Q 2: Is it an act of Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to cover the head by wearing a turban or headgear during Salah (Prayer)? In fact, some blame us for not covering our head in Salah and for not making Du`a' (supplication) with the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) directly after concluding the Faridah (obligatory Salah).
(Part No. 5; Page No. 139
A:
It is an act of Sunnah for the servant offering Salah to be good in appearance, clean, and Tahir (ritually pure). Allah (Exalted be He) says:
O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying [and going round (the Tawâf of) the Ka‘bah,]
meaning when you are going to offer Salah. It is reported that when asked about whoever offers Salah bare-headed,
Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: "Allah is worthier to adorn oneself before Him than people."
Accordingly, it is Mustahab (desirable)
to cover the head during the Salah, for it is considered an adornment. However, it is permissible to offer Salah bare-headed.As for those who disapprove your abstention from making Du`a' with the Imam after concluding the Salah; if what is meant is to make a collective Du`a', whether the Imam makes the Du`a' and the Ma'mums (people being led by an Imam in Prayer) pronounce Ta'min (saying: "Amen") or he makes Du`a' and the Ma'mums follow him, you should not pay attention to this objection. Making Du`a' with the Imam or others in a collective way after concluding the Faridah is not Sunnah; rather, it is Bid`ah (innovation in religion), that has no basis in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him). Acts of `Ibadah (worship) including Du`a' are based upon Tawqif (a religious text and not personal opinion). Therefore, it is not permissible to introduce innovations in it. Whoever says otherwise it is to be rejected, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever performs any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, it is to be rejected.
However, if everyone makes Du`a' by themselves, there is nothing wrong with that if it is without raising their hands after the Faridah. (Part No. 5; Page No. 140) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.