Question:

Is it permissible to offer two rak`ahs of shukr (gratitude – thankfulness) after each obligatory prayer on a daily basis?

Answer:

Prayer has many virtues that are not found in any other act of worship. Thawban ,the freed slave of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying, “Perform Salah more often. For every prostration that you perform before Allah will raise your position one degree and will remit one of your sins”. (Muslim)

A Muslim could offer as many nafl (supererogatory) prayers as he/she wishes. Rabi`ah ibn Ka`b said: “I was with Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) one night and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: Ask (anything you like). I said: I ask your company in Paradise. He (the Prophet) said: Or anything else besides it. I said: That is all (what I require). He said: Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration. (Muslim)

Most of Scholars are of the opinion that there is no clear evidence for Salat Ash-Shukr (prayer of thankfulness) in the Shari`ah. Imam Ibn `Uthaimeen said “Thankfulness has no prayer of bowing and standing, but it is only prostration. So, if Allah Almighty granted someone a new blessing such as if one is rescued from some trial, gets what he earnestly sought, receives guidance from Allah Almighty or makes repentance, he may prostrate to Allah Almighty out of thankfulness.”

Sujud Ash-Shukr is a prostration that is performed for Allah, in order to show gratitude to Him for a specific blessing. Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, “When anything came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) which caused pleasure (or, by which he was made glad), he prostrated himself in gratitude to Allah. (Abu Dawud)

Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah states that there is no such prayer which is Ash-shukr, rather there is something called Sajdat Ash-shukr (one prostration to show gratitude towards Allah). It is preferred whenever one is blessed with some good news or being protected from something evil. Tahrah (purification) is not a condition to offer prostration of thankfulness. Then Dr. Muhammad gives some advice to the questioner regarding the voluntary acts that he could do after offering the obligatory prayer.

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Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.