The great significance and importance of the Sunnah prayers
There occurs in the Hadeeth of Ibn 'Umar[1] (may Allah be pleased with both) and other than it, that the rawaatib (sunnah prayers connected to the obligatory prayers) are ten. Here (in this hadeeth) are;
And there also occurs in the hadeeth of the Mother of the Believers[2] that the rawaatib are twelve rakats;
Whosoever observes them, then his recompense and his reward will be what? Yes, a castle will be built for him in paradise.
If he continues to perform these twelve rakats together with the obligatory prayers, which are seventeen rakats, and together with the eleven rakats of witr, the total sum will be forty rakats.
Ibn-ul-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentioned: "Indeed the one who knocks the door forty times during the day and the night is very close to have it opened for him."
Forty rakats... how much of a person's (daily) life do they take? If he adds to them four rakats, of which the recommendation of carrying them out has been reported (in the hadeeth) before 'Asr. And also the encouraged prayers when the (particular) reason to pray them is present, yes (for example), the Duha prayer in accordance to the difference of opinion with regards to the number of it's rakats, which has preceded (i.e. this was previously discussed). And also the encouragement to carry out (other) prayers has (similarly) been narrated.
The people of knowledge from the Salaf (righteous predecessors) and the Khalaf (later scholars) did not cease increasing the (number of the) supererogatory prayers, adhering thereby to his (the Prophet's), may peace and blessings be upon him, statement:
"Help me to achieve this for you by doing plentiful of prostration."[3]
Regarding some of them (these people of knowledge), numbers have been reported which might seem according to our calculation as being exaggerated. Thus it has been reported that Imam Ahmad prayed during the day and the night three hundred rakats. And it has been reported that Al-Haafidh 'Abdul-Ghani (Al-Maqdisi), may Allah have mercy upon him, prayed likewise.
However there are things which make sense, and things which don't make sense and time does not allow. Ibn-ul-Mutahhir the Rafidhi (Shiite) mentioned regarding 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that he used to pray during the day and the night a thousand rakats. Is there even enough time for a thousand rakats? Yes, a thousand rakats! How many minutes does it take to pray one rakat? At least one minute. Hence there is not enough time for a thousand rakats.
In any case, (the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:)
"The religion is easy and no one overburdens himself in the religion, except that it will overcome him."[4]
So therefore the individual has to take from it (i.e. the religion) according to his ability and that which does not make the nafs get tired of the religion and get tired of worship. He takes from it that amount with which he can comply with, (due to what the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:)
"Help me to achieve this for you by making plentiful prostration."
And he should make his utmost effort with regards to (putting into practice) the specific texts (with the proofs) which have been (authentically) reported and increase upon that what he wants. If he utilizes the spare time, especially at night, by praying, then that is the best way how life can pass by.
{Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?} [Surah Az-Zumar 39:09]
This is an indication that the people who perform this prayer, which is the Qiyam-ul-Layl (the optional night prayer), are the people of knowledge.
{Their sides forsake their beds} [Surah As-Sajdah 32:16]
The encouragement (to perform the Qiyam-ul-Layl) has also been reported (in the narrations):
"Perform the Qiyam-ul-Layl, for it is indeed from the practice of the righteous."[5]
"What an excellent man 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with both) is, but if he would only pray at night."[6]
Unfortunately many students of knowledge, rather even some who ascribe themselves to knowledge (from the scholars), have no share in the night prayer. And this is without doubt a shortcoming and a deficiency. There is no doubt that the individual is commanded to carry out the obligatory prayers and is sinful for leaving them off, while he is not sinful for leaving off the supererogatory prayers. However something may afflict the obligatory prayers from whatever may afflict them by way of deficiencies and shortcomings, and they will then be subsequently compensated by these supererogatory prayers. (As occurs in a hadeeth that Allah would say:) "See if My worshipper has any supererogatory prayers!"[7] they will be compensated.
And the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, whom Allah forgave his past and future sins, would stand in prayer until his feet became swollen, and this is no doubt from showing gratitude for the blessings (given by Allah), and for that reason the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"Should I not be a grateful worshipper?"[8]
This is showing gratitude for the blessings, and by (doing) that, the blessings will remain. And Allah is the One with Whom aid is sought.
Footnotes by translator:
[1] Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree in the Book of At-Tahajjud.
[2] It seems that the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, is talking here about the Hadeeth of the Mother of the Believers Umm Habeebah, may Allah be pleased with her, which is reported by Muslim, with a similar Hadeeth having been narrated by the Mother of the Believers 'Aaisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
[3] Reported by Muslim in the Book of Prayer.
[4] Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported by Al-Bukhaaree in the Book of Imaan.
[5] Reported by At-Tirmidhee and declared hassan by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel.
[6] From the Hadeeth of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with both, reported by Al-Bukhaaree.
[7] Reported by At-Tirmidhee, from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah and declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhee.
[8] Reported by Al-Bukhaaree, from the Hadeeth of 'Aaisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
Shaykh 'Abdul-Kareem al-Khudayr, may Allah preserve him
Translated by 'Abdurrahīm Ibn Muhammad Al-Hadhramī.
Published on Salafi-Dawah.com.
Source: http://shkhudheir.com [Click here for screenshot in PDF format]
Use the player below or download the MP3 here.
- two rakats before Thuhr and two rakats after it,
- two rakats after Maghrib,
- two rakats after Ishaa
- two rakats of As-Subh (Fajr)
And there also occurs in the hadeeth of the Mother of the Believers[2] that the rawaatib are twelve rakats;
- four rakats before Thuhr and two after it,
- two rakats after Maghrib,
- two rakats after Ishaa and
- two before As-Subh (Fajr),
Whosoever observes them, then his recompense and his reward will be what? Yes, a castle will be built for him in paradise.
If he continues to perform these twelve rakats together with the obligatory prayers, which are seventeen rakats, and together with the eleven rakats of witr, the total sum will be forty rakats.
Ibn-ul-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentioned: "Indeed the one who knocks the door forty times during the day and the night is very close to have it opened for him."
Forty rakats... how much of a person's (daily) life do they take? If he adds to them four rakats, of which the recommendation of carrying them out has been reported (in the hadeeth) before 'Asr. And also the encouraged prayers when the (particular) reason to pray them is present, yes (for example), the Duha prayer in accordance to the difference of opinion with regards to the number of it's rakats, which has preceded (i.e. this was previously discussed). And also the encouragement to carry out (other) prayers has (similarly) been narrated.
The people of knowledge from the Salaf (righteous predecessors) and the Khalaf (later scholars) did not cease increasing the (number of the) supererogatory prayers, adhering thereby to his (the Prophet's), may peace and blessings be upon him, statement:
"Help me to achieve this for you by doing plentiful of prostration."[3]
Regarding some of them (these people of knowledge), numbers have been reported which might seem according to our calculation as being exaggerated. Thus it has been reported that Imam Ahmad prayed during the day and the night three hundred rakats. And it has been reported that Al-Haafidh 'Abdul-Ghani (Al-Maqdisi), may Allah have mercy upon him, prayed likewise.
However there are things which make sense, and things which don't make sense and time does not allow. Ibn-ul-Mutahhir the Rafidhi (Shiite) mentioned regarding 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that he used to pray during the day and the night a thousand rakats. Is there even enough time for a thousand rakats? Yes, a thousand rakats! How many minutes does it take to pray one rakat? At least one minute. Hence there is not enough time for a thousand rakats.
In any case, (the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:)
"The religion is easy and no one overburdens himself in the religion, except that it will overcome him."[4]
So therefore the individual has to take from it (i.e. the religion) according to his ability and that which does not make the nafs get tired of the religion and get tired of worship. He takes from it that amount with which he can comply with, (due to what the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:)
"Help me to achieve this for you by making plentiful prostration."
And he should make his utmost effort with regards to (putting into practice) the specific texts (with the proofs) which have been (authentically) reported and increase upon that what he wants. If he utilizes the spare time, especially at night, by praying, then that is the best way how life can pass by.
{Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?} [Surah Az-Zumar 39:09]
This is an indication that the people who perform this prayer, which is the Qiyam-ul-Layl (the optional night prayer), are the people of knowledge.
{Their sides forsake their beds} [Surah As-Sajdah 32:16]
The encouragement (to perform the Qiyam-ul-Layl) has also been reported (in the narrations):
"Perform the Qiyam-ul-Layl, for it is indeed from the practice of the righteous."[5]
"What an excellent man 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with both) is, but if he would only pray at night."[6]
Unfortunately many students of knowledge, rather even some who ascribe themselves to knowledge (from the scholars), have no share in the night prayer. And this is without doubt a shortcoming and a deficiency. There is no doubt that the individual is commanded to carry out the obligatory prayers and is sinful for leaving them off, while he is not sinful for leaving off the supererogatory prayers. However something may afflict the obligatory prayers from whatever may afflict them by way of deficiencies and shortcomings, and they will then be subsequently compensated by these supererogatory prayers. (As occurs in a hadeeth that Allah would say:) "See if My worshipper has any supererogatory prayers!"[7] they will be compensated.
And the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, whom Allah forgave his past and future sins, would stand in prayer until his feet became swollen, and this is no doubt from showing gratitude for the blessings (given by Allah), and for that reason the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"Should I not be a grateful worshipper?"[8]
This is showing gratitude for the blessings, and by (doing) that, the blessings will remain. And Allah is the One with Whom aid is sought.
Footnotes by translator:
[1] Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree in the Book of At-Tahajjud.
[2] It seems that the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, is talking here about the Hadeeth of the Mother of the Believers Umm Habeebah, may Allah be pleased with her, which is reported by Muslim, with a similar Hadeeth having been narrated by the Mother of the Believers 'Aaisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
[3] Reported by Muslim in the Book of Prayer.
[4] Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported by Al-Bukhaaree in the Book of Imaan.
[5] Reported by At-Tirmidhee and declared hassan by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel.
[6] From the Hadeeth of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with both, reported by Al-Bukhaaree.
[7] Reported by At-Tirmidhee, from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah and declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhee.
[8] Reported by Al-Bukhaaree, from the Hadeeth of 'Aaisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
Shaykh 'Abdul-Kareem al-Khudayr, may Allah preserve him
Translated by 'Abdurrahīm Ibn Muhammad Al-Hadhramī.
Published on Salafi-Dawah.com.
Source: http://shkhudheir.com [Click here for screenshot in PDF format]
Use the player below or download the MP3 here.
الرواتب جاء في حديث ابن عمر وغيره أنها عشر، وهنا قبل الظهر ركعتين وبعدها ركعتين وبعد المغرب ركعتين وبعد العشاء ركعتين بقي منها ركعتا الصبح فتكون عشراً، وجاء أيضاً من حديث أم المؤمنين أن الرواتب اثنتي عشرة، أربع قبل الظهر وركعتان بعدها وركعتان بعد المغرب وركعتان بعد العشاء وركعتان قبل الصبح، ثنتا عشر ركعة من حافظ عليها كان أجره وثوابه إيش؟ يبنى له قصرٌ في الجنة، فإذا داوم على هذه الركعات الإثنتي عشرة مع الفرائض وهي سبع عشرة ركعة مع الوتر إحدى عشر ركعة يكون المجموع أربعين. ويقول ابن القيم: إن من طرق الباب أربعين مرة في اليوم والليلة يوشك أن يفتح له. أربعين ركعة كم تستغرق من عمر الإنسان؟! فإذا أضاف إليها أربع قبل العصر التي جاء الحث عليها، وأيضاً الصلوات المرغب فيها عند وجود أسبابها، نعم الضحى على الخلاف في عددها وقد تقدمت، وجاء أيضاً الترغيب في بعض الصلوات، وأهل العلم من سلف هذه الأمة وخلفها لا زالوا يكثرون التنفل امتثالاً لقوله عليه الصلاة والسلام: أعني على نفسك بكثرة السجود. وذكر عن بعضهم أعداد قد تكون في حساباتنا مبالغات، فذكر عن الإمام أحمد أنه كان يصلي في اليوم والليلة ثلاثمائة ركعة، والحافظ عبد الغني رحمه الله ذكر عنه أنه يصلي كذلك، لكن هناك ما يقبله العقل وما لا يقبله العقل ولا يستوعبه الوقت، ذكر ابن المطهر الرافضي عن علي رضي الله عنه أنه كان يصلي في اليوم والليلة ألف ركعة، هل يستوعب الوقت ألف ركعة؟ ألف ركعة؟! يعني الركعة كم دقيقة؟ أقل شيء دقيقة واحدة، والوقت لا يستوعب ألف ركعة. وعلى كل حال الدين يسر، ولن يشاد الدين أحدٌ إلا غلبه، فعلى الإنسان أن يأخذ منه بقدر طاقته، وما لا يجعل النفس تمل الدين وتمل العبادة، يأخذ منه بقدر ما يمتثل به:أعني على نفسك بكثرة السجود. ويحرص أشد الحرص على ما جاء فيه النص الخاص ويزيد من ذلك ما شاء. فإذا استغل أوقات الفراغ لا سيما في الليل بالصلاة فهذا من خير ما تفنى فيه الأعمار. أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاء اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ. سورة الزمر. هذه إشارة إلى أن أهل هذه الصلاة التي هي قيام الليل هم أهل العلم. تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ. سورة السجدة. وجاء الحث: عليكم بقيام الليل فإنه دأب الصالحين، نعم الرجل عبد الله لو كان يقوم من الليل. ومع الأسف كثير من طلاب العلم بل بعض من ينتسب إلى العلم لا نصيب له من قيام الليل، وهذا لا شك أنه تقصير وخلل، والإنسان مأمور بالفرائض بلا شك ويأثم بتركها، ولا يأثم بترك النوافل لكن هذه الفرائض يعتريها ما يعتريها من خلل ونقص فيجبر من هذه النوافل: انظروا هل لعبدي من تطوع؟ يجبر، والنبي عليه الصلاة والسلام وقد غفر الله له ما تقدم من ذنبه وما تأخر قام عليه الصلاة والسلام حتى تفطرت قدماه، ولا شك أن هذا من شكر النعمة، ولذا قال عليه الصلاة والسلام: أفلا أكون عبداً شكوراً؟ هذا شكر النعمة، وبهذا تقر النعمة، والله المستعان