In Islam, prayers are divided into two main categories: Fard (obligatory) and Nafl (voluntary). Nafl prayers, also known as Sunnah or voluntary prayers, are highly recommended acts of worship that complement the obligatory prayers. They are a means of drawing closer to Allah, earning additional rewards, and making up for any shortcomings in the obligatory prayers. This article provides a detailed list of Nafl and Sunnah prayers, their significance, and how they are performed.
Nafl and Sunnah Prayers
Nafl prayers are voluntary prayers that are not obligatory but are highly encouraged in Islam. They are divided into two categories:
- Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Confirmed Sunnah): These are the prayers that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) consistently performed and strongly encouraged.
- Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Non-Confirmed Sunnah): These are the prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed occasionally but did not consistently emphasize.
Additionally, there are other Nafl prayers that are not tied to specific times and can be performed at any time, except during prohibited hours.
Let’s discuss first the Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Confirmed Sunnah Prayers)
These are the voluntary prayers that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regularly performed and encouraged his followers to perform. They are associated with the five daily obligatory prayers.
1. Two Rak’ahs Before Fajr (Morning Prayer)
- Time: Before the Fajr prayer.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The two Rak’ahs before Fajr are better than the world and all it contains.” (Sahih Muslim)
- How to Perform: Light and short Rak’ahs, with recommended recitation of Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rak’ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.
2. Four Rak’ahs Before Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
- Time: Before the Dhuhr prayer.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever prays four Rak’ahs before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
- How to Perform: Two sets of two Rak’ahs each, with a short break in between.
3. Two Rak’ahs After Dhuhr
- Time: After the Dhuhr prayer.
- Significance: These are part of the confirmed Sunnah prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) consistently performed.
- How to Perform: Two short Rak’ahs.
4. Two Rak’ahs After Maghrib (Evening Prayer)
- Time: After the Maghrib prayer.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) regularly performed these Rak’ahs and encouraged his companions to do the same.
- How to Perform: Two short Rak’ahs.
5. Two Rak’ahs After Isha (Night Prayer)
- Time: After the Isha prayer.
- Significance: These are part of the confirmed Sunnah prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed consistently.
- How to Perform: Two short Rak’ahs.
Now we move to the Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Non-Confirmed Sunnah Prayers): These are the voluntary prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed occasionally but did not emphasize as strongly as the confirmed Sunnah prayers.
6. Four Rak’ahs Before Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
- Time: Before the Asr prayer.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “May Allah have mercy on a person who prays four Rak’ahs before Asr.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
- How to Perform: Two sets of two Rak’ahs each.
7. Two Rak’ahs Before Maghrib
- Time: Before the Maghrib prayer.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged praying two Rak’ahs before Maghrib but did not consistently perform them.
- How to Perform: Two short Rak’ahs.
8. Two Rak’ahs Before Isha
- Time: Before the Isha prayer.
- Significance: These are optional prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed occasionally.
- How to Perform: Two short Rak’ahs.
9. Tahajjud (Night Prayer)
- Time: After Isha and before Fajr, preferably in the last third of the night.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)
- How to Perform: Two or more Rak’ahs, performed in sets of two.
10. Duha (Forenoon Prayer)
- Time: After sunrise until before Dhuhr.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever prays Duha consistently will have their sins forgiven, even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
- How to Perform: Minimum of two Rak’ahs, but can be extended to eight or more.
11. Witr Prayer
- Time: After Isha and before Fajr.
- Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah has prescribed for you a prayer, which is Witr.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
- How to Perform: One, three, five, or more Rak’ahs, with an odd number.
12. Salatul Istikhara (Prayer for Guidance)
- Time: Any time except prohibited hours.
- Significance: A prayer for seeking Allah’s guidance in decision-making.
- How to Perform: Two Rak’ahs with a specific dua after the prayer.
13. Salatul Tasbih
- Time: Any time except prohibited hours.
- Significance: A special prayer for seeking forgiveness and blessings.
- How to Perform: Four Rak’ahs with specific tasbih (glorification) recited in each Rak’ah.
Summary Table of Sunnah Prayers
| Prayer Type | Time | Rak’ahs | Significance | How to Perform |
| 1. Two Rak’ahs Before Fajr | Before Fajr prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | “The two Rak’ahs before Fajr are better than the world and all it contains.” (Sahih Muslim) | Light and short. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun (1st Rak’ah) and Surah Al-Ikhlas (2nd Rak’ah). |
| 2. Four Rak’ahs Before Dhuhr | Before Dhuhr prayer | 4 Rak’ahs | “Whoever prays four Rak’ahs before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.” (Sunan Abu Dawood) | Two sets of two Rak’ahs each, with a short break in between. |
| 3. Two Rak’ahs After Dhuhr | After Dhuhr prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | Part of the confirmed Sunnah prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) consistently performed. | Two short Rak’ahs. Recite any Surah after Al-Fatihah. |
| 4. Two Rak’ahs After Maghrib | After Maghrib prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | The Prophet (ﷺ) regularly performed these and encouraged his companions to do the same. | Two short Rak’ahs. Recite any Surah after Al-Fatihah. |
| 5. Two Rak’ahs After Isha | After Isha prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | Part of the confirmed Sunnah prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed consistently. | Two short Rak’ahs. Recite any Surah after Al-Fatihah. |
| Prayer Type | Time | Rak’ahs | Significance | How to Perform |
| 6. Four Rak’ahs Before Asr | Before Asr prayer | 4 Rak’ahs | “May Allah have mercy on a person who prays four Rak’ahs before Asr.” (Sunan Abu Dawood) | Two sets of two Rak’ahs each. |
| 7. Two Rak’ahs Before Maghrib | Before Maghrib prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged these but did not consistently perform them. | Two short Rak’ahs. Recite any Surah after Al-Fatihah. |
| 8. Two Rak’ahs Before Isha | Before Isha prayer | 2 Rak’ahs | Optional prayers that the Prophet (ﷺ) performed occasionally. | Two short Rak’ahs. Recite any Surah after Al-Fatihah. |
| Prayer Type | Time | Rak’ahs | Significance | How to Perform |
| 9. Tahajjud (Night Prayer) | After Isha, before Fajr (preferably last third of the night) | 2+ Rak’ahs | “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Sahih Muslim) | Two or more Rak’ahs, performed in sets of two. |
| 10. Duha (Forenoon Prayer) | After sunrise until before Dhuhr | 2+ Rak’ahs | “Whoever prays Duha consistently will have their sins forgiven, even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea.” (Sunan Ibn Majah) | Minimum of two Rak’ahs, but can be extended to eight or more. |
| 11. Witr Prayer | After Isha, before Fajr | 1, 3, 5, or more (odd number) | “Allah has prescribed for you a prayer, which is Witr.” (Sunan Abu Dawood) | Perform an odd number of Rak’ahs (e.g., 1, 3, 5). Commonly performed as 3 Rak’ahs with one Salam. |
| 12. Salatul Istikhara | Any time except prohibited hours | 2 Rak’ahs | A prayer for seeking Allah’s guidance in decision-making. | Two Rak’ahs followed by the specific Istikhara dua. |
| 13. Salatul Tasbih | Any time except prohibited hours | 4 Rak’ahs | A special prayer for seeking forgiveness and blessings. | Four Rak’ahs with specific tasbih (glorification) recited in each Rak’ah. |
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Conclusion
Nafl and Sunnah prayers are a beautiful way to draw closer to Allah, earn additional rewards, and make up for any shortcomings in our obligatory prayers. By incorporating these voluntary prayers into our daily routine, we can follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and strengthen our connection with Allah. Whether it’s the confirmed Sunnah prayers or the additional Nafl prayers, each act of worship brings us closer to attaining Allah’s pleasure and mercy.
May Allah grant us the ability to consistently perform these prayers and reap their immense rewards. Ameen.
