Is It Sunnah To Glorify Allah, Seek Refuge, And Respond To Certain Verses During Prayer?
Question: My question is: It is authentically reported that whenever the Prophet ﷺ came across a verse of glorification while reciting, he would glorify Allah, and whenever he came across a verse seeking refuge, he would seek refuge with Allah, as recorded in Sahih Muslim (772). It is also reported that he ﷺ would recite certain phrases after specific verses, such as saying, "Certainly, and I am one of those who testify to that," after reciting the verse in Surah At Tin: "Is Allah not the Best of Judges?" (Surah At Tin, 95:8) (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith no. 887). Is it prescribed for a Muslim to follow this Sunnah during the prayer? Is this specific to voluntary prayers, or is it also legislated in the obligatory prayers?
Summary:
Yes. It is prescribed for a Muslim, when reciting the Quran in prayer, to glorify Allah at verses of glorification, ask Allah at verses of mercy, and seek refuge with Him at verses of punishment, because this is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ during the night prayer. As for voluntary prayers, this is an established Sunnah. As for the obligatory prayers, a number of scholars held that it is also permissible. However, leaving it in the obligatory prayers is better, because those who described the Prophet's ﷺ manner of praying the obligatory prayers did not report that he did this. Had he regularly practiced it in the obligatory prayers, it would have been transmitted.
Answer:
First: The Evidence from the Sunnah
From the Sunnah:
- Narrated by Muslim.It is authentically reported from Hudhayfah ibn Al Yaman رضي الله عنه, who said:
"I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ one night... Whenever he passed by a verse containing glorification, he glorified Allah; whenever he passed by a verse containing supplication, he supplicated; and whenever he passed by a verse seeking refuge, he sought refuge."
This is a clear text establishing the legislation of: Glorifying Allah at verses of glorification. Asking Allah at verses of mercy. Seeking refuge with Allah at verses of punishment.
Second: Regarding the Reports About the Ends of Certain Surahs: The reports concerning the endings of Surah At Tin, Surah Al Qiyamah, and Surah Al Mursalat are all weak and not authentic, except for the report concerning the end of Surah Al Qiyamah. It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever among you recites By the Fig and the Olive (Surah At Tin) and reaches its end: 'Is Allah not the Best of Judges?' let him say: 'Certainly, and I am one of those who testify to that.' Whoever recites I swear by the Day of Resurrection (Surah Al Qiyamah) and reaches: 'Is not that One Able to give life to the dead?' let him say: 'Certainly.' And whoever recites By those sent forth (Surah Al Mursalat) and reaches: 'Then in what statement after this will they believe?' let him say: 'We believe in Allah.'" Shaykh Al Albani رحمه الله graded this narration weak. The Hadith Regarding Surah At Tin: It is not authentically established that the Prophet ﷺ, upon reciting: "Is Allah not the Best of Judges?" (Surah At Tin, 95:8) would say: "Certainly, and I am one of those who testify to that." This was narrated by Abu Dawud, but its chain of transmission is weak due to an unnamed narrator reporting from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه. The End of Surah Al Qiyamah:
From the Sunnah:
- Recorded in Sahih Abi Dawud.It is narrated from Musa ibn Abi Aishah that a man used to pray on the roof of his house, and whenever he recited:
"Is not that One Able to give life to the dead?" (Surah Al Qiyamah, 75:40) he would say: "Glory be to You. Certainly." When he was asked about this, he replied: "I heard it from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
Third: Is This Specific to Voluntary Prayers? The original incident mentioned in the hadith occurred during the night prayer. Therefore, the scholars said: The emphasized Sunnah is to do this during the night prayer and the rest of the voluntary prayers, because it is authentically established in voluntary prayer and is not analogically extended to the obligatory prayer.
From the Scholars:
- The Statement of Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin رحمه الله:
"Yes, this is permissible. If a person passes by a verse of mercy or a verse of warning, he may ask Allah at the verse of mercy and seek refuge at the verse of warning, whether in an obligatory or voluntary prayer. However, in voluntary prayers this is the Sunnah, especially during the night prayer, because of the statement of Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه: 'I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ one night, and he recited Surah Al Baqarah, then Surah An Nisa, then Surah Al Imran. He would not pass by a verse of mercy except that he asked Allah, nor by a verse of punishment except that he sought refuge, nor by a verse of glorification except that he glorified Allah.' But this occurred during the night prayer. Therefore, in the night prayer, and indeed in all voluntary prayers, it is Sunnah to glorify Allah at verses of glorification, ask Him at verses of mercy, and seek refuge at verses of warning. As for the obligatory prayers, it is permissible, but leaving it is better, because those who described the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not mention that he glorified Allah at verses of glorification, sought refuge at verses of warning, or asked Allah at verses of mercy."
- He also said:
"Seeking refuge at verses of punishment, asking Allah at verses of mercy, and glorifying Him at verses of glorification is Sunnah during the night prayer... As for the obligatory prayer, the apparent Sunnah is that this should not be done. However, if someone does so, there is no harm."
Fifth: Does This Apply to the Imam, the Follower, and the One Praying Alone? The one praying alone: It is Sunnah for him to do this in voluntary prayers. The imam: It is also legislated for him in voluntary prayers. The follower (ma'mum): If he says these supplications quietly without distracting himself from listening to the imam, there is no harm. However, remaining silent and listening is better. Practical Examples: If he recites: "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High." (Surah Al Ala, 87:1) he says: "Subhana Rabbi Al Ala." (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.) If he recites: "Our Lord, grant us good in this world..." (Surah Al Baqarah, 2:201) he asks Allah for His bounty. If he recites: "So fear the Fire..." (Surah Al Baqarah, 2:24) he says: "O Allah, protect me from the Fire," or "I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire." Conclusion: The strongest opinion is that glorifying Allah at verses of glorification, asking Him at verses of mercy, and seeking refuge with Him at verses of punishment is an established Sunnah in voluntary prayers, especially the night prayer, because it is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ in Sahih Muslim. As for the obligatory prayers, it is permissible according to many scholars. However, leaving it is better, because this appears to have been the Prophet's ﷺ practice in the obligatory prayers, as the Companions did not report that he consistently did so in them.
And Allah knows best.
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