Nafil Prayers

TAHIYATUL WUDHU
After completion of the wudhu of two Rakaats is full of blessings (sawab). It is related in the Hadith that performance of the two Rakaats of Tahiyatul wudhu Namaaz makes paradise obligatory (wajib) for the performer (ref:Muslim Sharif) There are also many other benefits.

It should not be performed during Improper (makruh) times. (When the sun rises, when it is at Zenith and when it sets.)

NAMAAZ E-ISHRAAK
After the Fajar Namaaz one should sit at the same place and recite Durood Sharif, Zikr, tasbih., Quran or listen to religious talks, etc. without participation in worldly affairs until the sun has fully risen, then perform two or four Rakaats. This is called Ishraak Namaaz.

Performance of this Namaaz brings blessings (sawab) equal to a Haj or Umrah. (Ref. Tirmizi Sharif ). Another Tradition says the performance of this Namaaz(Prayer) wipes away all one’s sins. (Ref: Abu Dawood). One can perform the Namaz even after one has indulged in worldly affairs although the swab will be much less.

NAMAAZ E-CHAASHT
When the sun has risen high and there is heat in its rays, the performance of 2,4, 6,8, or 12 rakaats is called Namaaz-e-Chaast. This is full of swabs.

The Traditions says that the performance of 2 rakaats wipes away all one’s sins. There are 360 joints in our body and to pay Sadaqah for each is Wajib (obligatory) The 2 rakaaats are enough to pay all the Sadaqah. Performance of 4 rakaats places the performer’s name among the Abids and is the Sunnat of Saliheen and promise the performer protection until the evening. The performer of 6 rakaats is relieved of his day’s worries. Performance of 8 rakaats places his name among the Parhezgaars and the performer of 12 rakaats ensures a Golden Mansion for himself in Paradise. (Ref : Tirmizi, Ibne Majah, Ahmad and Abu Yala)

NAMAAZ E-AWABEEN
After the Farz and Sunnat of Magrib, the performance of a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 20 rakaats is called Namaaz-E-Awabeen.

One Tradition states that performing of 6 rakaats without indulging in worldly affairs will derive sawaab equilavent to 12 years Nafil prayers. (Ref: Tirmizi Sharif). The Tradition in Tibrani says the performer of 6 rakaats will have all his sins wiped away even though they may have been equal to the foam on the waves of the sea. Another Hadith in Tirmizi Sharif says that the performer of 20 rakaats will have a house for himself in Paradise.

TAHAJJUD NAMAAZ
To wake up in the middle of the night to read Tahajjud is very beneficial. The Almighty Allah is very appreciative of such a namaaz. This namaaz bestows or brings the most sawaab of all the nafils. One should perform anything from 4 rakaats to 12 rakaats.

The Tradition in Bayhaqi relates that the 4 rakaats of Tahajjud is equal to 4 rakaats on Shab-e-Kadr. The performance brings one nearer to Allah, Kaffar (payment) of one’s previous sins. and is prohibitive for the future sins. (Ref: Tirmizi Sharif). Allah bestows is Rahmat on those who get up to read Namaz. (Refs: Abu Dawood, Nasai, and Ibne Habban).

The Almighty sends a message in the last part of the night saying that if there is any appeal to Him it shall be answered and if there is one seeking His forgiveness he shall be forgiven. The doors of His Mercy are opened and this is the time when one’s prayers are accepted. If one has not had the courage or strength to wake up in the night then it can be performed after Esha although the sawab will be much less. One should take advantage when waking up for Sehri in Ramadaan and performing this Namaaz before partaking of Sehri.

TAWBAH NAMAAZ
After one has done any sinful act he should read 2 rakaats Nafil after which one sincerely repents, feel sorry for his sins, seek His forgiveness and make a firm decision not to do it again. By His Grace, the sin would be forgiven (Ref: Shami)

Amirul Momeneen Hazrat Aboobaker (R.A.) relates that the Holy Prophet ( Sallaallahu Alayi Wasallam) said that whenever one has done a sinful act he should make wudhu, perform 2 rakaats Nafil and thereafter sincerely repent and seek Almighty’s forgiveness. Allah pardons all sins. After relating this, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) then read the following from the Qur’an:

“And those who have done something to be ashamed of or wronged their own souls. Earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask for forgiveness of their sins, and who can forgive sins except Allah “(Sura 3-135)

SALATUL TASBIH
For this Namaaz 4 rakaats are performed. The Tasbih hereunder should be read seventy-five times in each rakaat making a total of 300 Tasbihs in the 4 rakaats. The Tasbih is :

“Subhanallahe Walhamdo lillahe Walaillaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar.”

After starting the namaaz by saying Allah-o-Akbar recite the Sana, Alhamdo and a Sura followed by the Tasbih 15 times then go into Ruku in which after the usual recitation for Ruku read the Tasbih 10 times and go into Sajdah where after the usual recitation read the Tasbih 10 times then sit up and read Tasbih 10 times and go into Sajdah again and after the Sajdah recitation read the Tasbih 10 times then sit after the 2nd Sijdah and read Tasbih 10 times before getting up for the second rakaat. The total of the 4 rakaats would be 300 as prescribed.

The Traditions have highly recommended it. The Holy Prophet (Sallalllahu Alayhi Wasallam) told his uncle Hazrat Abbas (R.A.) that after performing the 4 rakaats of Salatul Tasbih one’s sins- past or future small or big, hidden or open, intentional or unintentional- all of them are forgiven. Furthermore, he advised that it be read every day, if that is not possible then on every Jumma or once a month or a year, or at least once in a lifetime. It can be performed any time of the day or night except at improper times.