Understanding the Validity of Combining Intentions in Nafl Prayer

Is It Permissible to Combine Multiple Intentions in Nafl Prayer

 Combining Multiple Intentions in One Nafl Prayer

Question: Respected Sheikh, there is an audio from an unknown person in which he says that the Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Mufti Shafi Usmani, mentioned during his lecture that he had a practice for years of performing two Nafl prayers with five intentions: the first intention for Salat al-Tawbah, the second for Salat al-Hajat, the third for Salat al-Shukr, the fourth for Salat al-Isti’ana, and the fifth for Salat al-Istikhara. He further stated that due to the blessings of these five intentions, he found ease and safety in all his daily tasks, sins were forgiven through Salat al-Tawbah, all needs were fulfilled through Salat al-Hajat, blessings increased through Salat al-Shukr, special help from Allah was received through Salat al-Isti’ana, and decisions became clear through Salat al-Istikhara. Is this practice correct?

Answer: The first point to note is that several of these prayers do not have any basis as specific prayers in Shariah. For example, there is no specific prayer called Salat al-Hajat or Salat al-Shukr in Shariah; for gratitude, there is only the prostration of gratitude, not a specific prayer. Similarly, there is no prayer called Salat al-Isti’ana. As for Salat al-Tawbah, there is no need for a prayer for repentance; one should feel remorse for the sin and make a firm intention to abandon it, which is sufficient for repentance. However, if someone wishes to perform two Rak’ahs of prayer for the forgiveness of a specific sin, there is evidence for this in Hadith, and they can perform two Rak’ahs and seek forgiveness from Allah. But in the context of the question, there is no mention of repentance for a specific sin; it is being performed like a general prayer. Regarding Salat al-Istikhara, it should be performed when one intends to undertake a specific task in the future and seeks Allah’s guidance in that matter. However, in the case mentioned by the Mufti, the prayer is general and not intended for any specific future task.

In summary, this practice is a clear innovation (Bid’ah). Performing it will not earn any reward; rather, it will incur sin because it is an innovation in the name of Shariah. Three of the five prayers have no basis, and the remaining two are related to specific sins or tasks. Salat al-Tawbah can be performed for repentance from a past sin, but one should not combine it with other intentions, and Salat al-Istikhara should be performed when intending to undertake an important task in the future. It is surprising how such individuals are appointed as Grand Muftis who make such arbitrary practices in the worship of Allah. May Allah protect us.

Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

⟨Jeddah Dawah Center – Hayy al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia⟩