Supplications after the Fard Salah (Obligatory Prayer) :

Once a person has finished the Prayer, he should make the following supplications:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ 

Astaghfirullāh, astaghfirullāh, astaghfirullāh
“I ask Allah for forgiveness” 3 times. (Muslim no. 591)

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

Allāhumma antas-salām, wa minkas-salām, tabārakta yā dhal-jalāli wal-‘ikrām.
“O Allah, You are As-Salām (Peace), and from you is As-Salām. You are the blessed, O Possessor of Glory and Honour.” (Muslim no. 591, Abu Dawud, no. 1512, declared saheeh by Al-Albāni)

 اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ 

Allāhumma a’innī ‘alā dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibādatika.
“O Allah, help me in remembering You, in giving You thanks, and worshipping You in the best manner.” (Abu Dawood, no. 1522, graded saheeh by Al-Albāni)

And there is more that is reported in the authentic texts. These supplications and glorifications (Dhikr) are recommended, encouraged and emphasised in the Sunnah and there are immense benefits and rewards in being constant in maintaining them after each prayer as will be made clear, inshā’-Allāh. It is not reported that the Prophet or his Companions raised their hands in Du’ā after the daily Prayers (Salāhs), so to do so at this time whether individually or in congregation is a bid’ah (innovation).

Thereafter, the Tasbeeh (or Dhikr) after each prayer is reported upon five different modes. Abu Dawood (no. 1502) reported from Abdullāh bin ‘Amr (radiyallāhu ‘anhumā) that he said:

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَعْقِدُ التَّسْبِيحَ قَالَ ابْنُ قُدَامَةَ – بِيَمِينِهِ 

“I saw Allah’s Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) make Tasbeeh with his fingers.” Ibn Qudāmah stated: “On his right hand.” (Abu Dawood 1502, An-Nasā’ee 1355, and declared saheeh by Al-Albāni) Meaning he kept count by using his fingers. One should alternate between the various modes. It is not allowed to use threaded beads, counters or stones to count Dhikr as they all innovations – and the best guidance is that of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam).

ONE:

Say: سبحان الله (subhānallāh) ten times then الحمد لله (al-hamdulillāh) ten times followed by الله أكبر (Allāhu akbar) ten times. The proof for this is the saying of the Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam):

خَصْلَتَانِ أَوْ خَلَّتَانِ لاَ يُحَافِظُ عَلَيْهِمَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ إِلاَّ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ هُمَا يَسِيرٌ وَمَنْ يَعْمَلُ بِهِمَا قَلِيلٌ يُسَبِّحُ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ عَشْرًا وَيَحْمَدُ عَشْرًا وَيُكَبِّرُ عَشْرًا فَذَلِكَ خَمْسُونَ وَمِائَةٌ بِاللِّسَانِ وَأَلْفٌ وَخَمْسُمِائَةٍ فِي الْمِيزَانِ وَيُكَبِّرُ أَرْبَعًا وَثَلاَثِينَ إِذَا أَخَذَ مَضْجَعَهُ وَيَحْمَدُ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ وَيُسَبِّحُ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ فَذَلِكَ مِائَةٌ بِاللِّسَانِ وَأَلْفٌ فِي الْمِيزَانِ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعْقِدُهَا بِيَدِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ هُمَا يَسِيرٌ وَمَنْ يَعْمَلُ بِهِمَا قَلِيلٌ قَالَ‏ يَأْتِي أَحَدَكُمْ – يَعْنِي الشَّيْطَانَ – فِي مَنَامِهِ فَيُنَوِّمُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَهُ وَيَأْتِيهِ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَيُذَكِّرُهُ حَاجَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَهَا ‏”

“There are two traits that no Muslim servant of Allah maintains except that he will enter Jannah. They are easy but those who do them are few:

(i) To make the Dhikr at the end of each Prayer: subhānallāh 10 times, alhamdulillāh 10 times and Allāhu akbar 10 times. That is a hundred and fifty on the tongue, but one thousand five hundred on the Scale [on the Day of Judgement].

(ii) And when he goes to bed, he should say Allāhu akbar 34 times, al-hamdulillāh 33 times and subhānallāh 33 times. This is a hundred on the tongue and one thousand on the Scale [on the Day of Judgement].”

Abdullāh bin ‘Amr (radiyallauhu ‘anhumā) said: I saw Allah’s Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) counting the Dhikr on his hand. They asked him: “O Allah’s Messenger! How is that though they both are easy to do yet only a few will do them?” He replied: “Shaytān comes to one of you when he goes to bed and he makes him sleep before he can say them, and he comes to him while he is engaged in prayer and reminds him of a need before he utters them.” (Abu Dawood, 5065 and authenticated by Al-Albāni)

TWO:

To say Subhānallāh wal-hamdulillāh wallāhu akbar (سبحان الله والحمد لله والله أكبر) 33 times altogether and finishing with the saying Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā shareekalahu luhul-mulk walahul-hamd wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadeer (لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير).

The proof is what Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu ‘anhu) narrate: Some poor people came to the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said,

ذَهَبَ أَهْلُ الدُّثُورِ مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ بِالدَّرَجَاتِ الْعُلاَ وَالنَّعِيمِ الْمُقِيمِ، يُصَلُّونَ كَمَا نُصَلِّي، وَيَصُومُونَ كَمَا نَصُومُ، وَلَهُمْ فَضْلٌ مِنْ أَمْوَالٍ يَحُجُّونَ بِهَا، وَيَعْتَمِرُونَ، وَيُجَاهِدُونَ، وَيَتَصَدَّقُونَ قَالَ ‏”‏ أَلاَ أُحَدِّثُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ إِنْ أَخَذْتُمْ بِهِ أَدْرَكْتُمْ مَنْ سَبَقَكُمْ وَلَمْ يُدْرِكْكُمْ أَحَدٌ بَعْدَكُمْ، وَكُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ مَنْ أَنْتُمْ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِ، إِلاَّ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِثْلَهُ تُسَبِّحُونَ وَتَحْمَدُونَ، وَتُكَبِّرُونَ خَلْفَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَاخْتَلَفْنَا بَيْنَنَا فَقَالَ بَعْضُنَا نُسَبِّحُ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَنَحْمَدُ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَنُكَبِّرُ أَرْبَعًا وَثَلاَثِينَ‏.‏ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ تَقُولُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، حَتَّى يَكُونَ مِنْهُنَّ كُلِّهِنَّ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ

“The wealthy people will get the higher levels and will have permanent enjoyment. They pray like us and fast as we do and they have more money by which they perform the Hajj, ‘Umrah and strive in Allah’s cause (Jihād) and give in charity.” The Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Shall I tell you a thing upon which if you acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? And nobody will better than that among the people except those who does the same―you should say subhānallāh wal-hamdulillāh wallāhu akbar 33 times each after every Prayer.” We differed and some of us said that we should say, Subhānallāh 33 times and al-hamdulillāh 33 times and Allahu akbar 34 times. I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) who said, “Say, subhānallāh wal-hamdulillāh wallāhu akbar 33 times.” (Bukhari no. 843)

THREE:

To say : سبحان الله (Subhānallāh) 33 times then الحمد لله (al-hamdulillāh) 33 times followed by الله أكبر (Allāhu akbar) 34 times.

The proof is the saying of the Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam):

مُعَقِّبَاتٌ لاَ يَخِيبُ قَائِلُهُنَّ – أَوْ فَاعِلُهُنَّ – دُبُرَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ ثَلاَثٌ وَثَلاَثُونَ تَسْبِيحَةً وَثَلاَثٌ وَثَلاَثُونَ تَحْمِيدَةً وَأَرْبَعٌ وَثَلاَثُونَ تَكْبِيرَةً

“There are certain sayings, those who do them and repeat them after every prescribed Prayer will never be caused disappointment: سبحان الله (subhānallāh) 33 times, الحمد لله (al-hamdulillāh) 33 times and الله أكبر (Allāhu akbar) 34 times.” (Muslim, no. 596)

FOUR:

Say: Subhānallāh wal-hamdulillāh wa lā ilāha illallāh wallāhu akbar (سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر) 25 times.

The proof is in the hadeeth of Zayd bin Thābit (radiyallāhu ‘anhu): A man from among the Ansār was asked in a dream: “Did the Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) command you to say the Tasbih (subhānallāh) thirty-three times after the prayer, and to say the Tahmid (alhamdulillāh) thirty-three times, and to say the Takbir (Allāhu akbar) thirty-four times?” He said: “Yes.” It was said: “Instead, make each one twenty-five times, and include the Tahlil (lā ilāha illallāh) among them.” The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) and told him about that, and he said: “Do that.” (Reported by an-Nasā’i 1350, and Al-Albāni declared it saheeh)

There is also the wording: “Say the Tasbīh 25 times, say the Tahmīd 25 times, say the Takbīr 25 times and say the Tahlīl 25 times, and that will make one hundred.” The following morning he told the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) about that and the Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Do what the Ansari said.” (An-Nasā’ee 1351 authenticated by al-Albānī)

FIVE:

To say at the end of each obligatory Prayer: سبحان الله (subhānallāh) 33 times then الحمد لله (al-hamdulillāh) 33 times followed by الله أكبر (Allāhu akbar) 33 times and then say once lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā shareekalahu luhul-mulk walahul-hamd wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadeer (لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير).

The proof for this is the saying of the Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam):

مَنْ سَبَّحَ اللَّهَ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ وَكَبَّرَ اللَّهَ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ فَتِلْكَ تِسْعَةٌ وَتِسْعُونَ وَقَالَ تَمَامَ الْمِائَةِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ غُفِرَتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ ‏

“Whoever glorifies Allah (says subhānallah) after every prayer thirty-three times, and praises Allah (says alhamdulillāh) thirty-three times and declares His greatness (says Allāhu akbar) thirty-three times making ninety-nine times in all, and then he says to complete a hundred Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā shareekalahu luhul-mulk walahul-hamd wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, having no partner along with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him is all praise due, and He is all capable over everything) his sins will be forgiven even if they are as great as the foam of the sea.” (Muslim, no. 597)

After performing one of these five modes of Dhikr on the fingers of the right hand, more can be done. Al-Imām Ibn Bāz (rahimahullāh) stated: “It is legislated for the believer to recite Ayatul-Kursi from Al-Baqarah: 255:

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

Then to recite Suratul-Ikhlās (قل هو الله أحد), Suratul-Falaq (قل أعوذ برب الفلق) and Suratun-Nās (قل أعوذ برب الناس) once each after Dhuhr, ‘Asr and ‘Ishā. After Maghrib and Fajr, however, they should be recited three times each―and that is better.” 

Shaikh Ibn Bāz also said: “It also recommended to increase after Maghrib and Fajr by saying ten times:

لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد يحيي ويميت وهو على كل شيء قدير

Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahu lā shareekalahu luhul-mulk walahul-hamd yuhyee wa yumeet wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadeer. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, having no partner along with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him is all praise due, He gives life and He gives death, and He is all capable over everything. 

(Reported by At-Tirmidhi)

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