Question
After performing the Dhuhr, Maghrib, or Isha prayers does one immediately stand to perform the post-prayer Sunnas or do they finish the Sunna remembrances and supplications first?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is transmitted that the Sunna after performing the obligatory prayer is to immediately stand for the Sunna prayer without a separation – except to the extent one can recite the Prophetic supplication below:
اللَّهمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ وَإِلَيْكَ السَّلامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
“O Allah! You are the Giver of peace, from You is peace, and to You all peace returns. Blessed are You. O Possessor of all Majesty and Honor.”
[Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
Other Stances Based on External Factors
The above is the opinion of many of the Hanafi scholars, however, there is a lot of expansiveness in this issue and other opinions exist in the Hanafi school allowing one to finish reciting the remembrances and supplication before the Sunna prayers.
In fact, due to external factors, many scholars preferred delaying the Sunna prayers for the sake of the remembrances and supplications.
This is because many Muslims, if they were to immediately pray the Sunna prayers, would not then recite the remembrances and supplications thereafter. Rather, it is likely that they may leave and forget to do so. In such a case, it is better for them to hasten the remembrances and supplications then stand for the Sunna prayers – thus achieving both goods.
Furthermore, doing a collective supplication with the Imam after the prayer is of great benefit to the followers. By doing so, they do not abandon supplicating after the prayer, they learn more Prophetic supplications, and they get to say Amin to the prayers of others.
Note that the differences of opinion in this issue are differences in what is best and ideal not differences in what is permissible or not.
Engaging in Actions Alien to the Prayer
What is discouraged is doing any actions between the obligatory and Sunna prayers that is alien to the prayer.
Imam al-Shurunbulali (Allah have mercy on him) states, “We have indictated to the fact that if one were to speak alot, eat, or drink (i.e. actions alien to the prayer) between the obligatory and Sunna prayers, the prayers remain valid – this is the more correct opinion – however, the reward will be diminished (to the extent of the interrupting action). [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
Summary: Sticking With the Congregation
Notwithstanding the above opinions and one’s choice to apply whichever suits them best, one should not go against the congregation such that it causes them to be alienated from the community or causes division to the unity of the community.
Thus if you are praying in the mosque, do as the others are doing. If everyone is reciting their remembrances and the Imam is doing a collective supplication, join them. If they all stand to perform the Sunna prayers right away and thereafter sitting for the remembrances and supplications, follow them.
The unity of the Muslims is too precious to cause division over an issue that even the scholars allowed both options.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani