◈ Virtues of Sunnah Prayers in Light of Hadith ◈
Written by: Anīlah ʿAtīq Ṣāḥibah
Sunnah prayers, which are the established voluntary prayers practiced by the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, hold great merit and value in Islam. They are a means of attaining closeness to Allah, entry into Paradise, and His eternal pleasure. Both the Qur’an and Hadith emphasize their spiritual significance and reward.
While the Qur’an does not mention specific Sunnah rakʿāt by name, it praises all forms of extra righteous deeds:
"وَمَا تَقَدَّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ"
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 110)
Translation:
“And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah.”
This verse points to the lasting reward of all good actions, including the Sunnah prayers, which are a crucial part of a Muslim’s spiritual preparation for the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever consistently performs twelve rakʿāt (Sunnah) prayers daily, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 728)
These 12 rakʿāt are:
① 2 Sunnah before Fajr
② 4 Sunnah before Ẓuhr
③ 2 Sunnah after Ẓuhr
④ 2 Sunnah after Maghrib
⑤ 2 Sunnah after ʿIshāʾ
These prayers are a means of following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and securing an honorable station in Jannah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The two rakʿāt of Fajr are better than the world and all that it contains.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 725)
This shows that these two simple rakʿāt hold immense spiritual value, far beyond worldly riches.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays four rakʿāt after the sun passes its zenith (before Ẓuhr) with prolonged prostration, Allah will make Hellfire forbidden for him.”
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 430)
This ḥadīth highlights the salvific nature of these rakʿāt and the reward of protection from Hellfire.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays six rakʿāt after Maghrib without engaging in any evil speech between them, they will be a means of atonement for his sins.”
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 435)
This ḥadīth illustrates that post-Maghrib Sunnah serve as a source of forgiveness and purification from previous sins.
✔ Sunnah prayers are a critical part of a believer’s path to Jannah, reflecting the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and earning Allah’s love and forgiveness.
✔ Those who remain consistent in Sunnah Muʾakkadah will, by the mercy of Allah, be closer to the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgement.
✔ These voluntary prayers are not just “optional acts” but hold a high status in Islam and should be preserved with diligence.
Let us strive to make these Sunnah prayers a regular part of our daily lives, seeking Allah’s pleasure and the eternal reward of the Hereafter.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Written by: Anīlah ʿAtīq Ṣāḥibah
Sunnah prayers, which are the established voluntary prayers practiced by the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, hold great merit and value in Islam. They are a means of attaining closeness to Allah, entry into Paradise, and His eternal pleasure. Both the Qur’an and Hadith emphasize their spiritual significance and reward.
❶ Reference to Sunnah in the Noble Qur’an
While the Qur’an does not mention specific Sunnah rakʿāt by name, it praises all forms of extra righteous deeds:
"وَمَا تَقَدَّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ"
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 110)
Translation:
“And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah.”
This verse points to the lasting reward of all good actions, including the Sunnah prayers, which are a crucial part of a Muslim’s spiritual preparation for the Hereafter.
❷ Virtues of Sunnah Prayers in Hadith
✦ A) Glad Tidings of Paradise for Maintaining Sunnah Prayers
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever consistently performs twelve rakʿāt (Sunnah) prayers daily, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 728)These 12 rakʿāt are:
① 2 Sunnah before Fajr
② 4 Sunnah before Ẓuhr
③ 2 Sunnah after Ẓuhr
④ 2 Sunnah after Maghrib
⑤ 2 Sunnah after ʿIshāʾ
These prayers are a means of following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and securing an honorable station in Jannah.
✦ B) Fajr Sunnah: Better Than the World and All It Contains
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The two rakʿāt of Fajr are better than the world and all that it contains.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 725)This shows that these two simple rakʿāt hold immense spiritual value, far beyond worldly riches.
✦ C) Virtue of Four Rakʿāt Before Ẓuhr
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays four rakʿāt after the sun passes its zenith (before Ẓuhr) with prolonged prostration, Allah will make Hellfire forbidden for him.”
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 430)This ḥadīth highlights the salvific nature of these rakʿāt and the reward of protection from Hellfire.
✦ D) Blessings of Sunnah After Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays six rakʿāt after Maghrib without engaging in any evil speech between them, they will be a means of atonement for his sins.”
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 435)This ḥadīth illustrates that post-Maghrib Sunnah serve as a source of forgiveness and purification from previous sins.
❖ Conclusion
✔ Sunnah prayers are a critical part of a believer’s path to Jannah, reflecting the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and earning Allah’s love and forgiveness.
✔ Those who remain consistent in Sunnah Muʾakkadah will, by the mercy of Allah, be closer to the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgement.
✔ These voluntary prayers are not just “optional acts” but hold a high status in Islam and should be preserved with diligence.
Let us strive to make these Sunnah prayers a regular part of our daily lives, seeking Allah’s pleasure and the eternal reward of the Hereafter.
والله أعلم بالصواب
