Duha Prayer
Duha prayer, also referred to as Salat Al-Ishraq, is a voluntary prayer. Its timing started about 10 to 20 minutes after sunrise and ended about 10 to 45 minutes before the Dhuhr prayer. It is permissible to perform two or more rakats in multiples of two. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to perform Duha prayer and he (ﷺ) advised his companions to pray Duha as well.
Abu Dharr reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: "In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah's glorification is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity, and two rak'ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice." (Muslim, 720)
As we learned from above hadith that praying two rakats in the forenoon is an act of charity. As well as, saying سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ اللهِ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Moreover, Narrated Abu Huraira: "My friend (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) advised me to observe three things: (1) to fast three days a month; (2) to pray two rakats of Duha prayer (forenoon prayer); and (3) to pray witr before sleeping." (Bukhari, 1981)
It is permissible to pray more than two even rakats as mentioned in the hadith below the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed eight rakats on the conquest of Makkah. Muadha asked Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) "how many rakats Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prayed at the forenoon prayer. She replied: "Four rakats, but sometimes more as he pleased."" (Muslim, 719a). Moreover, Narrated Ibn Abu Laila: Only Um Hani told us that she had seen the Prophet (ﷺ) offering the Duha (forenoon prayer). She said, "On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (ﷺ) took a bath in my house and offered eight rakats. I never saw him praying such a light prayer but he performed perfect prostration and bowing." (Bukhari, 1103)
Narrated Abu Umamah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If anyone goes out from his house after performing ablution for saying the prescribed prayer in congregation (in the mosque), his reward will be like that of one who goes for hajj pilgrimage after wearing ihram (robe worn by the hajj pilgrims). And he who goes out to say the mid-morning (duha) prayer, and takes the trouble for this purpose, will take the reward like that of a person who performs umrah. And a prayer followed by a prayer with no worldly talk during the gap between them will be recorded in Illiyyun." (Abi Dawud, 558)
Narrated Simak: "I asked Jabir b. Samurah: Did you sit in the company of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ? He replied: Yes, very often. He would not stand from the place he prayed the dawn prayer till the sunrise. When the sun rose, he would stand (to pray Duha)." (Abi Dawud, 1294)
Narrated Abu Buraydah: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "A human being has three hundred and sixty joints for each of which he must give alms. The people asked him: Who is capable of doing this ? He replied: "It may be mucus in the mosque which you bury, and something which you remove from the road; but if you do not find such, two rakats in the forenoon will be sufficient for you." (Abi Dawud, 5242)
After Fajr prayer, sit, make Dhikr and the morning Adhkar. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said: “O you who believed! remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon.” (33:41-42) Furthermore, take this opportunity to read or memorize the Quran and reflect on its meaning and pray Duha 10 to 20 minutes after sunrise. The reward of praying Duha is as someone who performs umrah and given charity. Who did not want that.
I know that nowadays, many people are busy and are in a hurry. However, some of us will not go to work until after the sun has risen or we are working from home. Thus, let's give ourselves an extra 5 to 10 minutes to pray Duha before leaving the house or starting working. Trust me, you will notice the difference in your life and your daily activities and I have experienced it myself. I still remember the tranquility and the calmness I felt the first time I prayed Duha and how I felt all day. Since then I decided to implement it in my life and I thank Allah for this opportunity.
On numerous occasions, I would pray Fajr, do my morning Adhkar and read my daily Quranic verses, but still it is not time for Duha. However, I will finish my morning routine then pray right before leaving. Alhamdulillah, I have a habit of performing ablution before going to work and it makes it easy to perform wudu for my other salah when I am outside specially when using public restrooms because I will simply wipe over my socks. I pray my Duha prayer after performing the wudu before leaving for work if I was unable to do it earlier. Praying Duha gives you tranquility and peace and you are awakened and mindful of your actions. Allah will reward us as He is The Best Rewarder, Who rewards His servants.
If you are unable to perform the Duha prayer during the week, let's make an effort to offer it over the weekend.
If you have any suggestion of how to implement Duha prayer in our daily routine, please feel free to let me know. Sukran JazakAllah Khaira
O Allah make it easy for us to worship You the way You love to be worshiped and forgive our shortcomings.