Nawafil Prayers ( Part 2)

SALATUL DUHA

Salatul duha is a prized prayer, and whoever wishes to earn reward should pray it. There is no blame upon whom does not pray it.
Number of Rakat: The minimum no of rakat is two, the most no reported to be been performed by the prophet was eight while the most mentioned was twelve rakat.
Time: The time begins when the sun is about a spear length above the horizon and it continues until the sun reaches its meridian, it could be delayed until the sun has risen high and the day has become hot.

  SALATUL  ISTIKHARAH

This is used to seek Allah's guidance on one's personal affairs especially when one has to choose between two permissible alternatives
The description of Salaat al-Istikhaarah was reported by Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Salami (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:
“The Prophet (SAW) used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all things, just as he used to teach them soorahs from the Quran. He said: ‘If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir,wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi ‘aajil amri wa aajilihi (or: fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi.
Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri (or: fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni ‘anhu [wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi

(O Allaah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”
we should not be impatient after our dua. We do not put Allah on a timetable. And we should not expect some sort of miracle, or a dream full of signs and symbols. These things are not necessary. We simply say our prayers and trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best.

   SALATUL  TASBIH

This is a type of nawafil, used to seek forgivenesss from Allah. The Prophet  (SAW) said to his uncle, Oh uncle shall I not give you Shall I not grant you Shall I not award you Shall I not do mercy on you When you do 10 things Allah will forgive your sins: of the future and of the past; new and old; those you have forgotten and those you did knowingly; big and small; hidden and revealed.
Then he (SAW) explained the way to pray Salatul Tasbih and then said if you can pray this salah once a day, if you cant then every Friday, and even if not then once a month and even if not then once a year and even if not then at least once in a lifetime(Abu’Dawood & Tirimzi)

  How to perform Salatul Tasbih

This salaat is offered in four rakat at a time and can be read in any part of the day and night besides the forbidden times for performing Salat.
The following tasbih is recited seventy-five times in each rakat totalling 300 in the 4 rakats.
Subhaanallaahi walhamdu lillaahi walaa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar
The method of this salah is as follows:
After beginning the salah by saying Allah-u-Akbar recite the thana ', Sura al-Fatiha and a Sura followed by the above tasbih 15 times.
Then go into Ruku and after reciting the usual tasbih for ruku` recite the above tasbih 10 times.After standing up from ruku` recite the usual Rabbana Lakal Hamd and thereafter recite the tasbih 10 times.Then go into Sajda and after reciting the usual tasbih for sajda recite the above tasbih 10 times. Then sit up from sajda and recite the tasbih 10 times between the two sajdas.Thereafer go into sajda again and after reciting the usual tasbih for sajda recite the above tasbih 10 times. Then sit after the 2nd sajda (i.e. before standing up for the second rakat) and recite the tasbih 10 times. This adds up to 75 times in one rak`ah. Do the same for the remaining 4 rakat.
It is preferable to recite after Surah Fatiha
1. Surah Takathuur in the first rakah
2. Surah Wal A’sr in the second rakah
3. Surah Kaferoon in the third
4. Surah Akhlas in the fourth rakah. If one does not remember these surah they can recite the ones they prefer.

  SALATUL HAJAH

This is the two rakat nawafil made after performing Ablution. It was reported the the Prophet (SAW) said: He who makes wudu and does it properly, then prays two rakat afterwards Allah will grant him whatever  he may pray for sooner or later.

 SALATUL KASUF (The prayer of the solar & lunar Eclipse)

The scholars agree that the prayer of the eclipse is a stressed Sunnah, who is to be performed by both men and women. It is best to pray it in congregation, though that is not a condition for it. It consist of two rakat and in every one rakah one is to perform two bowing (Ruku) instead of the usual one. One should recite suratul Al- fathia in both rakat and also recite any surah one wishes after it. The time is from the beginning of the eclipse till its finishes.
It is also preferred to make the takbir, supplications, give charity and ask Allah for forgiveness during the eclipse.

   SALATAUL ISTISQA (The ISTISQA PRAYER)

This is type of nawafil used to seek rain from Allah during times of drought, it may be performed in three ways
1. The imam pray two rakat during anytime except those time it’s not permissible to pray, in the first rakah he recites suratul Al-A’la after suratul Al fatiah and in the second recites Al ghashiyah after al fatiah. The imam then delivers Khutubah before or after the salat. Afer this, people present should turn their outer garment around, face the Kiblah and supplicate to Allah, they raise their hands while doing so.
2. The supplication for rain can also be made on the occasion of suratul Jummah, in this case the imam make the supplication during the khutuba and the people only respond Ameen
3. One may also make supplication for rain without it being Friday, the prayer can take place inside or outside the mosque.
May we never experience drought.Ameen