365. Should I Make Duaa After Every Salaah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is allowed to make duaa after the Salaah “some” times here and there. 

But to think that duaa “MUST” be made after each and every fardh Salaah, is not proven from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

Duaa does not have to be made EVERY SINGLE TIME we finish our obligatory prayers. 

Rather we may do so “some” times if we want.  

MOST of the duaas that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam made while praying were DURING the prayer. And NOT after he was *done* with his Salaah. 

You see, there’s a BETTER place to make duaa, where duaa is even *more likely* to be accepted. 

And that is when we’re sitting in tashahhud WHILE we are praying, after sending peace and blessings on the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam but BEFORE Tasleem.*

 Ibn Mas’ood radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam taught them the tashahhud then he said at the end: 

“Let him ask for whatever good things he wishes.” (al-Bukhaari, 5876; Muslim, 402)

 Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam offered most of the du’aa’s that are connected to the prayer DURING the prayer, and he commanded us to offer them during it. 

This befits the state of the one who is praying, for he is facing his Lord and conversing with Him so long as he is praying. 

When he says the salaam that conversation comes to a CLOSE and he is no longer standing before Him and close to Him. 

So why should he not ask of Him whilst he is conversing with Him and close to Him and turning to Him, and then ask of Him when he has turned away from Him? 

Undoubtedly it is better to do the opposite.” (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/257, 258)

Another point to remember 

When we do make duaa after our Salaah, we should keep in mind that this should be done WITHOUT raising our hands. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“Making du’aa’ after the obligatory prayers is not Sunnah *if it is done by raising the hands*, whether that is done by the Imaam alone or a member of the congregation alone, or it is done by them both together. 

Rather that is bid’ah, because it was not narrated that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam or any of his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did that. 

With regard to making duaa’ *without doing that (raising the hands)*, there is nothing wrong with it*, because there are some ahaadeeth concerning that.”

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 7/103)

And Allaah knows best