Name: Salah Ad-Duha, salatul Ishraaq, chaast or Awwaabeen

Salah Ad-Duha has been recommended in various Ahadith. It has different names, but all refer to the same prayer. Some would differentiate that it is called ishraaq when it is prayed closer to dawn, and duha when prayed closer to midday, as Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about Ishraaq and Duha prayer,

and replied: “The Sunnah of Ishraaq is (the same as) the Sunnah of Duha, but if it is done early, from the time when the sun has risen to the height of a spear, then it is Ishraaq prayer; if it is done at the end of its time or in the middle of its time, then it is Duha prayer. But it is (all) Duha prayer, because the scholars (may Allah be pleased with them) said that the time of Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith.” (Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 141/24)

No matter which name you prefer to use, or which time (within the specified time) you choose, it all comes under the heading of the Duha prayer. It is a Sunnah that we should seek to revive at some point in our lives.

Ruling: Supererogatory, voluntary, recommended or mustahabb

Abu Hurayrah said: My beloved (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) advised me to do three things, which I will not forsake so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until I pray Witr. (Bukhari 1178, and Muslim 721)

Duha prayer has been mentioned along with two other sunan in the above hadith. It was part of the advice of the Prophet, and so we too should take it on board just as Abu Hurayrah did.

Number of units: minimum two, maximum as many as you wish or are able to perform

With regards to how many Rakaah’s (units) one should pray, Mu‘aadhah  asked A’ishah, ‘How many (rak’ahs) did the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) pray in Duha?’ She said, ‘Four rak‘ahs, and however many more he wanted.’ (Muslim 719)

On one occasion, the Prophet peace be upon him prayed eight rakaahs, as reported by Imam Muslimin his Saheeh.

This indicates that one may pray as many rakaahs as they wish.

Method: prayed in units of two by two

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The (Sunnah) prayers of the night and day are two (rak‘ahs) by two.”

There is no specific duaa to be read

Timing: After dawn until Midday.

It is known that the time of the Duha prayer is from after dawn until Midday, due to the various Ahadith that have come regarding this matter.

However, it is recommended to pray it when the heat becomes intense due to the following hadith.

Zayd ibn Arqam said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to the people of Qubaa’ and found them praying. He said: “Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand).”’ (Muslim, 1238).

Virtue:

Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” (At-Tirmidhi 586, classed as Hasan by Sh Al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

This hadith not only indicates that the Duha prayer, may be prayed earlier, closer to dawn, but also illustrates several virtues, primarily that of praying the fajr in congregation, remaining in the mosque, to be engaged in the thikr of Allah as well as that of praying the Duha prayer.

Many of us would much rather climb back into bed after the Fajr prayer, especially in summer when the days are long. But think of this reward the next time you are inclined to do so, and I am sure, your heart will tug at your mind urging you to remain awake a little longer just for the sake of Allah, to earn His pleasure and reward.

Salah Ad-Duha, only takes a few minutes to perform, so why do we neglect this Sunnah? It is a means of immense reward, and an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet. Let us take up this Sunnah and make it a part of our daily routine to benefit from it. Remember the best deeds are the ones done consistently even if they are little. If you find it difficult to incorporate this Sunnah into your schedule, then begin small, but be persistent in doing it. Do not neglect and forget it after a few days. Hold on to the Sunnah in every way you can.

May Allah make it easy for us.