In the English translation, at least the first part of it is the inner secret of worship. Insha’Allah, we have been discussing the last portion of this segment, which is the adhkar—making dhikr and making dua. Last week, if you remember, we went through the different segments of the day, which Imam al-Ghazali, rahimahullah, divided into multiple segments, about seven of them.

Early Morning Worship and the Sunnah of Fajr

We covered the first one, which is the early time of the day, before even Fajr Salah. We discussed what dua and what adhkar need to be mentioned. Now, we will continue, insha’Allah, with that portion, bi’idhnillahi azza wa jal, starting from what he said to remind ourselves about what was covered—these supplications and words of remembrance.

Bismillah, let’s proceed. Bismillah wa salatu wa salamu ala Rasulullah, salallahu alayhi wa sallam. The author, Imam Ibn Qudama, rahimahullah, says: Before he sets out for the morning prayer, Salatul Fajr, he should pray the Sunnah prayer at home. After that, he heads towards the masjid and says this dua:

Alhamdulillahi rabbil alameen wa salallahu wa sallam wa baraka nabiyyina Muhammadin wa baraka. Imam Ibn Qudama, rahimahullah ta’ala, says that before setting out for the morning Salah, Salatul Fajr, one should pray the Sunnah prayer at home. Where is this derived from? It is taken from the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, who would typically perform tahajjud. When he was done with tahajjud, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, he would wait until he heard the adhan. When Bilal, radiallahu anhu, would call the adhan, the Messenger of Allah would pray two light rak’ahs—rak’atani khafifatan—because he had spent the night praying tahajjud.

Resting Before the Iqamah

When it came to the Sunnah of Fajr, he made them light. He would then go to the masjid, rest on his right side, and wait until Bilal came to call him for the iqamah. That resting position, after the Sunnah of Fajr and before the iqamah, is noted by Imam Ibn Hazm, rahimahullah ta’ala, as being mandatory, though others differ on this.

The Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, had Bilal call him, and he would go out to pray Fajr directly. It was also reported that there should be no prayer between the Sunnah of Fajr and Fajr Salah unless one arrives at the masjid and prays Tahiyyat al-Masjid. If someone decides to pray extra rak’ahs at this time, it is not recommended.

The Virtue of Sunnah and Fajr Salah

The Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, said that the two rak’ahs of Fajr are better than this world and all it contains. Moreover, when the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, traveled, he would not pray Sunnah except for the Sunnah of Fajr and Witr. Besides that, he would forgo other prayers until returning home.

The Supplications for Walking to and Entering the Masjid

So, after praying Sunnah at home, one should head to the masjid. On the way, one can say the following dua: “O Allah, I ask You for the blessings of this walk and that You do not allow me to walk in arrogance, hypocrisy, or vanity. I seek Your pleasure and refuge from Hell.”

However, scholars note that this hadith is considered weak due to certain statements. For example, the phrase “I ask You by those who ask You” has been critiqued as lacking proper adab with Allah. No one imposes upon Allah any obligation. Rather, He, subhanahu wa ta’ala, places obligations upon Himself out of His mercy. Despite the weak chain of narration, the general meaning of the dua is beautiful and worth reflecting upon.

When entering the masjid, one should follow the Prophet’s guidance: “When any of you enters the masjid, he should send blessings upon the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, and say, ‘O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.'” And when exiting the masjid, one should say, “O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty.” These duas are appropriate for the moments they are recited. Upon entering, one seeks Allah’s mercy, and upon leaving, one asks for provision and blessing in their daily affairs.

Securing a Place in the First Row and Performing Adhkar

After entering the masjid, strive to secure a place in the first row and recite dhikr and supplications while waiting for the congregation. This assumes one arrives early, as recommended, to gain the khayr available between the adhan and the iqamah. Additionally, after Fajr Salah, it is encouraged to remain in the masjid in dhikr until sunrise. Anas, radiallahu anhu, narrates that the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits in remembrance of Allah until the sun rises and prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and Umrah.”

The condition for this reward is praying Fajr in congregation. However, for women praying at home, it is hoped that Allah will grant them a similar reward if they remain in their prayer area and engage in dhikr. The essence of this practice is consistency and presence of heart. Remaining in one’s place fosters focus and a deeper connection to the act of worship.

The Four Types of Dhikr After Salah

The Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, emphasized that dhikr can take many forms: dua, recitation of Qur’an, reflection, and praising Allah. It is essential to diversify acts of worship to maintain engagement. If one has an hour until sunrise, divide the time between morning adhkar, Qur’an recitation, dua, and reflection. Organizing one’s time ensures a balance between spiritual and practical responsibilities.

The Time Between Sunrise and Mid-Morning (Duha)

The duties of the day continue with the time between sunrise and midday. During this time, one should strive to combine both spiritual and practical responsibilities. First, engage in making a living if required. Whether you are a merchant, laborer, or professional, ensure that your work is marked by honesty, trust, and care. Work with sincerity and compassion, remembering that your profession is also a form of ibadah when done with the right intention and conduct.

The Importance of Consistent Repentance

Now, turning to the importance of consistent repentance (tawbah): The hadith of the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches us to follow a bad deed with a good one, as this will erase it. This is emphasized in the verse, “Establish Salah at each end of the day and in the first part of the night. Good deeds erase bad deeds.”

This hadith teaches us that righteousness is not defined by being free from sin but by returning to Allah with sincerity after committing a mistake. Continuous repentance is a sign of faith. The Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, assured that Allah forgives those who genuinely seek His forgiveness, even if they repeatedly fall into the same sin. This is demonstrated in another hadith where Allah says about a person who sins and seeks forgiveness repeatedly, “My servant knows he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. I have forgiven him.”

Acts of Worship That Remove Sins

For example, a companion who struggled with alcohol repeatedly faced punishment for public drunkenness. When another companion cursed him for his repeated offenses, the Prophet intervened, saying, “Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger.” This demonstrates that while we may struggle with certain sins, our love for Allah and sincerity in repentance keep us within His mercy.

Additionally, consider that good deeds themselves can erase sins. Acts like Salah, dhikr, fasting, and crying out of fear of Allah are all means to purify oneself. The Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, described that praying between the prescribed Salahs erases the sins committed in between. Fasting out of faith and seeking Allah’s reward also cleanses sins. Hajj, performed sincerely, removes all prior sins. Similarly, dhikr such as saying “Subhanallah wa bihamdihi” a hundred times a day can erase sins as numerous as the foam on the sea.

Concluding Reflections on Worship

In conclusion, the teachings of the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, and the practices of the righteous predecessors provide a structured way to balance worship, repentance, and daily responsibilities. Organizing one’s day around acts of ibadah, combined with a focus on sincerity and consistent repentance, ensures spiritual growth and proximity to Allah. As we navigate our daily lives, we should strive to remain conscious of Allah, seek forgiveness for our shortcomings, and engage in good deeds that bring us closer to Him.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala make us among those who listen to the speech and follow the best of it. Ameen.