NAWAAFIL (NAFIL) SALAAH

Nawaafil Salaah, even though they are not obligatory, help Muslims to praise Almighty Allah and increase Barakah. It also helps us to create a closer bond with our Creator, Almighty Allah. Care should be taken that these Salaah are not performed during the Makrooh times.

Salaatut Tahajjud

Salaatut Tahajjud can be read from Isha till Subha Saadiq (dawn). Four to 12 Rakaah can be read. One may read this Nafil Salaah as a 4 or as a 2 Rakaah Salaah with Salaams after every 2 or 4 Rakaah. This Salaah is read after awakening from sleep.

Salaatul Ishraaq

Salaatul Ishraaq can be read from about 20 minutes after sunrise till the time of Salaatul Chaast. Two or 4 Rakaah of this Salaah can be read.

There is also great Barakah for one who reads this Salaah.

Salaatul Chaast

Salaatul Chaast can be read from the time when the sun has fully risen till the time of Zawaal. About this Salaah, Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said, “Whosoever reads 12 Rakaah of Salaatul Chaast, Almighty Allah will build for him a place in Jannah.” One may read 4 or 12 Rakaah in this Salaah.

Salaatul Awwabeen

It is reported in a Hadith that whosoever reads 6 Rakaah of Salaatul Awwabeen after Maghrib without any talk will get Thawaab equal to 12 years of Ibaadah. Salaatul Awwabeen is read from after Maghrib till Isha. One may read from 2 to 20 Rakaah in this Salaah.

Salaatul Tasbeeh

It is reported that anyone who reads this Salaah will have all his or her sins wiped out. Salaatul Tasbeeh can be read once every day, or every Friday, or once in a month or once in a life time.

HOW TO READ SALAATUL TASBEEH:

a. Make the intention.
b. Read the Thana after the Takbeer-e-Tahreema (first Takbeer).
c. Read the third Kalimah 15 times:
d. Read Surah Fatiha and any Surah. Then read the third Kalimah 10 times.
e. Go into Ruku. Read the Tasbeeh of Ruku and read the third Kalimah 10 times.
f. Stand up for the Qaumah and read the third Kalimah 10 times.
g. Go into the first Sajdah. After the Tasbeeh of Sajdah read the third Kalimah 10 times.
h. Sit in the Jalsa position after the first Sajdah and read the third Kalimah 10 times.
i. Go into the second Sajdah and after the Tasbeeh read the third Kalimah 10 times.
Note : This would complete the third Kalimah 75 times in each Rakaah. In this manner, when you have read 4 Rakaah, you would have read the third Kalimah 300 times. It is better to read the Salaatul Tasbeeh before the Fard of Zohar, that is, between the Sunnah and Fard of Zohar. However, if it is not possible, then you may read it at any time.

Salaatul Haajaat

Salaatul Haajaat is a 2 or a 4 Rakaah Salaah which is read if one desires a special favour or help from Almighty Allah. After this Salaah, one should read as much Durood Shareef as possible and beg Almighty Allah for assistance. After the Surah Fatiha in the first Rakaah, one should read the Ayaatul Kursi 3 times. In the second, third and fourth Rakaah, one should the 3 Quls (Surah Ahad, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas). If one is reading 2 Rakaah, then the 3 Quls should be read in the second Rakaah. One can read any Du’a.

Salaatul Istikhaarah

Salaatul Istikhaarah is read when one needs guidance on what action one needs to take in a certain matter. One should read 2 Rakaah Salaah with the intention of Istikhaarah. After completing the Salaah, one should read the following dua. When one comes to the word “Haazal Amr”, one should think about the reason he or she is reading this Salaah. After reading this Salaah, one should go to sleep and await for a sign. There should be no talking after the Du’a. It is better to read this Salaah for 3, 7, 9 or 11 nights. If one sees red or black colour in a dream, then it is a sign that one should not do what one intends. If one sees green or white colour, then it is a good sign for one to carry out ones intentions.

Salaatul Istisqa

Salaatul Istisqa is a Salaah for rain. The people get dressed in their old clothes and offer 2 Rakaah Salaah with Jamaah outside the town.

After the Salaah, the Imaam reads a Khutbah and then makes a Du’a for rain. Thereafter, the Imaam also changes his shawl inside out with the intention that the weather will change for the best.

Salaatul Kusoof and Salaatul Khusoof

Salaatul Kusoof is that Salaah which is read at the time of the eclipse of the sun.

Salaatul Khusoof is read at the time of the eclipse of the moon. In Salaatul Kusoof 2 Rakaah are read. The Imaam reads softly. After the Salaah, a long dua is read lasting till the moment the eclipse is over. In Salaatul Khusoof the 2 Rakaah of Salaah are read individually by each person. Each person reads the Salaah aloud. Thereafter, a Du’a is read.

Tahiyatul Masjid Salaah

This special Salaah consist of 2 Rakaah Sunnah which is read by a person on entering a Masjid. It should be read before one sits in the Masjid.

Tahiyatul Wudu Salaah

These are 2 Rakaah of Salaah which is read by a person after Wudu.