There are several recommended remembrances and supplications that Muslims may recite after completing the obligatory prayers. These adhkar are established Sunnah practices and are not obligatory acts whose omission invalidates the prayer.
Among the most well-known are seeking Allah's forgiveness three times, saying “Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram,” followed by various forms of glorification, praise, takbir, remembrance and Quranic recitation.
What Is the First Dhikr After Prayer?
After completing the prayer, one of the established Sunnah practices is to seek Allah's forgiveness three times:
“Astaghfirullah.”
This is followed by:
“Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram.”
This remembrance is authentically reported as something the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said after prayer.
What Is the Dhikr Said After Seeking Forgiveness?
Among the established remembrances after prayer is:
“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay'in qadir. Allahumma la mani‘a lima a‘tayt, wa la mu‘tiya lima mana‘t, wa la yanfa‘u dhal-jaddi minkal-jadd.”
This remembrance affirms Allah's oneness and praises Him while acknowledging that giving and withholding are ultimately under His authority.
How Many Times Should Tasbih Be Recited After Prayer?
One of the most widely practiced forms of post-prayer remembrance is:
- Subhanallah — 33 times.
- Alhamdulillah — 33 times.
- Allahu Akbar — 33 times.
The worshipper then completes one hundred by saying:
“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay'in qadir.”
This is among the well-known forms of remembrance reported after obligatory prayers.
Other authentic forms regarding the number and wording of these remembrances have also been reported, so the Sunnah should not be restricted to one single form.
Should Ayat Al-Kursi Be Recited After Every Prayer?
Yes. Reciting Ayat Al-Kursi, verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah, is among the recommended remembrances after obligatory prayers.
Muslims commonly recite it after completing the prayer as part of their regular post-prayer remembrance.
Which Surahs Are Recited After Prayer?
The three short surahs known as the Mu'awwidhat are also among the established post-prayer recitations:
- Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- Surah Al-Falaq.
- Surah An-Nas.
They are recited once after the prayers, with a special practice of reciting them three times after Fajr and Maghrib.
Are Adhkar After Prayer Obligatory?
No. The adhkar after prayer are recommended Sunnah practices rather than obligatory acts.
Therefore, leaving them does not invalidate the prayer. However, maintaining these remembrances allows Muslims to follow the Sunnah and continue remembering Allah immediately after worship.
Because several forms of post-prayer remembrance have been reported, Muslims may practice whichever established forms they are able to maintain.
What Is the Common Order of Adhkar After Prayer?
A practical sequence for collecting the well-known post-prayer adhkar is:
- Seek Allah's forgiveness three times.
- Say: “Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram.”
- Recite the established declaration of Allah's oneness.
- Say Subhanallah 33 times.
- Say Alhamdulillah 33 times.
- Say Allahu Akbar 33 times.
- Complete the hundred with the declaration of oneness.
- Recite Ayat Al-Kursi.
- Recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, with three repetitions after Fajr and Maghrib.
This is a practical way to organize the various remembrances. It should not be understood as a mandatory sequence required for the prayer or worship to be valid.
Which Adhkar Are Specially Emphasized After Fajr and Maghrib?
Fajr and Maghrib have additional emphasis regarding certain post-prayer remembrances. One of the most notable practices is reciting the three Mu'awwidhat three times after these two prayers.
The three surahs are:
Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas.
Conclusion
The adhkar after obligatory prayers are recommended Sunnah practices rather than obligatory acts. They include seeking forgiveness three times, praising Allah, declaring His oneness, reciting tasbih, tahmid and takbir, reading Ayat Al-Kursi and reciting the Mu'awwidhat.
Muslims are encouraged to maintain the established remembrances reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while recognizing that several authentic forms exist and that there is no single mandatory sequence for all post-prayer adhkar.
What is the first dhikr after prayer?
The worshipper begins by seeking Allah's forgiveness three times, followed by “Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam.”
How many times is Subhanallah recited after prayer?
A well-known form is 33 times, along with Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 33 times.
Should Ayat Al-Kursi be recited after every obligatory prayer?
Yes. It is among the recommended Quranic recitations after obligatory prayers.
Should the Mu'awwidhat be recited after prayer?
Yes. Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas are recited after prayer, with three repetitions after Fajr and Maghrib.
Are post-prayer adhkar obligatory?
No. They are recommended Sunnah practices, and leaving them does not invalidate the prayer.
