Authored by: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (رحمه الله)
(Question by: Abdul Mateen – Australia)
"The Prophet ﷺ never left praying four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and two Rak‘ahs before Fajr."
(Sahih Bukhari: 1182)
In another narration:
"He used to perform four Rak‘ahs in his house before leading the people in prayer."
(Sahih Muslim: 1699)
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin As-Sa'ib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform four Rak‘ahs after the sun's decline and before Dhuhr prayer, and he said: 'The gates of heaven are opened at this time, and I love that a righteous deed of mine should ascend therein.'"
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 478; Hasan Gharib; Authentic chain)
Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and two after it."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 598-599; Hasan chain)
From Sayyidah Umm Habibah (رضي الله عنها):
"Whoever maintains four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will make the Fire forbidden for him."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 428; Hasan chain, supported by multiple corroborations)
❀ If these Sunnah are missed before Dhuhr, they may be made up after the obligatory prayer.
❀ It is better to pray these four Sunnah in sets of two Rak‘ahs each, as supported by the practice of Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) and others.❀ If prayed with one Tasleem (Salam), it is still valid as shown from the actions of some companions.❀ Missing these Sunnah is permissible under necessity, referring to the Hadith:
"Between every two calls (Adhan and Iqamah) there is a prayer (optional) — for whoever wishes."
(Sahih Bukhari: 627; Sahih Muslim: 838)
✔ The sequence is not mandatory, because of the slight weakness in the narration of Ibn Majah which explicitly mentions the sequence.
✔ Scholarly consensus holds that missed Sunnah prayers may be compensated, especially for someone habitual in offering them.
🗓 Date: 18 August 2013
Rulings Regarding the Four Sunnah Before Dhuhr
❖ Question:
What are the rulings regarding the four Sunnah before the obligatory Dhuhr prayer? If someone cannot pray these four Sunnah before the obligatory prayer, what should he do?(Question by: Abdul Mateen – Australia)
❖ Answer:
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated:"The Prophet ﷺ never left praying four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and two Rak‘ahs before Fajr."
(Sahih Bukhari: 1182)
In another narration:
"He used to perform four Rak‘ahs in his house before leading the people in prayer."
(Sahih Muslim: 1699)
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin As-Sa'ib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform four Rak‘ahs after the sun's decline and before Dhuhr prayer, and he said: 'The gates of heaven are opened at this time, and I love that a righteous deed of mine should ascend therein.'"
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 478; Hasan Gharib; Authentic chain)
Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and two after it."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 598-599; Hasan chain)
From Sayyidah Umm Habibah (رضي الله عنها):
"Whoever maintains four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will make the Fire forbidden for him."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 428; Hasan chain, supported by multiple corroborations)
✿ Important Points:
❀ The four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr are Sunnah Mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah).❀ If these Sunnah are missed before Dhuhr, they may be made up after the obligatory prayer.
❀ It is better to pray these four Sunnah in sets of two Rak‘ahs each, as supported by the practice of Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) and others.❀ If prayed with one Tasleem (Salam), it is still valid as shown from the actions of some companions.❀ Missing these Sunnah is permissible under necessity, referring to the Hadith:
"Between every two calls (Adhan and Iqamah) there is a prayer (optional) — for whoever wishes."
(Sahih Bukhari: 627; Sahih Muslim: 838)
◈ Practical Guidance:
✔ If you miss the four Sunnah before Dhuhr, it is Sunnah to pray them after the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, before praying the two Sunnah after Dhuhr.✔ The sequence is not mandatory, because of the slight weakness in the narration of Ibn Majah which explicitly mentions the sequence.
✔ Scholarly consensus holds that missed Sunnah prayers may be compensated, especially for someone habitual in offering them.
❀ Conclusion:
Praying four Rak‘ahs before Dhuhr is a strongly emphasized Sunnah. If missed, they can be made up after the obligatory Dhuhr prayer without strict adherence to sequence. Performing Sunnah prayers consistently brings great rewards, including protection from Hellfire as promised by the Prophet ﷺ.🗓 Date: 18 August 2013
