Ruling on Offering Sunnah Prayers in the Same Place or Moving After the Obligatory Prayer
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Should Sunnah prayers be performed in the same place after the obligatory (farḍ) prayer, or should one change location?
It is permissible to offer Sunnah prayers either in the same place where the obligatory prayer was performed, or after changing location. Both practices are valid and supported by the actions of the early generations (Salaf).
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed us not to connect one prayer with another until we speak or change our place."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 883
“He would step forward or backward (to perform Sunnah prayers).”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/207 – Authentic chain
“One should not offer voluntary (Sunnah) prayer until he takes one or two steps forward or backward.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain
“My father, after completing the obligatory prayer, would move slightly from his place before offering the Sunnahs.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain
“Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما used to pray his Sunnahs in the same spot where he offered the farḍ.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 848
“I saw al-Qāsim and Sālim offer the obligatory prayer, then perform Sunnahs in the same place.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain
“I asked ʿAṭā’ ibn Abī Rabāḥ رحمه الله about the one who prays Sunnah in the same place as the farḍ.
He replied: ‘There is no harm in it.’”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain
“He disliked the imam offering Sunnahs in the same place where he led the obligatory prayer.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain
Note: This is a personal opinion, and dislike (karāhah) must be established through Sharʿī evidence, which is not present in this case.
This is a matter of flexibility, and both are from the Sunnah.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
❖ Question:
Should Sunnah prayers be performed in the same place after the obligatory (farḍ) prayer, or should one change location?
❖ Answer:
It is permissible to offer Sunnah prayers either in the same place where the obligatory prayer was performed, or after changing location. Both practices are valid and supported by the actions of the early generations (Salaf).
✿ Evidence for Changing the Place After Obligatory Prayer:
① Sayyidunā Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed us not to connect one prayer with another until we speak or change our place."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 883② Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما:
“He would step forward or backward (to perform Sunnah prayers).”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/207 – Authentic chain③ Imām al-Shāmī رحمه الله said:
“One should not offer voluntary (Sunnah) prayer until he takes one or two steps forward or backward.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain④ Hishām ibn ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr رحمه الله reported:
“My father, after completing the obligatory prayer, would move slightly from his place before offering the Sunnahs.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain✿ Evidence for Offering Sunnah Prayers in the Same Place:
① Nāfiʿ رحمه الله said:
“Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما used to pray his Sunnahs in the same spot where he offered the farḍ.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 848② ʿUbaydullāh ibn ʿUmar رحمه الله reported:
“I saw al-Qāsim and Sālim offer the obligatory prayer, then perform Sunnahs in the same place.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain③ Maṭar رحمه الله narrated:
“I asked ʿAṭā’ ibn Abī Rabāḥ رحمه الله about the one who prays Sunnah in the same place as the farḍ.
He replied: ‘There is no harm in it.’”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chain④ Imām Ibrāhīm al-Nakhaʿī رحمه الله:
“He disliked the imam offering Sunnahs in the same place where he led the obligatory prayer.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/208 – Authentic chainNote: This is a personal opinion, and dislike (karāhah) must be established through Sharʿī evidence, which is not present in this case.
Conclusion:
- All marfūʿ (Prophetic) narrations on this issue are weak or unauthenticated.
- The practice of the Salaf shows both options are permissible:
- You may pray Sunnah in the same place after farḍ.
- You may also move slightly and then pray Sunnah.
This is a matter of flexibility, and both are from the Sunnah.
