From the Prophet S.A.W.S.’s Naf’l Salaah’s

A Selection from the Prophet S.A.W.S.’s Naf’l  Salaah’s

Thahiy’yathul Wudu: Immediately after making the ablutions, Wudu, we perform two Rakaah’s Naf’l as Thahiy’yathul Wudu. This helps to merge our "inward and outward consciousness" into a deep devotion to Allah.  This entitles us to Paradise, according to the Mishk’ath  Hadith.

Thahiy’yathul Masjid: According to the Saheeh Bukhari collection of Hadith, the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has advised us that whenever we go to any Masjid (before the usual Far’d prayer or the Juma’a Sermon has begun), we must peform two rakaah’s Naf’l as Thahiy’yathul Masjid.

This prayer is also for Allah.  It is an expression of our esteem for the Masjid. Every Masjid is the House of Allah. It is indeed for Allah that we perform this and every other Salaah.

Salaathul Ishraaq: Half an hour or so after dawn, when the sun has risen to the “Height of a Spear” above the horizon, Salaahul Ish'raaq is performed as Naf’l. It can be of two or four rakaah’s.

Salaathud Duhaa: About three hours after the above, the Salaathud Duhaa  is performed with 2, 4 or 8 Rakaah’s, as Naf’l.  The Mother of Momineen Syedathi Aayesha R.A.A. Radhi Allahu An'haa used to perform this Salaah  regularly.

The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has said that whoever makes it his practice to perform this Salaah every day will have all his sins pardoned by Allah, even if they are like "the froth of sea waves".

Salaathul Aw’wabeen: This Naf’l Salaah is performed after Maghrib prayers.  We are informed from Hadith that whoever performs this in six Rakaah’s (three pairs of two Rakaah’s each) and refrains from evil in between, will be blessed with rewards equal to twelve years of devout prayer. We are also informed that if a person performs twenty Rakaah’s instead, in this Salaah, he/she will secure a mansion in Paradise.

Allahu Rabbul Izzat prefers regularity in our Salaah. For those performing Naf’l prayers regularly, the rewards from Allah are bountiful.

Salaathuth Thahajjud (the Late Night Prayers)

Salaathuth  Thahajjud

(THE LATE NIGHT PRAYERS)

This is an important Naf’l (optional) Salaah that brings in countless blessings.  Foremost is the good news that our Duaa’yaen (prayers) to Allah are fulfilled soonest.

An hour or two before the Azaan of Salaathul Fajr, we wake up and make Wudu and we perform this Salaah  in two to twelve Rakaah’s.

Those who cannot wake up and perform this Salaah at these hours, may perform it earlier, after the Salaathul Ishaa  and earn sawaab.

It is masnoon (the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S.’s practice) to perform as many rakaah’s as we can, in pairs of two rakaah’s each.

They bring us immense rewards from Allah.

We recite longer Surath's in each Rakaah, like Surath's Ya'seen, Ar Rahmaan, Vaakhiyah, Al Saj’dah, Al Kahaf and so on, if we can recite them from memory.

It may appear difficult at first but once we get accustomed to it, we will be performing this Salaah with zest and real devotion.  We will be spiritually and emotionally uplifted by this Salaah at an hour most auspicious  for Duaa’yaen.

The Du’aa (invocation) made to Allah after this Salaah is granted as Allah's Rahmath is closest to us at this hour when we are in devout prayer to Our Creator, seeking His Pardon, His Compassion and the Blessings that only Allah awards.

We need limitless and ever increasing ney’maath, the bounties of inestimable value from Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa.  Let us then, offer limitless Salaah and good deeds and make heartrending Duaa’yaen to Allah and become worthy of these blessings.

When the entire city is in deep slumber, we are praying to Our Glorious Creator to pardon our sins and grant us fulfillment of our cherished aims and bless us and our near ones with the best of health and happiness and harmony in our family life.

The glory of this Salaah may be seen in the Hadith from Mishkaath: The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has informed us that:

In the last third of the night,

Allah welcomes those who pray to Him.

He asks, "Who is it who prays to Me?  I will grant his prayer. 

Who is it who seeks My favor?  I will fulfill his need.

Who is it who seeks My pardon? I will forgive his sins.

Who is it who lends something to (Allah), the One Who has everything and is neither miserly nor harsh."

This drama of asking for, and being granted favors,

goes on and on till  daybreak.

We conclude this Salaah and perform the Salaahul With’r al Wa’jib, the last prayer of the night.

Even if we had performed this Salaah  earlier, with the Ishaa prayers, we may now perform it again and this will bring us greater sawaab.

Salaathul Isthikhara (For Guidance from Allah)

Salaathul Isthikhara

(The Prayer, Seeking Guidance from Allah)

The decision making process is getting more complex and less of a gamble as the science of information crosses new frontiers every day. The success of every commercial, financial or service institution today depends increasingly on its leader’s unerring judgment and high expetise.

To err is human; to suffer losses routine. For the economy to stay healthy and a company to be making profits, the decision making has to be in the right hands. It is a difficult and awesome responsibility. The stress is excessive on the person's heart. The toll is heavy in leadership ranks.

Fortunately for Muslims, the Prophet S.A.W.S. has shown us the best way to arrive at the right decision.  We just refer our problem to Allah, the Omniscient, the Omnipotent. 

We plead our lack of foresight and pray to Allah to show us the way out of any impending crisis and to help us select the best of the options before us.  In the process we earn some sawaab too.  What more can we ask for?

We have this Hadith from the blessed companions Syedina Jabir and Anas R.A.A. (the latter preferring seven times the following process) and the former just once. 

Ulemas have counseled us to repeat the Isthikhara again and again until the right guidance is received.  Some of them suggest that if we see greenery in our dream after the Isthikhara, that is a signal to us to go ahead with whatever project we have in mind; and if we see red or black, it is better to drop the idea.

In a state of cleanliness, preferably after performing all the Salaah’s due upto the moment, we make the appropriate Niy’yath: that we are performing this Salaah for Allah and seeking Allah's guidance in the problem we have before us.

We pray two rakaah’s Sunnah as Salaathul Isthikhara.

Immediately on conclusion of the Salaah, we make the following Du’aa, reciting the Darood-e-Shareef before and after it:

ALLAHUMMA INNEE ASTHAKHEERUKA BI ILMIKA VA ASTHAKH'DIRUKA BI QUD'RATHIKA VA AS'ALUKA MIN FAD'LIKAL AZEEM.

FA INNAKA THAQDIRU VALAA AQDIRU VA THA'ALAMU VA LAA A'ALAMU VA ANTHA ALLAAMUL GHUYOOB

ALLAHUMMA IN KUNTHA THA'ALAMU ANNA HAAZAL AM'RA (here think of the problem on hand and continue) KHAI'YRUN'L LEE FEE DEENEE VA MA'AASHEE VA AAQIBATHI AMREE  FA'QDIR’HU LEE VA YASSIRHU LEE SUMMA BAARIK'LEE FEEHI

VA IN KUNTHA THAALAMU ANNA HAAZAL AM'RA (here also, think of the problem on hand and continue) SHARRUN LEE FEE DEENEE VA MA'AASHEE VA AAQIBATHI AMREE FAS'RIF'HU ANNEE VASRIF’NEE AN'HU VA AKQ’DIR LI'YAL KHAIRA HAIY'SU KAANA SUMMA ARDINEE BIHEE.

Ya Allah, I seek the blessing of positive guidance from Your Vast Knowledge (and the blessing) of higher competence from Your Limitless Power and (I) beg You for increasing favors from Your Infinite Bounty.  For You Alone have the Ultimate Power and I have none. You Alone know everything.  I have no knowledge beyond what You kindly endow on me. You Alone are the Supreme Knower of all things hidden (and unknown to man).

 

Ya Allah, (I beseech You), if it is in Your Knowledge that this matter (state here the problem on hand) will be beneficial to my Faith, to my livelihood and to the ultimate good of all my affairs, then (kindly) grant me success in it and bless me.

(On the other hand) if in Your Great Knowledge this matter, (here, state your problem) be harmful to my Faith, to my livelihood and to the ultimate good of my affairs, then (kindly) move it away from me and move me away from it and destine for me the good result, whatever it be, and bless me to be well pleased with it.

               

Insha Allah, we will receive the inspiration from Allah and our decision will be the right one.

Salaah Lai’ylathul Israa val Meiraaj

Salaah Lai’ylathul Israa val Meiraj

(Prayers on the night of Rajjab 27th, Shab-e-Meiraj):

We  observe special prayers through the night of the 27th of Rajjab, the Lai’ylathul Isra val Meiraj. 

We commemorate with our devotion to Allah and His Rasool S.A.W.S., the Glorious Ascent of our Beloved Prophet Syedina Mohammed S.A.W.S. to the Seventh Heaven in response to an invithation from Allah.

Some scholars term it a spiritual ascent.

But on the authority of Surath al Isra in the Holy Qur'an, we know that the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. was transported physically from Makkah to Jerusalem on this Night. 

His description of all that he saw en route were vivid and correct.  He had never before travelled that route. The sights were unknown to him before.  He also drank water from a tribe encamped in the desert and they corraborated his account.

The following Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A.A.) confirms his physical ascent to Heaven.  It was indeed a miraculous journey performed in the company of Angel Gibrayeel. 

He said,  "I met Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) on the night of my ascension to heaven.  He was a tall person with lank hair and resembled the people of the Shanu'a tribe

"I met Eisaa (Alaihis Salaam).  He was of medium Height and was red in the face as though he had just emerged from a bath.

"I saw Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam). I resembled him more than any of his children.

"(That night) I was given two cups, one full of milk and the other filled with wine.  I was asked to drink from whichever cup I liked.

“I took the milk and drank it.

"And I was told,  'You have taken the right path (religion).  If you had taken the wine, your nation (the Muslims) would have gone astray'".

This Hadith is corraborated by Ibn Umar (R.A.A.) also according to Imam Bukhari.

On this auspicious night, we perform a number of Naf’l Salaah’s, and do Zikr-e-Ilahi (Incantations of the Blessed Names of Allah) and make Duaa’yaen (Invocations) to Allah.

Based on the advice of Ulema, suggestions for the prayers to be performed, are given in the chapters on the other two auspicious nights of the year, the Lai’ylathul Nisf Sha'ban and the Lai’ylathul Qad'r.

May Allah kindly accept all your Salaah’s, good deeds and your Duaa’yaen and also those that this writer performs. 

A'meen!

Salaah Lai’ylathul Nis’f Sha’baan

Salaah Lai’ylathul Nis’f Sha'ban

(Prayers on Sha'ban 15th, the Night of Lights, Shab-e-Baraath)

Shaabaan, the eighth month of the Hijri calendar,  precedes the Holy Month of Ramadan. It has its own merit as the month of Laiylathul Baraath, the Night of Lights and Supplication that occurs on the 14/15^th night of themonth.

The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. observed the optional fast on most days of this month, except on the last two days.  He praised their eminence as “Fasts in honor of Ramadan.” He also said “It is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."  And he informed  Syedathi Ayesha R.A.A., “Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting."

It is important to remember that the Ramadan fast is obligatory and the world of Islam waits for it with fond hopes.  We welcome it with all our hearts and and  exult in honoring it by conscientious observance of all the fasts. As such, if some persons feel their stamina could be affected by fasting in the earlier month of Shaabaan also, they may forego these optional days of Sav’m.

Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have said, "Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban is gone."

On the night of 15th of Sha'baan, we offer special prayers to Allahu Subhanahu va ta Aalaa. 

This is a very important and auspicious night.  The better and more devout we are to Allah and His Rasool Syedina Mohammed S.A.W.S. in our Salaah’s and our good deeds this night, the more glorious, insha Allah, will be the bounties endowed on us by Allah.

These prayers also commemorate the change, by Allah’s command, of  the Muslim Qib’lah  and its historic sequel that occurred in the Masjid Qiblathai’yn at Madinatul Munawwarah.

To the Muslims the Holy Baiy’thullah, in Makkathul Mukaarramah, has always been the sanctum sanctorum of the earth.

As they stood up for Salaah , facing the Bai’ythul Muqaddas in Jerusalem), as was the custom in those days, they and their leader Syedina Mohammed S.A.W.S. S. wished to Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa, that He may kindly accede to the aspirations in their inmost hearts and accord sanction for them to face the Holy Ka’abah instead.

After seventeen months of the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S.’s migration to the Radiant City, the Muslims’Duaa’yaen were accepted by Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa. 

When the auspicious news was convyed to this Masjid, whch is about 10 kms. from the Masjid-e-Nabavi, the congregation were in Salaah facing Bai’ythul Muqaddas (Jerusalem).  They turned en bloc and faced the Holy Ka’abah in Makkathul Mukarramah and completed the Salaah. The Masjid came to be known as the Masjid of Both Qib’lah’s!

On this night is written down, by Allah's command, all that is to happen to us in the year following this, the Night of Lights.

The Night of Bara'ah: Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam,  said, "This is the middle Night of Sha'ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growingon the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who associates partners with Allah, or at a personwho nourishes malice in his heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship, or at a man who leaves his clothes dangling below his ankles (in a state of arrogfance), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has the drink habit.”

We remain awake in this night as long as we can and pray to Allah with true devotion. Eight rakaah’s and above is the minimum recommended by Islami scholars.  We must recite longer surah’s from the Holy Qur’an if we have memorized them. Otherwise more than one of the short surah’s we remember may be recited.

It is  recommended by scholars that we must recite the Holy Qur’an as much as we can on this nigh tafter performing salaah or at other times.

(c) Dhikr. One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this night.

Particularly the following dhikr is very useful:

One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed and during other hours of work or leisure.

(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. It is hoped that all the

prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward

on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot

be deprived of the reward of the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one strives for. The

prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms

of worship.

One can pray for whatever purpose he wishes. But the best supplications are the ones made by Prophet Mohammed,

Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. These are so comprehensive and all-encompassing prayers that all the human needs, of this

world and the Hereafter, are fully covered in the eloquent expressions used in them. Actually, most of the prophetic prayers

are so profound that human imagination can hardly match their greatness.

Several books in various languages are available which provide these prophetic prayers, and one should pray to Allah Almighty in accordance with them, whether by reciting their original Arabic text or by rendering their sense in one's own language.

(e) There are some people who cannot perform any additional Salah or recitations for any reason, like illness or weakness

or being engaged in some other necessary activities. Such people also should not deprive themselves completely of the

blessings of this night. They should observe the following acts:

(i) To perform the Salah of Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr with Jama'ah in the mosque, or in their homes in case of their being sick.

(ii) They should keep reciting the dhikr, particularly the one mentioned in para (c) above, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.

(iii) They should pray to Allah for their forgiveness and for their other objectives. One can do so even when he is in his bed.

(f) The women during their periods cannot perform salah, nor can they recite the Qur'an, but they can recite any dhikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah for whatever purpose they like in whatever language they wish. They can also recite the Arabic prayers mentioned in the Qur'an or in the hadith with the intention of supplication (and not with the

intention of recitation).

(g) According to a hadith, which is relatively less authentic, Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, went in this night to the graveyard of Baqi' where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. On this basis, some of the fuqaha hold it as mustahabb (advisable) in this night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims and recite Fatihah or any other part of the Qur'an, and pray for the dead. But this act is neither obligatory nor should it be performed as regularly as an obligatory act.

What Should not be Done in This Night

1. As mentioned earlier, the Night of Bara'ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence

becomes all the more necessary in such nights, because committing sins in this night will amount to responding to divine blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude can invite nothing but the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all the sins, particularly from those mentioned in the Hadith No. 3 quoted earlier in this article,

because these sins make one devoid of the blessings of this night.

2. In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara'ah, like cooking some special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation

of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara'ah makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.

3. Some people spend this night in holding religious meetings and delivering long speeches. Such activities are also not advisable, because these acts can easily be performed in other nights. This night requires one to devote himself for the pure acts of worship only.

4. The acts of worship like Salah, recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr should be performed in this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salah should not be performed in Jama'ah, nor should the Muslims arrange gatherings in the mosques in order to celebrate the night in a collective manner.

On the contrary, this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote one's attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night in which nobody should intervene between one and his Lord, and one should turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed or

intermitted by any one else.

That is why Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, observed the acts of worship in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his favorite life companion Sayyidah 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, and that is why all forms of the optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), are advised by him to be done in individual, not in collective manner.

Fast of the 15th Sha'ban

On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban, it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet it is mentioned earlier that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits and Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Moreover, a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha'ban. This constant practice indicates that they have accepted the relevant hadith as authentic.

Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast. Let us pray to Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa to kindly bless us and our dear ones with the best of health, happiness and prosperity, and grant us high achievement in our noble careers.

Let us beg Allah for our country’s economic, scientific and all round progress and for Islam to lead us to a glorious future. Let us also pray to Our Glorious Creator that, by His Grace, all disputes and conflicts may be resolved and peace, security and harmony prevail in our land and all over the world.

We commence the Salaah’s from Salaathul Magh’rib onwards and continue them through the night as we do in the Lai’ylathul Qad'r (night of Ramadan 27th) and on the Shab-e-Meiraaj (night of 27th Rajjab). 

We may perform for Allahu Subhnahu va tha Aalaa as many Naf’l Salaah’s of two rakaah’s each, as we can.

The special Du’aa for the Lai’ylathul Nis’f Sha'ban is:

ALLAHUMMA YAA ZAL MANNI VA LAA YUMANNU ALAIHI. YAA ZAL JALAALI VAL IKRAAM, YA ZATH THAW'LI VAL IN'AAM.  LAA ILAAHA ILLA ANTHA ZAH'RUL LAAJEEN VA JAARUL MUSTHAJIREEN, VA AMAANUL KHAA'YIFEEN.

ALLAHUMMA IN KUNTHA KATHAB'THANEE INDAKA FEE UMMIL KITHAABI SHAQEEYAN AV MAHROOMAN AV MATHROODAN'V VA MUKHATH'THARAN ALAI'YA FIR RIZKHI FAM'HU.

ALLAHUMMA BI FAD’LIKA SHAKHAA’VATHEE VA HIRMAANEE VA THAR'DEE VAKH’THI'THAARA RIZKHEE,  VA ATH'BITH'NEE INDAKA FEE UMMIL KITHAABI SAYEEDAM MARZOOQAN MUVAFFAQAN LIL KHAI'YRATHI. FA INNAKA QULTA VAQOOLUKAL HAQQU, FEE KITABIKAL MUNAZZALI, ALAA LISAANI NABEE’YIKAL MURSALI YAM'HULLAHU MAA YASHAA'O VA YUSBITHU VA INDAHOO UMMUL KITABI.

ILAAHEE BITH'THAJALLIYIL AAZAMI, FEE LAILATHIN NISFI MIN SHAH'RI SHA'BAANAL MUKARRAM, ALLATHEE YUFRAKHU FEEHAA KULLU AMRIN HAKEEMIN VA YUBRAMU.  AN THAKSHIFA ANNAA MINAL BALAAYI VAL BAL'VAAYI MAA NA'ALAMU VA MAALAA NA'ALAMU, VA ANTHA BIHEE AA'LAMU INNAKA ANTHAL A'OZZUL AK'RAM, VA SALLALLAHUTHA AALAA ALA SYEDINA MOHAMMEDIN’V VA ALAA AALIHEE VA AS'HAABIHEE VA SALLAM VAL HAM’DU LILLAHI RABBIL A'ALAMEEN.

 To be Done in this Night?

In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship:

(a) Salah. Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night. There is no particular number of Rak'at but preferably it should not be less than eight. It is also advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo' and sajdah should be longer than normal. The longest surahs of the Holy Qur'an one remembers by heart should be recited in the Salah of this night. If someone does not remember the long surahs, he can also recite several short surahs in one rak'ah.

(b) Tilawa. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an is another form of worship, very beneficent in this night. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should recite as much of the Holy Qur'an as he can.

(c) Dhikr. One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this night. Particularly the following dhikr is

very useful:

One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Mohammed, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed and during other hours of work or leisure.

(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms

of worship.

Salaathuth Thas’beeh

Salaathuth Thas’beeh

The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. counseled his uncle Syedina Abbas R.A.A. to perform this Salaah after performing the two Sunnah Rakaah’s of Salaahul Faj'r (before the Imam to commences the Far’d Salaah in Jama’ath).

We may perform this Salaah at other times too.  It is most auspicious for all of us.

The Salaah of two (or four) Rakaah’s is performed like any other Naf’l Salaah, with the additional recitation of 

SUB'HANALLAH,

ALHAM’DULILLAH,

LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH,

ALLAHU AKBAR*

Fifteen times before going to Rukooh in each Rakaah

Ten times in the Rukooh, after reciting SUBHANA RABBIYAL AZEEM

Ten times after rising and before going into Saj’dah

Ten times in each Saj’dah, after reciting SUB'HANA RABBIYAL AALAA

Ten times while being seated after the first Saj’dah

Ten times while remaining seated after the second Saj’dah of the first rakaah and before standing up

Ten times while seated, and before reciting the Ath’thahiy’yaath, in the

second and the fourth rakaah’s.

                                     

(Total 75 recitations in each rakaah).

*An alternate format is also recommended:

SUB’HANALLAHI VAL HAM’DU’LILLAHI VA LAA ILAAHA ILLLALLAHU  VALLAHU  AKBAR.

Salaathuth Tharavaeh (Special Ramadan Prayers)

Salaahuth Thara'vaeh

(Special Prayers on Ramadan Nights)

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is the month dedicated, heart and soul, to Allah. Its grandeur is beautifully and very simply stated: Thirty Days of Fasting and Thirty Nights of Thara'vaeh Prayers!

We break our Ramadan fast a little after sunset and go on to perform the Maghrib prayers.  An hour and a half to two hours later we line up for four Rakaahs Far’d of the Salaahul Ishaa.

The four Rakaahs Sunnah prayers are performed by ourselves.

After this, we line up for for the Salaahuth Thara'vaeh, which are Sunnahul Muvakkidhah, that is, they were regularly performed by the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. during Ramadan.

The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has said, in a Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari, that whoever performs this Salaah with devotion, for earning Allah's pleasure, will have all his sins pardoned by the Glorious Rabbul Alameen.

The Salaah, as such, is of twenty Rakaahs performed in Jama’ath behind the Imam.  It is completed in ten sessions of two Rakaah’s each. 

At the Masjid, the Imam is a Qari, one who has memorised the Holy Book completely. From the 1st of Ramadan to the 27th of Ramadan*, it is usual for him to complete one full recitation of the Holy Qur’an in serial order.

For him and for us, who pray under his lead, the rewards of performing Salaahuth Thara'vaeh in Jama’ath are enhanced by this.

It  commemorates the Hijrath, the migration of Syedina Muhammed S.A.W.S. and his trusted companion Syedina Abubak’r (R.A.A.), at Allah’s Command, on the  22nd September, 622 A.D, to Madinathul Munawwarah.

*Please refer to the following Chapter on the Hijri Calendar by which   Muslims the world over regulate their Islami life.

In between  every four Rakaah’s

of the Salathuth Tharavaeh,

 the assembly recite, in melodious unison,

the Thasbeeh in praise of Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa:

SUB'HAANALLAHIL MALIKIL QUD'DOOS

SUB'HAANA ZIL MULKI VAL MALAKOOTH

SUB'HAANA ZIL IZZATHI VAL AZMATHI VAL QUD'RATHI

VAL HAIY'BATHI VAL KIBRI'YAA'YI VAL JAB'ROOTH

SUB'HAANAL MALIKIL HAIY'ILLAZEE

LAA YANAAMU VA LAA YAMOOTH

SUBBOOHUN, QUD'DOOSUN,

RABBUNAA VA RABBUL MALAA'YIKATHI VAR ROOH.

ALLAHUMMA AJIR'NAA MINAN NAAR

 YA MUJEER YA MUJEER YA MUJEER.

BI RAHMATHIKA YA AR'HAMAR RAAHIMEEN.  AMEEN!

The Salaahuth Thara'vaeh can be performed in the home also. 

In fact women are exhorted to perform this important Salaah throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.

If the husband or the father is unable to proceed to the Masjid for the Jama’ath, the family can perform this Salaah in Jama’ath at home under his Ima’math (leadership).