Reference: Fataawa Noor ‘alad-Darb – Question No.6346, Pages 180-181, Volume 12
Question: I am asking about the congregational supplication after the prayer, where the imaam supplicates and the rest [of the congregation] respond [by saying] ‘aameen’. [Does Allaah] respond to the supplication done in this manner?
Response: As for responding to the supplication, then this [matter] is [solely] with Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall). As for this manner [of supplication], then it is an innovation, as the Prophet ﷺ did not supplicate [in this manner] with his companions after the prayer; rather, when he had finished his prayer, he would utter [أَسْتَغْفِرُ الله] three times, and then say:
As for when the prayer is over, then there is no supplication [to be made] other than what has been mentioned in the Sunnah, and that is because Allaah (Ta’aala) has commanded us to engage in His remembrance once the prayer is over, as He has said:
…and [as such] has not commanded us to supplicate.
And the command to supplicate occurs after the final tashahhud, because when the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the tashahhud, he said:
So the [specific] time for the supplication is [after the tashahhud] – just before the tasleem; this is what the authentic proofs indicate. As for after the prayer [is complete], then this is the time for [engaging in] the remembrance [of Allaah].
And some people have rendered the supplication to be done after the prayer, and this is not befitting. That which is befitting is that your supplication is done [after the tashahhud and] before the tasleem; as for when the prayer is over, then this is the time for the remembrance of Allaah. And as for the voluntary prayer, then I am not aware of any [authentic] evidence indicating [that we should] engage in the remembrance of Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall).
