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Muslims have been obligated to perform Salah five times a day. The implication of these prayers is to attain nearness to Allah SWT, forgiveness of wrongdoings and fulfillment of just wishes. God, the Exalted does not need us to pray to Him, rather it is us who actually require His assistance and guidance. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” [Quran, 2: 45]
Apart from compulsory Namaz, there is great importance of Nawafil (Supererogatory prayers), which are means to gain something extra or as bonus, which include salat al Istikharah and Tahajjud etc. It is said that requests made to the Exalted One on some special occasions are never rejected, like after five obligatory prayers, late at night, in a state of prostration, an hour on Friday, the night of Qadar (decree), and during Adhan etc. Huzaifa (R.A) narrated the Apostle (PBUH) of Allah having said:
“Whenever a matter became serious, the Prophet (PBUH) turned to salah”. (Abu Dawood)
It means that one can plea to God at any time asking for His Help, for He is the Most Merciful and Beneficent. Among all voluntary appeals to Allah, there is also one important prayer, which is called Salat ul Hajat. It is observed for the purpose of completion of one`s particular Haajah (need). It is actually not similar to any other prescribed Namaz, but it is just one of the ways to beg the Almighty for one`s rightful wish.
He who makes wudu, and does it properly, then prays two rak`ats, Allah will grant him whatever he may pray for, sooner or later”. (Ahmad)
Although there are some disagreements among the scholars whether this should be considered as a prayer, but there is no doubt that one can request the Lord for anything any time. As in the Holy Quran, Allah SWT says:
“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” [Quran, 2: 186]
There is no doubt that the Most Gracious listens to the invocations of the ones who ask from Him with strong belief and conviction in their hearts. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah has been quoted by Abu Hurrerah (R.A) to have said:
“The Prophet (saws) said, “Nothing is dearer to Allah than one’s supplication to Him.” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
It means that the Gracious Lord likes the one who asks from Him alone for every need.
Format Of Salat-ul-Hajat
The procedure of Salaat-ul-Haajat is as follows:
- First of all, making and maintaining a state of wudhu
- Then performing two raka’ts Nafl Salaat
- After the Salaat, reciting the praises of Allah SWT and Durood Shareef.
- Reciting as much amount of Tasbeeh – and Durood Shareef as possible.
- In the end, making a keen Dua e Hajat for the fulfillment of one`s requirement or obscurity.Dua (Supplication)According to a narration, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has prescribed the following form of request to Allah Almighty:“There is no god but Allah the Clement and Wise. There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good and freedom from all sin. Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)Although this is a considered as a weak Hadith, but the fact remains that this supplication contains all the necessary ingredients for completion of one`s equitable wishes. The core constituents of this prayer contain praising the Lord in the most rightful manner, considering Him as the only One Who can fulfill one`s needs and asking Him for pardon, improvement in matters, liberty from transgression completely, and completion of deeds and needs that accompany His due Consent. Such is the beauty of this plea that if it is made having understood its overall meaning, it guides to purification of one`s heart from all wrongdoings and in turn leading to Allah`s blessings in the form completion of said prayers ultimately.Things To Consider While Carrying out Salat-ul-Hajat
- Being in complete state of hygiene, having worn neat and tidy clothes and fulfilling the criterion of proper etiquettes like that of any other prayer
- Choosing a place that is clean and away from noise and distractions
- Keeping complete concentration while supplicating to the Almighty with a strong belief in His Merciful and Benevolent nature, and also asking from Him with great humbleness and meekness
The overall theme of this supplication is to achieve the just behavior while asking Allah SWT, because when one is requesting from the Almighty Lord, which requires a high degree of reverence.In short, Salat-ul-Hajat is similar to any other prayer which results in attainment of one`s needs and wishes, but through its succinct pattern of execution, it also teaches us the correct way of asking god, the Exalted. May Allah SWT grant us His guidance to pray to Him in the most rightful manner! Aameen!