(Series on Nafl Salaahs #5 – Awwaabeen Salaah)
Awwaabeen Salaah is a nafl salaah that is performed after the Maghrib Salaah. The word ‘Awwaab’, in the Arabic language, refers to one who constantly turns to Allah Ta‘ala.
In the hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself had referred to this salaah as Salaatul Awwaabeen. Muhammad bin Munkadir (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who performs salaah between Maghrib and ‘Esha – that (salaah) is Salaatul Awwaabeen (the salaah of those who constantly turn to Allah Ta‘ala).” (Mukhtasar Qiyaamul Layl pg. 88)
At the time of performing Awwaabeen Salaah, one may perform two rakaats, four rakaats or six rakaats with the intention of Awwaabeen. If one wishes, one may also perform more than six rakaats.
In regard to the reward of punctually performing four rakaats of Awwaabeen Salaah, it is reported that Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) mentioned, “The one who punctually performs four rakaats (of Awwaabeen) after Maghrib is like the one (who remains perpetually engaged in jihaad,) fighting one battle after the other.” (Kitaabuz Zuhd libnil Mubaarak #1262)
Many different virtues have been recorded in the blessed hadeeth for performing six rakaats of Awwaabeen Salaah.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who performs six rakaats (of Awwaabeen) after Maghrib, without speaking anything evil (i.e. impermissible) between them, reward equivalent to twelve years of worship will be given to him.” (Sunan Tirmizi #435)
In another hadeeth, Muhammad bin ‘Ammaar bin Yaasir (rahimahullah) says, “I saw (my father) Sayyiduna ‘Ammaar bin Yaasir (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) performing six rakaats (of Awwaabeen) after Maghrib. I asked him, ‘O my beloved father! What is this salaah (which you are performing)?’ He replied, ‘I saw my beloved, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), perform six rakaats after Maghrib, and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, ‘The one who performs six rakaats after Maghrib, his sins will be forgiven, even if they are equal to the foam of the ocean.’” (Al-Mu’jamus Sagheer #900 – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #3419)
In yet another narration, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports, “I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention, ‘The one who performs six rakaats (of Awwaabeen) after Maghrib, before speaking (to any person), then on account of these six rakaats, fifty years of his (minor) sins will be forgiven.” (Mukhtasar Qiyaamul Layl pg. 87)
If a person wishes to perform even more rakaats of Awwaabeen Salaah, the he will acquire even more reward from Allah Ta‘ala. In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The person who performs ten rakaats between Maghrib and ‘Esha, a palace will be built for him in Jannah.” (Hearing this,) Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) exclaimed, “In that case, we will acquire abundant palaces, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Allah Ta‘ala (i.e. His treasures) is more and greater (i.e. the treasures of Allah Ta‘ala will never deplete, and so long as you continue to perform these ten rakaats, He will continue to bless you with this reward).” (Kitaabuz Zuhd libnil Mubaarak #1264)
May Allah Ta‘ala assist us to be punctual on all our salaah, including the nafl salaahs and may He bless us all from His unlimited treasures, aameen.