NAWAAFIL (NAFIL) SALAAT

Nawaafil Salaat, even though they are not obligatory, help Muslims to praise Almighty Allah & increase Barakat. It also helps us to create a closer bond with our Creator, Almighty Allah. Care should be taken that these Salaat are not performed during the Makrooh times.

Salaat-ut-Tahajjud
Salaat-ut-Tahajjud can be read from Isha till Subha Saadiq (dawn). Four to 12 Rakaat can be read. One may read this Nafil Salaat as a 4 or as a 2 Rakaat Salaat with Salaams after every 2 or 4 Rakaat. This Salaat is read after awakening from sleep.

Salaat-ul-Ishraaq

Salaat-ul-Ishraaq can be read from about 20 minutes after sunrise till the time of Salaat-ul-Chaast. 2 or 4 Rakaat of this Salaat can be read.

There is also great Barakat for one who reads this Salaat..

Salaat-ul-Chaast
Salaat-ul-Chaast can be read from the time when the sun has fully risen till the time of Zawaal. About this Salaat, Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has said, "Whosoever reads 12 Rakaat of Salaatul Chaast, Almighty Allah will build for him a place in Jannat." One may read 4 or 12 Rakaat in this Salaat.

Salaat-ul-Awwabeen
It is reported in a Hadees that whosoever reads 6 Rakaat of Salaat-ul-Awwabeen after Maghrib without any talk will get Sawaab equal to 12 years of Ibaadat. Salaat-ul-Awwabeen is read from after Maghrib till Isha. One may read from 2 to 20 Rakaat in this Salaat.

Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh

It is reported that anyone who reads this Salaat will have all his or her sins wiped out. Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh can be read once every day, or every Friday, or once in a month or once in a life time.

HOW TO READ SALAAT-UL-TASBEEH:

1. Make the intention.
2. Read the Sana after the Takbeer-e-Tahreema (first Takbeer).
3. Read the third Kalimah 15 times:
4. Read Surah Fatiha &  any Surah. Then read the third Kalimah 10 times.
5. Go into Ruku. Read the Tasbeeh of Ruku & read the third Kalimah 10 times.
6. Stand up for the Qaumah & read the third Kalimah 10 times.
7. Go into the first Sajdah. After the Tasbeeh of Sajdah read the third Kalimah 10 times.
8. Sit in the Jalsa position after the first Sajdah & read the third Kalimah 10 times.
9. Go into the second Sajdah & after the Tasbeeh read the third Kalimah 10 times.

Note: This would complete the third Kalimah 75 times in each Rakaat. In this manner, when you have read 4 Rakaat, you would have read the third Kalimah 300 times. It is better to read the Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh before the Farz of Zohar, that is, between the Sunnah & Farz of Zohar. However, if it is not possible, then you may read it at any time.

Salaat-ul-Haajaat

Salaat-ul-Haajaat is a 2 or a 4 Rakaat Salaat which is read if one desires a special favour or help from Almighty Allah. After this Salaat, one should read as much Durood Shareef as possible & beg Almighty Allah for assistance. After the Surah Fatiha in the first Rakaat, one should read the Ayaat-ul-Kursi 3 times. In the second, third & fourth Rakaat, one should the 3 Quls (Surah Ahad, Surah Falaq & Surah Naas). If one is reading 2 Rakaat, then the 3 Quls should be read in the second Rakaat. One can read any Du'a.

Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah

Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah is read when one needs guidance on what action one needs to take in a certain matter. One should read 2 Rakaat Salaat with the intention of Istikhaarah. After completing the Salaat, one should read the following dua. When one comes to the word "Haazal Amr", one should think about the reason he or she is reading this Salaat. After reading this Salaat, one should go to sleep & await for a sign. There should be no talking after the Du'a. It is better to read this Salaat for 3, 7, 9 or 11 nights. If one sees red or black colour in a dream, then it is a sign that one should not do what one intends. If one sees green or white colour, then it is a good sign for one to carry out ones intentions.

Salaat-ul-Istisqa

Salaat-ul-Istisqa is a Salaat for rain. The people get dressed in their old clothes & offer 2 Rakaat Salaat with Jamaat outside the town.

After the Salaat, the Imaam reads a Khutbah & then makes a Du'a for rain. Thereafter, the Imaam also changes his shawl inside out with the intention that the weather will change for the best.

Salaat-ul-Kusoof & Salaat-ul-Khusoof

Salaat-ul-Kusoof is that Salaat which is read at the time of the eclipse of the sun.

Salaatul Khusoof is read at the time of the eclipse of the moon. In Salaat-ul-Kusoof 2 Rakaat are read. The Imaam reads softly. After the Salaat, a long dua is read lasting till the moment the eclipse is over. In Salaatul Khusoof the 2 Rakaat of Salaat are read individually by each person. Each person reads the Salaat aloud. Thereafter, a Du'a is read.

Tahiyat-ul-Masjid Salaat

This special Salaat consist of 2 Rakaat Sunnah which is read by a person on entering a Masjid. It should be read before one sits in the Masjid.

Tahiyat-ul-Wudu Salaat

These are 2 Rakaat of Salaat which is read by a person after Wudu.