Question (Q-28):
Is there any proof in the Hādith and Fiqh books for the two Rak’āt Sunnah Mu’akkadah which are performed after the Fardh Rak’āt (Farīdhah) of ‘Ishā and the four Rak’āt Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah which are performed prior to the Fardh Rak’āt of the ‘Ishā prayer?
Answer:
The two Rak’āt (Units of Salāh) Sunnah Mu’akkadah after the Fardh Rak’āt (Farīdhah) of ‘Ishā and the four Rak’āt Nawāfil after the Fardh Rak’āt (Farīdhah) of ‘Ishā (which are performed in sets of two Rak’āt – one set prior to Witr and one set after Witr) are proven from the following Blessed Ahādīth:
The Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) said, “Allah (تعالى) will build a house in Heaven for every Muslim bondsman who prays twelve Sunnah Rak’āt every day for the sake of Allah (تعالى).” This was narrated by Abū Hurairah, Umm Habībah and Ā’ishah (رضي الله تَعَالىٰ عنهم). This Hadīth was mentioned by a group of Hadīth Scholars besides Al Bukhāri.
It is mentioned in a narration of Al Imām Muslim, Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah that these twelve units are, “The four prior to Dhuhr, the two after Dhuhr, the two after Maghrib, the two after ‘Ishā and the two prior to Fajr.”
Abū Dāwūd narrated from Sayyidah Ā’ishah (رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰعنها) who stated that whenever the Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) visited her after having performed ‘Ishā, he (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) further performed four units or six units of Salāh.
Abū Dāwūd and An Nasaī in Al Kubrā narrated from Shuraih who narrated from Sayyidah Ā’ishah (رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰعنها), “The Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) performed four units or six units of Salāh whenever he (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) visited me after having performed ‘Ishā.” This is what is mentioned in At Ta’līq Al Mujallī. It is narrated in Al Bināyah and Al Mabsūt from Ibn ‘Umar (رضى الله عنهما) in a way that is attributed to Ibn ‘Umar (رضى الله عنهما) himself as well as being attributed to the Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) who said, “Whoever performed two units after ‘Ishā, they will be similar (for him) to two units performed in the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr).” (Al Bināyah, Sharh ul Hidāyah, Volume 2, Page 511)
Al Imām Ahmad Ridhā (رحمه الله تعالى) writes that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) would perform the last two units of ‘Ishā whilst seated. (Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah, Volume 7, Page 421, Published in Lahore) .
It is always the case that performance of Nawāfil abundantly during the day and night is a means of attaining proximity in the Court of Allah (تعالى) as is mentioned in the Prophetic Ahādīth.
Allah (تعالى) Knows Best.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
