The Sunnah (Prophet's practice) prayers
Apart from the obligatory prayers, the prayers which were specifically shown/taught by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), is known as sunnah (Prophet's practice) prayer.
Before and After Sunnah prayers:
The Prophet (pbuh) has shown a specific number of prayers before and after the obligatory prayers.
Abu Musa (ra) reported:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever will pray for twelve rak'at apart from obligatory prayers, will get a house built in Paradise."
Reference : Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal ( 18877 )
In-book reference : , Nine abridged Hadith books ( 49722 )
URL reference : http://sahhabgroup.com/sunnah/mobile/?lang=1&page=snbmkhar&HadeethD=717500000018877
حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ قَالَ ثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ عَن هَارُونَ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ الْكُوفِيِّ مَنْ هَمْدَانَ عَن أَبِي بُرْدَةَ بْنِ أَبِي مُوسَى عَن أَبِيهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ صَلَّى فِي يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ ثِنْتَيْ عَشَرَ رَكْعَةً سِوَى الْفَرِيضَةِ بُنِيَ لَهُ بَيْتٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.
In-book reference : , Nine abridged Hadith books ( 49722 )
URL reference : http://sahhabgroup.com/sunnah/mobile/?lang=1&page=snbmkhar&HadeethD=717500000018877
The additional prayers apart from obligatory prayers, being prayed at home is better than praying those at Masjid.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى بْنُ حَمَّادٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ أَبِي النَّضْرِ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اتَّخَذَ حُجْرَةً ـ قَالَ حَسِبْتُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ـ مِنْ حَصِيرٍ فِي رَمَضَانَ فَصَلَّى فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ، فَصَلَّى بِصَلاَتِهِ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ، فَلَمَّا عَلِمَ بِهِمْ جَعَلَ يَقْعُدُ، فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ " قَدْ عَرَفْتُ الَّذِي رَأَيْتُ مِنْ صَنِيعِكُمْ، فَصَلُّوا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ، فَإِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الصَّلاَةِ صَلاَةُ الْمَرْءِ فِي بَيْتِهِ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ ". قَالَ عَفَّانُ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا النَّضْرِ، عَنْ بُسْرٍ، عَنْ زَيْدٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made a small room in the month of Ramadan (Sa`id said, "I think that Zaid bin Thabit said that it was made of a mat") and he prayed there for a few nights, and so some of his companions prayed behind him. When he came to know about it, he kept on sitting. In the morning, he went out to them and said, "I have seen and understood what you did. You should pray in your houses, for the best prayer of a person is that which he prays in his house except the compulsory prayers."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 731
In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 125
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 11, Hadith 698
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/10/125
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَالِمٌ أَبُو النَّضْرِ، مَوْلَى عُمَرَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ احْتَجَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حُجَيْرَةً بِخَصَفَةٍ أَوْ حَصِيرٍ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي فِيهَا - قَالَ - فَتَتَبَّعَ إِلَيْهِ رِجَالٌ وَجَاءُوا يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَتِهِ - قَالَ - ثُمَّ جَاءُوا لَيْلَةً فَحَضَرُوا وَأَبْطَأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْهُمْ - قَالَ - فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَرَفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَهُمْ وَحَصَبُوا الْبَابَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُغْضَبًا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا زَالَ بِكُمْ صَنِيعُكُمْ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ سَيُكْتَبُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ صَلاَةِ الْمَرْءِ فِي بَيْتِهِ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةَ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ " .
Zaid b. Thabit reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made an apartment with the help of the leaves of date trees or of mats. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to pray in it. People followed him and came to pray with him. Then they again came one night and waited (for him), but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delayed in coming out to them. And when he did not come out, they cried aloud and threw pebbles at the door. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out in anger and said to them: By what you have been constantly doing, I was inclined to think that it (prayer) might not become obligatory for you. So you must observe prayer (optional) in your houses, for the prayer observed by a man in the house is better except an obligatory prayer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 781 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 253
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1708
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/253
Fajr’s sunnah prayer:
With regards to before and after sunnah prayers of Fajr, the Prophet (pbuh) has given extra importance to the two rak'ats of sunnah prayer before the Fajr.
حَدَّثَنَا بَيَانُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى شَىْءٍ مِنَ النَّوَافِلِ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ تَعَاهُدًا عَلَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ.
Narrated `Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was never more regular and particular in offering any Nawafil than the two rak`at (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1163
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 42
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 260
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/42
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَطَاءٌ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى شَىْءٍ مِنَ النَّوَافِلِ أَشَدَّ مُعَاهَدَةً مِنْهُ عَلَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ .
'A'isha reported that the Apostle (ﷺ) was not so much particular about observing supererogatory rak'ahs as in case of the two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 724 f
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 116
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1571
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/116
If Fajr (obligatory prayer) is completed, no additional prayers should be offered until the sun rises. But if the sunnah prayer before Fajr is not completed, it is permitted to pray (the two rak’ats sunnah prayer before Fajr).
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْعَالِيَةِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ شَهِدَ عِنْدِي رِجَالٌ مَرْضِيُّونَ وَأَرْضَاهُمْ عِنْدِي عُمَرُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصُّبْحِ حَتَّى تَشْرُقَ الشَّمْسُ، وَبَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ.
Narrated `Umar:
"The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade praying after the Fajr prayer till the sun rises and after the `Asr prayer till the sun sets."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 581
In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 57
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 10, Hadith 555
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/9/57
وَحَدَّثَنَا دَاوُدُ بْنُ رُشَيْدٍ، وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ هُشَيْمٍ، - قَالَ دَاوُدُ حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، - أَخْبَرَنَا مَنْصُورٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْعَالِيَةِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ غَيْرَ، وَاحِدٍ، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْهُمْ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّهُمْ إِلَىَّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَبَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ الشَّمْسُ .
Ibn 'Abbas reported:
I heard it from so many Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and one among them is 'Umar b. Khattab, and he is most dear to me among them that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited observing of prayer after the dawn prayer till the sun rose and after the 'Asr till the sun set.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 826 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 349
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1804
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/349
From Qays bin Qahd (ra)– that he prayed the Morning Prayer along with the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, but he had not prayed the two rak’ats for the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer. So when the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- gave the Salam from the prayer, Qays gave the Salam with him and then after that he stood and prayed two rak’ats of the Sunnah for the Fajr, while the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- was watching him, and he -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-did not criticize him for it.’
Reference : Ibn Hibban 2471
When Fajr prayer is ongoing in jamaat (congregation), it is widely seen that some first pray the sunnah prayers and only then joins the jamaat (congregation). But this is wrong. Because, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has forbidden any other prayers, once the iqama is pronounced.
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَنْبَلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ وَرْقَاءَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ " . وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ وَابْنُ رَافِعٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شَبَابَةُ حَدَّثَنِي وَرْقَاءُ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ .
Abu Huraira reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying:
When the prayer commences then there is no prayer (valid), but the obligatory prayer. This hadith has been narrated by Warqa' with the same chain of transmitters.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 710 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 75
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1531
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/75
Dhuhr’s sunnah prayers:
Two or four rak'aths of sunnah prayer can be offered before the dhuhr prayer. Two rak'ats of sunnah prayer can be offered after Dhuhr prayer.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي بَيْتِهِ، وَبَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ لاَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray two rak`at before the Zuhr prayer and two rak`at after it. He also used to pray two rak`at after the Maghrib prayer in his house, and two rak`at after the `Isha' prayer. He never prayed after Jumua prayer till he departed (from the Mosque), and then he would pray two rak`at at home.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 937
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 61
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 59
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/61
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سَعِيدٍ - عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَهَا سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ سَجْدَتَيْنِ فَأَمَّا الْمَغْرِبُ وَالْعِشَاءُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ فَصَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَيْتِهِ .
Ibn 'Umar reported:
I prayed along with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) two rak'ahs before and two rak'ahs after the noon prayer, two rak'ahs after the sunset prayer and two rak'ahs after the 'Isha' prayer and two rak'ahs after the Friday prayer; and so far as the sunset, 'Isha' and Friday prayers are concerned, I observed (them) along with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in his house.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 729
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 128
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1583
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/128
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْتَشِرِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْغَدَاةِ. تَابَعَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ وَعَمْرٌو عَنْ شُعْبَةَ.
Narrated Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) never missed four rak`at before the Zuhr prayer and two rak`at before the Fajr prayer
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1182
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 59
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 276
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/59
Asr’s sunnah prayer:
The sunnah prayer before Asr is four rak’ats
حَدَّثَنَا بُنْدَارٌ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، هُوَ الْعَقَدِيُّ عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ ضَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ عَلِيٍّ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَاخْتَارَ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَنْ لاَ يُفْصَلَ فِي الأَرْبَعِ قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ وَاحْتَجَّ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ . وَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ وَمَعْنَى أَنَّهُ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ يَعْنِي التَّشَهُّدَ . وَرَأَى الشَّافِعِيُّ وَأَحْمَدُ صَلاَةَ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى يَخْتَارَانِ الْفَصْلَ فِي الأَرْبَعِ قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ .
Ali narrated:
"Allah's Messenger (S) would pray four Rak'ah before Al-Asr separating between them with At-Taslim upon the angels that are close (to Allah) and those who follow them among the Muslims and the believers."
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 429
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 282
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 429
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/2/282
Magrib’s sunnah prayers:
The sunnah prayers before Maghrib is two rak’ats and the sunnah prayers after Maghrib is two rak’ats.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ، عَنِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ الْمُزَنِيُّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " صَلُّوا قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ ". ـ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ ـ لِمَنْ شَاءَ كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهَا النَّاسُ سُنَّةً.
Narrated `Abdullah Al-Muzni:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Pray before the Maghrib (compulsory) prayer." He (said it thrice) and in the third time, he said, "Whoever wants to offer it can do so." He said so because he did not like the people to take it as a tradition.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1183
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 60
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 277
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/60
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي بَيْتِهِ، وَبَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ لاَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray two rak`at before the Zuhr prayer and two rak`at after it. He also used to pray two rak`at after the Maghrib prayer in his house, and two rak`at after the `Isha' prayer. He never prayed after Jumua prayer till he departed (from the Mosque), and then he would pray two rak`at at home.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 937
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 61
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 59
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/61
Isha’s sunnah prayers:
The sunnah prayers before isha is two or four rak’ats. The sunnah prayer after isha prayer is two rak’ats.
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُغَفَّلٍ الْمُزَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ ـ ثَلاَثًا ـ لِمَنْ شَاءَ ".
Narrated `Abdullah bin Mughaffal Al-Muzani:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said thrice, "There is a prayer between the two Adhans (Adhan and Iqama)," and added, "For the one who wants to pray."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 624
In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 21
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 11, Hadith 597
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/10/21
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، وَوَكِيعٌ، عَنْ كَهْمَسٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُغَفَّلٍ الْمُزَنِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ - قَالَهَا ثَلاَثًا قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ - لِمَنْ شَاءَ " .
Abdullah b. Mughaffal reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) u saying:
There Is between the two calls (Adhan and Iqama) a prayer. And he mentioned it three times, and at the third time he said: This applies to those who wish to do it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 838 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 368
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1822
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/368
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that there is a prayer between the Adhan and the iqama. But how many rak’ats for it is not made clear. If you look at the sunnah prayers of the Prophet (pbuh), you will find it to be two or four rak’ats. On this basis we can pray the sunnah prayer before Isha as two or four.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَبَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي بَيْتِهِ، وَبَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ لاَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray two rak`at before the Zuhr prayer and two rak`at after it. He also used to pray two rak`at after the Maghrib prayer in his house, and two rak`at after the `Isha' prayer. He never prayed after Jumua prayer till he departed (from the Mosque), and then he would pray two rak`at at home.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 937
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 61
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 59
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/61
Dhuha Prayer:
The prayer offered during the time of dawn is known as Dhuha prayer. This prayer can be offered starting from two rak'ats to how much ever rak'ats one wishes.
There is no authentic hadith with regards to the timings of the Dhuha prayer.
There is one Hadith in Muslim book (1361) on timings of the duha prayer.
وَحَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَابْنُ، نُمَيْرٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ - عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ أَرْقَمَ، رَأَى قَوْمًا يُصَلُّونَ مِنَ الضُّحَى فَقَالَ أَمَا لَقَدْ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ الصَّلاَةَ فِي غَيْرِ هَذِهِ السَّاعَةِ أَفْضَلُ . إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " صَلاَةُ الأَوَّابِينَ حِينَ تَرْمَضُ الْفِصَالُ " .
Zaid b. Arqam, on seeing some people praying in the forenoon, said:
They well know that prayer at another time than this is more excellent, for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: The prayer of those who are penitent is observed when your weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 748 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 175
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1630
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/175
The Alqaasim Ashaifani present in the announcer chain is known to be weak (in credibility). So, this hadith cannot be considered as proof. However, from the meaning of the word Dhuha we can know it’s timings. Dhuha means dawn. So, it can be decided that this prayer has to be prayed during dawn.
Two Rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو التَّيَّاحِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ صِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، وَرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى، وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
My friend (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) advised me to observe three things: (1) to fast three days a month; (2) to pray two rak`at of Duha prayer (forenoon prayer); and (3) to pray witr before sleeping.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1981
In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 88
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 202
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/30/88
حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو التَّيَّاحِ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عُثْمَانَ النَّهْدِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ بِصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَرْقُدَ .
Abu Huraira reported. My friend (the Holy Prophet, may peace be upon him) has instructed me to do three things:
three fasts during every month, two rak'ahs of the forenoon prayer, and observing Witr prayer before going to bed.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 721 a
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 102
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1558
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/102
Jubair narrated from Abu Ad-Darda, or Abu Dharr, that :
Allah's Messenger narrated that Allah, Blessed and Most High said: "Son of Adam: Perform four Rak'ah for Me in the beginning of the day it will suffice you for the latter part of it."
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ السِّمْنَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُسْهِرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ بَحِيرِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَعْدَانَ، عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، وَأَبِي، ذَرٍّ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عَنِ اللَّهِ، عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ابْنَ آدَمَ ارْكَعْ لِي مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 475
In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 23
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 475
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/3/23
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا صَفْوَانُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شُرَيْحُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الْحَضْرَمِيُّ وَغَيْرُهُ عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَا تَعْجَزَنَّ مِنْ الْأَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ نَهَارِكَ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَهُ.
Reference : Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal ( 26208 )
In-book reference : , Nine abridged Hadith books ( 57053 )
URL reference : http://sahhabgroup.com/sunnah/mobile/?lang=1&page=snbmkhar&HadeethD=717500000026208
Eight rak’ats:
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، قَالَ مَا أَنْبَأَ أَحَدٌ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الضُّحَى غَيْرُ أُمِّ هَانِئٍ ذَكَرَتْ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ فَتْحِ مَكَّةَ اغْتَسَلَ فِي بَيْتِهَا، فَصَلَّى ثَمَانِ رَكَعَاتٍ، فَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ صَلَّى صَلاَةً أَخَفَّ مِنْهَا، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ يُتِمُّ الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُودَ.
Narrated Ibn Abu Laila:
Only Um Hani told us that she had seen the Prophet (p.b.u.h) offering the Duha (forenoon prayer). She said, "On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (ﷺ) took a bath in my house and offered eight rak`at. I never saw him praying such a light prayer but he performed perfect prostration and bowing.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1103
In-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 23
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 207
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/18/23
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحِ بْنِ الْمُهَاجِرِ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي هِنْدٍ، أَنَّ أَبَا مُرَّةَ، مَوْلَى عَقِيلٍ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ أُمَّ هَانِئٍ بِنْتَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ حَدَّثَتْهُ أَنَّهُ، لَمَّا كَانَ عَامُ الْفَتْحِ أَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ بِأَعْلَى مَكَّةَ . قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى غُسْلِهِ فَسَتَرَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَاطِمَةُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ ثَوْبَهُ فَالْتَحَفَ بِهِ ثُمَّ صَلَّى ثَمَانَ رَكَعَاتٍ سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى .
Umm Hani b. Abu Talib reported:
It was the day of the conquest (of Mecca) that she went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he was staying at a higher part (of that city). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up for his bath. Fatimah held a curtain around him (in order to provide him privacy). He then put on his garments and wrapped himself with that and then offered eight rak'ahs of the forenoon prayer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 336 b
In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 87
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 3, Hadith 664
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/3/87
Translated by: Abu Abdul Baari and Ummu Abdul Baari
Source: நபிவழியில் தொழுகை சட்டங்கள் (Nabivazhiyil Thozhugay Sattangal) book by MI Muhammad Sulaiman, Aug 2015 edition, page 157-162
The original source (Tamizh): https://thowheedtranslations.blogspot.com/2019/05/ti0109-tamizh-sunnah-prayer.html
