh, the practice of this prayer has been narrated by
(‘Abdullâh) Ibn-ul-Mubârak and more than one of the reliable people of
knowledge- [they have enjoined its practice] and mentioned its benefits.”
Thus, the scholars have written that although the
chains of narration may be weak, due to the number of different sources of
narration, it is not correct to claim that it is an innovation (bid’ah)
or that it is against the sunnah. And Allâh knows best. [DT p. 250]
Salât-ut-Taubah consists of 2 rak’ât
nafl which should be performed after one mistakenly commits a sin. After
performing the 2 rak’ât, one should raise one’s hands sincerely and
humbly in du’â (supplication) and repent with true and abundant
repentance. One should have the sincere intention of avoiding that sin in the
future. It is reported from Abu Bakr, the Truthful (Allâh be pleased with him)
that the Prophet (
)
said:
“There is no person who commits a sin and then
afterwards purifies himself and stands and offers prayer and seeks sincere
forgiveness of Allâh except that Allâh forgives him.” [M-1248, from Tirmidhi
and Ibn Majah]
When setting out on a journey, one should perform 2
rak’ât of nafl prayer before leaving home. Also, after
returning from the journey, it is sunnah or mustahab to first go
to the masjid and offer 2 rak’ât of prayer before going home.
When the Prophet (
)
used to return from a journey, he would first go to the masjid and pray in it 2 rak’ât.
[RS-988, agreed upon]
“Istikhârah” means to seek goodness.
This prayer is a way of seeking advice from Allâh. It consists of 2 rak’ât
of nafl to be performed when one intends to embark on some venture or
project. Following the prayer, one should make the supplication which is
mentioned in the hadîth of the Prophet (
).
Hadrat Jâbir (Allâh be pleased with him) reported
that the Prophet (
)
used to teach us [to perform] Istikhârah in all our affairs, just as he
used to teach us chapters of the Qur’ân. He would say, “When one of you
intends a matter, he should pray 2 superogatory rak’ât of prayer, and
then say…”- he mentioned further the supplication to be offered. [M-1247,
from Bukhari]
Note, however, that one should not offer this type
of prayer frivolously.
When someone is in need or in difficulty, the
Prophet (
)
said that the person should perform wudű’ perfectly and
completely and then perform 2 rak’ât of prayer. After completing that,
he should praise Allâh abundantly and pray for blessings upon the Messenger of
Allâh ().
Then, he should make a fervent du’â for the fulfillment of the need.
[KS; TD p.54, from Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
In the event of severe drought, this special prayer
is performed. “Istisqâ” means to petition for water. The prayer
consists of 2 rak’ât performed in congregation, without adhân
or iqâmah. The entire Muslim community should go to the outskirts of the
city, on foot and wearing extremely simple and humble clothing. The imâm leads
the prayer loudly and then recites 2 khutbahs just as on ‘Eid. After
the khutbahs, the imâm faces the Qiblah, raises his hands and petitions
Allâh for rain. All those present also make du’â. This procedure is
repeated for three consecutive days. The complete details of how the Prophet ()
performed this type of prayer are to be found in the books of hadîth and fiqh.
See, for example, [M-1410-1424; T-540-543; KS; BZ]
According to Imâm Abu Hanîfah there is no sunnah
prayer specifically for rain, only supplication. However, the ruling is upon
that of his students, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad, on this point who ruled that it is
indeed supported by the various traditions. Imâm Shâfi’i and Imâm Mâlik
also support it. [Al-Hadis. v.3. p.500]
At the time of a solar eclipse (kusűf), 2 rak’ât
of prayer are sunnah. This prayer should be offered in congregation, led
by the imâm of Jumu’ah or the ruler or his deputy. The recitation is done
inaudibly but it should be exceptionally long (eg. Sűrah Baqarah). After
the salât, the imâm and the followers should engage in making du’â
until the eclipse disappears.
“When there was a solar eclipse during the time
of the Prophet (
),
he prayed and the people prayed with him (in congregation). He stood for a long
time, for example, to recite the Sűrah Baqarah, and then performed a
long rukű’. [The hadîth goes on to describe how he also made the rukű’
and sujűd very long.] When he finished the prayer, the sun had come out
again and he said, “Truly the sun and moon are two signs from the signs of Allâh-
they do not eclipse due to the death or birth of any person (this was a
superstition at the time). So, when you witness them, remember Allâh (during
them).” [M1396, agreed upon]
At the time of a lunar eclipse (khusűf) it
is also sunnah to offer 2 rak’ât of lengthy prayer. However, it
is not sunnah to offer this in congregation or in the masjid. It should
be done at home. [BZ; KS, as in Hidâyah]
At the time of great fear (khauf) due to an enemy, disasters or
other calamities, two or more rak’ât of prayer should be offered. [KS]
If the Muslims are faced with an enemy, there there are special
procedures for praying in two groups, or praying while riding on an animal, etc.
These situations have been described in the hadîth. [See M1336-1341. Also BZ
and Hidayah]
This is a du’â which is recited when some
portion of the Muslim community or nation is afflicted with calamity or
disaster. This supplication is recited only in Fajr salât after coming up from
the rukű’ in the second rak’ât. One remains in the qaumah
(standing) position with hands at the sides and recites an appropriate
supplication. [KS p.97; DT p.166-171] Note, whereas qunűt nâzilah is
offered audibly after the rukű’, the qunűt in Witr is offered
quietly before the rukű’ of the third rak’ah.
For example, Hadrat Anas (Allâh be pleased with
him) reported that,
The Prophet (
)
had sent seventy reciters of the Qur’ân (to a tribe of the desert Arabs for
their education) and they were killed treacherously. So the Messenger of Allâh
(
)
performed qunűt after the rukű’ for a month, invoking curses
upon them. [M-1289, agreed upon]
When a Muslim is about to be killed, it is mustahab
for him to offer 2 rak’ât of salât and make du’â to Allâh
for forgiveness. This is so that this prayer will be his last action in the
world.
Once the Messenger of Allâh ()
sent a group of his companions to a certain place in order to teach the Qur’ân.
On the way, they were captured by the disbelievers of Makkah. All of them were
killed on the spot, except for Hadrat Khubayb (Allâh be pleased with him). They
took him to Makkah in a great procession and executed him with pomp and
ceremony. When he was about to be martyred, he asked permission to offer 2 rak’ât
of prayer. From that time, the offering of this salât became mustahab. [BZ
p. 177]
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