Some Muslims ask about a particular way of making supplication at the end of the night, especially when there is little time available.
The practice described involves praising Allah, sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, five times, making two or three supplications, and then sending blessings upon the Prophet five more times before ending the du'a.
The cited ruling explains that praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet before supplication are permissible, and there is also no harm in sending blessings upon him after the supplication.
Supplication After Waking During the Night
A Muslim is encouraged to remember Allah and make supplication after waking during the night. Several reported supplications are connected with this time.
Among them is the supplication: “Praise be to Allah who restored health to my body, returned my soul to me, and permitted me to remember Him.”
It is also authentically reported from Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would say when going to bed, “In Your name, I die and live,” and when he woke, he would say, “Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.”
These reports establish the virtue of remembering and praising Allah upon waking.
The Virtue of Supplication After Waking at Night
There are reports concerning the virtue of a person who wakes during the night, remembers Allah, and then makes supplication.
One such narration from Ubadah ibn al-Samit states that whoever wakes during the night and says words containing the declaration of Allah's oneness, praise, glorification, and greatness, then says, “O Allah, forgive me,” or makes a supplication, will have his supplication answered. If he then performs ablution and prays, his prayer is accepted.
Another narration from Muadh ibn Jabal states that a person who goes to sleep in a state of purity and wakes during the night to ask Allah for something concerning this world or the Hereafter will be given what he asks for. The cited ruling notes that this narration was authenticated by Al-Albani.
Can Salawat Be Sent Five Times Before Du'a?
Yes, there is no harm in sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, before making supplication.
However, specifying five repetitions before the supplication is not among the numbers reported in the cited traditional material.
A narration from Fudalah ibn Ubayd indicates that a person making supplication should begin by praising and glorifying Allah, then send blessings upon the Prophet, and afterward ask Allah for whatever he wishes.
Therefore, sending salawat before du'a is permissible, but a particular number should not be regarded as an established Sunnah without evidence.
Can You End the Du'a With Five Salawat?
There is no harm in sending blessings upon the Prophet after making supplication, including repeating the salawat.
However, specifying five repetitions as a prescribed religious format is not established by the reported material cited in the ruling.
If a person follows this practice occasionally without consistently adhering to it or believing that its specific number is Sunnah, there is no harm in doing so.
What Is the Ruling on the Complete Formula?
The formula described consists of:
- Praising Allah.
- Sending blessings upon the Prophet five times.
- Making two or three supplications.
- Sending blessings upon the Prophet five times again.
- Ending the supplication.
According to the cited ruling, this is permissible in principle and may be done occasionally, provided that the person does not believe that the specific arrangement or number is an established Sunnah.
Consistently following the formula while believing that five repetitions at the beginning and five at the end have a specific prescribed virtue is not supported by the evidence cited.
Does Limited Time at Night Prevent Du'a?
Having limited time at the end of the night does not prevent a Muslim from making supplication.
A person may ask Allah for whatever good he is able to ask for, whether the supplication is long or brief.
The important point is to use the time for remembering Allah and asking Him for the good of this life and the Hereafter, while giving attention to reported supplications and forms of remembrance.
Conclusion
A Muslim may begin a supplication by praising Allah, then send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ask Allah for whatever he wishes, and conclude with salawat.
As for specifying five salawat before the supplication and five afterward, the cited ruling does not establish this specific number as part of the reported Sunnah. It may therefore be done occasionally without believing that the number or arrangement is an established Sunnah.
Is sending salawat before du'a permissible?
Yes. A Muslim may praise Allah and then send blessings upon the Prophet before making supplication.
Can I end my du'a with salawat?
Yes. There is no harm in sending blessings upon the Prophet after supplication.
Are five salawat before du'a an established Sunnah?
The cited ruling does not establish five repetitions as a prescribed Sunnah.
Can this formula be used occasionally?
Yes. It may be used occasionally without believing that the specific arrangement or number is an established Sunnah.
What should I do if I have very little time at the end of the night?
You may make whatever supplication you are able to make. There is no requirement to use a long or specific formula.
