BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PERFORMING the sunat (optional) prayers can vouch for a person’s deeds, imams said in the sermon yesterday.

Unintentional mistakes and imperfections, such as moments of lapses and flawed recitation, committed while performing fardhu (obligatory) prayers can be made up with sunat prayers.

Imams reminded congregants that prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam, and will be the first to be called into question and brought to account by Allah (SWT).

In a hadith narrated by Imam At-Tarmizi, Rasulallah (SAW) said, “if there is a defect in your fardhu prayers, ar-Rabb Azza wa Jalla says: We will look into his performance of the sunat prayers and if he has done them, we will then make sufficient what is lacking in his fardhu prayers with those from his sunat prayers. Henceforth, do the same in all your obligatory practices and deeds.”

Religious scholars have said that performing the sunat prayers voluntarily is one of the most blessed non-obligatory practices. So Muslims are urged to carry out the sunat prayers, each with their own unique benefits, in addition to the five daily fardhu prayers.

Rasulallah (SAW) performs most of the sunat prayers alone and in private, imams said, urging congregants to follow the Prophet’s footsteps and intensify their sunat prayer practices.

Muslims were also reminded there are tremendous rewards that they woulf gain from performing such prayers even if they were optional.

One of the sunat prayers that is often performed in the country is the Sunat Hajat prayer. This is performed when seeking Allah’s (SWT) assistance with a particular want or need, and in times of hardship.

However, individuals should also put in hard work and not just rely on the prayer or doa (supplication) alone.

Benefits of the Sunat Hajat prayer were also listed out, which includes experiencing a feeling of serene contentment after seeking help from Allah (SWT).

Imams also said Muslims would be more “open and sincere in accepting Allah’s (SWT) decree” and that realising oneself as servants of the Almighty, “we are always in need of his mercy and bounty”.

The Sunat Hajat prayer can be done anytime but it is better to perform it during moments of tranquility such as after midnight, said imams, adding that the prayer could be performed with a minimum of 2 rakaat and a maximum of 12 rakaat.

The Brunei Times