TYPES OF PRAYERS (Episode 13)

 

AS-SALĀMU ʿALAYKUM WARAHMATULLĀHI WABARAKĀTUHU

Let's begin tonight's Islamic education.

Our topic is 👇

TYPES OF PRAYERS

(Episode 13)

Thursday, 17th September 2026 | 6 Rabīʿ al-Thānī 1448 AH

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🔸 THE REASON FOR THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

If a Muslim falls into a sin, whether it is a major or minor sin, he should repent to Allah immediately. It is recommended for him to pray two rakʿahs as the Prayer of Repentance (Ṣalāt al-Tawbah).

When a person sincerely repents, it is good for him to follow that repentance with a righteous deed—and among the greatest of righteous deeds is prayer.

Through these two rakʿahs, he draws closer to ALLAH AZZA WAAJAL, hoping that He will accept his repentance and forgive his sin.

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🔸 THE TIME FOR THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

It is mustahabb (recommended) to offer this prayer when a Muslim has decided to repent from a sin he has committed, whether the repentance occurs immediately after the sin or sometime later.

A sinner should hasten to repent and should not deliberately delay repentance.

However, repentance remains possible so long as one of the following two impediments has not occurred:

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▪ When death reaches the person and the soul reaches the throat.

The Messenger of ALLAH ﷺ said:

“ALLAH will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death rattle has not yet begun.”

Classed as hasan by al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī (3537).

▪ When the sun rises from the west.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, ALLAH will accept his repentance.”

Narrated by Muslim (2703).

The Prayer of Repentance is among the prayers performed for a specific reason. Therefore, according to the scholarly view presented here, it may be offered even when prayer is normally prohibited, such as after ʿAṣr, because the reason for the prayer has arisen.

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Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said that prayers performed for a particular reason—such as the prostration of recitation, greeting the mosque, the eclipse prayer, the prayer performed after purification, as mentioned in the ḥadīth of Bilāl, and Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah—should not be delayed when their reason occurs at a time when prayer is normally prohibited.

This is because delaying them may cause the opportunity to be missed.

The same applies to the Prayer of Repentance. If a person commits a sin, he should repent immediately, and it is recommended for him to pray two rakʿahs and then seek forgiveness, as mentioned in the ḥadīth of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه.

Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 23/215.

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🔸 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

The Prayer of Repentance consists of two rakʿahs, as mentioned in the ḥadīth of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه.

The person repenting should pray these two rakʿahs individually, because this is a voluntary prayer that is not prescribed to be performed in congregation.

After completing the prayer, he should sincerely ask ALLAH AZZA WAAJAL for forgiveness.

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There is no authentic report from the Prophet ﷺ specifying particular sūrahs to be recited in these two rakʿahs.

Therefore, the worshipper may recite whatever portion of the Qur'an he wishes.

The person who has repented should also strive to increase his righteous deeds alongside his repentance.

ALLAH AZZA WAAJAL says:

“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes, does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them.”

[Ṭā-Hā 20:82]

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Among the righteous deeds that a person can perform after repentance is giving charity.

Charity is among the deeds through which sins may be expiated.

ALLAH AZZA WAAJAL says:

“If you disclose your Ṣadaqāt (almsgiving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. And He will expiate you some of your sins.”

[Al-Baqarah 2:271]

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It is reported that Kaʿb ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه said, after ALLAH accepted his repentance:

“O Messenger of ALLAH, as part of my repentance, I shall give up my wealth as charity for ALLAH and His Messenger.”

The Messenger of ALLAH ﷺ said:

“Keep some of your wealth, for it is better for you.”

Kaʿb رضي الله عنه replied that he would keep his share in Khaybar.

Agreed upon.

This shows that sincere repentance should be accompanied by righteous actions, while Islam also teaches moderation and wisdom.

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🔸 TO SUM UP

▪ The Prayer of Repentance is established in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

▪ It is prescribed when a Muslim repents from a sin, whether major or minor, and whether the repentance occurs immediately or after some time.

▪ According to the scholarly position discussed above, it may be offered even during times when voluntary prayers are normally prohibited because it is a prayer connected to a specific reason.

▪ It is recommended for the person who repents to accompany his repentance with righteous deeds, such as charity and other acts of obedience.

Most importantly, never allow a sin to make you despair of the mercy of ALLAH AZZA WAAJAL.

Turn back to Him.

Ask Him for forgiveness.

Leave the sin.

Do good deeds.

And keep returning to your Lord.

May ALLAH send His blessings and peace upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and all his Companions رضي الله عنهم.

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END OF TODAY'S EDUCATION

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdik, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk.

We shall continue with this topic tomorrow, In shā ALLAH.

Questions, problems, and complaints concerning this programme are welcome privately.

May HE strengthen us and make us steadfast in faith.

May HE accept our acts of worship and grant us goodness in this world and the Hereafter.

May ALLAH AZZA WA JALL forgive us, have mercy upon us, and grant us Jannatul-Firdaws.

ĀMĪN YĀ RABBAL-ʿĀLAMĪN.