Revive a Sunnah

In the name of Allah

Revive a Sunnah: Four Before Dhuhr and Four After

Um Habeebah (radi Allahu anha) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: "Whoever prays four (raka'at) before Dhuhr and four after it, Allaah will make the Fire prohibited for him."

[Abu Daw'ud, 1269; Tirmidhi, 427; Nasa’i, 1818; Ibn Maajah, 1160 - classed as saheeh in 'Saheeh Tirmidhi']

1. There are three narrations for this hadeeth -: "He won’t touch the Fire", "Allaah will make the Fire prohibited for him" and "Allaah makes his flesh prohibited for the fire" 

2. Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzan (hafidhahullaah) said: "This hadeeth shows the virtue of these four raka’at before and after Dhuhr. These eight Raka’at are a means to be saved from Hell, along with carrying obligations, and avoiding prohibitions. Doing this act is simple and easy for the Muslim, when he practices and trains the soul to do it." [Minhatul ‘Alam fi Sharhi Bulugh al-Maram]

3. Imam Ash-Shawkani (rahimahullah) wrote in his Nayl al-Awtar: "The people differ over the meaning of this hadeeth. Some people say it means "he won’t enter the fire at all" and others say, "If he enters the fire it won’t consume him". Then there are some people who say it means, "The fire won’t consume him totally, but only part of his body, if he enters it." It’s better to carry this hadeeth on its apparent meaning: Allaah will make his entire body prohibited from the fire. Allaah’s Mercy is vast." 

4. Shaykh Muhammad Adam (hafidhahullaah) wrote: "There is another narration, which states (at the beginning): "Whoever preserves four raka'at for Dhuhr…" It’s understood here that this protection is awarded to the person who regularly practices these eight Raka’at." [Sharh Sunnan An-Nasa’i, vol 18/199]

5. As-Sindee (rahimahullah) said: "It’s enough to have belief in this hadeeth as it’s been mentioned. Perhaps the person who regularly practices this act will be granted from Allaah success and have all his sins forgiven." [Sharhul Ibn Maajah]

6. It needs to be noted that these narrations are distinct from the other well-known ahadeeth regarding the rawatib salah, of which Dhuhr has 6 raka'at (4 before and 2 after). Those who wish to fulfil the sunnah of al-rawatib and fulfil the requirements of the above hadeeth; it will suffice that an additional 2 raka'at (after Dhuhr) are performed with the specific intention.

Allah knows best.