What dhikr is appropriate after the 5 daily prayers?

Answered by Shaykh Abu Usama, South Africa

Al-Salam `alaykum

The fuqaha have stated that, based on the Prophetic hadiths, after the five daily prayers it is recommended to seek the forgiveness of Allah Ta`ala by reciting Astaghfirullah thrice.

Is also recommended to recite 33 times Subhanallah, 33 times Alhamduilllah, 33 times Allahu akbar and once la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay in qadir.

It is mentioned in a hadith that whoever recites the above after every salah his sins will be forgiven if they are as much as the foam of the ocean. (Recorded in Sahih Muslim)

Besides the above it is also recommended to recite Sura al-Ikhlas (112), Sura al-Falaq (113) and al-Nas (114) (reported by al-Tirmidhi) and Ayat al-Kursi. (Reported by Al-Nasa`i)

There are also many other dhikrs and invocations that may be recited. It is best to do that which one can do consistently, because, as the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) told us, “The most beloved of actions to Allah are those its performer is constant on, even if little.” This is because such actions transform a person’s life.

The time after the five daily salah is also a time when du`as are accepted. Hence this oppurtunity to seek from Allah should be realized.

[Based on Durr al-Mukhtar, Radd al-Muhtar]

May Allah grant us all the ability.