AS-SIRAAT AL-MUSTAQEEM

Sunnah

EARNING REWARDS FROM THE SUNNAH

Salat al-Ishraq  (Sunrise Prayer) – this its Qur’ānic name as per the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas in the Sunan of Sa’id ibn Mansur: ‘I searched for salat al-Duha in the Qur’an and found it in the verse “ yusabbihna bil-‘ashiyyi wal-ishraq – Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with (Da’ud) at nightfall and sunrise’ (Q.38:18) 
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)) is reported to have said, ‘he who performs Fajr Salah in congregation (Jam’aat) and remains seated in the same place while engaging in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah (swt)) until after sunrise and thereafter performs 2 Raka’ah Nawafil Salah Ishraq, he will obtain the reward of one Hajj and one Ummrah. Women should read all prayers of Fard and Nawafil at home and will derive the same benefits (reward) that accrue from the prayer at the Mosque’ (Tirmidhi) (Earn a reward of 1 Hajj and 1 Ummrah)
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘whoever prays Fajr and sits in his place of prayer and making dhikr until sunrise, then prays two raka’ah nawafil , Allah (swt) shall make him forbidden to the Fire, nor shall it touch him nor consume him. Narrated from al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali by al-Bayhaqi.
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said that whoever, after finishing Fajr salah, remained seated in the same place of prayer and prayed the Ishraq salah before getting up from there, provided he did not engage in any worldly act or conversation during that time and made dhikr, then all his sins are forgiven, even if they are as much as the foam of the ocean. (AbuDa’ud)
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said that Allah (swt) says, ‘O son of Adam, perform 4 Raka’ahs of Salat al-Ishraq in the early part of the day. I shall help you in accomplishing all your responsibilities during the rest of the day.’  Narrated from Abu Dharr or Abu al-Darda’ by al-Tirmidhi (Hasan gharib) (Mishkaat p.116)
 
 
 
Timing of Salat al-Ishraq
The time for the Ishraq prayer begins 10-20 minutes after sunrise and consists of 2 Raka’ahs at least. Praying Ishraq is considered to earn greater rewards than performing lesser jihad according to some traditions. 
Salat  al-Duha or Sibhat al-Duha
The supererogatory morning prayer is reported from the Prophet (PBUH) through paths that have reached mass-narration levels; this is from 19 to over 30 Companions according to Imam al-Tbari, al-‘Ayni in ‘Umdat al-Qari, al-Haytami, al-Munawi, and al-Qari in Sharh al-Shama’il, Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari, al-Kattani in Nazm al-Mutanathir. According to the vast majority of the Ulema of the Salaf and Khalaf it is a desirable and recommended prayer. 
One of the most complete collections of hadith on Salat al-Duha is Nayl al-Awtar (2:73-74): Kitab al-Salat: Salat al-Tatawwu’ Salat al-Duha.
Ibn Abi Shayba in his Musannaf and al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Iman from Ibn ‘Abbas: ‘verily it (Salat al-Duha) is in the Book of Allah, nor can they penetrate it who attempts to penetrate it! (i.e., without knowledge) Then he recited: ‘In houses which Allah has allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein. Therein do they offer praise to Him at morning and evening’ (Q.24:36).’
Islamic Source and Status of Salat al-Duha
Salat al-Duha has the status of a Sunnah mu’akkada (emphasised Sunnah). Salat al-Duha is a Sunnah according to three of the Imams while Malikis differed and said, it is a stressed mandub prayer and not a Sunnah.
Timing of Salat al-Duha
It starts from the sunrise – rising of the sun a spear-length from the horizon until it passes its zenith, while the preferred time is that one begins it after one ¼ of the day has passed due to the hadith of Zayd ibn Arqam. 
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘the salah of the repenting must be performed when young ones of the camels feel heat of the sun (when it becomes very hot)’ (Sahih Muslim)
The Mustahhab (preferred) time of the salat al-Duha is quarter (1/4) of the day has passed. (Hadith: Muslim, Halabi;Sharah Kabeer p.390) The sunrise is quite high. 
 
Length of Salat al-Duha
It is between 2 raka’ah as most of the narrations state and up to 12 Raka’ahs. Although the basis seems 4 as per the hadith of A’isha in Muslim, Ibn Majah, Ahmed and others. 
A’isha RA is reported to have prayed 8 Raka’ahs of Salat al-Duha and she said, she would not miss it even if her parents rose from the grave.
Benefits of Salat al-Duha
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘there are 360 joints in the human body and to pay sadaqah for each is wajib (obligatory). The 2 Raka’ah is enough to pay all the Sadaqah. (strong chain: as per Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut in Sahih Ibn Hibban (4:520, 1642) and al-Tahawi’s Sharh Mushkil al-Athar (99)
The above 2 hadiths are evidence of the huge merit of Duha prayer and it fulfils the performance of 360 charities. Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr said, these hadiths are the most emphatic evidence that has reached us concerning the immense merit of Salat al-Duha. (Tarh al-Tathrib (3:71)
Performance of 4 Raka’ahs places the performer’s name among the Abids and is the Sunnah of the Sahliheen and promise the performer the protection until the evening. Performer of 12 Raka’ahs ensures a Golden mansion or castle in Paradise (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmed)
 
 
 
 
 
Difference of Opinion Amongst Scholars on Salat al-Ishraq & Salat al-Duha
According to majority of the scholars of hadith and fiqh, there is a view by some scholars that salat al- Ishraq and Salat al-Duha is the same prayer. 
However, some scholars say that these are 2 different prayers as Salat al-Duha is prayed when the sun has risen and there is heat in its rays. 
There is evidential reasoning behind this as follows.
 
Reasons for the Difference
The time from the rising of the sun to Istiwaa us Shams (zenith) should be first calculated and then split into two parts. The first part will be timing to offer Salat al-Ishraq and the second part will be the time to offer Salat al-Duha (Umdatul Fiqh p.302 v.2)
Salat al-Ishraq would not start straight away after the rising of the sun but one will have to wait after the sun rises up until it is above the horizon by the length of a spear. This normally is 15 minutes after sunrise.
The reason for the different salah is because it is mentioned in the ahadith that the Prophet (PBUH) read this salah after sunrise and also before the Islamic midday.
 
Some Misunderstandings Supported by Evidence
Some people with very little knowledge say that Salat al-Duha is an innovation (bid’dah) on the basis of the reports from ‘A’isha in al-Bukhari and Muslim that ‘I never saw the Prophet (PBUH) pray Salat al-Duha’ and from Ibn Umar also in the Sahihayan: ‘It is a bid’dah.’
However, these only mean that they did not see the Prophet (PBUH) pray it (1) in the Mosque; (b) on a regular basis (c) in congregation (d) for more than 2 or 4 Raka’ahs lest it be imposed on the Ummah as an obligation. 
In addition, two principles must be applied that ‘narrations of affirmation take precedence over those negation’ and that ‘those who know are proof over those who do not know.’ This view is expounded by the Imams of Fiqh and Hadith masters such as al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra, Qadi ‘Iyad in Sharh Sahih Muslim, al-Zayn al-‘Iraqi in Sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi.
The Evidence is as follows:- 
1.    A’isha not only did narrate its performance by the Prophet (PBUH) as cited above but also prayed it regularly herself as narrated in the Muwatta’: I would not leave the 8 Raka’ahs of Salat al-Duha even if my father and mother rose from the dead.’ The same maximum emphasis is narrated in the famous narrations from Abu Hurayra in al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, al-Darimi and Abu al-Darda’ in Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’i and Ahmad: ‘ My beloved instructed me never to leave three things until I die: fasting 3 days of the month (13, 14, 15 of the month), praying Salat al-Witr before sleep, and praying Salat al-Duha.’
 
2.    Both ‘A’isha and Ibn ‘Umar stated that the Prophet (PBUH) would not pray Duha except when returning from a trip.’ Narrated among others by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, al-Nas’i, Ibn Khuzayma Ibn Hibban with sound chains. The latter explained in his Sahih (6:270) that ‘this means he did not pray Duha in the mosque among people rather in the house except upon returning from a journey.’ This clarification is important in view of the Prophet (PBUH) saw prohibition to travellers from returning to their homes at night – the Prophet (PBUH) returned from his journey mostly in the early part of the day – He said. ‘Your best salah  is that prayed in your homes other than the prescribed one.’ This means the Prophet (PBUH) prayed Duha at home, in private. However, the marfu’ narrations of ‘Utba ibn ‘Abd, Abu Umama cite praying of 2 Raka’ahs of Duha in the same place as the congregational Fajr salah.
 
3.    The statement of Urwa confirms that, ‘A’isha would say the Prophet (PBUH) did not pray Duha but she herself prayed it, and she would say that the Prophet (PBUH) left out many good deeds lest people took them as their regular practice, then they would be imposed as fard.’ Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Malik in his Muwatta’, Ahmad, and others. The majority of scholars say that this fear no longer exists after the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and it should be prayed on a regular basis as long as people pray it individually and understand its status as that of desirability and not as an obligation (fard). 
 
4.    This is further confirmed by authentic report of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri in al-Tirmidhi (hasan gharib) and Ahmad: ‘The Prophet (PBUH) used to pray Duha to the point that we said he shall never leave it, and he used to leave it to the point that we said: he never prays it.’
 
5.    Narrated from Salim ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar by ‘Abd al-Razzaq with a sound chain according to Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (1959 ed. 3:52), both reports mean that Salat al-Duha as prayed on a regular basis in the Mosque, possibly in congregation.
 
6.    A’isha prayed Salat al-Duha in the strictest privacy, as in Tarh al-Tathrib (3:63-64). 
 
7.    Umar Ibn Khattab said, as in Ibn Abi Shayba’s Musannaf: ‘O servants of Allah! Pray the Duha prayer.’ These are the first and foremost Muslims to embrace Islam and therefore, it is not a bid’aah.
 
Reward of Praying Salat al-Tasbih
The Prophet (PBUH) had taught his uncle, Saaiduna Abbas (RA) and told him; he who performs this prayer will have his past and future sins forgiven. 
The Prophet (PBUH) has recommended to pray this daily on each Friday or once a month or once a year, or once in a life time. 
Ikrimah reports from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (PBUH) said to Abbas ibn Abdal-Mutalib: ‘O Uncle, shall I not give you , shall I not present you, shall I not donate you, shall I not tell you 10 things which, if you do Allah(swt) will forgive your first and last 10 sins, past and present sins, intentional and unintentional sins, private and public sins? 
The 10 actions are pray 4 Raka’ahs, reciting in every raka’ah al-Fatihah and a surah, and when you finish the Qur’ānic recitation of the first raka’ah, say while standing,: ‘Subhanallahu, al-hamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu Akbar’ (Glory to be to Allah, All praise is due to Allah. There is no God except Allah, Allah is the greatest’) 15 times. 
Then make ruku’, and while in ruku’, say the same 10 times; 
Then stand and say the same 10 times;
Then go down and make sajood (prostration) while in sajood, say the same 10 times;
Then sit after the sajood and say the same 10 times;
Then make sajood, and say 10 times; 
Then sit after the second sajood and say the same another 10 times;
This makes it a total of 75 times to be repeated in each raka’ah.
Do that in each of the 4 raka’ahs. 
 
Legal Source for Salat al-Tasbih  
The above is from the hadith and is related by Abu Da’wud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Khuzaimah in his sahih and at-Tabarani. 
About this hadith, al-Mundhiri says: ‘This hadith has been related through many chains and from a number of companions. A group of scholars have graded it to be sahih, including Abu Muhammad Abdurrahim al-Misri, Abu al-Hassan al-Maqdisi. 
Also in Sunan Abi Dawud p.190 v.1 & Sunan Tirmidhi p.109 v.1)
Imam Tirmidhi (RA) says that many scholars like Abdullah ibn Mubarak (RA) have accepted the virtue of Salat al-Tasbih. (Sunan Tirmidhi p.109 v.1)
Imam Baihaqi (RA) has said that Salat al-Tasbih was the practice of many pious predecessors and this leads to strength in its acceptability. (Shaabul Iman p.472 v.1)
Allahmah Munziri (RA) mentions that many muhadditeen such as Imam Abu Muhammed Al-Misiry, Imam Abu Maqdisi, Imam Baihaqi, Imam Subki and Imam Nawaai have accepted its authority. (taghreeb wa Tarheeb p.468 v.1)
The Hanafi Scholars support the view of its acceptance. Imam Subki (RA) and Imam Badrul Deen Zarakashi (RA) have said that it is from the fundamentals of Deen and anyone who discards it is not on the correct path. (Futuhaatur Rabbaaniyah p.321 v.4)
Sheikh Nasir Uddin Albani (RA) has declared the hadith of Sunan Abi Dawud as hasan also. Therefore, Salat al-Tasbih is not a bid’dah. 
Reward for Praying Salat al-Awabeen (Nawafil Prayers of Maghrib)
After the fard and Sunnah of Maghrib, performance of minimum 6 to a maximum of 20 raka’ahs is called Salat al-Awabeen. 
Awaabeen is 6 raka’ahs of salah after Maghrib salah. 
Legal Source for Salat al-Awabeen
Saaiduna Zaid Ibn Arqam (RA) said, ‘The Prophet (PBUH) came to the people of Quba while they were praying and said, ‘Salat al-Awabeen is the time when the young camels sit (i.e. they sit because of the intense heat) (Sahih Muslim)
In Sunan Tirmidhi where Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said, that performing of 6 raka’ahs without indulging in worldly affairs would derive the reward equivalent to 12 years nawafil prayers (Sunan Tirmidhi p.98 v.1) and found at (Dars Tirmizi p.195v.2)  
 
 
 
Reward of Salat al-Tahajud (Night Prayer)
Tahajud means the ‘night prayer’ and is a voluntary prayer. After the 5 fard (mandatory) prayers, as regarded with the highest standard, tahajud is considered to be the next best prayer to perform. 
 
Qur’ānic Evidence of Tahajud (The Night Prayer)
In Surah Al-Isra (Q.17:79):
‘Wa min-al layl fatahujud bi hi, na-fala-tin laka Isa Ay yubhathaka Rabu-ka Maqamam Mahmudan’ 
‘And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salat (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur’an in the prayer), as an additional prayer (Tahajud optional prayer – nawafil) for you (O Muhammad (SAW)). It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Muhmud (a station of praise and glory, i.e. the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection).’ (Translation Dr. Muhsin Khan)
This order was specifically directed to the Prophet (PBUH) but also refers to all Muslims, since the Prophet (PBUH) is to be the perfect role model and guide for the Muslims and humanity. 
Furthermore, Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Furqan (Q.25:64):
‘Wa-Allahthina Yibiyatuna lar-Rabihum Sajadun Wa-Qayamun’
‘And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing’ (Translation Dr. Muhsin Khan)
In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (Q.51:17)
‘Ka-nu Qalilun Minal Layli Ma Yahajuna’
‘They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord (Allah (swt)) and praying, with fear and hope.’ (Translation Dr. Muhsin Khan)
 
Evidence from the Sunnah and Hadith for Salat al-Tahajud
A’isha (RA) reported: the Prophet (PBUH) kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him, ‘why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?’ He said, ‘should I not be a grateful slave of Allah (swt)?’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘when anyone of you sleeps, Shaytan (Satan) ties 3 knots at the back of his neck. He recites this incantation at every knot: ‘You have a long night so sleep.’ If he wakes up and remembers Allah (swt), one knot is loosened. If he performs Wadu’ (ablution), the second knot is loosened; and if he performs prayer, all knots are loosened. He begins his morning in a blissful and happy manner, otherwise he gets up in bad spirits and slugglish state.’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
A’isha (RA) reported: the Prophet (PBUH) used to perform tahajud (11 Raka’ahs) at night. He (PBUH) would prostrate so long as one of you might recite 50 verses (ayats) of the Qur’an. Thereafter, he would perform 2 Raka’ah before Fajr prayers and would lie down on his right side until the Mu’adhdhin would come and inform him about the time of Fajr. (Al-Bukhari) 
A’isha  (RA) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) would sleep during the early part of the night and stand in salat al-Tahajud during the latter part of the night. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Harairah (RA) reports: the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Our Lord Descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: ‘Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My Forgiveness so I may Forgive him?’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Abu Hurairah (RA) reports: the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘the best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the tahajud (night prayer).’ (Muslim)
The above are some of the benefits that can be reaped, if salat al-Tahajud is performed after the 5 obligatory prayers. It also gains proximity to Allah (swt).

Thursday 21 Nov 2024