This article is derived from the book "Salah Mustafa ﷺ" authored by the esteemed Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ himself called the Duha prayer "Salat al-Awwabin" (the prayer of those who frequently turn to Allah).
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith no. 1224 – Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim, Hadith no. 3141)
It is preferable to delay the prayer until later in the forenoon.
"Each morning, there is a charity due from every joint in your body. Saying 'Alhamdulillah' is charity. Saying 'La ilaha illallah' is charity. Saying 'Allahu Akbar' is charity. Enjoining good is charity. Forbidding evil is charity. And all of this is fulfilled by offering two Rak'ahs of Duha prayer."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1671)
Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Allah said:
"O son of Adam, perform four Rak'ahs for Me at the beginning of the day, and I shall suffice you at its end."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Witr, Hadith no. 475)
Sayyidah A'ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform four Rak'ahs for the Duha prayer, and would sometimes add more as Allah willed."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1663)
Sayyidah Umm Hani رضي الله عنها narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed eight Rak'ahs of Duha prayer on the day of the conquest of Makkah."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, Hadith no. 1176 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1667)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The prayer of the Awwabin is when the young camels feel the intense heat (i.e., during the severe heat of the day)."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1746)
➋ Narrations mentioning six or twenty Rak'ahs after Maghrib prayer are weak and unauthentic.
✿ Salat al-Duha, Salat al-Ishraq, and Salat al-Awwabin
These three names refer to the same prayer.The Noble Prophet ﷺ himself called the Duha prayer "Salat al-Awwabin" (the prayer of those who frequently turn to Allah).
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith no. 1224 – Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim, Hadith no. 3141)
✿ Timing
The time for this prayer begins after the sunrise and continues until just before the zenith (Zawal).It is preferable to delay the prayer until later in the forenoon.
✿ Virtues
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"Each morning, there is a charity due from every joint in your body. Saying 'Alhamdulillah' is charity. Saying 'La ilaha illallah' is charity. Saying 'Allahu Akbar' is charity. Enjoining good is charity. Forbidding evil is charity. And all of this is fulfilled by offering two Rak'ahs of Duha prayer."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1671)
Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Allah said:
"O son of Adam, perform four Rak'ahs for Me at the beginning of the day, and I shall suffice you at its end."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Witr, Hadith no. 475)
✿ Number of Rak'ahs
➤ Two Rak'ahs are sufficient according to the Hadith mentioned above.Sayyidah A'ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform four Rak'ahs for the Duha prayer, and would sometimes add more as Allah willed."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1663)
Sayyidah Umm Hani رضي الله عنها narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed eight Rak'ahs of Duha prayer on the day of the conquest of Makkah."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, Hadith no. 1176 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1667)
✿ Important Rulings and Issues Regarding Salat al-Duha
➊ If the Duha prayer is delayed, it is referred to as Salat al-Awwabin.The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The prayer of the Awwabin is when the young camels feel the intense heat (i.e., during the severe heat of the day)."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, Hadith no. 1746)
➋ Narrations mentioning six or twenty Rak'ahs after Maghrib prayer are weak and unauthentic.
