What is the ruling on persisting in a dhikr (remembrance of Allah) that was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at a specific time, such as after every 'Asr prayer?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, what is the ruling on persisting in a dhikr (remembrance of Allah) that was not reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) at a specific time, such as saying after every 'Asr prayer: "In the name of Allah, upon me and my descendants, and upon my family, and upon the people of my household, and the like of that"?
The Shaykh : In any case, this has been reported among the daily recitations, and the evening recitations are performed after 'Asr and after sunset.
However, if one believes that this dhikr is connected to the prayer, not because it is the end of the day, then it is prohibited. This is because worship is not considered in conformity with the Sunnah unless six conditions are met:
It must be in conformity with the Shari'ah in cause, in type, in amount, in form, in time, and in place. If it contradicts the Shari'ah in any one of these, it is not prescribed.
If a person were to pray two rak'ahs every time he enters his house and say, "This is a development in prayer, a voluntary prayer," we would say: No. Your restriction of this to entering the house is a religious innovation (bid'ah). It was not reported in the Shari'ah that entering the house is a cause for praying two rak'ahs. Thus, it is rejected and returned to its originator, and he is also sinful. So, we ask the one who restricted this supplication to the 'Asr prayer:
Did you restrict it following the prayer, or because it is the recitation you wish to read at the end of the day? If he says, "This is my intention," then there is nothing wrong with him. If he says the former, we say: No.
If he says, "No, it is not because it is the 'Asr prayer, but because it is the end of the day," then there is nothing wrong with him.
The Shaykh : In any case, this has been reported among the daily recitations, and the evening recitations are performed after 'Asr and after sunset.
However, if one believes that this dhikr is connected to the prayer, not because it is the end of the day, then it is prohibited. This is because worship is not considered in conformity with the Sunnah unless six conditions are met:
It must be in conformity with the Shari'ah in cause, in type, in amount, in form, in time, and in place. If it contradicts the Shari'ah in any one of these, it is not prescribed.
If a person were to pray two rak'ahs every time he enters his house and say, "This is a development in prayer, a voluntary prayer," we would say: No. Your restriction of this to entering the house is a religious innovation (bid'ah). It was not reported in the Shari'ah that entering the house is a cause for praying two rak'ahs. Thus, it is rejected and returned to its originator, and he is also sinful. So, we ask the one who restricted this supplication to the 'Asr prayer:
Did you restrict it following the prayer, or because it is the recitation you wish to read at the end of the day? If he says, "This is my intention," then there is nothing wrong with him. If he says the former, we say: No.
If he says, "No, it is not because it is the 'Asr prayer, but because it is the end of the day," then there is nothing wrong with him.