Question:
Assalamualaikum SS Dato’ Mufti. I want to ask regarding the issue of supplicating in the last prostration of prayer. The reason is, there are differing opinions of scholars regarding this issue. Is it permissible or not? Hope for an answer from you. Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam w.b.t,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
It is sunnah to supplicate when one is in prostration in prayer, regardless of which rakaat the prostration is. From Abu Hurairah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
أقرب ما يكون العبد من ربه وهو ساجد ، فأكثروا الدعاء
"A slave becomes nearest to his Rubb when he is in prostration. So, increase supplications while prostrating."
Sahih Muslim (1428) and Sunan al-Nasaie (1137)
It is permissible to increase one’s supplication whether it is done verbally or just in one’s heart. There are differing opinions of scholars regarding the usage of language other than Arabic for verbal supplication. The chosen opinion is one should supplicate in Arabic if it is done verbally. For example, supplicating in Malay, then it is enough to supplicate in one’s heart. However, the prioritized way is to follow the sunnah of the Prophet PBUH.
Wallhua’lam.