The significance of wiping the face after dua

Answer

*Wa alikumus salaam.* This answer was given before in relation to wiping the face after dua: wiping over the face after du'a outside of the salaah is a recommended act according to the overwhelming majority of Muslim scholars.

Imam al-Tirmidhi narrated on the authority of 'Umar رضي الله عنه that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his hands in supplication, he would not lower them until he had wiped his face with them. Al-Hakim also reported, from Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله عنهما, that the Prophet ﷺ said: "When you ask Allah, ask Him with the palms of your hands, and do not ask Him with the backs of your hands, and wipe your face with them."

Scholars such as al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar are emphatic that this practice is a recommended sunnah, though a small minority, such as Imam 'Izz al-Din ibn 'Abd al-Salam and Ibn Taymiyyah, held that it is not recommended outside of the prayer.