Fard
Fard prayers are compulsory. The five daily Fard prayers must be prayed and cannot be replaced by Sunnah or Nafl prayers.
Salah / Namaz
Sunnah and Nafl Prayers
Sunnah and Nafl prayers are extra prayers that bring a believer closer to Allah. They do not replace the Fard prayers, but they beautify the day, increase reward, and may complete shortcomings in obligatory prayer by Allah’s mercy.
Fard, Sunnah, Nafl and Witr
Before learning the extra prayers, it is important to know the difference between them. This keeps the page clear for beginners and prevents confusion.
Sunnah
Sunnah prayers are prayers the Prophet ﷺ regularly prayed or strongly encouraged, especially around the five daily prayers.
Nafl
Nafl prayers are voluntary prayers offered for extra closeness to Allah, forgiveness, gratitude, guidance, and reward.
Important: Witr is not treated like an ordinary Nafl prayer. It is prayed after Isha and has special importance. In the Hanafi method, Witr is regarded as wajib.
How Sunnah and Nafl Help on the Day of Judgment
The first thing a person will be asked about from deeds on the Day of Resurrection is Salah. If there are shortcomings in the obligatory prayers, the voluntary prayers may be used to complete those shortcomings by Allah’s mercy.
- They do not replace Fard prayers. A person should never think, “I will pray Nafl instead of Fard.” The Fard prayer remains compulsory. Sunnah and Nafl are extra support, not a replacement for the obligation.
- They may complete deficiencies in Fard prayer. The hadith mentions that if a person’s obligatory prayer has deficiency, Allah will say to look whether the servant has voluntary prayers, and the deficiency will be completed from them. Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 413; Sunan Abi Dawud 864
- They train the heart to love Salah. When a person prays voluntary prayers regularly, Salah becomes more than a duty. It becomes a living connection with Allah throughout the day and night.
Sunnah Prayers Around the Five Daily Prayers
These are the daily Sunnah prayers connected to the five Fard prayers. The most emphasised daily Sunnah prayers are the twelve rak‘ahs mentioned in hadith.
Fajr Sunnah
Importance: The Sunnah before Fajr is one of the most emphasised Sunnah prayers. It is prayed before the Fard prayer of Fajr and should be kept light and focused.
Virtue: The Prophet ﷺ said that the two rak‘ahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it.
Hadith: Sahih Muslim 725
Dhuhr Sunnah
Importance: These Sunnah prayers protect the middle of the day with extra worship. They help a person move from work and worldly tasks back into remembrance of Allah.
Virtue: The twelve daily Sunnah rak‘ahs include four before Dhuhr and two after Dhuhr. Whoever is regular with them is promised a house in Paradise.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 415; Sahih Muslim 728
Asr Sunnah
Importance: The four rak‘ahs before Asr are voluntary and encouraged by many scholars, but they are not part of the twelve emphasised daily Sunnah rak‘ahs. They are good for someone who wants extra reward before the important Asr prayer.
Virtue: A person should not treat these as Fard, but praying extra before Asr is a beautiful voluntary act when time allows.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 430
Maghrib Sunnah
Importance: After the day closes and Maghrib is prayed, these two Sunnah rak‘ahs help a believer keep the evening connected to worship.
Virtue: The twelve daily Sunnah rak‘ahs include two after Maghrib, and regularity in them is connected to the reward of a house in Paradise.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 415; Sahih Muslim 728
Isha Sunnah and Witr
Importance: The two Sunnah rak‘ahs after Isha are part of the regular Sunnah prayers. Witr is prayed after Isha and holds special importance as the closing prayer of the night.
Virtue: The Prophet ﷺ taught that Witr should be made the last prayer at night for one who plans to end his night prayer with it.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 415; Sahih al-Bukhari 998
The twelve regular Sunnah rak‘ahs are: 2 before Fajr, 4 before Dhuhr, 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after Isha. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned a house in Paradise for the one who is regular with them.
Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 415; Sahih Muslim 728
Special Nafl and Important Extra Prayers
Some extra prayers are connected to special times or special needs. They should be learned with care, because each has its own purpose and blessing.
Tahajjud / Qiyam al-Layl
Rak‘ahs: 2 rak‘ahs at a time, as much as a person can pray
When to pray: After Isha and before Fajr. The last part of the night is especially blessed.
What it is: Tahajjud is one of the greatest voluntary prayers. It is prayed when the world is quiet and the heart can turn to Allah with more sincerity. A person may pray two rak‘ahs, four, six, eight, or more, according to ability. It is better to pray a little with consistency than to overload oneself and stop.
Why it matters: Tahajjud teaches private worship, discipline, repentance, and deep dua. It is a time to ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, relief from difficulty, and firmness in faith.
Qur’an: Surah Al-Isra 17:79; Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1145; Sahih Muslim 758
Duha / Chasht Prayer
Rak‘ahs: Minimum 2 rak‘ahs
When to pray: After the sun has risen properly until before Dhuhr. It is often prayed in the mid-morning.
What it is: Duha is a voluntary morning prayer. It is a way of beginning the day with gratitude after the sun has risen. It is especially helpful for people who want to build a daily habit of extra worship without making the night difficult on themselves.
Why it matters: The Prophet ﷺ taught that charity is due from every joint, and two rak‘ahs of Duha can suffice for that. This shows how much reward Allah places in simple, consistent voluntary prayer.
Hadith: Sahih Muslim 720
Salat al-Awwabin
Rak‘ahs: Prayed as Duha, commonly 2 or more rak‘ahs
When to pray: The authentic hadith describes it as a forenoon prayer when the young camels feel the heat of the sun.
What it is: Awwabin means those who repeatedly turn back to Allah. In the authentic hadith, Salat al-Awwabin is connected to the Duha time when the sun’s heat becomes noticeable. Some people commonly use the word Awwabin for extra prayer after Maghrib, but the clear authentic wording in Sahih Muslim points to this later Duha time.
Why it matters: This prayer reminds a believer to return to Allah even after the day has begun. It is not only a night worship habit; a servant can turn back to Allah in the morning too.
Hadith: Sahih Muslim 748a
Tahiyyatul Masjid
Rak‘ahs: 2 rak‘ahs
When to pray: When entering the masjid, before sitting down, if it is an appropriate time to pray.
What it is: Tahiyyatul Masjid means greeting the masjid. It teaches respect for the house of Allah. When a person enters the masjid, he should not make the masjid only a sitting place; he should honour it with prayer if possible.
Why it matters: This prayer is short, but it trains the heart to respect sacred spaces. It also helps a person enter the masjid in a worshipful state instead of entering casually.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 444; Sahih Muslim 714
Salat al-Tawbah
Rak‘ahs: 2 rak‘ahs
When to pray: After a person commits a sin and sincerely wants to repent to Allah.
What it is: Salat al-Tawbah is prayed when a person turns back to Allah with regret, leaves the sin, and intends not to return to it. The prayer itself is not magic. It should come with real repentance, asking Allah for forgiveness, and correcting what can be corrected.
Why it matters: This prayer gives the heart a clean path back after falling into sin. It reminds a believer that the door of repentance is open and that returning to Allah should be immediate, not delayed.
Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 1521; Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 406
Salat al-Istikhara
Rak‘ahs: 2 rak‘ahs, then the Istikhara dua
When to pray: When making a permissible decision and seeking Allah’s guidance.
What it is: Istikhara is not only for dreams. A person prays two rak‘ahs, makes the dua, and asks Allah to guide the matter toward what is best. Then the person takes the halal means, consults, thinks clearly, and trusts Allah with the outcome.
Why it matters: Istikhara teaches that a believer does not rely only on emotion, fear, or excitement. He asks Allah to choose what is better for his religion, life, and final outcome.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166
Eid Salah
Rak‘ahs: 2 rak‘ahs with extra takbirs
When to pray: On Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, after sunrise has risen and before Dhuhr.
What it is: Eid prayer is not an ordinary Nafl prayer. It is a special public prayer connected to the two Eids. It is prayed in congregation, followed by a khutbah. In the Hanafi method it is treated with special importance, and a person should not treat it casually.
Why it matters: Eid Salah gathers the community in worship and gratitude. Eid al-Fitr comes after Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha is connected to sacrifice, obedience, and the legacy of Ibrahim عليه السلام.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 964; Sahih al-Bukhari 989
Janazah Salah
Rak‘ahs: No rak‘ah like normal Salah; it is prayed standing with takbirs and dua
When to pray: When a Muslim passes away and the funeral prayer is offered.
What it is: Janazah prayer is not a Nafl prayer and it is not performed like the daily prayers. There is no ruku or sajdah. It is a communal duty and should be learned separately with its duas and rules.
Why it matters: Janazah Salah is a right of the deceased Muslim and a reminder for the living. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned great reward for offering the funeral prayer and accompanying the funeral until burial.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1325; Sahih Muslim 945
Istikhara Dua
Most Sunnah and Nafl prayers do not have a special fixed dua after them. Istikhara is different because the Prophet ﷺ taught a specific dua for seeking Allah’s guidance in a decision.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lam, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi‘ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlikal-‘azim. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta‘lamu wa la a‘lam, wa anta ‘allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta‘lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma‘ashi wa ‘aqibati amri fasrifhu ‘anni wasrifni ‘anhu, waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini.
Meaning: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your great bounty. You have power and I do not; You know and I do not; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the outcome of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know this matter is bad for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree good for me wherever it may be, then make me pleased with it.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166
Virtues of Sunnah and Nafl Prayers
- They bring a believer closer to Allah. Fard prayer is the foundation, and voluntary prayers add beauty, love, and extra closeness to the foundation.
- They may complete shortcomings in the Fard prayers. On the Day of Resurrection, voluntary prayers may be used to complete deficiencies in obligatory prayers by Allah’s mercy. Hadith: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 413; Sunan Abi Dawud 864
- They build consistency. A small voluntary prayer prayed regularly is better for many people than doing too much at once and then stopping.
- They turn quiet times into worship. Tahajjud fills the night with dua, Duha fills the morning with gratitude, and Sunnah prayers protect the day around the Fard prayers.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking Sunnah or Nafl can replace Fard. Sunnah and Nafl are extra worship. They do not replace the five daily Fard prayers.
- Praying extra while neglecting the compulsory prayers. The first priority is to protect the Fard prayers. Extra prayers should support the Fard, not distract from them.
- Overloading oneself. Start with what can be done consistently, especially the Sunnah before Fajr and the regular Sunnah around daily prayers.
- Thinking every Nafl prayer has a special fixed dua. Most Nafl prayers do not have a special fixed dua after them. Istikhara is one prayer where a specific dua is taught.
- Confusing Janazah and Eid with ordinary Nafl. Eid and Janazah have their own rulings and method. They should be learned separately and not treated like regular Nafl prayers.