Salaatuz-Zawaal

Question:-

Hadith: ‘Abdullah Ibn Saib Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam used to offer four Rakaats after the sun had passed the meridian, before the Zuhr Salaah, and said: “This is the hour in which the gates of the sky are opened, and I desire that some of my good deeds ascend the sky at this moment.” (Tirmidhi: 478)

Note: The four Rakaats before Zuhr are understood to be Sunnatul Muakkadah. However, according to some other Muslim Scholars these four Rakaats , after the sun has passed the meridian, are in addition to the four Rakaats of Sunnatul-Muakkada

Please advise if this refers to Salatul Zawaal or to Salaatul Duhaa!

Answer:-

Hadrat Abu Ayub Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would perform four Rakaats at the time of Zawaal. ‘I said, “You afford great importance to these four Rakaats?” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “The doors of the heaven remain open from the time of Zawaal until Zuhr. I desire that some good action of mine reaches the heaven at this time.” I then asked, “Should recitation of the Quraan Sharif take place in every Rakaat (of this Salaah)?” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Yes, there should be Qiraat in every Rakaat.” I then asked, “Should Salaam be made after two Rakaats?” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Four Rakaats should be performed with one Salaam.”’

This Salaah is known as Salaatuz Zawaal according to the Sufis. According to them this Salaah is also amongst the Mustahab Salaahs. However, majority of the commentators of Hadith state that this is actually the four Sunnats of Zuhr, as there is no Nafl Salaah after Zawaal except for the four Sunnats of Zuhr which Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam continuously performed.

These narrations are mentioned under the chapter of Salaatut Duhaa by Imaam Tirmidhi Rahimahullah, as the time of this Salaah commences when the time of Salaatut Duhaa ends. Hence, there was no need for Imaam Tirmidhi Rahimahullah to  establish a new chapter for it. [Re:- Shamaa’il-e-Tirmidhi with commentary Khasaa’il-e-Nabawi Pg.238] 

عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُدْمِنُ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ عِنْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّكَ تُدْمِنُ هَذِهِ الْأَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ عِنْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ تُفْتَحُ عِنْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَلَا تُرْتَجُ حَتَّى تُصَلَّى الظُّهْرُ، فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَصْعَدَ لِي فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ خَيْرٌ قُلْتُ: أَفِي كُلِّهِنَّ قِرَاءَةٌ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قُلْتُ: هَلْ فِيهِنَّ تَسْلِيمٌ فَاصِلٌ؟ قَالَ: لَا (سنن الترمذي)

عن مجاهد، عن عبد الله بن السائب، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي أربعا بعد أن تزول الشمس قبل الظهر، وقال: «إنها ساعة تفتح فيها أبواب السماء، وأحب أن يصعد لي فيها عمل صالح (سنن الترمذي)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 15 Muharram 1444 / 14 August 2022