Class06-Afer salah
Class 6
‘After salah’
Evaluate your Prayer
Think of the salah as something we will be marked on like in an interview. Therefore, questions may arise from the salah such as, ‘Did the person read with care?’ ‘Where was their mind during salah?’ We should try to truthfully answer and evaluate ourselves after the salah. This will help us strive to get better if need be.
Another important question we should ask is, is our Salah stopping us from sinning? Do we pray and get back into our cars and right away play the music? (playing it anytime is a wrong but more so when you have just come out of prayer). Do you pray and right away go back and switch on the TV to watch something that is Haram?
‘Eesaa Ibn Maryam said: “Indeed whoever prays and fasts, but does not leave off sinning, then it is written that he is a liar.” [Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa, 13/196]
In reality, if the prayer is performed properly – with true remembrance of Allah and turning to Him for forgiveness – it will have a lasting effect on the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allah. After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys Allah. Allah has mentioned this aspect of the prayer when He has said, “Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds” (Al-Ankaboot 45)
Also sometimes we feel our heart is hardened and we don’t feel our prayers, this is because of the sins we commit. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Verily, when the servant commits a sin a black spot appears upon his heart. If he abandons the sin, seeks forgiveness, and repents, then his heart will be polished. If he returns to the sin, the blackness will be increased until it overcomes his heart. It is the covering that Allah has mentioned: No, but on their hearts is a covering because of what they have earned.” (83:14) [Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3334 – Classed as Sahih]
So in this case one should atleast try and make Adhkaar in the right way, as the Dhikr of Allah helps soften the hearts. “Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Qur’an, 13:28)
Ibn al-Qayyim stated, “In the heart there is hardness which can only be softened by remembrance of Allah. So the slave must treat the hardness of his heart with the remembrance of Allah.”
SUBHAANALLAH; ALHAMDULILAH; ALLAHU AKBAR
So next time when you make Adhkaar after Salah do not just rush through it. It is NOT SubaanAllah SubaanAllah SubaanAllah 33 times nor is it Alamdulila, Alamdulila, Alamdulila 33 times and definitely NOT Allaakbar 33 times and you done. Please pronounce it properly – SubHaanAllah, AlHamdulillah, AllaHu ‘Akbar, if you actually in a rush make it 10 times each but properly, it is not the quantity it is the Quality that pleases Allah and gets us the rewards.
While saying Subhaan Allah: Next time when you say SubhaanAllah, think of the beautiful things you have seen in this world and His great creations as this is a means to know Allah. Verily, the signs of Allah in the universe never manifest themselves clear except to those who possess pious hearts that constantly remember their Lord. This is because these hearts are introduced and connected with the marvellous universe through the Qur’an. This kind of connection exhorts the human heart to ponder over the visible book of Allah (i.e. the universe). The Qur’an establishes the connection between knowledge and the people who possess insight. Therefore, it is stated in the Qur’an that the ones who find guidance in the signs of universe are a certain category of people as in the words of Allah:
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire“. [Qur’an 3:190-191]
Allah also says in the Quran – Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding.” [Al-Baqara 2:164]
The people mentioned in the above verse(s) are the ones who really benefit from the signs of the universe. This is because they do not restrict their thinking to the apparent scenes or views they see but they extend this by thinking in the Maker and the Might through which He created this. They perfectly utilize their senses [sight, hearing, and intellect] to reach this conclusion along with the help of the Qur’anic verses that enable such senses acquire this knowledge which is the best ever. Allah Almighty says about His signs in the universe:
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may find tranquillity in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. And among His Signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen. And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand“. [Qur’an 30:12-24]
While saying Alhamdulillah: The first thing we should be thankful for is that we are Muslims, and amongst those who are given the Hidayah to be pray and stand in front of Allah, to be able to repent, to be able to ask from Him, to get replies from Him, to be able to please Him for this world and the Hereafter.
While Saying Allahu Akbar: Simply remember Allah is Greater, anything your mind is thinking about while you are making this Dhikr just keep reminding Allah is Greater. Whatever worry comes to your mind say to yourself Allah is Greater, he will solve it. Whatever pending work Shaitaan reminds you of, tell yourself Allah is Greater, He will make it easy for you.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“…The phrase al-Hamdulillah (‘All praise be to Allah’) fills the scale. The phrases Subhanallah (‘High is Allah above every imperfection and need; He is pure and perfect’) and al-Hamdulillah (‘All praise be to Allah’) together fill – or each fill – what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is a light….” (Sahih Muslim)
Adhkaar after Salah
By referring to the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ regarding what should be done after Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer), we find that he ﷺ would engage in the Adhkar that should be said after Salah, and would not engage in anything else, such as reciting the Ever-Glorious Qur’an or offering the Nafilah. This is supported by many Hadiths, including the Hadith reported on the authority of Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him): “Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his Salah, he would perform Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) three times and say: ‘Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalal wal-ikram. (O Allah, You are Al-Salam (the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies) and from You is all peace; Blessed are You, Possessor of Glory and Honor).’” (Related by Muslim)
So the adhkaar to be recited after salah are: –
1. “ASTAGHFIRULLAAH” x 3 (“I seek forgiveness from “Allah”)
2. Immediately thereafter, the worshipper may recite the following supplication:
“ALLAHUMMA ANTA SALAAM, WA MINKA SALAAM, TABARAKTA YAA DHAL JALALI WAL IKRAAAM “
(O Allah, You are peace, peace comes from You. Blessed are You O Possessor of Glory and Honour)
3. It is also recommended for the worshipper to recite thereafter the following supplication:
“LA ILAHA ILAL-LAHU WAHDAHU, LAA SHARIKA LAHU, LAHUL-MULKU, WALAHUL-HAMDU, WAHUWA ALAA KULI SHEY-IN QADIIR” x 3 (x 10 after Fajr & Maghrib)
(There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His is the praise, and He has power over everything)
4. And says thereafter: “LAA HOWLA WALAA QUWATA ILLA BILLAAH”. ( “There is neither might nor power except with Allah”.)
5. Also, say: “ALLAHUMMA A’INNI ‘ALA DHIKRIKA, WA SHUKRIKA, WA HUSNA IBA DATIK” which means: “O Allah, help me in remembering You, thanking You and conducting my worship to You in a perfect way”.
6. The person also says:
- SUBHANA -ALLAH – Glory be to ALLAH – (33 times).
- AL HAMDU-LILLAH– Praise be to Allah – (33 times)
- ALLAHU AKBAR – Allah is great (33 times).
7. Then, at the end of the above three recitations, the worshipper recites the following supplication: “LAA ILLAHA ILAL LAAHU WAHDAHU LAA SHARIKA LAHU, LAHUL MUL-KU, WALA-HUL HAMDU, WAHUWA ALAA KULI SHEY’INN QADIIR”
8. It is also recommended for the person to recite thereafter “AYAT AL KURSI”
9. It is also strongly recommended that the person recites the following three chapters of the Holy Qur’an after each prayer:
- Surah Al-lkhlaas (Purity of Faith) Qur’an, Chapter 112.
- Surah Al-Falaq (The Dawn) – Qur’an, Chapter 113.
- Surah An-Naas (Mankind) – Qur’an, Chapter 114.
There are more Adhkaar mentioned in ahadeeth if one wants to read more can find them in the books of Adhkaar.
Staying at the place of Salah
Abu Hurayrah R.A. that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The angels invoke blessings on any of you who remains in his prayer place as long as he does not invalidate his ablution, saying, ‘O Allah, forgive him; O Allah, have mercy on him.’” [Maalik, Al-Bukhari and others]
‘Ali R.A. reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “If the slave (of Allah) prays and then sits in his place of prayer, the angels ask blessings for him saying, ‘O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, have mercy on him.’ And if he sits waiting for the prayer, the angels ask blessing for him saying, ‘O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, have mercy on him.’” [Ahmad]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked, does this mean that he should stay in the very spot where he performed the prayer or it could also include the entire mosque? He replied, “Evidently, it is more comprehensive – whether one is in the same specific place or the entire place of prayer. But if it is possible not to go beyond the place where he prayed from the time he came, it will be better.”
Reward of offering sunnah prayers
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah will build a house in Heaven for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak’aat (as follows): 4 Rak’aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr (Midday) Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib (Sunset Prayer), 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ (Evening) Prayer and 2 before the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer.” Hadith sahih narrated by at-Tirmidhi No. 379 and by others. Hadith No. 6183 in Sahih al-Jaami’.
If we actually think about this, majority of the people who regularly offer the five obligatory prayers, also offer the 2 Rakahs sunnah prayers of Fajr, Dhuhr, Maghrib & Isha; it is usually the 4 Rakahs sunnah prayer prior to Dhuhr that is missed by many, so a small effort to at least get to Dhuhr prayer before time will enable us to offer this prayer.
Think of it my brothers and sisters, just an extra four rakah prayer in addition to the sunnah prayers that most of us already offer and Allah builds for us a house in Jannah, how much easier can the glorious Deen of Allah be?
Please join our free Certificate course “SUNNAH PRAYERS”, to learn a different types of Sunnahs prayers, their virtues, rewards, rulings and much more. : https://learn-islam.org/sunnah-prayers (available online now, register and learn)
TIPS FOR THE TEST
- Do not have to memorize the Ayahs or Hadeeths word for word, get a good understanding of the message in it.
- Remember the Adhkaar.
- Remember the virtues.