Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)
"Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Arqam (رضي الله عنه) once saw people performing the Duha prayer and said: 'Do they not know that offering this prayer at another time is more virtuous? Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The prayer of the repentant (Salat al-Awwabin) is when the feet of young camels are burned by the intense heat of the sun.’”
[Muslim, Book of Prayer for Travelers: Chapter on Salat al-Awwabin When the Feet of Young Camels are Burned, Hadith 748; Al-Bayhaqi 3/49]
In another Hadith:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to the people of Quba, who were performing the Duha prayer, and said: ‘The prayer of the repentant (Salat al-Awwabin) is when the feet of young camels are burned by the intense heat of the sun.’”
[Ahmad 4/366; Al-Bayhaqi 3/490; Al-Tabarani, Al-Kabir 5/234; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1227; Sharh al-Sunnah 4/1145; Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/406; Irwa al-Ghalil 2/220]
From this authentic Hadith, we learn that the Salat al-Duha (also known as the Ishraq prayer) is best offered not immediately after sunrise but rather when the sun has risen high and the heat is intense.
Shaykh Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) comments:
“This time is just before noon.”
[Minhatu al-Mun'im 1/471]
This time, which the Prophet (ﷺ) termed as Salat al-Awwabin, refers to those who frequently turn to Allah in repentance. The term "Awwabin" is the plural of "Awwab," which denotes a person who turns to Allah often, seeking forgiveness with sincerity and righteous actions. This is generally a time when most people rest, yet a devoted servant sets aside comfort to worship Allah, making this the optimal time for Salat al-Duha.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“No one observes the Duha prayer except the truly repentant (Awwab),” and he added, “This is the Salat al-Awwabin.”
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1224; Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak 1/314; Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah 1994, 703; Majma' al-Zawaid 2/239; Al-Tabarani, Al-Awsat 3877]
From this narration, it is evident that Salat al-Duha is also known as Salat al-Awwabin.
Most scholars consider the Salat al-Ishraq to be the same as the Salat al-Duha. However, some differentiate between the two.
Maulana Ubaidullah Rahmani Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) explains:
“The Salat al-Ishraq is performed during the early forenoon (when the sun has just risen), while the Salat al-Duha is performed later in the forenoon (when the sun is higher).”
In the narrations encouraging Ishraq prayer, it is mentioned that after Fajr prayer, one should remain seated in worship until the sun rises and then perform two units of prayer.
Mulla Ali al-Qari (رحمه الله) stated:
“The correct understanding is that the beginning time for Salat al-Duha is when the time of disapproval (i.e., after sunrise) has passed, and its end time is just before noon (zawal). Thus, if the prayer is performed early in this time, it is termed Salat al-Ishraq, while if performed closer to noon, it is called Salat al-Duha.”
One narration mentions:
“When the sun has risen sufficiently to the height of two spears, similar to the time just before sunset, the Prophet (ﷺ) would pray two units, then pause, and when the heat intensified, he would pray four units.”
[Al-Nasa’i, Al-Sunan al-Kubra 1/178]
Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله) classified this Hadith as Hasan (good).
From these narrations, it is clear that there is a difference between Salat al-Ishraq and Salat al-Duha. When the prayer is performed shortly after sunrise, it is called Ishraq, while if it is offered later, closer to midday when the sun is high and hot, it is termed Duha. And Allah knows best.
It is not established to designate six units of prayer after Maghrib as Salat al-Awwabin, as some from the Hanafi school of thought hold. This view contradicts the previously mentioned authentic Hadith, which refers to Salat al-Duha as Salat al-Awwabin.
Question:
What is the prayer of Ishraq, and what is its correct time?Answer:
The word Ishraq means "sunrise." Thus, the prayer offered after the sun has risen slightly above the horizon is called the Salat al-Ishraq. Qasim Shaybani (رحمه الله) states:"Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Arqam (رضي الله عنه) once saw people performing the Duha prayer and said: 'Do they not know that offering this prayer at another time is more virtuous? Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The prayer of the repentant (Salat al-Awwabin) is when the feet of young camels are burned by the intense heat of the sun.’”
[Muslim, Book of Prayer for Travelers: Chapter on Salat al-Awwabin When the Feet of Young Camels are Burned, Hadith 748; Al-Bayhaqi 3/49]
In another Hadith:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to the people of Quba, who were performing the Duha prayer, and said: ‘The prayer of the repentant (Salat al-Awwabin) is when the feet of young camels are burned by the intense heat of the sun.’”
[Ahmad 4/366; Al-Bayhaqi 3/490; Al-Tabarani, Al-Kabir 5/234; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1227; Sharh al-Sunnah 4/1145; Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/406; Irwa al-Ghalil 2/220]
From this authentic Hadith, we learn that the Salat al-Duha (also known as the Ishraq prayer) is best offered not immediately after sunrise but rather when the sun has risen high and the heat is intense.
Shaykh Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) comments:
“This time is just before noon.”
[Minhatu al-Mun'im 1/471]
This time, which the Prophet (ﷺ) termed as Salat al-Awwabin, refers to those who frequently turn to Allah in repentance. The term "Awwabin" is the plural of "Awwab," which denotes a person who turns to Allah often, seeking forgiveness with sincerity and righteous actions. This is generally a time when most people rest, yet a devoted servant sets aside comfort to worship Allah, making this the optimal time for Salat al-Duha.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“No one observes the Duha prayer except the truly repentant (Awwab),” and he added, “This is the Salat al-Awwabin.”
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1224; Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak 1/314; Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah 1994, 703; Majma' al-Zawaid 2/239; Al-Tabarani, Al-Awsat 3877]
From this narration, it is evident that Salat al-Duha is also known as Salat al-Awwabin.
Most scholars consider the Salat al-Ishraq to be the same as the Salat al-Duha. However, some differentiate between the two.
Maulana Ubaidullah Rahmani Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) explains:
“The Salat al-Ishraq is performed during the early forenoon (when the sun has just risen), while the Salat al-Duha is performed later in the forenoon (when the sun is higher).”
In the narrations encouraging Ishraq prayer, it is mentioned that after Fajr prayer, one should remain seated in worship until the sun rises and then perform two units of prayer.
Mulla Ali al-Qari (رحمه الله) stated:
“The correct understanding is that the beginning time for Salat al-Duha is when the time of disapproval (i.e., after sunrise) has passed, and its end time is just before noon (zawal). Thus, if the prayer is performed early in this time, it is termed Salat al-Ishraq, while if performed closer to noon, it is called Salat al-Duha.”
One narration mentions:
“When the sun has risen sufficiently to the height of two spears, similar to the time just before sunset, the Prophet (ﷺ) would pray two units, then pause, and when the heat intensified, he would pray four units.”
[Al-Nasa’i, Al-Sunan al-Kubra 1/178]
Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله) classified this Hadith as Hasan (good).
From these narrations, it is clear that there is a difference between Salat al-Ishraq and Salat al-Duha. When the prayer is performed shortly after sunrise, it is called Ishraq, while if it is offered later, closer to midday when the sun is high and hot, it is termed Duha. And Allah knows best.
It is not established to designate six units of prayer after Maghrib as Salat al-Awwabin, as some from the Hanafi school of thought hold. This view contradicts the previously mentioned authentic Hadith, which refers to Salat al-Duha as Salat al-Awwabin.