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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu-alaikum,
Like for example, my niyat (intension) will be "I will pray 2 rakat prayer if i get promoted or if i get a good car or if i get a good house"; can we do niyat like this? secondly, can we pray shukrana prayer 2 rakath (thanks giving to allah); like if allah gave me good job or good increment or anything good, then can i pray shukrana prayer? and if yes, is there any different way to pray or just like any other nafil prayer (2 rakat) ? Please explain me.

Thanks for your support ang guidance. I have been benefited alot from your Question and Answers Alhamdulillah.

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Answer:

Fulfill vow oath shukr gratefulness

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Like for example, my niyat (intension) will be "I will pray 2 rakat prayer if i get promoted or if i get a good car or if i get a good house"; can we do niyat like this?

The ‘neeyah’ or promise that you made with Allah that ‘if so and so thing is done I will do so and so…’ is what is known as a ‘nadhar’ (vow) in Fiqh or Jurisprudence terminology. The Messenger of Allah (saws) discouraged the believers from making such ‘nadhar’ or vows, for the truth is that the vow itself has absolutely no bearing on what has already been Decreed and Determined by Allah Subhanah!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.685 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet (saws) said, "Allah says, 'The ‘nadhar’ (vow) does not bring about for the son of Adam anything I have not decreed for him, but his ‘nadhar’ (vow) may coincide with what has been decided for him, and by this way I cause a miser to spend of his wealth. So he gives Me (spends in charity) for the fulfillment of what has been Decreed for him what he would not give Me before but for his vow!"

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.683 Narrated by Said bin Al Harith

that he heard Ibn 'Umar saying, "Weren't people forbidden to make ‘nadhar’ (vows)?" The Prophet (saws) said, 'A ‘nadhar’ (vow) neither hastens nor delays anything, but by the making of vows, some of the wealth of a miser is taken out."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.684 Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar

The Prophet discouraged the making of ‘nadhar’ (vows) and said, "It (a vow) does not prevent anything (that has to take place), but (through the vow) the property of a miser is spent (taken out) with it."

Some people have a habit that they are reluctant to do a good deed or spend some of their wealth in the Cause of Allah, without putting a condition with their Lord that only if He gives him such and such, only then will he do such and such a good deed! The truth is that these conditions do not help in expediting or bringing about what their heart desires, for only that will happen what has been already Decreed and Determined by Allah Subhanah!

A better way than making a ‘nadhar’ or vow, is to do whatever good deeds one wills and beg and implore their Lord in all humility and hope to bestow upon them whatever their hearts desires.

Having said that making a ‘nadhar’ or a vow is discouraged in Islam and one should not make conditions with their Lord in their supplications, Allah Subhanah in His Glorious Quran has appreciated and praised those believers who fulfill their ‘nazars’ or vows that they have made with their Lord!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 76 Surah Dhahr verses 5-12:

5 As to the Righteous they shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Kafur

6 A Fountain where the Devotees of Allah do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.

7 They perform (or fulfill their) ‘nazar’ (vows) and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.

8 And they feed for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive

9 (saying): "We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: No reward do we desire from you nor thanks.

10 We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord."

11 But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day and will shed over them a light of Beauty and a (Blissful) Joy.

12 And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.

If one has already made a vow to fast, or spend in charity, of offer ‘nawafil’ prayers, or go themselves or send someone for pilgrimage, or do a good deed with Lord when their heart’s desire is fulfilled, then it would be best for the person to now fulfill their vow they made unto their Lord; it is expected that they will have their full reward with their Lord for keeping their promises made unto Him.

But in the future, one should abstain from putting conditions or making a ‘nadhar’ or vow with the Lord when one desires a thing….but rather remain constant in doing good deeds and whenever one’s heart desires anything, one should implore and beg their Lord in supplications with absolute and total awe, humility, and hope….for the Lord responds to each and every supplication made by His believing slaves.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 186:

And if My servants ask you, O Prophet, concerning Me, tell them that I am quite near to them. I hear and answer the prayer of the suppliant, when he calls on Me. So let them respond to My call and believe in Me. (Convey this to them), perhaps they may be guided aright!

Abu Hurairah reported, "The Prophet (saws) said, "Nothing is more dear to Allah than one's supplication to Him.''

Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

Salman reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "Your Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted One, is Modest and Generous, and He loathes to turn away His servant empty-handed when he raises his hands to Him in supplication."

Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban.

Your Question: secondly, can we pray shukrana prayer 2 rakath (thanks giving to allah); like if allah gave me good job or good increment or anything good, then can i pray shukrana prayer? and if yes, is there any different way to pray or just like any other nafil prayer (2 rakat) ? Please explain me.

If one wishes to do a good deed before submitting their supplication to Allah Subhanah, there is absolutely no harm if one gives something in ‘sadaqa’ (charity), or performs ‘nafl’ prayers, or does any other good deed to earn the Pleasure and Good Will of their Lord.

Similarly if one has been blessed with some good or bounty or Mercy from their Merciful Lord, and one wishes to manifest one’s gratitude by giving ‘sadaqa’, or offering ‘nafl’ prayers, or doing any good deed, there is absolutely no harm.

There is no special or different way to offer one’s prayer of gratitude….if one wishes to manifest their gratitude unto their Lord for His favors, one may offer one’s ‘nafl’ prayers at any eligible time of the day or night.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan