Question
A disturbing fact for many musallis is the Dua time on the 27th Night of Ramadhaan. The Dua is rather very long after completion of the Taraaweeh Salaat. It is made before the Witr, grounding the musallis and compelling them to participate against their will. Some people are unable to maintain their Wudhu for too long and prefer that the Dua should be after the Witr. For this reason we see some people rush out immediately after the Dua to make Wudhu. But in this process they miss Witr or a raka't or two because usually the recitations in Witr are very brief. Is it really necessary according to the Shariah to engage in such lengthy Duas immediately after Taraaweeh but before Witr? Can it not be made after the Witr?
Answer
The Dua may be made after Witr. There is no Shar'i incumbency to make the Dua before the Witr nor is there a need for a marathon public congregational dua brimming with ostentation as is the norm nowadays. The imposition on the musallis is deprecating. Such long duas which are publicly flaunted should be made by the Imaam when he is alone. It is not permissible to cause distress to others. A Sahaabi had even complained to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about the Imaam who was reciting excessively long Qiraa't in Salaat. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had reprimanded the Imaam for this act. The musallis who are desirous of making Wudhu should not sit for the dua. They should leave, make Wudhu and ensure that they are in time for the Witr Jamaat.
The reason why the Imaam will not make dua, especially a marathon dua, after Witr, is that he will find himself with just a handful of people. Most people will depart. Congregational marathon Dua, marathon Jumuah Khutbah followed by short Salaat as is the style nowadays are signs of paucity of Aql (Intelligence).
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "A short khutbah and a long Salaat are of the intelligence of a man."
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 22 No 04
- PDF page
- 2
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).