Du’as to recite after Fard prayers

Salat, or prayer, is the most important duty for every Muslim. As it is the second of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims around the world leave their busy lives to perform prayers five times a day and pray to find peace and ask for His forgiveness. After completing the obligatory prayers, Muslims have many important and beautiful Du’as (supplications) that should be recited just after completing the obligatory prayers.

But in Bangladesh, many Muslims are not aware of this important Sunnah. In almost every mosque, as soon as the Imam finishes the prayer through salam, everyone raises their hands together for a group munajat (whispered prayers or private dialogue between a believer and Allah). According to Islam, it is not forbidden to make Du’a raising both hands congregationally just after completing the Salah, but because of this practice, people forget the Masnoon (prescribed) Du’as. These are the special Du’as that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his blessed companions used to recite right after an obligatory prayer. Every Muslim must recite the Masnoon Dua’s first. After reciting the Masnoon du’as, a Muslim can raise their hands and make their own private prayers to Allah.

Some of the Du’as that can be recited just after completing obligatory prayers are mentioned below:

Takbeer and Istigfar: It is mentioned in Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and his blessed companions used to recite Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) loudly once just after completing the obligatory prayers. Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) said, “We used to know that The Messenger of Allah (SAW) had finished his prayer when we heard the Takbir.” (Sahih Muslim: 583). “When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) finished his prayer, He used to recite Astagfirullah three times and then say Allahumma antas Salam, waminkas Salam, tabarakta Ya jaljalali wal-ikram (O Allah! Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee; blessed art Thou, O Possessor of Glory and Honour). Walid reported: I said to Abd al-Rahman al-Awza’i, ‘How is the seeking of forgiveness?’ He replied, ‘You should say, Astagfirullah, Astagfirullah.’” (Sahih Muslim: 591).

Reciting Tasbeeh, Tahmeed and Takbeer 100 times: Reciting SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 33 times after every obligatory prayer grants the poor the same immense spiritual rewards that the wealthy earn through charity, Hajj and supporting the Muslim army with weapons, horses, food and supplies for the sake of Allah (Jihad fi Sabilillah). Abu Huraira (RA) narrated, “Some poor people came to the Prophet (SAW) and said, ‘The wealthy people will get higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment, and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money by which they perform the Hajj and Umrah, fight and struggle in Allah’s cause and give in charity. The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Shall I not tell you a thing upon which, if you acted, you would catch up with those who have surpassed you?’ Nobody would overtake you, and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live, except those who would do the same. Say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times each after every (compulsory) prayer.’” (Sahih Bukhari: 843). According to another Hadith, “Whoever recites the praises of Allah 99 times after every obligatory prayer – and completes the hundredth by saying, La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir, all of his sins will be forgiven, even if they are as vast as the foam of the sea. (Sahih Muslim: 597).

Reciting Ayatul Kursi: The 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqara in the holy Quran is named Ayah Al-Kursi. Reciting this verse after every obligatory prayer carries immense virtue. In fact, doing so guarantees a Muslim’s place in Paradise, with death being the only remaining barrier keeping them from entering it. Abu Umamah (Ra) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi at the end of (after) each mandatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering paradise except death.’” (Sunan Nasayee: 9848). Scholars explain that this Hadith refers to the regular reciter of this ayah being fundamentally qualified for Paradise.

Another beautiful Du’a that can be recited after Fard prayers is mentioned in this Hadith I mentioned below. Mughira Ibn Shu’ba said, “When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) finished the prayer and pronounced Salam, he uttered (this supplication): Allahumma la mani’a lima a’toyta wala mu’tiya lima mana’ta wala yanfa’u jal jaddi minkal jaddi (O Allah! No one can withhold what Thou givest, or give what Thou withholdest, and the riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee).” (Sahih Muslim: 593). The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to recite this Du’a after Fard prayer. Reciting this Du’a protects a Muslim from anxiety regarding his sustenance (rizq). It serves as a powerful reminder that everything he receives – or he is blocked from receiving – is entirely under Allah’s divine decree.
_________________________________________
The writer is Kahtib of Baitus Shafiq Mosque and principal of Baitul Hikmah Academy, Gazipur