Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Question:

Is it or was it a sunnah to make dua after the Fard salaah in congregation?

Answer:

It is not evident that it was his practice to make dua in congregation after the Fard salaah.

However, while this is the case, it should be understood that many scholars have not condemned it nor have they stated that it is prohibited. Instead, they have stated that it is allowed for one to make dua after salaah individually and also collectively. The reason for this allowance is that ‘dua’ itself is a very great act of ibadah which has been encouraged to a great extent in the Holy Quran and in the Ahadith. Allah has himself ordered the believers to supplicate to Him and call on Him. The Prophet ( S.A) has also requested the believers to supplicate to Allah and has called dua ‘the soul of worship’ and ‘the weapon of the believer’. It is also evident that the Prophet (S.A) made many different duas after his salaah. While all these are very clear in the Quran and Sunnah, it is also evident that the Holy Quran and the Sunnah has not mandated a believer to make dua at a specific time nor have they prohibited a believer from making dua at any given time. Similarly, both these sources have not mandated the Muslims to supplicate individually or collectively nor have they prohibited the Muslims from doing such. As such, seeing that the matter of dua is one which is left to the individual, that he may supplicate to Allah whenever he wishes, it would be equally permissible for a Muslim to supplicate to Allah individually or collectively. There is absolutely no prohibition in the Shariah for doing so.
It will however be impermissible for one to say that making dua collectively is a Sunnah and must be done. Instead, it is a permissible act which is not prohibited in the Shariah. Hence, one cannot say that it is wrong nor can one say that it must be done collectively after Salaah. It is left to the individual/s to make dua individually or collectively on the basis that it is permissible. It should not be done thinking that it is a Sunnah or an essential act which must be done after Salaah. In conclusion it is important to note that dua is a great act of worship and is filled with a great amount of goodness and benefits.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan