Question Summary:
Is duaa after salaah permissible?

Question Detail:

So, according to our madhhab (i.e., hanafi), when should one make zikr (i.e. tasbih, etc) after salah, i.e., after finishing fardh ore after finishing sunnah muakkada also and should we make du'a and rise our hands after finishing salah and how should it be done, individually or collectively? In our town, when we pray in congregration in the masjid, for example dhuhr, we pray 4 rekats sunnah, then 4 rakats fardh, then 2 rakats last sunna, then we make tasbih and other things related with it in congregation, and after that the imam makes the collective dua. I kindly ask if this is OK and if not, how should it be done in the correct way?!

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
There are three issues in your query:
1.       Zikr after Salaah.
2.       Duaa after Salaah.
3.       The practice in your locality.
Rasulullah (Sallahu alaihi wasallam) would make Zikr after Salaah and also advised that Duaa after Fardh Salaah is accepted. Consider the following Ahadith:
عن عائشة:ان النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم كان اذا قضى الصلاة قال: (اللهم أنت السلام، و منك السلام، تباركت يا ذا الجلال و الاكرام). عمل اليوم و الليلة  ص 149
 
Aisha (Radi allahu anha) narrates that when Nabi (sallahu alaihi wasallam) would complete his Salaah he would recite: (اللهم أنت السلام، و منك السلام، تباركت يا ذا الجلال و الاكرام).
(Amal-ul-yawm wal laylah pg. 149) 
 
قيل يا رسول الله أي الدعاء أسمع ؟ قال جوف الليل الآخر ، ودبرالصلوات المكتوبات " . هذا حديث حسن .((3466
The prophet (sallahu alaihi wasallam) was asked which Duaa is most readily accepted Nabi sallahu alaihi wasallam replied ‘‘the duaa of the last portion of the night and after every fardh Salaah’’
(Tirmizhi Hadith 3466)
It is clear from the above quoted Ahadith that one may make Zikr and Duaa after Fardh Salaah.
Zikr and Duaa after every Fardh Salaah is Mubaah (permissible). The general ruling of a Mubaah act is one should not regard it as necessary as that will be Bidah.  Being punctual and steadfast in Duaa and Zikr also should not be interpreted as regarding it to be compulsory. If someone does not do Duaa or Zikr after Salaah, encourage him to practice on it without regarding it to be compulsory.  
When reforming an incorrect practice, it is important to apply wisdom. An immature approach will lead to further complications and Fitna.[1]
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Saleem Ibn Sajawal Khan
Bradford, UK
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.