Performing the Sunnah of Fajr after the Fardh and Performing Qadhas and Nawaafil before and After the Fajr and Asr Salaahs

Q: Miss-13: A person was still performing wudhu when the Jamaa'ah started for the Fajr salaah. By the time he finished the wudhu, the Imaam was already in Qa'dah. He therefore joined the Jamaa'ah without getting a chance to perform the Sunnah Rakaahs. Can he perform the Sunnah Rakaahs after the Fardh? If not immediately after the Fardh salaah, can he perform them after sunrise? What is the ruling concerning performing Qadhaa and Nawaafil salaah after the Fajr and Asr salaahs? Please reply with references.

Answer: Performing the Sunnah Rakaahs of Fajr after the Fardh salaah is a grave Makrooh act" Maraaqil Falaah (Pg.101) makes it clear that it is Makrooh to perform Nafl salaah after the Fajr and Asr salaahs, even though it be the Sunnah Rakaahs of the Fajr salaah and even though the sun had not started to turn yellowish after Asr. A Hadith of Bukhaari and Muslim reports from Rasulullaah SAW. that no salaah is to be performed between the Fajr salaah and sunrise and between the Asr salaah and sunset.

According to Imaam Muhammad RAH., it is preferable to perform Qadhaa of the Sunnah of Fajr between Sunrise and Zawaal of the same day. If the Fardh of Fajr was also missed, the Sunnah should be performed with the Qadhaa of the Fardh, but only if it is done before Zawaal on the same day. If the Qadhaa is performed afterwards. only the Qadhaa of the Fardh should be performed.

A Hadith in Tirmidhi reports from Hadhrat Aa'isha RADI. that whenever Rasulullaah SAW. entered the house after the Asr salaah, he always performed two Rakaahs salaah. Because the Hadith prohibiting performing salaah during this time is a direct statement and this Hadith of Hadhrat Aa'isha RADI. reports an action of Rasulullaah SAW. the direct statement will be given preference.

Hadhrat Sheikhul Hind RAH. responds to this apparent contradiction by saying that performing the two Rakaahs after the Asr salaah was a speciality of Rasulullaah SAW. and was not permissible for the Ummah. Had this not been the case, Hadhrat Umar RADI. would never have gone to the extent of using a whip to deter people from performing salaah after the Asr salaah.

The Qadhaa salaah falls within the category of the Fardh salaah and may therefore be performed after the Fajr and Asr salaahs. However, it must not be performed in front of other people because one's sins should be concealed.4 And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3