Salatul Walidain

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 15 Safar 1423, 28 April 2002


Q.) I hope this request finds you in the best of health. I came across this website whilst searching for Supplications for one's parents. In spite of the revered position of parents, in Islam, the supplications for parents were hard to find. The supplication in the Sahifa Sajjadiya was one of the few that I could find. I would also like to request information cancerning Salatul walidain. Are there any websites with detailed information concerning this little known Salat. My questions are : Can it be performed whilst your parents are alive. If not, what Salat can be performed in reverance to Allah, for ones parents, whilst they are alive? During which time of the day or night is this Salat performed? What is the niyyah of this Salat? How many rakaahs are there in this Salat?

How may times per day can one perform this Salat? What special supplication can one make during this Salat? Are there any other distinguishing features this Salat has?.

Please inform me concerning the above questions. [Muhammed Saleem Adam]


A.) There is no Salatul Waalidayn (Salat for parents). Allah Ta'ala advises us to make du'a for our parents in the following words, 'Rabbir hamhumaa kamaa rabbayaaniy sagheera.' (O My Lord, have mercy on them both as they had mercy on me and nurtured me when I was small). One may also perform any virtuous deed, recite the Qur'an, perform Nafl Salat, give charity, etc. with the intention of giving the reward to his/her parents. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best