Sajdah of Shukr

Category: 

Salaat

According to Madhhab: 

Hanafi

Reference: 

1439-647

Question:

Besides Sajdah in Salaat can one perform any other Sajdah to beseech Allah's help and or thanking Allah for his Blessings and Mercy on oneself.

If so, do the normal rules apply i.e. during makrooh times, with/without wudu etc.

Answer:

If a person enjoys some bounty From Allah Taáala or gets any good news, then to express his gratitude he should perform two Raakats of Salaah of Shukr , just as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had done upon the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah. However, if this is not possible then it is Mustahab for him to make a Sajdah of Shukr

The Method of performing Sajdah of Shukr is that a person, while facing the Qiblah, should say the Takbeer and go into Sajdah. The person should then Praise Allah Taáala and recite the Tasbeeh of Sajdah. The Sajdah should then be completed by lifting the head while saying the Takbeer.

There are a few points to be noted when performing Sajdah Shukr:

 It is Mustahab and not compulsory.
 There is only one Sajdah in Sajdah of Shukr.
 It is Makrooh to perform it after any Salaah.
 It is compulsory to have Wudhu.
 It is compulsory to face Qiblah.
 It should not be performed during Sunrise, Zawaal and at Sunset.
 The same conditions that apply to Sajdah Tilaawat apply to the Sajdah of Shukr.

The greatest benefit of Sajdah of Shukr is that it is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Taáala for his bounties. When a person expresses Shukr to Allah Taáala , Allah Taáala increases his bounties upon that person.

With regards to beseeching Allah Taáala's help in the position of Sajdah there is a Hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim:
قال "اقرب ما يكون العبد من ربه وهو ساجد فاكثروا الدعاء "
Abu Hurairah Radhiallu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “The closest a bondsman can come to his Rabb is when he is prostrating, so make supplication abundantly.”
However, the Sajdah in this Hadith refers specifically to the Sajdahs of salaah and not out of Salaah.

In another Hadith Nabi Sallallahu Wasallam has said that “As far as Ruku (Bowing) is concerned Mention the greatness of your Rabb in it and as far as Sujood (prostration) is concered then increase supplication in it as verily Such Duas(supplications) are worthy of being answered.” One should bear in mind that During the Sajdahs of the Fard Salaah one should read only those Adhkaar which have been prescribed by the Sunnah. In the Sajdahs of the Nafl Salaat one can make any Duaa Provided it is in the Arabic Language and the Dua is not for some worldly item rather it is connected to the Hereafter. One should also suffice on those Duas that are from Quraan and Ahadith.

It is permissible If one simply wants to make Dua in the position of Sajdah (out of Salaah) due to the humility found in this position. For such a Dua none of the requirements of Sajda of Shukr or Salaat would be a required. However, it would be best that a person considers who he is begging from and does so with etiquette and purity.

In conclusion; the best method of asking from Allah Taáala is to perform 2 Rakaats of Nafl Salaah and then after Salaam with utmost humility and sincerity praise Allah Taáala and Send Salutations on Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam .Thereafter, make Dua and Ask Allah Taáala for your needs of this world and the next. This is the method mentioned in the Ahaadith which I have cited below:

Fudhalah Ibn Ubaid Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that once Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was seated, when a person entered the Masjid and offered salah and supplicated: Allahummaghfir li war hamni (Oh Allah forgive me and shower your mercy upon me ). Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to him: “you have hurried in making supplication! When you have finished offering salah and are sitting, you must praise Allah, which indeed He is worthy of, then send salutations to me and then ask.” (Tirmizi)

Fadhl Ibn Abbas Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “perform Salah in two rak’ats then two rak’ats, with tashahhud recited at the end of every two rak’ats, and salah is a humble supplication, with submissive humility and tranquility. Then after completing salah, raise your hand modestly to your Rabb, turning the palms of your two hands towards your face and saying: O My Rabb! O My Rabb! thrice. And who does not do so, his salah is incomplete.” (Ahmad)

AND ALLAH TAÁALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: Ebrahim Patel
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
Islamic Date: 22 Thul Hijjah 1439
English Date: 3 September 2018