Abandoning Sunnah Prayers and Claiming Responsibility on Behalf of Others

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