Through voluntary acts of worship, one can draw closer to Allah, the Creator. Among obligatory acts of worship, the five daily fard prayers are the most excellent. Similarly, among voluntary acts of worship, sunnah prayers hold the highest status. These prayers also serve to compensate for any deficiencies that might occur in obligatory prayers.

Sunnah prayers play a major role in facilitating entry into Paradise.

See what Rabee’ah (RA), who served the Prophet ﷺ, narrates:

“I once brought water for the Prophet ﷺ to perform ablution.

He said to me: ‘Ask what you wish.’

I replied, ‘I wish to be with you in Paradise.’

The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Is there anything else you desire?’

I said, ‘That is all I wish.’

The Prophet ﷺ then said: ‘Then assist me in achieving that for you by increasing your performance of prostrations (sujood)’ (i.e., voluntary prayers).”

Types of Sunnah Prayers

There are two kinds of Sunnah prayers:

• Those performed in congregation,
• Those performed individually.

Here, we mention some of the individual Sunnah prayers.

1. Regular Sunnahs (Rawatib Sunnahs)

The Sunnahs performed before and after the obligatory prayers are called Rawatib Sunnahs.

The number of Rak’ahs is as follows:

• Before and after Dhuhr (noon prayer): 4 + 4
• Before Asr (afternoon prayer): 4
• Before and after Maghrib (sunset prayer): 2 + 2
• Before and after Isha (night prayer): 2 + 2
• Before Fajr (dawn prayer): 2

Among these, the two Rak’ahs before and after Dhuhr, the two Rak’ahs after Maghrib, the two Rak’ahs after Isha, and the two Rak’ahs before Fajr are particularly emphasized.

2. Witr Prayer

Abu Huraira (RA) said:

“In the advice given to me by my beloved Prophet ﷺ was to never leave the Witr and Duha prayers, and I have never abandoned them until my death.”

The time for Witr is from after Isha prayer until the beginning of Fajr time. The minimum number of Rak’ahs is one, and it can go up to eleven. Any odd number may be chosen, but it must end with an odd Rak’ah.

The method is as follows:

• Pray two Rak’ahs with Salam,
• Then pray one separate Rak’ah with the intention of completing the Witr.

Example:

If intending three Rak’ahs for Witr:

• Pray two Rak’ahs first with a Salam,
• Then perform one more Rak’ah.

During Ramadan, Witr prayer is best performed in congregation.

During the second half of Ramadan, it is Sunnah to recite Qunoot in the final standing (i’tidal) of the last Rak’ah of Witr.

3. Duha Prayer

The joints of the human body are gifts from Allah. The Prophet ﷺ introduced the Duha prayer as a means of showing gratitude for this blessing.

Timing:

• From about 20 minutes after sunrise until just before Dhuhr prayer time.

The minimum is two Rak’ahs and the maximum is eight Rak’ahs.

It is best to offer two Rak’ahs at a time, concluding each set with Salam.

4. Tahiyyat al-Masjid (Greeting the Mosque Prayer)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When one of you enters a mosque, he should not sit until he has prayed two Rak’ahs.”

Thus, Tahiyyat al-Masjid is Sunnah upon entering the mosque, before sitting down.

Neglecting it is considered disliked.

It can be performed at any time upon entering the mosque.

5. Sunnah Prayer After Wudu (Ablution)

The Prophet ﷺ once asked Bilal (RA):

“O Bilal, tell me the best act you have done in Islam, for I heard the sound of your footsteps in Paradise.”

Bilal replied:

“Every time I perform ablution, I perform two Rak’ahs of prayer.”

Thus, performing two Rak’ahs after Wudu is highly meritorious.

If someone enters a mosque after performing Wudu, they can combine Tahiyyat al-Masjid and the Sunnah of Wudu into the same two Rak’ahs.

6. Tahajjud Prayer

There are numerous Qur’anic teachings and Prophetic sayings that emphasize the virtues and rewards of the Tahajjud prayer.

Tahajjud involves:

• Sleeping after Isha prayer,
• Then waking up during the night to pray.

Timing:

• From after Isha prayer until Fajr time.
• The most meritorious time is after two-thirds of the night have passed.

There is no fixed number of Rak’ahs for Tahajjud.

Congregational Sunnah Prayers

Here are some Sunnah prayers that are traditionally performed in congregation:

1. Eid Prayers

Islam has two major celebrations:

• Eid al-Fitr (after Ramadan),
• Eid al-Adha (during the Hajj season).

These are days of permissible celebration mixed with worship and righteousness.

On Eid, no forbidden practices are allowed under the pretext of celebration.

Timing:

• From after sunrise (after about 15-20 minutes) until Dhuhr time.
• Best to pray a little after sunrise.
  

Structure:

• Two Rak’ahs.
• In the first Rak’ah:
  • After Takbiratul Ihram and opening supplication, say “Allahu Akbar” seven times, raising the hands each time, placing them between the chest and navel.
  • Recite “Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar” between Takbirs.
• Then recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah.
• In the second Rak’ah:
  • After standing up and saying Takbir, say “Allahu Akbar” five times before reciting Al-Fatihah.

The intention (niyyah) should specify whether it is Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. 

After the prayer, the Imam delivers a Khutbah (sermon).

Order should be as follows: Eid prayer first, then Khutbah afterward (unlike Jumu’ah where Khutbah comes first).

Eid Dates are the following:

• Eid al-Fitr: 1st of Shawwal
• Eid al-Adha: 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
  

Eid and Takbir

The special Takbir (“Allahu Akbar”) of Eid must be recited repeatedly:

• For Eid al-Fitr:
  • From sighting the Shawwal moon until the Imam begins Salah.
• For Eid al-Adha:
  • From Fajr of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) until Asr of the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.

During these days, Takbir is said after every Salah:

• Obligatory prayers,
• Funeral prayers,
• Sunnah prayers.

After sunset on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah), continuous Takbir is recommended until Eid prayer.

Eid Sunnahs:

• Ghusl (ritual bath),
• Using perfume,
• Wearing best clothes,
• Walking to the Eid prayer ground by a different route on the return.

2. Taraweeh Prayer

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.” Taraweeh is a special prayer performed only during Ramadan.

Structure:

• Twenty Rak’ahs,
• Two Rak’ahs at a time,
• Salam after every two Rak’ahs.
  

Timing:

• After Isha prayer until Fajr time.

Although the Prophet ﷺ prayed Taraweeh in congregation for a few nights, he stopped fearing it might become obligatory. The number and format of Taraweeh prayer were later preserved by the Prophet’s companions.