Is making dua after obligatory salah a bid'ah (Innovation)?

In a Nutshell: Making Dua (supplication) after obligatory prayers is a recommended practice in Islam, encouraged by the Prophet (saw) himself. It holds significant spiritual value and is not considered a prohibited innovation (bid'ah). Numerous hadiths highlight the virtues of supplicating during these specific times. Table of Contents Introduction Background and Context Evidences Is Making Dua After Obligatory Salah a Bid'ah? Misconceptions Objections FAQs re Dua After Obligatory Salah Conclusion Introduction Dua, a heartfelt communication with Allah (swt), is a cornerstone of Islamic practice. Muslims are encouraged to supplicate throughout their day, seeking Allah's (swt) guidance, provision and forgiveness. Specific times hold even greater significance for Dua and these include the periods after obligatory prayers. Evidences Quranic Verses While the Quran (SWT) doesn't explicitly mention supplication after every prayer, it emphasizes the importance of Dua throughout the day and night: "Call upon Me, I will respond to you." (Quran 40:60) This verse underscores the importance of supplication and Allah's (SWT) promise to answer our sincere prayers. Hadiths Numerous hadiths illustrate the Prophet's (SAW) consistent practice of supplicating after prayers. Here are a few examples: Abu Umama al-Bahili (RA) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked as to which supplication (Dua) was most quickly accepted?" He replied: "In the middle of the night and after the obligatory (fard) prayers." (Sunan Tirmidhi 5/188) Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) used to raise his hands in supplication after every obligatory prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari) Scholars' Opinions: The vast majority of Islamic scholars throughout history have considered making Dua after obligatory prayers to be a permissible and recommended practice based on the hadiths mentioned above. There is scholarly consensus (Ijma') on this permissibility. Is Making Dua After Obligatory Salah a Bid'ah? The concept of bid'ah refers to innovations in religion that contradict established Islamic principles. Making Dua after Salah is not an innovation for several reasons: Complementary Practice: Prayer is a form of worship and Dua is a natural extension of that worship, expressing gratitude and seeking Allah's (SWT) blessings. It doesn't introduce a new element to prayer but complements the experience. Prophetic Practice: The Prophet's (SAW) consistent practice of supplicating after prayers establishes its legitimacy within the Sunnah. Focus on Supplication: Islam encourages supplication throughout the day and these specific times hold heightened importance due to the spiritual state achieved after prayer. There may be arguments suggesting silence during prayer indicates supplication shouldn't follow. However, supplication after prayer is considered distinct from the formal structure of prayer itself. Making Dua after obligatory prayers is a recommended practice with a strong foundation in the Sunnah and scholarly consensus. It fosters a deeper connection with Allah (swt) and allows believers to express their needs and gratitude during a spiritually receptive time. Misconceptions Here are some common misconceptions regarding Dua after obligatory prayers: Dua after Salah is an innovation introduced later in Islamic history. This misconception stems from a misunderstanding of the concept of bid'ah and the Prophet's (SAW) established practices. Numerous hadiths, narrated by companions who witnessed the Prophet's (SAW) actions, clearly demonstrate his consistent supplication after prayers. For instance, Sahl ibn Junayd (RA) narrated: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (SAW) finished a prayer, he would sit down for a short while, raising his hands in supplication to Allah (SWT) before getting up.(Sunan an-Nasai) This narration, along with many others, establishes the practice as part of the early Islamic community's established Sunnah. There's a designated format or wording for Dua after every prayer. There are authentic supplications narrated from the Prophet (SAW) for specific occasions, but making Dua after prayers isn't restricted to a set format. Imam An-Nawawi (ra), a renowned classical Shafi'i jurist, highlights this point in his commentary on Sahih Muslim: It is not essential (wajib) to have a specific supplication after each prayer, rather the worshiper supplicates according to his needs and desires. The key aspect is to express your deepest needs and heartfelt communication with Allah (swt) in a sincere and respectful manner. Objections Here are some objections sometimes raised regarding Dua after Salah: Silence in the prayer itself indicates supplication shouldn't follow. Silence during prayer is a form of respectful focus and concentration on the act of worship itself. Supplication after prayer serves a distinct purpose - expressing gratitude and personal needs in a more open and personal way. Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (RA), a prominent Hanbali scholar, clarifies this distinction in his book, Al-Mughni: The supplication after prayer is not considered part of the prayer itself; rather, it is something separate from it. Therefore, silence during prayer doesn't negate the permissibility of supplication afterwards. Making Dua after Salah lengthens the prayer experience, which might discourage some. While some may find extended supplications daunting, Dua after prayers can be concise yet meaningful. The core purpose is to connect with Allah (swt) and doesn't necessitate lengthy supplications. Shorter and heartfelt duas are equally encouraged, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself supplicated briefly at times. Aisha (ra), the Prophet's (saw) wife, narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to say two short supplications after every prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari) The emphasis lies on sincerity and consistency, not on the duration of the supplication. FAQs - Making Dua After Obligatory Salah Can Dua after Salah be done in congregation? While supplication after Salah is primarily an individual practice, it can also be done collectively. Some scholars recommend the imam, after raising his hands briefly for supplication, to lead the congregation in a short Dua for the benefit of those who might lack the knowledge of specific supplications. Are there specific duas recommended after each Fard prayer? Yes, there are numerous supplications narrated in the Sunnah that the Prophet (SAW) recited after specific prayers. For example, after Fajr prayer, it's recommended to recite 'Allahumma Ajirni min al-Nar' (O Allah, protect me from the Fire). It's important to focus not just on the specific wording but on understanding the meaning and intent of those supplications, which allow for an even deeper and more personalized connection with Allah (SWT). Conclusion Making Dua after obligatory prayers is a recommended practice based on the Prophet's (SAW) example and scholarly consensus. Contrary to the notion of bid'ah, it complements our prayer experience and strengthens our connection with Allah (SWT). These specific times are highly receptive for supplication, allowing us to express gratitude, seek help and place our trust in Allah's (SWT) mercy and guidance. The misconceptions surrounding Dua after prayer often stem from misunderstandings of the concept of bid'ah and specific prophetic practices. The key to this act of worship is sincerity, consistency and a heartfelt connection with Allah (SWT). Whether using specific supplicated words mentioned in the Sunnah, or your own, the power of Dua lies in its intent and your conscious connection with your Creator. References An-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni Sunan an-Nasai Sunan Tirmidhi