Question 173) - Is the Nafl you mentioned for all times and conditions? Is there narrated anything about extra virtues at special times?

A: Yes, the virtue of Nafl at the end of the night has been narrated. (Abu Umamah RA narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said, "You should perform the Salah of the night. It is the way of the pious before you and draws you closer to your Rabb. It compensates for evil and erases sins." ~atTirmizi~)

It is called Salaatut Tahajjud. Also narrated is al-Duha [early morning] (Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said, "He who guards the two Rakaats of Duha will have his sins forgiven even if they are equal to the foam of the sea." [Ahmad, at-Tirmizi and Ibn Majah].

Mu'azah asked 'Aishah, How many Rak'at of Duha did Rasulullaah SAW pray?" She replied, "Four and he increased how much Allaah willed." [Muslim]

'Aishah radiyAllaahu 'anha used to pray 8 Rak'at of Duha and used to say, "I would never leave it even if my parents were to be resurrected for me.? [Malik] )

?the nights of Ramadaan especially Laylatul Qatar knight of Power? (Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said, "He who fasts Ramadan with Iman and hoping for reward has his passed sins forgiven. He who prays the Salah of Ramadan with Iman and hoping for forgiveness has his passed sins forgiven. He who prays on the night of Power hoping for forgiveness has his passed sins forgiven." ~al-Bukhari and Muslim~)

?after Wudhu? (Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said to Bilal RA at the time of Fajr, "O Bilal! Tell me what deed you have done in Islaam which you have most hope in? Indeed I have heard the stepping of your sandals before me in Jannah." Bilal said, "I have no greater hope in any deed other than whenever I make Wudu at any time of the day or night I pray with that Wudu however much Salah has been written for me." ~al-Bukhari and Muslim~.)

?when entering the Masjid before one sits? (Abu Qatadah RA narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said, "When one of you enters the Masjid he should pray two Rak'at before sitting." ~al-Bukhari and Muslim~)

?when a matter befalls one? (Huzayfah RA narrates, "When any difficulty befell the Nabi SAW he would resort to Salah." [Abu Dawud] )

?when repenting [Tawbah]? (Ali RA narrates: Abu Bakr RA narrated to me and Abu Bakr was truthful. He said, "I heard Rasulullaah SAW saying, 'There is no man who sins and then arises to make Wudu, pray Salah and seek Allaah's forgiveness except that Allaah forgives him."' [Ibn Majah] )

?when in need [Hajah]? (Abdullaah bin Abi Awfa narrates that Rasulullaah SAW said: He who has a need from Allaah or any son of Adam should perform Wudu and it should be a proper Wudu. Let him pray two Rak'at, praise Allaah and offer salutations upon His Nabi Em. Let him then recite, "There is no illah but Allaah the Most Clement and Generous. Pure is Allaah the Rabb of the Magnificent Throne. AH praise be to Allaah Rabb of all the worlds. I ask of You that which necessitates Your mercy, resolve which earns Your forgiveness, bounty of all good and safety from all wrong. Do not leave me with any sin except that You have forgiven it, no worry except that You ease it and no need with which You are pleased with except that You fulfill it, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy." ~at-Tirmizi and Ibn Majah~ )

?and when seeking guidance [Istikharah]? (Jabir RA narrates: Rasulullaah SAW used to teach us Istikharah in all matters just as he taught us a Surah of the Quran. He said, "When a matter worries one of you, he should pray two Rak'at outside of the Fard and then say, [the famous Istikharah du'a]" [al-Bukhari]

~ al-Quduri ~