Tirmidhi

1359. Commentary: Sitting for the prescribed remembrances (adhkar) after the prayer is an agreed-upon matter. The imam should be even more diligent in this regard than others. In addition to the remembrances, after those prayers after which there are no emphasized sunnah (mu’akkadah) prayers—such as Fajr and Asr—it is appropriate for the imam to remain seated so that people may present their questions. In this way, the imam will maintain a connection with the general public, and will remain informed about general matters. Socializing with people in a pleasant manner is also an act of goodness. The remembrances after the obligatory prayer should be recited before the emphasized sunnah prayers. This is what is generally understood from the ahadith. As for the narration from Aisha radi Allahu anha that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sit only for the duration of reciting the «اللَّهمَّ أنتَ السَّلامُ……… الخ» supplication after the salam, what is meant by this is sitting facing the qiblah, not sitting in an absolute sense—that is, he would sit facing the qiblah for that duration, then turn towards the congregation. The Companions would only recite such poetry in his presence that was free from poetic nonsense. There is no harm in reciting good poetry in small amounts without establishing a formal gathering; however, it is not correct to hold formal poetry gatherings in the mosques. Excessive interest in poetry distances one from the Qur’an.