THE WRONG IN THE ACT

 FAJR REMINDER: THE WRONG IN THE ACT

By: Umm Affān

Shawwāl 29, 1447 (17-April-2026)

Following the guidance of the Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) in both his actions and his abstentions is a defining quality of a true believer. Allāh makes this clear when He says: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allāh (Muḥammad ﷺ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allāh and the Last Day.” [Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb (33): 21]

This establishes a simple and firm principle: whatever the Prophet (ﷺ) practiced, we should practice; and whatever he left, we should leave. Allāh further emphasizes this by saying: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muḥammad ﷺ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allāh. Verily, Allāh is Severe in punishment.” [Sūrah Al-Ḥashr (59): 7] 

Despite this clear guidance, a common practice is observed in some Masājid where the Imām and congregation collectively engage in Du’ā‘ aloud immediately after the obligatory Ṣalāt, including Jumu’ah. However, this was not a practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) nor of his Companions (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhum).

The scholars of al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah addressed this matter, stating that regularly making Du’ā‘ aloud after the five daily prayers or engaging in it collectively in unison is a blameworthy innovation (Bid’ah), as there is no authentic evidence that the Prophet (ﷺ) or his Companions (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhum) did so. As they said: “...saying Du’ā‘ out loud after the five daily prayers or regular Sunnah prayers, or reciting Du’ā‘ in unison as a regular practice is a reprehensible innovation (Bid’ah), because it was not proven that the Prophet (ﷺ) or his Companions (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhum) did anything like that...” [Fatāwā Islāmiyyah, 1/319]

Indeed, if this act had been Khayr (good), they would have preceded us in doing it. Therefore, introducing it as a regular practice falls under innovation in the religion. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned against such matters, saying: “Whoever among you lives after I am gone will see great disputes; you must adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Hold on to it and cling fast to it. And beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matters is an innovation and every innovation is going astray.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4607]

What is prescribed after Ṣalāh is for each individual to engage in the recommended Adhkār. After completing these remembrances, if a person chooses to make Du’ā‘—whether individually, by the Imām alone, or even quietly alongside others without raising the hands—there is no harm in that, as supported by some Aḥādīth. [Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Daimah, 7/103]

Therefore, it is upon us to avoid newly introduced practices and remain committed to the Sunnah by observing the prescribed Adhkār after prayer and making our supplications with humility and sincerity. 

I beseech Allāh to grant us proper understanding and steadfastness. Aameen.