Evidence for Two Sunnah Before Ẓuhr — From Authentic Ḥadīth
📘 Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, p. 419
❖ Question:
Is it established from authentic ḥadīth to pray two rakʿāt Sunnah before Ẓuhr Ṣalāh?
✅ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Yes, offering two rakʿāt Sunnah before the Ẓuhr prayer is authentically proven from the Prophet ﷺ through multiple narrations.
✿ Primary Ḥadīth Evidence:
Narration by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه:
❝ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ سَجْدَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ ❞
“I prayed two sajdahs (i.e., two rakʿāt) with the Prophet ﷺ before Ẓuhr.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 729, Dār al-Salām numbering: 1698)
✔ The term “سجدتین” is interpreted by scholars to mean “two rakʿāt” in this context.
✔ This proves the Prophet ﷺ regularly offered two Sunnah rakʿāt before Ẓuhr.
✿ Supporting Clarification:
Another narration from ʿAlī رضي الله عنه supports this usage of the word “sajdah” to mean a full rakʿah:
❝ فَإِذَا قَامَ مِنْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ ❞
“When he would rise after two sajdahs (i.e., two rakʿāt), he would raise his hands.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 3423)
✔ Imām al-Tirmidhī said: “Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ”
Also referenced in:
Juzʾ Rafʿ al-Yadayn by al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth 1, p. 32
(Māhānā Shahādat, May 2004)
✅ Conclusion:
◉ The Sunnah of praying two rakʿāt before the Ẓuhr prayer is authentically proven from the words and practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
◉ The use of the word “سجدتین” has been clearly established to mean “two rakʿāt” in the context of ṣalāh.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
