What is the ruling if one performs ablution and prays approximately half an hour before sunset? Is that considered the sunnah of ablution?
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The questioner : The questioner says: What is the ruling if one performs ablution and prays approximately half an hour before sunset? Is that considered the sunnah of ablution?
The Shaykh : It appears she is asking whether, if she performs ablution half an hour before sunset, she is permitted to pray two rak'ahs as the sunnah of ablution? If this is her intention, we say yes, she prays two rak'ahs as the sunnah of ablution, because they are two rak'ahs that have a cause, and every voluntary prayer that has a cause is not prohibited. The prohibition of prayer in the known times of prohibition refers to the prohibition of prayer that has no cause. Based on this, if a person enters the mosque after the 'Asr prayer, let him pray two rak'ahs as the greeting of the mosque. If he performs tawaf after 'Asr, let him pray two rak'ahs for the tawaf. If he performs ablution, let him pray two rak'ahs for the ablution. If he intends to do something for which he seeks guidance through istikharah and it cannot be delayed until the prohibition is lifted, he may pray the istikharah. However, if it can be delayed until the prohibition is lifted, let him refrain until the prohibition is lifted, then he prays the istikharah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : It appears she is asking whether, if she performs ablution half an hour before sunset, she is permitted to pray two rak'ahs as the sunnah of ablution? If this is her intention, we say yes, she prays two rak'ahs as the sunnah of ablution, because they are two rak'ahs that have a cause, and every voluntary prayer that has a cause is not prohibited. The prohibition of prayer in the known times of prohibition refers to the prohibition of prayer that has no cause. Based on this, if a person enters the mosque after the 'Asr prayer, let him pray two rak'ahs as the greeting of the mosque. If he performs tawaf after 'Asr, let him pray two rak'ahs for the tawaf. If he performs ablution, let him pray two rak'ahs for the ablution. If he intends to do something for which he seeks guidance through istikharah and it cannot be delayed until the prohibition is lifted, he may pray the istikharah. However, if it can be delayed until the prohibition is lifted, let him refrain until the prohibition is lifted, then he prays the istikharah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.