We have crafted a comprehensive guide to sunnah prayers, fard prayer, and their significance in Islam. This guide provides you with all the details you need to understand the importance of sunnah prayers in Islam and how to perform them correctly. Learn about sunnah salah, their benefits, and how they complement the obligatory fard prayers.
What Are Sunnah Prayers?
The sunnah in Islam are optional but highly recommended acts of worship, performed before or after the obligatory fard prayers. These are known as rawatib sunnah those that are associated with the five daily prayers. They are not intended to be performed independently but are linked to their respective obligatory prayers. Below, we explain how to pray sunnah prayers step by step.
Importance of Sunnah Prayers
Performing sunnah prayers is a way to emulate the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to earn additional spiritual rewards. These sunnah salah serve as a reminder of the importance of prayer in our daily lives. By performing sunnah salah, Muslims can achieve:
- Compensation for any deficiencies in their obligatory fard prayers.
- An increased connection with Allah.
- Opportunities for higher ranks in Paradise.
Why Perform Sunnah Prayers?
The virtues of sunnah prayers in Islam include:
- Compensating for Deficiencies: They make up for shortcomings in the fard prayer.
- Spiritual Rewards: Performing solat sunat strengthens the relationship with Allah and prepares the heart for worship.
- Elevation in Paradise: Frequent performance of sunnah salah raises ranks in Paradise.
- Prohibition of Fire on the Body: Certain sunnah prayers, such as four rak’ahs before and after Zuhr, ensure protection from Hellfire.
Types of Sunnah Prayers
After we got acquainted with the virtue of performing the Sunnah prayer, as well as How to pray Sunnah Prayers, we move to the sections of the Sunnah prayer, as the sunnah is divided into two parts:
1. Rawatib Sunnah
These are specific sunnah prayers associated with the obligatory fard prayers. They are categorized as follows:
- Pre (Qabliyyah): Sunnahs prayed before the obligatory prayer.
- Post (Ba’diyyah): Sunnahs prayed after the obligatory prayer.
List of Rawatib Sunnah Prayers:
- Fajr Sunnah: Two rak’ahs before the obligatory Fajr prayer, highly emphasized.
- Dhuhr Sunnah: Two or four rak’ahs before, and two rak’ahs after the obligatory Dhuhr prayer.
- Asr Sunnah: While not a fixed sunnah salah, it is desirable to perform four rak’ahs before the Asr prayer.
- Maghrib Sunnah: Two rak’ahs after the obligatory Maghrib prayer.
- Isha Sunnah: Two rak’ahs after Isha, with an optional four rak’ahs before.
2. Sunnah Nafilah
These are non-obligatory sunnah salah that are not linked to specific fard prayers. Examples include:
- Duha (mid-morning prayer).
- Tahajjud prayer (night prayer).
Benefits of Offering Sunnah Prayers
The rewards of sunnah prayers are immense. These include:
- Drawing Closer to Allah: Performing solat sunat increases nearness to Allah.
- Protection from Hellfire: Certain sunnah salah, such as the four rak’ahs before and after Zuhr, guarantee protection from Hell.
- Better than the World and What is in It: The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the value of the two rak’ahs of Fajr, stating they are better than all worldly possessions.
- Preparation for Worship: Performing sunnah salah before fard prayers prepares the heart for better focus.
How to Perform Sunnah Prayers
Performing Sunnah prayers is relatively easy and straightforward. Below, we will guide you through the process of performing the Sunnah prayers step by step.
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Make the intention: Before starting the prayer, make the intention in your heart to perform the Sunnah prayer.
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Perform the ablution: Perform the ablution (Wudu) as you would before any other prayer.
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Stand up straight and face the Qiblah: Stand up straight, facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
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Begin the prayer: Start the prayer by raising your hands to your ears and saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest).
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Recite the opening supplication: After starting the prayer, recite the opening supplication “Subhanaka Allahumma Wa Bihamdika Wa Tabarakasmuka Wa Ta’ala Jadduka Wa La Ilaha Ghairuka” (Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praises are due unto You, and blessed is Your name and high is Your majesty and none is worthy of worship but You).
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Recite Surah Al-Fatiha: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran.
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Perform Ruku: After reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, bow down in Ruku and recite “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Greatest).
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Stand up straight: Stand up straight after the Ruku and recite “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him).
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Perform Sujud: After standing up straight, perform Sujud (prostration) and recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Highest).
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Sit back up: Sit back up after performing the Sujud and recite “Rabbighfirli” (O Allah, forgive me).
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Repeat steps 7-10: Repeat steps 7-10 to complete the first cycle of the Sunnah prayer.
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Recite Tashahhud: After completing the first cycle of the Sunnah prayer, sit down and recite the Tashahhud.
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Recite Durood Ibrahim: After reciting the Tashahhud, recite Durood Ibrahim.
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Repeat steps 7-13: Repeat steps 7-13 to complete the second cycle of the Sunnah prayer.
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Complete the prayer: After completing the second cycle, turn your face to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah), and then turn your face to the left
Tips For Performing Sunnah Prayers
And in response to How to Perform Sunnah Prayers, in the opinion of Sunnah Briers, as that the Sunnah prayer is performed as the obligatory prayer performed with its pillars, conditions, and Sunnahs.
- Consistency: Regularly perform the rawatib sunnah, especially those linked to the five daily prayers.
- Avoid Disliked Times: Refrain from offering sunnah salah during times of dislike, such as immediately after Fajr or Asr.
- Two Rak’ahs Format: Most sunnah prayers are performed in sets of two rak’ahs.
By incorporating sunnah prayers into your routine, you can enhance your spirituality and gain immense rewards in this life and the Hereafter. Embrace the beauty of sunnah prayers today your path to greater closeness to Allah.
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FAQs
How many Sunnah prayers are there?
There are varying numbers of Sunnah prayers depending on the time and occasion. The commonly recommended Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah) prayers include: 2 Rak’ahs before Fajr (highly emphasized), 4 Rak’ahs before and 2 Rak’ahs after Dhuhr, 2 Rak’ahs after Maghrib, 2 Rak’ahs after ‘Isha. Additionally, other non-obligatory Sunnah prayers, like Tahajjud, Duha, and Tarawih, are also encouraged but are not part of the daily routine prayers.
What is Fard prayer?
Fard prayers are the obligatory prayers that every adult Muslim is required to perform. They are the five daily prayers (Salah) and include: Fajr (2 Rak’ahs), Dhuhr (4 Rak’ahs), Asr (4 Rak’ahs), Maghrib (3 Rak’ahs), Isha (4 Rak’ahs). Skipping Fard prayers without a valid reason is considered sinful in Islam.
Are Sunnah prayers mandatory?
No, Sunnah prayers are not mandatory but are highly recommended. Performing them brings immense rewards and helps strengthen one’s relationship with Allah. However, neglecting them does not carry the same consequences as missing Fard prayers.
Can I make up missed Sunnah prayers?
Sunnah prayers, particularly Sunnah Mu’akkadah, can be made up if missed, especially if they are part of a regular routine, like the 2 Rak’ahs before Fajr or the prayers surrounding Dhuhr.
What is the difference between Fard and Sunnah prayers?
Fard prayers are obligatory and form the core of daily worship, while Sunnah prayers are voluntary acts of worship that provide additional spiritual rewards and emulate the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sunnah Prayers hold a significant place in the life of a Muslim, serving as a means to strengthen one’s connection with Allah and attain additional rewards. They complement the Fard (obligatory) prayers, embodying the devotion and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). By understanding and performing these voluntary prayers with sincerity and consistency, one can enhance their spiritual discipline, attain closeness to Allah, and earn blessings in both this life and the Hereafter. Let Sunnah Prayers be a reminder of the beauty of worship and a path toward personal and spiritual growth.