Duha Prayer: What, When and How it is Performed?
Duha Prayer: What, When and How it is Performed?
Duha Prayer: What, When and How it is Performed?
Duha Prayer: What, When and How it is Performed?
Reviving a salient Sunnah:
Duha Prayer: What, When and How is it Performed?
Snared by worldly affairs, we often forget that this world which which was compared to the wing of a mosquito by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) is nothing but temporary amusement, whereas, the treasures of the Hereafter are incomparably more valuable.
As Muslims who seek the ‘Treasures of Paradise in the Akhirah’ (The Hereafter), we need to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah by fulfilling our obligations to Him by performing all that which He has made obligatory (Fard), abstaining from that which He has made unlawful and seeking repentance for our sins and transgressions.
We must then aim to further our efforts by performing voluntary acts of worship that were encouraged by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) whilst following his teachings and practices (Sunnah) so that we may succeed.
Allah’s asks the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) in the Quran (3:31) to tell his people:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
The above ayah (Quranic verse) stresses on the fact that those who follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) will have their sins forgiven and earn Allah’s Mercy.
Among the voluntary acts of worship and practices that were highly encouraged byour ourProphet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) are the Sunnah/Nafl prayers that include the Duha (Forenoon) Prayer.
The significance of The Duha Prayer is highlighted in the following hadith:
It was narrated by Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “In the morning a charity is due from every joint of one of you. Every tasbeehah is a charity, every tahmeedah is a charity, every tahleelah is a charity, every takbeerah is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that.” (Muslim:720)
The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)'s Muhammad’s (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) words in the above hadith “...and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that” indicates the virtue and significance of the Duha prayer and that it can be offered with two rak’ahs (minimum). (Sharh Muslim An-Nawawi).
Considering the profound virtue of the Duha Prayer and the reward for reviving a forgotten Sunnah, let’s delve deeper into the aspects pertaining to the Duha Prayer including when and how it is performed.
Understanding Salat-at-Duha/The Duha Prayer (The Forenoon Prayer)
Linguistics and virtues
The word ‘Duha’ linguistically translates to ‘the Morning brightness’ and is also the name given to the voluntary prayer that is offered between sunrise and noon. Salat-at-Duha is also referred to as Salat-al-Ishraq or Salat-al-Awwabin. The Duha prayer is a ‘Sunnah Mu’akkadah’- a confirmed sunnah that garners immense benefit for the one who performs it but does not imply sin upon the one who fails to establish it.
It’s importance is further implicated in a hadith from Bukhari (1178) and Muslim (721):
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: “My close friend (The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: to fast three days of every month, to pray Salat-at-Duha, and to pray Witr before going to sleep.”
When is the Duha Prayer Performed?
The time for Salat-at-Duha starts approximately 15 minutes after sunrise and ends just before Noon (when the sun is at the zenith).
However it is perceived that the most preferred time to pray the Duha Prayer is during the hottest part of the day- when the sun has reached its highest point. This fact is derived from the hadith that was narrated by Muslim, (748):
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, “It is preferable to offer the Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”
A Common point of Dissension: Are Salat-at-Duha and Salat-al-Ishraq two different prayers?
‘...the majority of the classical scholars are of the opinion that the post-sunrise prayer (Ishraq) is the same as the mid-morning prayer (Duha)...’ (islamqa)
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) also shed light in this regard in his explanation: “The Sunnah of Ishraq is the same as the Sunnah of Duha, but if it is done early (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear) it is called Salat-al-Ishraq. But if it is done at the end or middle of its prescribed time it is referred to as Salat-at-Duha. But it is all considered Duha prayer, because the scholars all agree that the Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith (Noon).” (Liqa’ al Baab al Maftooh, 141/24)
How do you perform the Duha prayer?
How many Rak’ahs are performed for the Duha Prayer?
The Duha prayer is offered like most other Sunnah/Nafl prayers in sets of two.The minimum number of rak’ahs that can be offered for the Duha prayer is two rak'ahs as concluded from the hadith by Abu Dharr (Muslim:720).
There isn’t a maximum number of rak’ahs that have been prescribed in particular. However, as per the practices of our Prophet Muhammad Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), it can be deduced that he offered four rak’ahs of the Duha prayer in two sets of two rak’ahs and with eight rak’ahs on the day of the conquest of Makkah.
Mu’adhah (رضي الله عنها) once asked Aisha (رضي الله عنها) regarding how many rak’ahs the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) offered for the Duha prayer. She replied: “Four rak’ahs, and however many more he wanted”.
(Muslim:719)
Rituals of the Duha Prayer/Salat-ad-Duha
Niyyah (Intention)- Start by making a sincere intention in your heart that you are offering the Duha prayer solely for the sake of Allah.
Initiate the First Rak’ah:
Takbeerat-al-Ihram- Raise your hands to your ears while standing and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)
Recitation of Surah Al Fatihah- Recite the 7 verses of Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran)
Recitation of Additional Quranic verses: following the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another surah/portion of the Quran.
Ruku (Bowing):
Raise your hands to your ears (Raful-Yaddain) and say Allahu Akbar, then bend at your waist and place your hands on your knees and recite ‘Subahana Rabbi al adheem’. (Glory be to my Lord, The Exalted)three times.Qaumah (straightening up) and returning to the standing position: After completing Ruku while straightening your back and performing Raful-Yaddain say: ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamida’ (Allah Hears those who praise Him). Then when completely upright proclaim: ‘Rabbana wa-lakal hamd’ (Oh Our Lord! All praise is for you)
Sujood (prostration):
Then proceed to prostrate on the ground while ensuring your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and tips of your toes are touching the ground and are facing the Qiblah and then recite ‘Subahana Rabbiyal A’ala’ (Glory be to my Lord, The Most High).Jalsa (Sitting between the two prostrations): After sujood, get into a sitting position while saying Allahu Akbar and then recite ‘Rabbi agfirli, Rabbi agfirli’ (Oh My Lord Forgive me, Oh My Lord Forgive me).
*There are alternate verses that can be recited.
Second Sujood: Say Allahu Akbar and perform another sujood.
Second Jalsa (Sitting for rest): After completing the second sujood, say Allahu Akbar while getting back to a sitting position for a few seconds of rest. Then proceed to perform the second Rak’ah.
Perform the Second Rak’ah
Repeat the same steps as the first Rak’ah
Tashahhud and Salam: After completing the second sujood in the second Rak’ah, say Allahu Akbar, get into a sitting position and recite Dua Tashahhud and additional duas (optional) and then give salams first by turning to your right side saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you) and then turn towards your left side and say ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you).
Motivation for the Believer
As believers, we are constantly challenged by the rigmarole of worldly affairs and are deceived by our desires. Our five daily prayers are often delayed due to busy schedules and when we’re freed from it we unconsciously choose our devices over performing acts that will earn us the Pleasure of our Creator.
The truth is- we need to wake up before our time in this world ceases. If our complaint is that we’re too busy to keep track of salah times, we really have no excuse thanks to innovative applications like Prayerly that remind us to offer our fard and sunnah/nafl prayers including the Duha prayer at its appointed time.
We must also believe that nothing is possible without the aid of Allah and seek His help to remember Him, to be grateful for His favours and to perform deeds that will please Him.
May Allah accept all of our efforts to please Him and make us among those who are persistent with our Fard(obligatory) and Sunnah/Nafl prayers. Aameen!
Reviving a salient Sunnah:
Duha Prayer: What, When and How is it Performed?
Snared by worldly affairs, we often forget that this world which which was compared to the wing of a mosquito by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) is nothing but temporary amusement, whereas, the treasures of the Hereafter are incomparably more valuable.
As Muslims who seek the ‘Treasures of Paradise in the Akhirah’ (The Hereafter), we need to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah by fulfilling our obligations to Him by performing all that which He has made obligatory (Fard), abstaining from that which He has made unlawful and seeking repentance for our sins and transgressions.
We must then aim to further our efforts by performing voluntary acts of worship that were encouraged by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) whilst following his teachings and practices (Sunnah) so that we may succeed.
Allah’s asks the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) in the Quran (3:31) to tell his people:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
The above ayah (Quranic verse) stresses on the fact that those who follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) will have their sins forgiven and earn Allah’s Mercy.
Among the voluntary acts of worship and practices that were highly encouraged byour ourProphet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) are the Sunnah/Nafl prayers that include the Duha (Forenoon) Prayer.
The significance of The Duha Prayer is highlighted in the following hadith:
It was narrated by Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “In the morning a charity is due from every joint of one of you. Every tasbeehah is a charity, every tahmeedah is a charity, every tahleelah is a charity, every takbeerah is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that.” (Muslim:720)
The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)'s Muhammad’s (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) words in the above hadith “...and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that” indicates the virtue and significance of the Duha prayer and that it can be offered with two rak’ahs (minimum). (Sharh Muslim An-Nawawi).
Considering the profound virtue of the Duha Prayer and the reward for reviving a forgotten Sunnah, let’s delve deeper into the aspects pertaining to the Duha Prayer including when and how it is performed.
Understanding Salat-at-Duha/The Duha Prayer (The Forenoon Prayer)
Linguistics and virtues
The word ‘Duha’ linguistically translates to ‘the Morning brightness’ and is also the name given to the voluntary prayer that is offered between sunrise and noon. Salat-at-Duha is also referred to as Salat-al-Ishraq or Salat-al-Awwabin. The Duha prayer is a ‘Sunnah Mu’akkadah’- a confirmed sunnah that garners immense benefit for the one who performs it but does not imply sin upon the one who fails to establish it.
It’s importance is further implicated in a hadith from Bukhari (1178) and Muslim (721):
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: “My close friend (The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: to fast three days of every month, to pray Salat-at-Duha, and to pray Witr before going to sleep.”
When is the Duha Prayer Performed?
The time for Salat-at-Duha starts approximately 15 minutes after sunrise and ends just before Noon (when the sun is at the zenith).
However it is perceived that the most preferred time to pray the Duha Prayer is during the hottest part of the day- when the sun has reached its highest point. This fact is derived from the hadith that was narrated by Muslim, (748):
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, “It is preferable to offer the Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”
A Common point of Dissension: Are Salat-at-Duha and Salat-al-Ishraq two different prayers?
‘...the majority of the classical scholars are of the opinion that the post-sunrise prayer (Ishraq) is the same as the mid-morning prayer (Duha)...’ (islamqa)
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) also shed light in this regard in his explanation: “The Sunnah of Ishraq is the same as the Sunnah of Duha, but if it is done early (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear) it is called Salat-al-Ishraq. But if it is done at the end or middle of its prescribed time it is referred to as Salat-at-Duha. But it is all considered Duha prayer, because the scholars all agree that the Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith (Noon).” (Liqa’ al Baab al Maftooh, 141/24)
How do you perform the Duha prayer?
How many Rak’ahs are performed for the Duha Prayer?
The Duha prayer is offered like most other Sunnah/Nafl prayers in sets of two.The minimum number of rak’ahs that can be offered for the Duha prayer is two rak'ahs as concluded from the hadith by Abu Dharr (Muslim:720).
There isn’t a maximum number of rak’ahs that have been prescribed in particular. However, as per the practices of our Prophet Muhammad Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), it can be deduced that he offered four rak’ahs of the Duha prayer in two sets of two rak’ahs and with eight rak’ahs on the day of the conquest of Makkah.
Mu’adhah (رضي الله عنها) once asked Aisha (رضي الله عنها) regarding how many rak’ahs the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) offered for the Duha prayer. She replied: “Four rak’ahs, and however many more he wanted”.
(Muslim:719)
Rituals of the Duha Prayer/Salat-ad-Duha
Niyyah (Intention)- Start by making a sincere intention in your heart that you are offering the Duha prayer solely for the sake of Allah.
Initiate the First Rak’ah:
Takbeerat-al-Ihram- Raise your hands to your ears while standing and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)
Recitation of Surah Al Fatihah- Recite the 7 verses of Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran)
Recitation of Additional Quranic verses: following the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another surah/portion of the Quran.
Ruku (Bowing):
Raise your hands to your ears (Raful-Yaddain) and say Allahu Akbar, then bend at your waist and place your hands on your knees and recite ‘Subahana Rabbi al adheem’. (Glory be to my Lord, The Exalted)three times.Qaumah (straightening up) and returning to the standing position: After completing Ruku while straightening your back and performing Raful-Yaddain say: ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamida’ (Allah Hears those who praise Him). Then when completely upright proclaim: ‘Rabbana wa-lakal hamd’ (Oh Our Lord! All praise is for you)
Sujood (prostration):
Then proceed to prostrate on the ground while ensuring your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and tips of your toes are touching the ground and are facing the Qiblah and then recite ‘Subahana Rabbiyal A’ala’ (Glory be to my Lord, The Most High).Jalsa (Sitting between the two prostrations): After sujood, get into a sitting position while saying Allahu Akbar and then recite ‘Rabbi agfirli, Rabbi agfirli’ (Oh My Lord Forgive me, Oh My Lord Forgive me).
*There are alternate verses that can be recited.
Second Sujood: Say Allahu Akbar and perform another sujood.
Second Jalsa (Sitting for rest): After completing the second sujood, say Allahu Akbar while getting back to a sitting position for a few seconds of rest. Then proceed to perform the second Rak’ah.
Perform the Second Rak’ah
Repeat the same steps as the first Rak’ah
Tashahhud and Salam: After completing the second sujood in the second Rak’ah, say Allahu Akbar, get into a sitting position and recite Dua Tashahhud and additional duas (optional) and then give salams first by turning to your right side saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you) and then turn towards your left side and say ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you).
Motivation for the Believer
As believers, we are constantly challenged by the rigmarole of worldly affairs and are deceived by our desires. Our five daily prayers are often delayed due to busy schedules and when we’re freed from it we unconsciously choose our devices over performing acts that will earn us the Pleasure of our Creator.
The truth is- we need to wake up before our time in this world ceases. If our complaint is that we’re too busy to keep track of salah times, we really have no excuse thanks to innovative applications like Prayerly that remind us to offer our fard and sunnah/nafl prayers including the Duha prayer at its appointed time.
We must also believe that nothing is possible without the aid of Allah and seek His help to remember Him, to be grateful for His favours and to perform deeds that will please Him.
May Allah accept all of our efforts to please Him and make us among those who are persistent with our Fard(obligatory) and Sunnah/Nafl prayers. Aameen!
Reviving a salient Sunnah:
Duha Prayer: What, When and How is it Performed?
Snared by worldly affairs, we often forget that this world which which was compared to the wing of a mosquito by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) is nothing but temporary amusement, whereas, the treasures of the Hereafter are incomparably more valuable.
As Muslims who seek the ‘Treasures of Paradise in the Akhirah’ (The Hereafter), we need to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah by fulfilling our obligations to Him by performing all that which He has made obligatory (Fard), abstaining from that which He has made unlawful and seeking repentance for our sins and transgressions.
We must then aim to further our efforts by performing voluntary acts of worship that were encouraged by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) whilst following his teachings and practices (Sunnah) so that we may succeed.
Allah’s asks the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) in the Quran (3:31) to tell his people:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
The above ayah (Quranic verse) stresses on the fact that those who follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) will have their sins forgiven and earn Allah’s Mercy.
Among the voluntary acts of worship and practices that were highly encouraged byour ourProphet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) are the Sunnah/Nafl prayers that include the Duha (Forenoon) Prayer.
The significance of The Duha Prayer is highlighted in the following hadith:
It was narrated by Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “In the morning a charity is due from every joint of one of you. Every tasbeehah is a charity, every tahmeedah is a charity, every tahleelah is a charity, every takbeerah is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that.” (Muslim:720)
The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)'s Muhammad’s (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) words in the above hadith “...and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that” indicates the virtue and significance of the Duha prayer and that it can be offered with two rak’ahs (minimum). (Sharh Muslim An-Nawawi).
Considering the profound virtue of the Duha Prayer and the reward for reviving a forgotten Sunnah, let’s delve deeper into the aspects pertaining to the Duha Prayer including when and how it is performed.
Understanding Salat-at-Duha/The Duha Prayer (The Forenoon Prayer)
Linguistics and virtues
The word ‘Duha’ linguistically translates to ‘the Morning brightness’ and is also the name given to the voluntary prayer that is offered between sunrise and noon. Salat-at-Duha is also referred to as Salat-al-Ishraq or Salat-al-Awwabin. The Duha prayer is a ‘Sunnah Mu’akkadah’- a confirmed sunnah that garners immense benefit for the one who performs it but does not imply sin upon the one who fails to establish it.
It’s importance is further implicated in a hadith from Bukhari (1178) and Muslim (721):
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: “My close friend (The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: to fast three days of every month, to pray Salat-at-Duha, and to pray Witr before going to sleep.”
When is the Duha Prayer Performed?
The time for Salat-at-Duha starts approximately 15 minutes after sunrise and ends just before Noon (when the sun is at the zenith).
However it is perceived that the most preferred time to pray the Duha Prayer is during the hottest part of the day- when the sun has reached its highest point. This fact is derived from the hadith that was narrated by Muslim, (748):
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, “It is preferable to offer the Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”
A Common point of Dissension: Are Salat-at-Duha and Salat-al-Ishraq two different prayers?
‘...the majority of the classical scholars are of the opinion that the post-sunrise prayer (Ishraq) is the same as the mid-morning prayer (Duha)...’ (islamqa)
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) also shed light in this regard in his explanation: “The Sunnah of Ishraq is the same as the Sunnah of Duha, but if it is done early (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear) it is called Salat-al-Ishraq. But if it is done at the end or middle of its prescribed time it is referred to as Salat-at-Duha. But it is all considered Duha prayer, because the scholars all agree that the Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith (Noon).” (Liqa’ al Baab al Maftooh, 141/24)
How do you perform the Duha prayer?
How many Rak’ahs are performed for the Duha Prayer?
The Duha prayer is offered like most other Sunnah/Nafl prayers in sets of two.The minimum number of rak’ahs that can be offered for the Duha prayer is two rak'ahs as concluded from the hadith by Abu Dharr (Muslim:720).
There isn’t a maximum number of rak’ahs that have been prescribed in particular. However, as per the practices of our Prophet Muhammad Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), it can be deduced that he offered four rak’ahs of the Duha prayer in two sets of two rak’ahs and with eight rak’ahs on the day of the conquest of Makkah.
Mu’adhah (رضي الله عنها) once asked Aisha (رضي الله عنها) regarding how many rak’ahs the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) offered for the Duha prayer. She replied: “Four rak’ahs, and however many more he wanted”.
(Muslim:719)
Rituals of the Duha Prayer/Salat-ad-Duha
Niyyah (Intention)- Start by making a sincere intention in your heart that you are offering the Duha prayer solely for the sake of Allah.
Initiate the First Rak’ah:
Takbeerat-al-Ihram- Raise your hands to your ears while standing and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)
Recitation of Surah Al Fatihah- Recite the 7 verses of Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran)
Recitation of Additional Quranic verses: following the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another surah/portion of the Quran.
Ruku (Bowing):
Raise your hands to your ears (Raful-Yaddain) and say Allahu Akbar, then bend at your waist and place your hands on your knees and recite ‘Subahana Rabbi al adheem’. (Glory be to my Lord, The Exalted)three times.Qaumah (straightening up) and returning to the standing position: After completing Ruku while straightening your back and performing Raful-Yaddain say: ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamida’ (Allah Hears those who praise Him). Then when completely upright proclaim: ‘Rabbana wa-lakal hamd’ (Oh Our Lord! All praise is for you)
Sujood (prostration):
Then proceed to prostrate on the ground while ensuring your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and tips of your toes are touching the ground and are facing the Qiblah and then recite ‘Subahana Rabbiyal A’ala’ (Glory be to my Lord, The Most High).Jalsa (Sitting between the two prostrations): After sujood, get into a sitting position while saying Allahu Akbar and then recite ‘Rabbi agfirli, Rabbi agfirli’ (Oh My Lord Forgive me, Oh My Lord Forgive me).
*There are alternate verses that can be recited.
Second Sujood: Say Allahu Akbar and perform another sujood.
Second Jalsa (Sitting for rest): After completing the second sujood, say Allahu Akbar while getting back to a sitting position for a few seconds of rest. Then proceed to perform the second Rak’ah.
Perform the Second Rak’ah
Repeat the same steps as the first Rak’ah
Tashahhud and Salam: After completing the second sujood in the second Rak’ah, say Allahu Akbar, get into a sitting position and recite Dua Tashahhud and additional duas (optional) and then give salams first by turning to your right side saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you) and then turn towards your left side and say ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you).
Motivation for the Believer
As believers, we are constantly challenged by the rigmarole of worldly affairs and are deceived by our desires. Our five daily prayers are often delayed due to busy schedules and when we’re freed from it we unconsciously choose our devices over performing acts that will earn us the Pleasure of our Creator.
The truth is- we need to wake up before our time in this world ceases. If our complaint is that we’re too busy to keep track of salah times, we really have no excuse thanks to innovative applications like Prayerly that remind us to offer our fard and sunnah/nafl prayers including the Duha prayer at its appointed time.
We must also believe that nothing is possible without the aid of Allah and seek His help to remember Him, to be grateful for His favours and to perform deeds that will please Him.
May Allah accept all of our efforts to please Him and make us among those who are persistent with our Fard(obligatory) and Sunnah/Nafl prayers. Aameen!
Reviving a salient Sunnah:
Duha Prayer: What, When and How is it Performed?
Snared by worldly affairs, we often forget that this world which which was compared to the wing of a mosquito by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) is nothing but temporary amusement, whereas, the treasures of the Hereafter are incomparably more valuable.
As Muslims who seek the ‘Treasures of Paradise in the Akhirah’ (The Hereafter), we need to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah by fulfilling our obligations to Him by performing all that which He has made obligatory (Fard), abstaining from that which He has made unlawful and seeking repentance for our sins and transgressions.
We must then aim to further our efforts by performing voluntary acts of worship that were encouraged by our Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) whilst following his teachings and practices (Sunnah) so that we may succeed.
Allah’s asks the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) in the Quran (3:31) to tell his people:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
The above ayah (Quranic verse) stresses on the fact that those who follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) will have their sins forgiven and earn Allah’s Mercy.
Among the voluntary acts of worship and practices that were highly encouraged byour ourProphet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) are the Sunnah/Nafl prayers that include the Duha (Forenoon) Prayer.
The significance of The Duha Prayer is highlighted in the following hadith:
It was narrated by Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “In the morning a charity is due from every joint of one of you. Every tasbeehah is a charity, every tahmeedah is a charity, every tahleelah is a charity, every takbeerah is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that.” (Muslim:720)
The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)'s Muhammad’s (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) words in the above hadith “...and two rak’ahs offered in the forenoon (Duha) will suffice for that” indicates the virtue and significance of the Duha prayer and that it can be offered with two rak’ahs (minimum). (Sharh Muslim An-Nawawi).
Considering the profound virtue of the Duha Prayer and the reward for reviving a forgotten Sunnah, let’s delve deeper into the aspects pertaining to the Duha Prayer including when and how it is performed.
Understanding Salat-at-Duha/The Duha Prayer (The Forenoon Prayer)
Linguistics and virtues
The word ‘Duha’ linguistically translates to ‘the Morning brightness’ and is also the name given to the voluntary prayer that is offered between sunrise and noon. Salat-at-Duha is also referred to as Salat-al-Ishraq or Salat-al-Awwabin. The Duha prayer is a ‘Sunnah Mu’akkadah’- a confirmed sunnah that garners immense benefit for the one who performs it but does not imply sin upon the one who fails to establish it.
It’s importance is further implicated in a hadith from Bukhari (1178) and Muslim (721):
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: “My close friend (The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: to fast three days of every month, to pray Salat-at-Duha, and to pray Witr before going to sleep.”
When is the Duha Prayer Performed?
The time for Salat-at-Duha starts approximately 15 minutes after sunrise and ends just before Noon (when the sun is at the zenith).
However it is perceived that the most preferred time to pray the Duha Prayer is during the hottest part of the day- when the sun has reached its highest point. This fact is derived from the hadith that was narrated by Muslim, (748):
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said, “It is preferable to offer the Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”
A Common point of Dissension: Are Salat-at-Duha and Salat-al-Ishraq two different prayers?
‘...the majority of the classical scholars are of the opinion that the post-sunrise prayer (Ishraq) is the same as the mid-morning prayer (Duha)...’ (islamqa)
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) also shed light in this regard in his explanation: “The Sunnah of Ishraq is the same as the Sunnah of Duha, but if it is done early (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear) it is called Salat-al-Ishraq. But if it is done at the end or middle of its prescribed time it is referred to as Salat-at-Duha. But it is all considered Duha prayer, because the scholars all agree that the Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith (Noon).” (Liqa’ al Baab al Maftooh, 141/24)
How do you perform the Duha prayer?
How many Rak’ahs are performed for the Duha Prayer?
The Duha prayer is offered like most other Sunnah/Nafl prayers in sets of two.The minimum number of rak’ahs that can be offered for the Duha prayer is two rak'ahs as concluded from the hadith by Abu Dharr (Muslim:720).
There isn’t a maximum number of rak’ahs that have been prescribed in particular. However, as per the practices of our Prophet Muhammad Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), it can be deduced that he offered four rak’ahs of the Duha prayer in two sets of two rak’ahs and with eight rak’ahs on the day of the conquest of Makkah.
Mu’adhah (رضي الله عنها) once asked Aisha (رضي الله عنها) regarding how many rak’ahs the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) offered for the Duha prayer. She replied: “Four rak’ahs, and however many more he wanted”.
(Muslim:719)
Rituals of the Duha Prayer/Salat-ad-Duha
Niyyah (Intention)- Start by making a sincere intention in your heart that you are offering the Duha prayer solely for the sake of Allah.
Initiate the First Rak’ah:
Takbeerat-al-Ihram- Raise your hands to your ears while standing and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)
Recitation of Surah Al Fatihah- Recite the 7 verses of Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran)
Recitation of Additional Quranic verses: following the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another surah/portion of the Quran.
Ruku (Bowing):
Raise your hands to your ears (Raful-Yaddain) and say Allahu Akbar, then bend at your waist and place your hands on your knees and recite ‘Subahana Rabbi al adheem’. (Glory be to my Lord, The Exalted)three times.Qaumah (straightening up) and returning to the standing position: After completing Ruku while straightening your back and performing Raful-Yaddain say: ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamida’ (Allah Hears those who praise Him). Then when completely upright proclaim: ‘Rabbana wa-lakal hamd’ (Oh Our Lord! All praise is for you)
Sujood (prostration):
Then proceed to prostrate on the ground while ensuring your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and tips of your toes are touching the ground and are facing the Qiblah and then recite ‘Subahana Rabbiyal A’ala’ (Glory be to my Lord, The Most High).Jalsa (Sitting between the two prostrations): After sujood, get into a sitting position while saying Allahu Akbar and then recite ‘Rabbi agfirli, Rabbi agfirli’ (Oh My Lord Forgive me, Oh My Lord Forgive me).
*There are alternate verses that can be recited.
Second Sujood: Say Allahu Akbar and perform another sujood.
Second Jalsa (Sitting for rest): After completing the second sujood, say Allahu Akbar while getting back to a sitting position for a few seconds of rest. Then proceed to perform the second Rak’ah.
Perform the Second Rak’ah
Repeat the same steps as the first Rak’ah
Tashahhud and Salam: After completing the second sujood in the second Rak’ah, say Allahu Akbar, get into a sitting position and recite Dua Tashahhud and additional duas (optional) and then give salams first by turning to your right side saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you) and then turn towards your left side and say ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullah’ (Peace and Blessings from Allah be upon you).
Motivation for the Believer
As believers, we are constantly challenged by the rigmarole of worldly affairs and are deceived by our desires. Our five daily prayers are often delayed due to busy schedules and when we’re freed from it we unconsciously choose our devices over performing acts that will earn us the Pleasure of our Creator.
The truth is- we need to wake up before our time in this world ceases. If our complaint is that we’re too busy to keep track of salah times, we really have no excuse thanks to innovative applications like Prayerly that remind us to offer our fard and sunnah/nafl prayers including the Duha prayer at its appointed time.
We must also believe that nothing is possible without the aid of Allah and seek His help to remember Him, to be grateful for His favours and to perform deeds that will please Him.
May Allah accept all of our efforts to please Him and make us among those who are persistent with our Fard(obligatory) and Sunnah/Nafl prayers. Aameen!
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