A:
It is prescribed by Shari‘ah (Islamic law) for those who offer the obligatory Salah to keep to lawful
Du‘a’ (supplications) and Adhkar (invocations and remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis) which should be said after every obligatory Salah. They must be keen to offer Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib (supererogatory Prayers that were stressed and regularly performed by the Prophet) and accustom themselves to observe them. They must exert their utmost efforts to perform them as they were reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). They must dedicate their actions to Allah, hoping for great and generous reward. This is supported by the Hadith narrated by
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
“The poor (emigrants) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘The people of affluence have gone with the highest ranks (in Paradise) and everlasting bliss; they pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they have surplus wealth with which they perform Hajj, ‘Umarh (lesser pilgrimage), Jihad (striving in the Cause of Allah) and they give Sadaqah (voluntary charity).’ He (peace be upon him) said, ‘Shall I tell you that which if you do you will overtake those who have preceded you, and none after you shall overtake you, and you will be the best among those you live among, except those who will do as it? Say: Tasbih (‘Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]’), Tahmid (‘Alhamdu lillah [All praise is due to Allah]’) and Takbir (‘Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]’) thirty-three times after every Salah (Prayer).’”
(Related by
Al-Bukhari in his Sahih [authentic] Book of Hadith, vol. 1, p. 205) In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Shall I teach you something by which you will catch up with those who have preceded you, and get ahead of those who come after you, only those who do as you do will be more excellent than you?” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah...”
(Related by
Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, vol. 2, p. 238, vol. 5, pp. 167-168).
Imam Muslim,
Al-Tirmidhy, (Part No. 5; Page No. 418)
Al-Nasa'y,
Ibn Majah, and
Abu Dawud narrated other Hadiths that have the same meaning.It should be also known that
Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib complete the shortcoming which may occur in the obligatory Salah. It was reported by
Imam Ahmad,
Abu Dawud,
Al-Nasa'y,
Ibn Majah,
Al-Bayhaqy, and
Al-Hakim on the authority of
Tamim Al-Dary that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The first thing for which the Servant will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their Salah (Prayer), if they have offered it perfectly, it will be recorded as perfect, and if they have not offered it perfectly, Allah (Exalted and Glorified be He) shall say (to His Angels), ‘See if you find for My Servant any voluntary Salah to complete therewith their obligatory Salah.’”
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.