7. PRAYING NAWAFIL (VOLUNTARY) PRAYERS
What better way of drawing closer to Allah during I’tikaf than by praying the voluntary prayers:
Allah says in Hadith Qudsi:
….And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari]
WANT THE COMPANY OF THE PROPHET (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) IN JANNAH?
Rabi’ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) said: “Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nawafil prayers).” (Muslim)
Since the days of Dhul Hijjah are the most blessed then we should strive to pray as many Nawafils as possible, so we can please Allah and get closer to him, as well as gain the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah.
SUNNAH & NAWAFIL PRAYERS TO PRAY DURING THE 10 DAYS OF DHUL HIJJAH
1. PRAY 12 RAKA’AHS OF SUNNAH DAILY: – 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr & 2 Sunnah of Maghrib
Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day & night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” (Muslim)
2. SALAATUL DUHAA (Can be prayed from 20 minutes after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)
So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur’an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise & pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.
‘Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 – 12 Rakaats & it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.’ (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
3. 4 SUNNAH, 2 SUNNAH & 2 NAWAFIL OF DHUHR
Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer & four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)
4. 4 RAKA’AHS SUNNAH OF ASR
The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa sallam) said:”May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka’ahs) before ‘Asr prayer.”(Abu Dawud)
5. TWO RAKA’AHS SUNNAH AFTER ENTERING MASJID
Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
6. TAHIYYATUL WUDU – 2 Raka’ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution)
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.”Bilal (RA) replied: “I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)”
7. THE MOST REWARDING NAWAFIL PRAYER OF ALL IS TAHAJJUD
Allah Most High said: “Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, & (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn. Lo! (The recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.” (Qur’an, 17: 78-79)
Imam Abu Sa’id al-Khadimi said, “There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous acts is the night vigil prayer.”[al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]
THE SCHOLARS DERIVED THE FOLLOWING IN REGARDS TO TAHAJJUD FROM THE QUR’AN & PROPHETIC HADITHS:
1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 Rakaats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 Rakaats, because this was the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
3. Lengthier recitation of Qur’an is superior to a larger number of Rakaats prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtaar, Radd al-Muhtar]
If one has not memorized much of the Qur’an then one should recite whatever they know or recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Faathiha in each rakah to gain reward of reciting entire Qur’an.
4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short Rakaats, because of the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]
During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah we should aim to pray Tahajjud every night. If not then we should pray it in as many nights as we possibly can.
When fasting during the first 9 nights of Dhul Hijjah we should wake up a little earlier for Sehri, make Wudu & pray 2-12 Raka’ahs of Tahajjud. It is recommended to pray at least 8 Raka’ahs.
Abu Hurayrah (RA), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth & proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, & I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything & I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, & I forgive him?(Bukhari, Muslim).
The last third portion of the night is the most blessed & Dua’s are readily accepted at this time. So by praying Tahajjud it gives us the best opportunity to get closer to Allah & to make sincere Dua, repenting for our sins past & present & to crying & asking of Allah for whatever we want.
If we cannot cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least make the face as if we are crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quicker & more promptly when it is crying in the same way Allah tends to his servants quicker when they are crying.
Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “I cannot pray at night.” He said, “Your sins have prevented you.