Salat al-Tawbah Guide

What is Salat al-Tawbah? Legal Status, Performance, and Rules

The Legal Status and Method of Salat al-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance)

Alhamdulillah..! (All praise is for Allah..!)

It is from the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala upon this Ummah (nation) that He has kept the door of Tawbah (repentance) open, and this door of repentance will not close until the angel of death arrives or the sun rises from the West.

Similarly, it is also from the mercy of Allah Ta’ala upon this Ummah that He has prescribed for them the most virtuous acts of worship, which a person can use as a means for the forgiveness of their sins, and hope for the acceptance of their repentance, which is Salat al-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance).

And below, a few related issues are presented:

1. The Legitimacy (Mashru’iyyah) of Salat al-Tawbah

There is a consensus (Ijma’) among the scholars on the legitimacy of Salat al-Tawbah.

Observe the statement of the Messenger!

Sunan Abu Dawood

Book: Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Istighfar)

Hadith Number: 1521

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ الْمُGgيرَةِ الثَّقَفِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ الْأَسَدِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ الْفَزَارِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ سَمِعْتُ عَلِيًّا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏يَقُولُ:‏‏‏‏ كُنْتُ رَجُلًا إِذَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَدِيثًا نَفَعَنِي اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِمَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَنْفَعَنِي، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَإِذَا حَدَّثَنِي أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ اسْتَحْلَفْتُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَإِذَا حَلَفَ لِي صَدَّقْتُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَصَدَقَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَنَّهُ قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏يَقُولُ:‏‏‏‏ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْبًا فَيُحْسِنُ الطُّهُورَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ:‏‏‏‏ وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ سورة آل عمران آية 135 إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ.

Translation:

Asma’ bin Al-Hakam Al-Fazari said: I heard ‘Ali (RA) say: I was a man who, when I heard a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Allah benefited me with it as much as He willed. And when anyone from his companions narrated a Hadith to me, I would make him take an oath. If he took an oath, I would believe him. He said: Abu Bakr (RA) narrated to me, and Abu Bakr (RA) spoke the truth, that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “There is no slave who commits a sin, then purifies himself well (performs Wudu/ablution properly), then stands and prays two Rak’ahs, then seeks forgiveness from Allah, except that Allah forgives him.” Then he recited this Ayah (verse): وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ (Surah Aal ‘Imran, Ayah 135) “And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah…” to the end of the Ayah.

Takhrij Darud-Da’wah:

Sunan At-Tirmidhi/As-Salah 182 (406), and Tafsir Aal ‘Imran 4 (3006), Sunan An-Nasa’i/Al-Yawm wal-Laylah (414, 415, 416), Sunan Ibn Majah/Iqamat As-Salah 193 (1395), (Tuhfat Al-Ashraf: 6610), and it has also been narrated by: Musnad Ahmad (1/2, 8, 9, 10) (Sahih)

And in Musnad Ahmad, it is narrated from Abu Ad-Darda’ (RA):

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ ، حَدَّثَنِي سَهْلُ بْنُ أَبِي صَدَقَةَ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنِي كَثِيرٌ أَبُو الْفَضْلِ الطُّفَاوِيُّ ، حَدَّثَنِي يُوسُفُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَلَامٍ قَالَ : أَتَيْتُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ، فَقَالَ لِي : يَا ابْنَ أَخِي، مَا أَعْمَدَكَ فِي هَذَا الْبَلَدِ ؟ أَوْ : مَا جَاءَ بِكَ ؟ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : لَا، إِلَّا صِلَةُ مَا كَانَ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ وَالِدِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَلَامٍ. فَقَالَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ : بِئْسَ سَاعَةُ الْكَذِبِ هَذِهِ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ : ” مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ، فَأَحْسَنَ وُضُوءَهُ، ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ – أَوْ : أَرْبَعًا، شَكَّ سَهْلٌ – يُحْسِنُ فِيهِمَا الذِّكْرَ وَالْخُشُوعَ، ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ “.

Translation:

Yusuf bin ‘Abdullah bin Salam said: I came to Abu Ad-Darda’ (RA) during his illness in which he passed away. He said to me: “O son of my brother, what brought you to this city?” or “What brought you?” I said: “Nothing, except to maintain the relationship that was between you and my father, ‘Abdullah bin Salam.” Abu Ad-Darda’ said: “This is a bad time for lying. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Whoever performs Wudu (ablution) and performs his Wudu well, then stands and prays two or four Rak’ahs (Sahl [the narrator] was uncertain) – perfecting in them the remembrance (Dhikr) and humility (Khushu’) – then seeks forgiveness from Allah ‘Azza wa Jall, he will be forgiven.'”

(Musnad Ahmad | Min Musnad Al-Qaba’il | Wa Min Hadith Abi Ad-Darda’ ‘Uwaymir, 27546)

(Shu’ayb Al-Arna’ut (d. 1438), Takhrij Al-Musnad 27546 • Its Isnad (chain of narration) is Hasan)

(Al-Haythami (d. 807), Majma’ Az-Zawa’id 2/281 • Its Isnad is Hasan)

The researchers of Musnad Ahmad say: Its chain is Hasan, and ‘Allamah Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it Sahih (authentic) in Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Sahihah, Hadith number (3398).

2. The Reason (Sabab) for Salat al-Tawbah

The reason for Salat al-Tawbah is a Muslim person committing a sin or act of disobedience, whether the sin is major (Kabirah) or minor (Saghirah). He should repent immediately, and it is Mandub (recommended/Mustahab) for him to offer these two Rak’ahs. And then, at the time of repentance, he should perform some good and righteous deed to get closer to Allah. And among these righteous deeds, the most virtuous is prayer (Salah). So, by making this prayer a means (Wasilah) before Allah Ta’ala, he should hope that Allah Ta’ala accepts his repentance and forgives his sins.

3. The Time for Salat al-Tawbah

When a Muslim person resolves to repent from a sin, he should perform Salat al-Tawbah and repent at that time. It makes no difference whether this is immediately after the sin or after some delay. It is Wajib (obligatory) for the sinner to hasten to repent. However, if he delays repentance, or says “I will repent later,” and then repents, his repentance is accepted, because repentance is accepted as long as one of the following two things has not occurred:

1. When the soul reaches the throat (i.e., the death rattle begins), repentance is not accepted.The Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقْبَلُ تَوْبَةَ الْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يُغَرْغِرْ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى:‏‏‏‏ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ.”Allah accepts His slave’s repentance as long as (at the time of death) the rattling sound does not come from his throat.”(Sunan At-Tirmidhi – 3577)’Allamah Al-Albani declared it Hasan in Sahih At-Tirmidhi, Hadith number (3537).
2. When the sun rises from the West, repentance will not be accepted.عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِIt is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:”Whoever repents before the sun rises from its West, Allah Ta’ala accepts his repentance.”(Sahih Muslim, Hadith number_ 2703)

And this prayer is prescribed to be performed at all times, including the prohibited times (such as after the ‘Asr prayer), because this prayer is included among those prayers that are performed for a specific reason (Dhawatu-l-Asbab). Therefore, due to the presence of its reason (the sin), it becomes prescribed to perform the prayer.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

“Prayers that have a specific reason (Asbab) will be missed (i.e., their time will pass) if they are delayed past the prohibited time. For example: Sujood al-Tilawah (prostration of recitation), Tahiyyat al-Masjid (prayer for greeting the mosque), the eclipse prayer, and the two Rak’ahs of Tahiyyat al-Wudu (prayer after ablution), as is in the Hadith of Bilal (RA). Similarly, Salat al-Istikharah (prayer for guidance) if a person needs to seek guidance and delays it, it will be missed. And similarly, Salat al-Tawbah. When one commits a sin, it is obligatory (Wajib) upon him to repent immediately, and it is Mandub (recommended) for him to offer two Rak’ahs and then repent, as has come in the Hadith of Abu Bakr (RA).” End quote.

(See: Majmoo’ Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah (23 / 215)).

4. Rak’ahs of Salat al-Tawbah

Salat al-Tawbah is two Rak’ahs, as has come in the Hadith of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA).

5. Congregational Prayer (Jama’ah) for Salat al-Tawbah is not permissible

It is prescribed for the one repenting to perform Salat al-Tawbah alone and in private, because it is among the Nawafil (voluntary prayers) for which congregation is not prescribed. And after it, it is Mandub (recommended) for him to seek forgiveness (Istighfar), because this is established from the Hadith of Abu Bakr (RA).

6. Recitation (Qira’at) in Salat al-Tawbah

It is not established from the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) to recite any specific Surahs or specific Adhkar (remembrances) in these Rak’ahs. Therefore, one can recite whatever they wish.

7. Performing Good Deeds with Salat al-Tawbah

And along with Salat al-Tawbah, it is Mustahab (recommended) for the one repenting to perform good and righteous deeds,

Because Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says:

﴿﴿وَإِنّي لَغَفّارٌ لِمَن تابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صالِحًا ثُمَّ اهتَدى﴾

“And indeed, I am forgiving to him who repents, believes, and does righteous deeds, and then remains guided.”

(Surah Taha: 82)

8. The Virtue of Sadaqah (Charity) with Repentance

And among the good and righteous deeds for the one repenting, the most virtuous act is Sadaqah (charity), because charity is the greatest and most mighty means among the causes that erase sins.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says:

﴿إِن تُبدُوا الصَّدَقاتِ فَنِعِمّا هِيَ وَإِن تُخفوها وَتُؤتوهَا الفُقراءَ فَهُوَ خَيرٌ لَكُم وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِن سَيِّئَاتِكُم

“If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you; and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah _ 271)

And it is established from Ka’b bin Malik (RA) that when Allah Ta’ala accepted his repentance, he said:

“O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), part of my repentance is that I give up all my wealth as charity to Allah and His Messenger.” The Noble Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Keep some of your wealth; that is better for you.” He (Ka’b) said: “Then I will keep my share from Khaybar.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith number-2757)

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Summary

So, the summary is that:

1. Salat al-Tawbah is established from the Noble Prophet (ﷺ).
2. This prayer is prescribed for a Muslim whenever they commit any sin and perform Salat al-Tawbah to repent from it, whether the sin is major (Kabirah) or minor (Saghirah), and whether the repentance is immediately after the sin or after some time has passed.
3. Salat al-Tawbah can be performed at any time, including the prohibited times (like after ‘Asr).
4. It is Mustahab (recommended) for the one repenting to perform other acts of closeness to Allah along with Salat al-Tawbah, such as Sadaqah (charity) etc.

May Allah Ta’ala send His blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his family, and his noble companions. Ameen.

((( And Allah Ta’ala knows best what is correct. )))

(Source: Islam Question & Answer)