Dua After Fardh Salaah

The ideal method of Du’aa after congregational Salaah is that the Imaam, as well as the Muqtadees (followers) should make Du’aa’ silently and individually, and not collectively (where the Imaam makes the Du’aa aloud and the Muqtadees say Aameen to his Du’aa). 

Having said that, one should understand the following:

– Congregational Du’aa’ after Salaah (as is the trend in many Masaajid) where the Imaam makes the Du’aa aloud and the Muqtadees say Aameen to his Du’aa, is neither a Sunnah nor something totally prohibited. It is only one of the several permissible ways of making Du’aa’. The ideal method of making Du’aa after Salaah is as was mentioned in the beginning of this reply is that both the Imaam and the Muqtadees should make Du’aa on their own, silently. If a Muqtadee has completed his silent, individual Du’aa, he may get up and commence his Sunnah and Nafl Salaah. He does not have to wait for the Imaam to complete his Du’aa.

– If people tend to believe that the loud customary congregational Du’aa’ is necessary, then in this instance it will become an innovation in Deen, hence impermissible. 

– However if the people understand that it is not necessary, then it will be permissible to make loud congregational Du’aa. This however, must not become a habit and permanent feature of the Du’aa. The Imaam can implement this method as a short-term measure with the intention of teaching his Muqtadees the wordings of various Du’aas. As soon as the Imaam feels that now the Muqtadees have learnt how to make Du’aa, he should cease to make the congregational loud Du’aa and implement and also encourage the silent, individual Du’aa method.

Based on the points mentioned above, one should not implement drastic measures in order to put a sudden stop to the loud congregational Du’aa’ after Salaah, since this could cause a lot of misunderstanding and problems in the community. In fact, we are aware of such cases that when people in charge drastically ceased the loud congregational Du’aa; it resulted in the community becoming disunited and divided into two groups. This is not the way of dealing with situations; one should exercise wisdom when dealing with such situations. One should be tactful and adopt a gradual process by way of an educational programme whereby people begin to accept and appreciate that the correct method of Du’aa after Salaah is to make it silently and individually. 

The wisdom and methodology of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has to be implemented when making an effort to bring alive his blessed Sunnah. 

Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once mentioned to his respected wife Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (Radiallahu Anha), “Don’t you know that your nation had built the Ka’bah (they had rebuilt it after the structure became damaged), in such a way that it fell short of the boundaries that were demarcated by Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam)”, upon which Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (Radiallahu Anha) asked, “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! Why don’t you extend it until the boundaries that were demarcated by Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam)?” Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Had it not been that your nation has very recently left disbelief (and accepted Islam), I would have done so.”  

[This narration is mentioned in Saheehul-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim. ]

Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) knew that the ideal would be to extend the Ka’bah, however since this is not a necessary aspect of Deen, he did not implement drastic measures in order to carry it out, as it would have caused consternation and strife in the community. 

Similarly, making Du’aa’ silently and individually after Salaah is not a necessary aspect of Deen, therefore drastic measures should not be utilized in order to implement it. Rather a gradual effort should be made. When the community develops a deep trust in their Imaam and the Imaam begins to educate them regarding the matter – which may take some time – then they will readily accept it without question. These types of situations are very delicate, and if not handled correctly, can lead to major problems. Therefore, one should take guidance from the local senior Ulema who have experience in dealing with such matters.