The Legislated Ways of Praying Night Prayers in Ramadaan

The First Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat, which is commenced with two short rak’aat. According to the most correct opinion, these are the two rak’aat of Sunnah prayer offered after ‘Ishaa, or they are two specific rak’aat by which one begins the Night prayer, as has been stated previously. Then one prays two very long rak’aat (after that). Then two more rak’aat are prayed, and then another two rak’aat are prayed. Then two more rak’aat are prayed and another set of two rak’aat are prayed. Then witr is made with one rak’ah

The Second Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat, which one makes tasleem at the end of each pair of the first eight. Then witr is made with five rak’aat and one does not sit nor make the tasleem except in the fifth rak’ah.

The Third Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one makes tasleem after every two rak’aat and then prays witr at the end with one rak’ah.

The Fourth Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays four rak’aat and makes one tasleem after the four. Then he prays another four in a similar manner and ends it with three rak’aat (for witr).

The Fifth manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays eight rak’aat and does not sit in any of them except for the eighth rak’ah. While sitting (in the eighth rak’ah), he makes the tashahhud and sends salaat on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and then stands up again without making the tasleem. Then he makes witr with one rak’ah and when he finishes, he makes the tasleem. This consists of nine rak’aat. Then he prays two rak’aat after that while sitting.

 The Sixth Manner: One prays nine rak’aat, in which he does not sit except in the sixth rak’ah. Then he makes the tashahhud and sends salaat on the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and then stands again without making the tasleem. Then he prays witr with one rak’ah and concludes with tasleem. Thereafter, he should pray two rak’aat while sitting[1]

After Ibn Khuzaymah mentioned a number of hadiths describing the manner of praying night prayer, he concluded: “One is permitted to pray any of the various numbers of rak’aat that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed, and in the manners that he did. No blame may be directed to the person who chooses to pray in any of these manners.”[2]

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[1] The Night Prayer in Ramadan, p. 28-29 by Shaykh al-Albaanee

[2] Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 2/194

The Neglected Sunnah Immediately After Maghrib and Fajr Prayers

Questioner: When should the Imaam and the Ma’moom leave after saying salaam in prayer? And what is the hadeeth that encourages a person to say tahleel ten times before he unfolds his leg in Maghrib and Fajr prayers?

Shaykh al-Albaanee:  This question is related to a general Sunnah that has restriction. The general Sunnah is that whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) says salaam in prayer, he does not sit except for the duration sufficient to say: Allaahumma Antas-Salaamu wa minkas-Salaamu, tabaarakta ya Dhal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam. Thereafter, he would either leave or turn to his Companions. This is what the majority of scholars are upon - those who know the Sunnah among them and those among them who follow one of the Imaams. It is necessary to restrict this Sunnah to other than Maghrib and Fajr prayers. This is because this Sunnah cannot be applied in these two prayers.

Why? This is because there is a hadeeth reported through various paths encouraging the saying of tahleel (that is, Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu yuhyee wa yumeetu wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer) ten times after Maghrib and Fajr prayers before unfolding one’s leg (that is, before changing one’s sitting position in Tashahhud) or talking to anyone. The meaning of this is that if the Imaam wants to say this tahleel ten times after Maghrib and Fajr prayers, he should remain the way he is [after the salaam] without facing the Jamaa’ah till he completes the ten tahleel. However, if he does not intend to recite it since it is not obligatory, he may stand up immediately without sitting.

However, we are talking about the preferred act. What is preferable with regard to the Imaam is that he should not turn to the left or right except after saying: Allaahumma Antas-Salaamu wa minkas-Salaamu, tabaarakta ya Dhal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam and Astaghfirullaaha three times. Thereafter, he should turn [and face the Jamaa’ah] except in Maghrib and Fajr prayers wherein he should say the tahleel ten times and then face the Jamaa’ah. This is what should be known to you all, Allaah willing.

Source: Silsilah al-Hudaa wan-Noor, no. 015

A Traveller May Break His Ramadan Fast Before He Begins His Journey

It is permissible for a traveller to break his Ramadaan fast before leaving his house.  Muhammad ibn Ka’b narrated: “I came to Anas bin Maalik during Ramadaan while he was planning on travelling. His mount was prepared for him, and he had put on his clothes for travelling. Then he asked for some food and ate. I said to him: ‘Is this the Sunnah?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ Then he mounted his animal and left.”  Recorded by at-Tirmidhee, al-Bayhaqee and classified saheeh by at-Tirmidhee, Ibn al-Qayyim and al-Albaanee,

Ubayd bin Jubayr narrated: “During Ramadaan, I rode on a ship with Aboo Basrah al-Ghifaari from al-Fustat. He prepared his food and said, “Come [and eat].” I said, “Are you not seeing houses [of the city]. Aboo Basrah said: ‘Are you turning away from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)?” Recorded by Aboo Daawood, Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Bayhaqee and Ahmad; al-Albaanee graded it saheeh in al-Irwaa’

Ash-Shawkaanee said: “These two hadeeths indicate that it is permissible for a traveller to break his fast before his exit from the place, which he intends to begin his journey.” Nayl al-Awtaar, 4/311

Source: Tamaaul-Minnah fee Fiqh al-Kitaab wa Saheeh as-Sunnah, p. 164 by Shaykh ‘Aadil bin Yoosuf al-‘Azzaazi