Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitab al-Salah, Page 304
What is the ruling regarding the recitation of Ta‘awwudh (A‘ūdhu billāhi min al-shayṭān al-rajīm) at the beginning of every rak‘ah of Salah— is it Sunnah for each rak‘ah or only the first one? And if someone does not recite it, will they be sinful?
Similarly, should Salawat (Durūd) and supplications (du‘ā’) be recited in every Tashahhud, or only in the final one? Kindly explain.
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The Qur’anic verse states:
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ
(Surah al-Nahl: Ayah 98)
In light of this verse, it is recommended to recite Ta‘awwudh at the beginning of every rak‘ah, as each rak‘ah begins with a fresh recitation of the Qur’an.
Thus, whenever Qur’anic recitation is initiated, one should seek refuge from the accursed Shayṭān, making the recitation of
"A‘ūdhu billāhi min al-shayṭān al-rajīm"
in every rak‘ah a preferable act.
If someone omits the Ta‘awwudh, they are not sinful, because it is not obligatory (wājib) but rather recommended (mustaḥabb).
However, since its basis is found in the Qur’an, it is better and more virtuous to act upon it in every rak‘ah.
Salawat (Durūd Sharīf) is to be recited in both the first and the final Tashahhud of the prayer.
This is supported by authentic Ahadith:
Sunan al-Nasa’i: 1771
Sahih Muslim: 746, Darussalam: 1739
This means that in a four-rak‘ah prayer (Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, ʿIshāʾ) or three-rak‘ah prayer (Maghrib), Durūd is prescribed in both:
– The first Tashahhud (after two rak‘ahs), and
– The final Tashahhud (at the end of the prayer).
The Sunnah supplications after Tashahhud are preferably recited only in the final Tashahhud.
Based on various evidences, the stronger view is that:
– In the first Tashahhud, one should only recite at-Taḥiyyāt and Durūd,
– While supplications (Du‘ā’) should be reserved for the final Tashahhud.
والله أعلم بالصواب
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding the recitation of Ta‘awwudh (A‘ūdhu billāhi min al-shayṭān al-rajīm) at the beginning of every rak‘ah of Salah— is it Sunnah for each rak‘ah or only the first one? And if someone does not recite it, will they be sinful?
Similarly, should Salawat (Durūd) and supplications (du‘ā’) be recited in every Tashahhud, or only in the final one? Kindly explain.
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
➊ Ruling on Ta‘awwudh at the Beginning of Every Rak‘ah:
The Qur’anic verse states:
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ
(Surah al-Nahl: Ayah 98)
In light of this verse, it is recommended to recite Ta‘awwudh at the beginning of every rak‘ah, as each rak‘ah begins with a fresh recitation of the Qur’an.
Thus, whenever Qur’anic recitation is initiated, one should seek refuge from the accursed Shayṭān, making the recitation of
"A‘ūdhu billāhi min al-shayṭān al-rajīm"
in every rak‘ah a preferable act.
➋ If One Does Not Recite Ta‘awwudh, Is It Sinful?
If someone omits the Ta‘awwudh, they are not sinful, because it is not obligatory (wājib) but rather recommended (mustaḥabb).
However, since its basis is found in the Qur’an, it is better and more virtuous to act upon it in every rak‘ah.
➌ Ruling on Sending Salawat (Durūd) in Tashahhud:
Salawat (Durūd Sharīf) is to be recited in both the first and the final Tashahhud of the prayer.
This is supported by authentic Ahadith:
Sunan al-Nasa’i: 1771 Sahih Muslim: 746, Darussalam: 1739This means that in a four-rak‘ah prayer (Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, ʿIshāʾ) or three-rak‘ah prayer (Maghrib), Durūd is prescribed in both:
– The first Tashahhud (after two rak‘ahs), and
– The final Tashahhud (at the end of the prayer).
➍ Ruling on Supplications (Du‘ā’) in Tashahhud:
The Sunnah supplications after Tashahhud are preferably recited only in the final Tashahhud.
Based on various evidences, the stronger view is that:
– In the first Tashahhud, one should only recite at-Taḥiyyāt and Durūd,
– While supplications (Du‘ā’) should be reserved for the final Tashahhud.
والله أعلم بالصواب
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
