Learn about the optional Rawatib Prayers

THE RAWATIB PRAYERS
A TYPE OF OPTIONAL PRAYER
2015 TJ HOMESCHOOLING 1

WHY SHOULD WE PRAYER OPTIONAL PRAYERS?
We are commanded to pray 5 obligatory prayers each day.
Many stop at those and do not pray optional prayers.
While we will not be punished for not praying the optional prayers, we will be rewarded for
praying them, in shaa Allah.
Source: Alifta.net
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2015 TJ HOMESCHOOLING

WHAT ARE THE RAWATIB PRAYERS?
 One type of optional prayer are the Rawatib prayers (also known as the Sunnah Mu’akkadah).
 These are 12 Rakaat of optional everyday prayers that are associated with the obligatory prayers.
The Rawatib which the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to preserve are twelve Rakats, these are the
Rawatib;
for the resident not the traveler.
Twelve Rakats;
four before Thur prayer with two tasleems,
and two after Thur prayer; this is six.
Two after Magrib prayer and two after Isha prayer; this is ten.
And two before the morning (Fajr) prayer; this is twelve.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to practice these consistently while present at his residence.
And he, peace be upon him, said:
“Whoever preserves four Rakats before Thur and four after it, Allah will make him forbidden for the Fire.”
Source: Sunnah Prayers Explained
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WHAT ARE THE RAWATIB PRAYERS?
 To sum up, the twelve rakaat are:
Obligatory
Optional Rakaat
Before
This Prayer
Optional Rakaat
After
This Prayer
Fajr 2 0
Dhuhr 2 + 2 2
Asr 0 0
Maghrib 0 2
Ishaa 0 2

 As you can see, there are no Rawatib prayers associated with Salaatul Asr, but there is a sunan
(optional recommended) prayer for Suratul Asr, which we will learn about at another time, in
shaa Allah.
Obligatory
Optional Rakaat
Before
This Prayer
Optional Rakaat
After
This Prayer
Fajr 2 0
Dhuhr 2 + 2 2
Asr 0 0
Maghrib 0 2
Ishaa 0 2

WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF PRAYING THE RAWATIB PRAYERS?

1. OBSERVANCE OF FULFILLING THESE OPTIONAL PRAYERS IS A
MEANS FOR GAINING ADMISSION TO PARADISE.
The Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said
(which means):
"Whoever prays optionally twelve rakaat every one day and
night,
Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in the
paradise.

2. SUPEREROGATORY PRAYERS PERFECT THE OBLIGATORY
PRAYER!
Source: Alifta.net via AbdurRahman.org

These established Sunnah (supererogatory) Salahs hold great benefit and observing them
regularly is one of the reasons for entering Jannah and being saved from Hellfire, provided one
performs the Faridahs and abstains from forbidden things.
They are supererogatory and not obligatory; however, as stated in the Hadith, they complete any
lack in the obligatory Salahs and are means of attaining the Love of Allah.
Observing them means copying the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Hence, a believer should be as keen to observe them as the Prophet (peace be upon him) was,
along with observing Salat-ul-Duha (supererogatory Prayer before noon), Tahajjud (optional late
night Prayer), and Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units).
Therefore, a Muslim should strive to perform all these supererogatory Salahs.
Source: Alifta.net – Al Sunan Al Rawatib

Any believer observing the obligations and abandoning things forbidden is to be looked
upon as upright and trustworthy. Yet, it is characteristic of the believer who has
complete Iman (Faith) to compete in offering Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib as well as hastening
to all that is good. Thus, the believer will become of those who are close to Allah.
Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib and other supererogatory acts of worship are signs of perfect Iman
and are characteristic of those who are ahead in good deeds.
Supererogatory acts of worship are not a condition for being righteous or for being a
believer. Rather, they are of the things that make one’s faith perfect and result in great
good and the doubling of reward. They are means for entering Jannah with the close
Slaves of Allah.
Source: Alifta.net 102015 TJ HOMESCHOOLING

 Now, let’s take a look at the individual Rawatib prayers.
Those related to:
 Fajr
 Thuhr
 Maghrib
 Ishaa

THE SUNNAH FOR THE FAJR PRAYER
From Ayesha -Radi Allaahu anha-
of Sunnah fowho said:
‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi
wa sallam-
was not more concerned and did
not pay attention to any of the
optional prayers
like he did for the two Rakat for
the Fajr prayer.’

From Aishah -Radi Allaahu anha- who said from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- that
he said about the two Rakat when the Fajr prayer time comes in:
‘They are more beloved to me than the Dunyaa and everything that is in it.’

Abu Àbdullah Bilal bin Rabah (May Allah be pleased with him) the Mu'adhdhin of Messenger of
Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reported: I went to inform the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu
’alayhi wa sallam) about the time of the dawn (Fajr) prayer, and Àishah (May Allah be pleased
with her) kept me busy and began to ask me about something till the day grew bright.
Then I got up and informed the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) of the time of
Salat. I informed him again but he did not came out immediately to lead As-Salat.
When he came out, he led As-Salat. I said to him: Àishah (May Allah be pleased with her) kept
me busy and thus diverted my attention by asking about something and the morning grew bright.
You also came out late.
Upon that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "I was engaged in
performing two Rakàh of Fajr prayer.''
Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him)said: "O Messenger of Allah! You delayed As-Salat so long as
the morning grew bright.'' He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied,
"Even if the morning had become brighter than it had, I would have performed two Rakàh of
prayer in an excellent manner.''
[Abu Dawud].
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WHAT THE MESSENGER -SALLALLAAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM- WOULD RECITE IN
THE TWO RAKAH FOR THE SUNNAH OF THE FAJR PRAYER
From Ibn Umar that the Prophet -
sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to
recite in the two Rakat for Fajr, and two
Rakat after Maghrib prayer:
<<Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >>
&
<<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>>
(He would sometimes recite other ayaat
as well.)

RECOMMENDATION TO PRAY THE TWO RAKAH AT HOME
Abu Tayeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi said:
‘It is better to pray the two Rakah at home,
because the optional pray at home is of a more
complete status and has more reward than
praying it in the Masjid. This is affirmed from
the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- from
his actions and his statements.
As for his actions, is that the Prophet -sallAllaahu
alayhi wa sallam- used to pray them a lot of the
time in his home, as has been mentioned in
narrations from Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, Ayesha
and others from the Companions. Actually it has
not been affirmed that he performed them in
the Masjid.
‘If one of you has completed the
prayer in his Masjid, then he should
make a portion of his prayer for the
house, since indeed Allaah will place
goodness in his home from his
prayer.’

LYING DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AFTER THE TWO RAKAH
SUNNAH OF THE FAJR
The Hadeeth of Ayesha, collected by Bukhari
that she said:
‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used
to lie down on his right side after praying two
Rakats [Sunnah] of Fajr.’
(Laying down after the Sunnah prayer for Fajr is
not done in the masjid)
Source: The Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer

PRAYING TWO RAKAH SUNNAH FOR THE FAJR PRAYER AFTER THE
OBLIGATORY PRAYER IF YOU CANNOT PRAY BEFORE IT
Shaykh Muhammad Bazmool said:
‘Whoever misses the two Rakah [Sunnah] of
the Fajr prayer
It is legislated for the person who misses
the two Rakah of Fajr, that he can then pray
them directly after the obligatory prayer or
after the sun has risen, and what is better is
to pray them after the sun has risen.
From Abu Hurairah -Radi
Allaahu anhu- who said
the Messenger of
Allaah said:
‘Whoever did not pray
the two Rakah [Sunnah]
of Fajr; then he should
pray them after the sun
has risen.’[19]

SUNNAH OF THE DHUHR PRAYER
Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased
with them) reported: I performed
with the Messenger of Allah
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) two
Rak`ah before and two after Zuhr
prayers.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Àishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi
wa sallam) stayed in my house, he would perform four Rakàh (supererogatory prayer) before
Zuhr prayer. Then he would go out and lead Salat. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would
then come back and perform two Rakàh (supererogatory prayer)
 Some Ahadith state that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rakàh before
and two after Zuhr prayer. The present Hadith says that he used to perform four Rakàh before
Zuhr prayer. Both narrations are correct and can be followed according to conditions and
circumstances.
Source: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen, http://abdurrahman.org/seerah/riyad/08/chap199.htm

 Umm Habibah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu
’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rak`ah before Zuhr
prayer and four after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will shield him against the Fire (of Hell).
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
 Commentary: This Ahadith mean that a person who follows this course of practice, will die as a
and will not remain in Hell for ever like the Kuffar (infidels) unless Allah has forgiven all his sins for
him and would, as a result, save him from Fire altogether. That is, Almighty Allah will not let him
live in Hell for ever. According to some Ahadith, the fire of Hell will not touch him, which also
amounts to saying that he will not be kept in Hell for all eternity. If a Muslim is liable to
punishment, his stay in Hell - for a few days or weeks or months depending on the nature of his
sins - is not a contravention of such Ahadith because he will ultimately be released from Hell
and brought to Jannah. "Allah will shield him against the Fire'' should not be taken to mean
that a Muslim will not be sent to Hell no matter what he does. If Almighty Allah does not forgive
him in the very first instance, he will have to suffer the torment of Hell as long as He would like
and then he will be sent to Jannah
Source: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen

THE SUNNAH OF THE MAGHRIB PRAYER
It was usual with the Companions of the Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to perform two
Rak`ah before Maghrib in the Prophet's mosque.
But in spite of this fact these are Sunnah Ghair
Mu'akkadah while the two performed after the
Salat are Sunnah Mu'akkadah.

THE SUNNAH OF THE ISHAA PRAYER
[Ibn Ùmar (May Allah be pleased with them)
has narrated that he performed two Rakàh
after the Fard prayer of Ìsha' with the Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).
Source; Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen
http://abdurrahman.org/seerah/riyad/08/chap202.htm

WHAT IF WE MISS ONE OF THE RAWATIB PRAYERS, CAN WE
MAKE THEM UP?
And if the person misses the Sunnah prayer for Fajr he prays
them after the Fajr prayer or after the sun has risen.
As for the other Rawatib, for Thuhr, Maghrib, and Ishaa, then
they are not made up after the time has passed; if the time
passed they are not made up. Therefore one would not
make up the Sunnah prayers for Thur after Asr, nor the
Sunnah prayers for Maghrib after Isha, nor the Sunnah
prayers for Isha after Fajr. These prayers are not made up.
As for the Sunnah prayer for Fajr then it is made up. If he
prays it after the Fajr prayer then there is no problem with
this. And if he prays it after the sun has risen and reached its
height then this is better.
Source: Sunnah Prayers Explained, Shaykh Bin Baz

ADVICE TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT PRAYING ANY NAWAFIL
PRAYERS
 QUESTION :
What is your advice to someone who has stopped praying the Sunnah prayers in the daytime
and does not pray anything at night?

 ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in
Makkah
There is nothing more outstanding as advice than the hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu
‘alayhe wa sallam), when he said:
"The very first thing a servant will be asked about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is
found to be deficient, then it will be said, ‘Doesn’t he have any optional prayers?’ If it is found
that he has optional prayers, then they will fill the void, and thus his prayers will be accepted, and
the rest of his deeds will also be accepted." [1]
And the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) was asked about a dream that Ibn Umar had,
so he (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:
"What a good man ‘Abdullaah ibn Umar is, so long as he prays at night." [2]
So then consistently praying the optional prayers, the most important of them being the Witr
prayer and the (12) Sunnahs throughout the day and night, is from the most important of all affairs
to the Muslim. This is because you, O Muslim, by way of them, compensate for the lapses found in
your obligatory prayers…..(cont’d)
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And the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) clarified in a hadeeth that a man may pray but
he may only be credited with half of it, another may pray but only be credited with one third of it,
and another may pray but only be credited with one fourth of it… [3]
The meaning is that it often occurs that the people have shortcomings in their prayers, while it is
obligatory to offer them, completing them perfectly. So have you actually offered all of your
prayers completely and perfectly according to the Sharee’ah?
So then you must take care to consistently offer optional prayers, you must take care to
consistently offer the Witr prayer, you must take care to offer the other optional prayers
consistently. It has been related that Imaam Ahmad said about the one who does not
consistently pray the Witr prayer, "He is an evil man, his witness is not to be accepted."
So how could a Muslim who has no work keeping him from his worship become lazy and then
abandon these (optional) prayers. No doubt, he has caused himself to lose a great amount of
good, and to miss an opportunity to obtain tremendous virtues, while being free to do them and
try to keep consistency in offering them…….(cont’d)

….I ask Allaah to excuse us and him, and to be gracious.
There is a hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):
"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (rak’ahs) before ‘Asr prayer." [4]
When you do not pray this prayer, four rak’ahs before the ‘Asr prayer, you have prevented your own
self from being included in those whom the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) supplicated for,
those who pray this prayer.
The Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:
"Whoever consistenly prays twelve rak’ahs throughout the day and night, a palace will be built for him
in Paradise." [5]
When you abandon the rawaatib prayers, and you do not pray these twelve rak’ahs, you have
deprived your own self from this virtue.
Most of the optional prayers have great virtues attached to them, described by the Messenger
(sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam). So then, O Muslim, how can you lose out, how can you not be
concerned about it?
And Allaah knows best.http://salaf-us-saalih.com/2009/08/13/advice-to-those-who-are-not-praying-any-
nawaafil-prayers/
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THE END
 For a listing of works that were used in this presentation, please visit the link, Articles about the
Rawatib prayers, found at http://tjhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2015/03/optional-salat-
rawatib-prayers.html
2015 TJ HOMESCHOOLING 29

Learn about the optional Rawatib Prayers

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