it. These fall short by forbidding what is prescribed, whereas the others overstep by enjoining what is not prescribed. Religion consists only in enjoining what is prescribed, not what is unprescribed.

As for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, raising his hands in supplication, many authentic hadiths report this. As for his wiping his face with his hands, however, only one or two hadiths are reported from him concerning it, and these do not constitute sufficient evidence. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

Is it permissible for the imam and those praying behind him to supplicate immediately after the obligatory prayer?

He answered:

Praise be to Allah. For the imam and those praying behind him to supplicate together immediately after the prayer is an innovation that did not exist during the time of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Rather, his supplication was made within the prayer itself. The worshipper is conversing intimately with his Lord, so supplicating while conversing intimately with Him is appropriate.

Supplication after he has finished conversing intimately with and addressing his Lord, however, is not appropriate. What the Sunnah prescribes after the prayer is the remembrance transmitted from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: declaring that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, praising Him, and proclaiming His greatness. Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would say after the prayer:

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion