Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 216
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on completely abandoning the Sunnah prayers before or after obligatory prayers? A certain Maulvī said:
“You should not pray any Sunnah or Nafl. If Allāh asks you on the Day of Judgment, I will take responsibility on your behalf.”
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
This statement is utter loss and deception.
✦ Importance of Sunnah and Nafl Prayers
- In Sunan Abū Dāwūd, it is mentioned that the first deed to be accounted for on the Day of Judgment will be the obligatory prayers.
- If deficiencies are found in the obligatory prayers, they will be completed and compensated by the voluntary (nafl and sunnah) prayers.
✦ Reflection
- If a person does not pray any sunnah or nafl, then
- With what will the shortcomings of his obligatory prayers be compensated?
✦ False Claim of Responsibility
- The Maulvī’s statement that he will “take responsibility” is empty talk.
- On the Day of Judgment, no one can bear the burden of another’s deeds.
- Hence, following such statements and abandoning the Sunnah is a grave mistake.
✦ Gratitude to Allāh
Gratitude (shukr) is also a necessary act of worship. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
«اَفَلاَ اَکُوْنُ عَبْدًا شَکُوْرًا»
“Should I not be a grateful servant?”
Praying the Sunnah and Nafl is among the means of showing gratitude to Allāh for His blessings.
References:
- Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Qawl al-Nabī ﷺ: Kullu Ṣalātin lā Yutimmuhā Ṣāḥibuhā Tummimat min Taṭawwuʿih
- Tirmidhī, Ṣalāh, Bāb: Mā Jāʾa Anna Awwala Mā Yuḥāsab Bihi al-ʿAbd Yawma al-Qiyāmah al-Ṣalāh
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
