Salat al-Duha

It is narrated from Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ used to pray four Rak’ahs (units) in Duha prayer and added whatever Allah wished for him. (Muslim)

“ Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “My friend [the Messenger of Allah ﷺ] advised me to do three things: fasting three days of every month, praying the Duha prayer, and praying the witr prayer before I sleep.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Let it be known that Ishraaq, Salaat ul-Awwabin and Duha are different names that stand for identically the same forenoon prayer. The time of this prayer starts with the sunrise and goes on until one-fourth of the day. The least number of Rak’ahs of Duha prayer is two and the maximum is twelve. The preferable among them are four which are supported and approved by the Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ. It may also be remembered that this prayer is a Sunnah of former messengers as they used to offer it during their times. Hence, this prayer is a Sunnah and mustahabb (desirable). As to the matter of this prayer being called a Bid’ah (innovation) by Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) it only alludes to the fact that if someone develops a habit of continually offering it, it may be regarded as an innovation, as the Prophet ﷺ did not always offer it.

“ Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity is required from every part of your body daily. Every saying of ‘Glory be to Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘Praise be to Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘There is no God but Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is charity. Ordering the good is charity. Eradicating the evil is charity. And what suffices for that (as a charity) are the two rak`ahs of Duha. [Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud]

It is narrated from Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said,

“ “The prayer of those who are penitent is offered when the young weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.” [at-Tirmidhi]

This Hadith indicates that the best time of Duha prayer is just before noon.

It is narrated from Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said,

“ “Whoever prays twelve Rak’ahs (units) of Duha, Allah will build a castle for him in Paradise.”[at-Tirmidhi who graded it Gharib “unfamiliar, doubtful”]

It is narrated from Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ entered my house and prayed eight Rak’ahs (units) of Duha prayer. [Ibn Hibban in his Sahih]

Footnote

Adapted from Islaam.com

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