Q 4: Some of the scholars in our country claim that in Islam there is a Nafilah (supererogatory Prayer) offered on the last Wednesday of Safar, at the time of Salat-ul-Duha (supererogatory Prayer before noon). This Salah consists of four Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) with one Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer). In each Rak‘ah a person should recite Surah Al-Fatihah (Part No. 2; Page No. 497) and Surah Al-Kawthar seventeen times, Surah Al-Ikhlas fifty times and Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas) one time each. This is done in each Rak‘ah, then one says Taslim after which it is prescribed to recite: And Allâh has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not. 360 times, and Jawharat-ul-Kamal (a special Sufi formula) three times, and to conclude by saying: "Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power. Exalted is He from all that they ascribe to Him. And peace be on the Messengers. And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the worlds." They should also give some bread to the poor as a charity. They say that this Ayah is especially recited for warding off the calamities that are send down on the last Wednesday of Safar. They say that every year 320,000 calamities come down, and all of them come down on the last Wednesday of Safar. Therefore, that day is regarded as the most difficult day throughout the year. But whoever offers this Salah in the above mentioned manner, Allah will protect them by His Bounty from all the calamities that come down on that day. They, as well as those who could not offer it, such as children, will benefit from this Salah. Is this permissible or not?

A: There is no evidence from the Qur’an or Sunnah that supports the validity of the Nafilah mentioned in the question. We have no proof that anyone among the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of this Ummah (nation based on one creed) or the righteous people of the later generations performed this Nafilah. Rather, it is a reprehensible Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). It was authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. He (peace be upon him) also said: Anyone who introduces something into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. (Part No. 2; Page No. 498) Anyone who attributes this Salah and other practices related to it, to the Prophet (peace be upon him) or to any of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) is fabricating serious lies, and Allah will inflict on them the punishment that liars deserve.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.