The Ruling on the Supplication at the Completion of the Qur'an

Question:
The questioner says: The supplication at the completion of the Qur'an is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and this is because the Companions did not do it inside the prayer, but only outside the prayer. What is the ruling on this statement?

Answer:
This is not a bid'ah; it is this statement that is the bid'ah. The supplication at the completion of the Qur'an is a recommended practice (sunnah). The righteous predecessors (Salaf) used to do it in the prayer, as the author of al-Mughni mentioned regarding Imam Ahmad that he would attend the supplication at the completion of the Qur'an with the imam, because this is a sunnah. He said, "I witnessed the people of the Hijaz with him; I witnessed those who witnessed him (may Allah have mercy on him)." So it is a sunnah. The supplication is prescribed (mashru'); how can it be a bid'ah? This supplication is prescribed, and with the occasion of completing the Qur'an, acceptance is hoped for. The Companions used to gather with the reciter when he intended to supplicate after completing the Qur'an, and they would say "Ameen" to his supplication.