Salaat ul Hajjat – The Prayer of Wish (Desire)

 How to Perform Salatul Hajat

Muslims have been obligated to perform Salah five times a day. The implication of these prayers is to attain nearness to Allah SWT, forgiveness of wrongdoings and fulfillment of just wishes. God, the Exalted does not need us to pray to Him, rather it is us who actually require His assistance and guidance. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

Apart from compulsory Namaz, there is great importance of Nawafil (Supererogatory prayers), which are means to gain something extra or as bonus, which include Salat al Istikharah and Tahajjud etc. It is said that requests made to the Exalted One on some special occasions are never rejected, like after five obligatory prayers, late at night, in a state of prostration, an hour on Friday, the night of Qadar. 

"Whenever a matter became serious, the Prophet (PBUH) turned to salah”. (Abu Dawood)

It means that one can plea to God at any time asking for His Help, for He is the Most Merciful and Beneficent. Among all voluntary appeals to Allah, there is also one important prayer, which is called Salat ul Hajat. It is observed for the purpose of completion of one`s particular Haajah (need). It is actually not similar to any other prescribed Namaz, but it is just one of the ways to beg the Almighty for one`s rightful wish.

He who makes wudu, and does it properly, then prays two rak`ats, Allah will grant him whatever he may pray for, sooner or later”. (Ahmad)

Although there are some disagreements among the scholars whether this should be considered as a prayer, but there is no doubt that one can request the Lord for anything any time. As in the Holy Quran, Allah SWT (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) says:

When My servants ask you about Me, then [O Muhammad] (tell them that) I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me; so let them respond to Me [by obedience], and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. [Quran, 2: 186]

There is no doubt that the Most Gracious listens to the invocations of the ones who ask from Him with strong belief and conviction in their hearts. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah has been quoted by Abu Hurrerah (R.A) to have said:

 "The Prophet (saws) said, “Nothing is dearer to Allah than one’s supplication to Him.” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

It means that the Gracious Lord likes the one who asks from Him alone for every need. 

★The procedure of Salaat-ul-Haajat is as follows:

Step 1: Perform wudu perfectly.

Step 2: Perform two raka’ts Nafl Salaat

Step 3: Praise Allah SWT (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) (through dhikr, dua, istikhfaar)

Step 4: Send blessings and peace upon the Messenger PBUH.(Durood Shareef)

Step 5: Recite the following words: 

●Translation of Salaat ul Hajjat:

There is no god but Allah the Clement and Wise. There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good and freedom from all sin. Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

●Transliteration of Salaat ul Hajjat:

As aluka Mujibati Rahmatika

Wa Azaa'ima maghfiratika

Wa Ghanimata Min Kulli Birrin

W-as salamatah Min kulli Ismin

La Taha' Li zanmban illa Ghafartahu

Wa la Hamman illa Farrajtahu

Wa la hajatan hiya Laka Ridhan

Illa Qadhaotaha Ya Arhamar Rahimeen

Step 6: Ask for your specific need.

"Whoever wishes anything from Allah, let him/her make ablution properly first, and do two rakat salaat afterwards. Then call Allah's benediction to the Prophet, and finally say the following prayer: "There is no god but Allah, the Clement, and the Gentle. Praise be to Allah, the Master of the heavens. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe.

★Things To Consider While Carrying out Salat-ul-Hajat

1. Being in complete state of hygiene, having worn neat and tidy clothes and fulfilling the criterion of proper etiquettes like that of any other prayer

2. Choosing a place that is clean and away from noise and distractions

3. Keeping complete concentration while supplicating to the Almighty with a strong belief in His Merciful and Benevolent nature, and also asking from Him with great humbleness and meekness.

In short, Salat-ul-Hajat is similar to any other prayer which results in attainment of one`s needs and wishes, but through its succinct pattern of execution, it also teaches us the correct way of asking God, the Exalted. May Allah SWT grant us His guidance to pray to Him in the most rightful manner! Aameen!