Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah on Solātur-Raghā’ib
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) was asked about the Solātur-Raghā’ib – is it recommended or not?
Shaykhul Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) replied:
The Messenger of Allāh never offered this prayer (Solāt ar-Raghā’ib), nor did any of his companions, nor did the taābi’een (followers of the Companions), nor did the great Imams of the Muslims, offer it.
The Messenger of Allāh never encouraged it, nor did anyone from of the Salaf (encourage it), nor did the great Imams. They did not mention any virtues specific to this night.
Shaykh Ibn Bāz (d. 1420H) (رحمه الله) commented:
This Ragha’ib prayer is a bid’ah (heresy and innovation) that some people innovated (which is observed) on the first Friday night of Rajab. It is called the Solāt ar-Raghā’ib.
It is a bid’ah (heresy and innovation) that has no basis, as the author (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not observe it, nor did his Companions, nor did any other Imām (observe it). Rather, it is a bid’ah (heresy and innovation).
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) continues:
The narration about this (Solat ar-Raghā’ib) attributed to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is a fabricated lie, according to the consensus of the people of knowledge regarding this affair (the scholars).
For this reason, the critic scholars said that it is disliked and not recommended, and Allah knows best.
Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله) commented:
This statement has some leniency. What is correct is that it is a detested bid’ah (heresy and innovation). What is intended by “dislike” (in the statement of Ibn Taymiyyah) is a dislike of prohibition (Harām), based on the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Every bid’ah (innovation) is misguidance.”
وسئل شيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية عَنْ صَلَاةِ الرَّغَائِبِ هَلْ هِيَ مُسْتَحَبَّةٌ أَمْ لَا؟
فَأَجَابَ:
هَذِهِ الصَّلَاةُ لَمْ يُصَلِّهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ وَلَا التَّابِعِينَ وَلَا أَئِمَّةُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَلَا رَغَّبَ فِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ السَّلَفِ وَلَا الْأَئِمَّةُ وَلَا ذَكَرُوا لِهَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ فَضِيلَةً تَخُصُّهَا.
>>الشيخ: وهذه صلاة الرغائب بدعة أحدثها بعض الناس في أول ليلة جمعة من رجب يقال لها صلاة الرغائب، وهي بدعة لا أساس لها كما بين المؤلف رحمه الله أنه ما فعلها الرسول ﷺ، ولا الصحابة، ولا غيرهم من الأئمة، بل هي بدعة.
>وَالْحَدِيثُ الْمَرْوِيُّ فِي ذَلِكَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ كَذِبٌ مَوْضُوعٌ بِاتِّفَاقِ أَهْلِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ بِذَلِكَ. وَلِهَذَا قَالَ الْمُحَقِّقُونَ: أَنَّهَا مَكْرُوهَةٌ غَيْرُ مُسْتَحَبَّةٍ وَاَللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.الشيخ: وهذه عبارة فيها تساهل، والصواب أنها بدعة منكرة، والمراد بالكراهة هنا كراهة التحريم لقوله ﷺ: كل بدعة ضلالة.
Source: https://binbaz.org.sa