The Prophet ﷺ as saying: If anyone prays in a day and a night twelve rak'ahs voluntarily (supererogatory prayer), a house will be built from him in Paradise on account of these (rak'ahs).  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَنْ صَلَّى فِي يَوْمٍ ثِنْتَىْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً تَطَوُّعًا بُنِيَ لَهُ بِهِنَّ بَيْتٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ  

I asked A'ishah about the voluntary prayers offered by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She replied: Before the noon prayer he would pray four rak'ahs in my house, then go out and lead the people in prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would lead the people in the sunset prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. Then he would lead the people in the night prayer, and enter my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would pray nine rak'ahs during the night, including witr (prayer). At night he would pray for a long time standing and for a long time sitting. When he recited the Qur'an while standing, he would bow and prostrate himself from the standing position, and when he recited while sitting, he would bow and prostrate himself from the sitting position, and when dawn came he prayed two rak'ahs, then he would come out and lead the people in the dawn prayer.  

عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنَ التَّطَوُّعِ فَقَالَتْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ أَرْبَعًا فِي بَيْتِي ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ فَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِي فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِي فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمُ الْعِشَاءَ ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ بَيْتِي فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ تِسْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فِيهِنَّ الْوِتْرُ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي لَيْلاً طَوِيلاً قَائِمًا وَلَيْلاً طَوِيلاً جَالِسًا فَإِذَا قَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ وَإِذَا قَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ وَكَانَ إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ فَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ ﷺ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would pray two rak'ahs before and two after the noon prayer, two after the sunset prayer in his house, and two after the night prayer. He would not pray after the Friday prayer till he departed. He would then pray two rak'ahs.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي بَيْتِهِ وَبَعْدَ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ لاَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

The Prophet ﷺ never omitted four rak'ahs before the noon prayer, and two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was more particular about observing the supererogatory rak'ahs before the dawn prayer than about observing any of the other supererogatory prayers.  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى شَىْءٍ مِنَ النَّوَافِلِ أَشَدَّ مُعَاهَدَةً مِنْهُ عَلَى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ  

The Prophet ﷺ would pray two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer lightly so much so that I would say: Did he recite Surah al-Fatihah in them.  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُخَفِّفُ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ حَتَّى إِنِّي لأَقُولُ هَلْ قَرَأَ فِيهِمَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ  

The Prophet ﷺ would recite in the two (supererogatory) rak'ahs of the dawn prayer: "Say, O unbelievers" [Surat al-Kafiroon:1] and "Say: He is Allah, the one" [Surat al-Ikhlas:1]  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَرَأَ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ }  

Ziyadah al-Kindi reported on the authority of Bilal that he (Bilal) came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to inform him about the dawn prayer. Aisha kept Bilal engaged in a matter which she asked him till the day was bright and it became fairly light. Bilal then stood up and called him to prayer and called him repeatedly. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not yet come out. When he came out, he led the people in prayer and he (Bilal) informed him that Aisha had kept him engaged in a matter which she asked him till it became fairly light; hence he became late in reaching him (in time). He (Bilal) said: Messenger of Allah, the dawn became fairly bright. He said: If the dawn became brighter than it is now, I would pray them (the two rak'ahs of the sunnah prayer), offer them well and in a more beautiful manner.  

أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِيُؤْذِنَهُ بِصَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ فَشَغَلَتْ عَائِشَةُ ؓ بِلاَلاً بِأَمْرٍ سَأَلَتْهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى فَضَحَهُ الصُّبْحُ فَأَصْبَحَ جِدًّا قَالَ فَقَامَ بِلاَلٌ فَآذَنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَتَابَعَ أَذَانَهُ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ صَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ وَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ شَغَلَتْهُ بِأَمْرٍ سَأَلَتْهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ جِدًّا وَأَنَّهُ أَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَكَعْتُ رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ أَصْبَحْتَ جِدًّا قَالَ لَوْ أَصْبَحْتُ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا أَصْبَحْتُ لَرَكَعْتُهُمَا وَأَحْسَنْتُهُمَا وَأَجْمَلْتُهُمَا  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Do not omit them (the two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer) even if you are driven away by the horses.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ تَدَعُوهُمَا وَإِنْ طَرَدَتْكُمُ الْخَيْلُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite in both rak'ahs of the dawn prayer: "Say: We believe in Allah and in the revelation given to us" (3:84) . This is in the first rak'ah and in the second rak'ah (he recited): "We believe in Allah and bear witness that we submit ourself (to Him)." (3:52).  

أَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِمَّا كَانَ يَقْرَأُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ بِ { آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا } هَذِهِ الآيَةَ قَالَ هَذِهِ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى وَفِي الرَّكْعَةِ الآخِرَةِ بِ { آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ }  

That he heard the Prophet ﷺ recite in both rak'ahs of the dawn: "Say: We believe in Allah, and in the revelation given to us" (3:84). This is in the first rak'ah. In the second rak'ah he recited this verse: "Our Lord, we have believed in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger, so write us down among those who bear witness." or he recited: "Surely, we have sent you with the truth as a bringer of glad tidings, and a warner. And you will not be asked about the inhabitants of the Blazing Fire" (2:119). Al-Darawardi doubted (which of the verse he recited).  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقْرَأُ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ { قُلْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا } فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى وَفِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُخْرَى بِهَذِهِ الآيَةِ { رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ } أَوْ { إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلاَ تُسْأَلُ عَنْ أَصْحَابِ الْجَحِيمِ } شَكَّ الدَّرَاوَرْدِيُّ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: If any of you prays two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer, he should lie at his right side. Marwan ibn al-Hakam said to him: Is it not enough that one of us walks to the mosque until he lies at his right side? According to the version of Ubaydullah, he (AbuHurayrah) replied: No. This statement (of AbuHurayrah) reached Ibn Umar. He said: AbuHurayrah exceed limits on himself. He was asked: Do you look askance at what he says? He replied: No, but he dared and we showed cowardice. This (criticism of Ibn Umar) reached AbuHurayrah. He said: What is my sin if I remembered and they forgot?  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الصُّبْحِ فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَرْوَانُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ أَمَا يُجْزِئُ أَحَدَنَا مَمْشَاهُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ حَتَّى يَضْطَجِعَ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ قَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ فِي حَدِيثِهِ قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ أَكْثَرَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ قَالَ فَقِيلَ لاِبْنِ عُمَرَ هَلْ تُنْكِرُ شَيْئًا مِمَّا يَقُولُ قَالَ لاَ وَلَكِنَّهُ اجْتَرَأَ وَجَبُنَّا قَالَ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ فَمَا ذَنْبِي إِنْ كُنْتُ حَفِظْتُ وَنَسُوا  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his prayer late in the night, he would see. If I was awake, he would talk to me. If I was sleeping, he would awaken me, and pray two rak'ahs, then he would lie down as long as the mu'adhdhin came to him and call him for the dawn prayer. Then he would pray two rak'ahs lightly and come out for prayer.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ نَظَرَ فَإِنْ كُنْتُ مُسْتَيْقِظَةً حَدَّثَنِي وَإِنْ كُنْتُ نَائِمَةً أَيْقَظَنِي وَصَلَّى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَيُؤْذِنَهُ بِصَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ  

When the Prophet ﷺ prayed the two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer, he would lie down if I was asleep; in case I was awake, he would talk to me.  

عَائِشَةُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا صَلَّى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ فَإِنْ كُنْتُ نَائِمَةً اضْطَجَعَ وَإِنْ كُنْتُ مُسْتَيْقِظَةً حَدَّثَنِي  

I came out with the Prophet ﷺ to offer the dawn prayer. When he passed by a sleeping man he called him for prayer or moved him with his foot. The narrator Ziyad said: This tradition has been reported to us by AbulFadl.  

خَرَجْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِصَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ فَكَانَ لاَ يَمُرُّ بِرَجُلٍ إِلاَّ نَادَاهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ أَوْ حَرَّكَهُ بِرِجْلِهِ قَالَ زِيَادٌ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْفُضَيْلِ  

A man came while the Prophet ﷺ was leading the people in the dawn prayer. He prayed the two rak'ahs and then joined the congregational prayer led by the Prophet ﷺ. When he finished the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said: So-and-so, which was your real prayer, the one you prayed alone or the one offered with us ?  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي الصُّبْحَ فَصَلَّى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ يَا فُلاَنُ أَيَّتُهُمَا صَلاَتُكَ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ وَحْدَكَ أَوِ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ مَعَنَا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺas saying: When the iqamah is pronounced for prayer, no prayer is valid except the obligatory prayer.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a person praying after the congregational prayer at dawn was over. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: There are two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer (i.e. the prescribed rak'ahs). The man replied: I did not pray the two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer. Hence I offered them now. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept silent.  

رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَجُلاً يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةُ الصُّبْحِ رَكْعَتَانِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَكُنْ صَلَّيْتُ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ قَبْلَهُمَا فَصَلَّيْتُهُمَا الآنَ فَسَكَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

'Abd Rabbihi and Yahya b. Sa'id also narrated this tradition from the Prophet ﷺ omitting the name of the Companion (mursal). Their grandfather Zaid prayed along with the Prophet ﷺ.  

The Prophet ﷺ said: If anyone keeps on praying regularly four rak'ahs before and four after the noon prayer, he will not enter the Hell-fire. Abu Dawud said: Al-'Ala' bin Al-Harith and Sulaiman bin Musa reported it from Makhul with his chain, similarly.  

أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ زَوْجُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَأَرْبَعٍ بَعْدَهَا حَرُمَ عَلَى النَّارِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: The gates of heaven are opened for four rak'ahs containing no taslim (salutation) before the noon prayer. Abu Dawud said: Yahya b. Sa'id al-Qattan said: If I were to narrate any tradition from 'Ubaidah, I would narrate this tradition. Abu Dawud said: 'Ubaidah is weak. Abu Dawud said: The name of the narrator Ibn Minjab is Sahm.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ أَرْبَعٌ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ لَيْسَ فِيهِنَّ تَسْلِيمٌ تُفْتَحُ لَهُنَّ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: May Allah show mercy to a man who prays four rak'ahs before the afternoon prayer.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً صَلَّى قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ أَرْبَعًا  

That the Prophet ﷺ used to pray two rak'ahs before the 'Asr prayer.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

That 'Abd Allah b. Abbas, 'Abd al-Rahman b. Azhar and al-Miswar b. Makhramah sent him to 'Aishah, wife of the Prophet ﷺ. They said: Convey our regards to her from all of us and ask her about the two rak'ahs after the 'Asr prayer, and tell her that we have been informed that she prays them, and we are told that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited them. I entered upon her and told her that for which they had sent me to her. She said: Ask Umm Salamah. I returned to them (Ibn 'Abbas and others) and informed them about her opinion. They sent me back to Umm Salamah with the same mission for which they had sent me to 'Aishah. Umm Salamah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibiting them, but later on I saw him praying them. When he prayed them, he had offered the 'Asr prayer. He then came to me while a number of women from Banu Haram from the Ansar were sitting with me. He prayed these two rak'ahs. I sent a slave girl to him and I told her: Stand beside him and tell him that Umm Salamah has asked: Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I heard you prohibiting these two rak'ahs (after the afternoon prayer) but I see you praying them yourself. If he makes a sign with his hand, step backward from him. The slave girl did so. When he finished prayer, he said: O daughter of Abu Umayyah, you asked about the praying of two rak'ahs after the 'Asr prayer, in fact, some people of 'Abd al-Qais has come to me with the news that their people had embraced Islam. They hindered me from praying the two rak'ahs after Zuhr prayer. It is those two rak'ahs (which I offered after the 'Asr prayer)  

أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَزْهَرَ وَالْمِسْوَرَ بْنَ مَخْرَمَةَ أَرْسَلُوهُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالُوا اقْرَأْ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمَ مِنَّا جَمِيعًا وَسَلْهَا عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَقُلْ إِنَّا أُخْبِرْنَا أَنَّكِ تُصَلِّينَهُمَا وَقَدْ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ نَهَى عَنْهُمَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهَا فَبَلَّغْتُهَا مَا أَرْسَلُونِي بِهِ فَقَالَتْ سَلْ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُمْ بِقَوْلِهَا فَرَدُّونِي إِلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ بِمِثْلِ مَا أَرْسَلُونِي بِهِ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَنْهَى عَنْهُمَا ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُهُ يُصَلِّيهِمَا أَمَّا حِينَ صَلاَّهُمَا فَإِنَّهُ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ وَعِنْدِي نِسْوَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي حَرَامٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَصَلاَّهُمَا فَأَرْسَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ الْجَارِيَةَ فَقُلْتُ قُومِي بِجَنْبِهِ فَقُولِي لَهُ تَقُولُ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَسْمَعُكَ تَنْهَى عَنْ هَاتَيْنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ وَأَرَاكَ تُصَلِّيهِمَا فَإِنْ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ فَاسْتَأْخِرِي عَنْهُ قَالَتْ فَفَعَلَتِ الْجَارِيَةُ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ فَاسْتَأْخَرَتْ عَنْهُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ يَا بِنْتَ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ سَأَلْتِ عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ إِنَّهُ أَتَانِي نَاسٌ مِنْ عَبْدِ الْقَيْسِ بِالإِسْلاَمِ مِنْ قَوْمِهِمْ فَشَغَلُونِي عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ فَهُمَا هَاتَانِ  

The Prophet ﷺ prohibited to offer prayer after the afternoon prayer except at the time when the sun is high up in the sky.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ نَهَى عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ إِلاَّ وَالشَّمْسُ مُرْتَفِعَةٌ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would offer two rak'ahs after every obligatory prayer except the dawn and the 'Asr prayer.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي فِي إِثْرِ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ إِلاَّ الْفَجْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ  

Some reliable people testified before me, and among them was Umar ibn al-Khattab, and most reliable in my eyes was Umar: The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said: There is no prayer after the dawn prayer until the sun rises; and there is no prayer after the 'Asr prayer until the sun sets.  

أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ صَلاَةَ بَعْدَ صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَلاَ صَلاَةَ بَعْدَ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ الشَّمْسُ  

I asked: Messenger of Allah, in which part of night the supplication is more likely to be accepted? He replied: In the last part: Pray as much as you like, for the prayer is attended by the angels and it is recorded till you offer the dawn prayer; then stop praying when the sun is rising till it has reached the height of one or two lances, for it rises between the two horns of the Devil, and the infidels offer prayer for it (at that time). Then pray as much as you like, because the prayer is witnessed and recorded till the shadow of a lance be- comes equal to it. Then cease prayer, for at that time the Hell-fire is heated up and doors of Hell are opened. When the sun declines, pray as much as you like, for the prayer is witnessed till you pray the afternoon prayer; then cease prayer till the sun sets, for it sets between the horns of the Devil, and (at that time) the infidels offer prayer for it. He narrated a lengthy tradition. Abbas said: AbuSalam narrated this tradition in a similar manner from AbuUmamah. If I have made a mistake unintentionally, I beg pardon of Allah and repent to Him.  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ اللَّيْلِ أَسْمَعُ قَالَ جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ فَصَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ فَتَرْتَفِعَ قِيْسَ رُمْحٍ أَوْ رُمْحَيْنِ فَإِنَّهَا تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَىْ شَيْطَانٍ وَتُصَلِّي لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ حَتَّى يَعْدِلَ الرُّمْحُ ظِلَّهُ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ تُسْجَرُ وَتُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُهَا فَإِذَا زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَصَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الْعَصْرَ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ الشَّمْسُ فَإِنَّهَا تَغْرُبُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَىْ شَيْطَانٍ وَيُصَلِّي لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ وَقَصَّ حَدِيثًا طَوِيلاً قَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ هَكَذَا حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلاَّمٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ إِلاَّ أَنْ أُخْطِئَ شَيْئًا لاَ أُرِيدُهُ فَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ  

Yasar, the client of Ibn Umar, said: Ibn Umar saw me praying after the break of dawn. He said: O Yasar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to us while we were offering this prayer. He (the Prophet) said: Those who are present should inform those who are absent: Do not offer any prayer after (the break of) dawn except two rak'ahs.  

يَا يَسَارُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ نُصَلِّي هَذِهِ الصَّلاَةَ فَقَالَ لِيُبَلِّغْ شَاهِدُكُمْ غَائِبَكُمْ لاَ تُصَلُّوا بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ إِلاَّ سَجْدَتَيْنِ  

We bear witness that 'Aishah said: Not a day passed but the Prophet ﷺ prayed two rak'ahs after the 'Asr prayer  

عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ وَمَسْرُوقٍ قَالاَ نَشْهَدُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ ؓ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِلاَّ صَلَّى بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

Dhakwan, the client of Aisha, reported on the authority of Aisha: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray after the afternoon prayer but prohibited others from it; and he would fast continuously but forbid others to do so.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَيَنْهَى عَنْهَا وَيُوَاصِلُ وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْوِصَالِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Pray two rak'ahs before the Maghrib prayer. He then said (again): Pray two rak'ahs before the Maghrib prayer, it applies to those who wish to do so. That was because he feared that the people might treat it as sunnah.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلُّوا قَبْلَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَالَ صَلُّوا قَبْلَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِمَنْ شَاءَ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهَا النَّاسُ سُنَّةً  

I offered two rak'ahs of prayer before the Maghrib prayer (i.e. obligatory) during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I (narrator al-Mukhtar b. Fulful) asked Anas: Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ se you ? He replied: Yes, but he neither commanded us nor forbade us (to do so).  

صَلَّيْتُ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْمَغْرِبِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَنَسٍ أَرَآكُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ نَعَمْ رَآنَا فَلَمْ يَأْمُرْنَا وَلَمْ يَنْهَنَا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying: Between the two adhans there is a prayer, between the two adhans there is prayer for one who desires (to offer).  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ لِمَنْ شَاءَ  

Ibn 'Umar was asked about praying two rak'ahs before the Maghrib prayer. He replied: I did not see anyone praying them during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He (Ibn Umar) permitted to pray two rak'ahs after the Asr prayer. Abu Dawud said: I heard Yahya b. Ma'in say: The correct name of the narrator Abu Shu'aib is the Shu'aib. Shu'bah made a mistake in narrating his name.  

مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَدًا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّيهِمَا وَرَخَّصَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ  

The Prophet ﷺ as saying: In the morning alms are due for every bone in man's body. His salutation to everyone he meets is alms, his enjoining good is alms, his forbidding what is evil is alms, the removal of harmful thing from the way is alms, to have sexual intercourse with one's wife if alms, and two rak'ahs which one prays in the Duha serve instead of that. Abu Dawud said: The tradition narrated by 'Abbad is more perfect (than the version narrated by Musaddad). Musaddad did not mention in his version "the command (of good) and the prohibition (of evil)". Instead, he added in his version saying: "Such and such." Ibn Ma'na added in his version: "They (the people) said: Messenger of Allah, how is that one of us fulfills his desire and still there are alms for him (i.e. is rewarded)? He replied: What do you think if you had unlawful sexual intercourse, would he not have been a sinner ?  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلاَمَى مِنِ ابْنِ آدَمَ صَدَقَةٌ تَسْلِيمُهُ عَلَى مَنْ لَقِيَ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرُهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْيُهُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِمَاطَتُهُ الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ صَدَقَةٌ وَبُضْعَةُ أَهْلِهِ صَدَقَةٌ وَيُجْزِئُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ رَكْعَتَانِ مِنَ الضُّحَى  

While we were present with Abu Dharr, he said: In the morning, alms are due for him, ever fast is alms, every pilgrimage is alms, every utterance of "Glory to be Allah" is alms, every utterance of "Allah is most great" is alms, every utterance of "Praise be to Allah" is alms. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ recounted all such good works. He then said: Two rak'ahs which one prays in the Duha serve instead of that.  

يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلاَمَى مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ صَدَقَةٌ فَلَهُ بِكُلِّ صَلاَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَصِيَامٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَحَجٍّ صَدَقَةٌ وَتَسْبِيحٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَتَكْبِيرٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَتَحْمِيدٍ صَدَقَةٌ فَعَدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَعْمَالِ الصَّالِحَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يُجْزِئُ أَحَدَكُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَكْعَتَا الضُّحَى  

The Prophet ﷺ said: If anyone sits in his place of prayer when he finishes the dawn prayer till he prays the two rak'ahs of the forenoon, saying nothing but what is good, his sins will be forgiven even if they are more than the foam of the sea.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ مَنْ قَعَدَ فِي مُصَلاَّهُ حِينَ يَنْصَرِفُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ حَتَّى يُسَبِّحَ رَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى لاَ يَقُولُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا غُفِرَ لَهُ خَطَايَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Prayer followed by a prayer with no idle talk between the two is recorded in Illiyyun.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةٌ فِي أَثَرِ صَلاَةٍ لاَ لَغْوَ بَيْنَهُمَا كِتَابٌ فِي عِلِّيِّينَ  

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: Allah, the Exalted, says: Son of Adam, do not be helpless in performing four rak'ahs for Me at the beginning of the day: I will supply what you need till the end of it.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ ﷻ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لاَ تُعْجِزْنِي مِنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ فِي أَوَّلِ نَهَارِكَ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed on the day of the Conquest (of Mecca) eight rak'ahs saluting after every two rak'ahs. Abu Dawud said: Ahmad b. Salih said that the Messenger of Allah offered prayer in the forenoon on the day of the Conquest of Mecca, and he narrated something similar. Ibn al-Sarh reported that Umm Hani said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon me. This version does not mention the prayer in the forenoon.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ صَلَّى سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ يُسَلِّمُ مِنْ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

No one told us that the Prophet ﷺ had offered Duha prayer except Umm Hani. She said that the Prophet ﷺ had taken bath in her house on the day of the Conquest of Mecca and prayed eight rak'ahs. But no one saw him afterwards praying these rak'ahs.  

أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ صَلَّى الضُّحَى غَيْرَ أُمِّ هَانِئٍ فَإِنَّهَا ذَكَرَتْ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَوْمَ فَتْحِ مَكَّةَ اغْتَسَلَ فِي بَيْتِهَا وَصَلَّى ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ فَلَمْ يَرَهُ أَحَدٌ صَلاَّهُنَّ بَعْدُ  

I asked 'Aishah: Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pray in the Duha? She replied: No, except when he returned from his journey. I then asked: Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite the surahs combining each other? She said: He would do so in the mufassal surahs.  

سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى فَقَالَتْ لاَ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَجِيءَ مِنْ مَغِيبِهِ قُلْتُ هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقْرِنُ بَيْنَ السُّورَتَيْنِ قَالَتْ مِنَ الْمُفَصَّلِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never offered prayer in the forenoon, but I offer it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would give up an action, though he liked it to do, lest the people should continue it and it is prescribed for them.  

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ مَا سَبَّحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى قَطُّ وَإِنِّي لأُسَبِّحُهَا وَإِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَيَدَعُ الْعَمَلَ وَهُوَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَيُفْرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ  

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).  

قُلْتُ لِجَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ أَكُنْتَ تُجَالِسُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ نَعَمْ كَثِيرًا فَكَانَ لاَ يَقُومُ مِنْ مُصَلاَّهُ الَّذِي صَلَّى فِيهِ الْغَدَاةَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ فَإِذَا طَلَعَتْ قَامَ ﷺ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Prayer by night and day should consist of pairs of rak'ahs.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Prayer is to be offered in two rak'ahs; and you should recite the tashahhud at the end of two rak'ahs, and express your distress and humility and raise your hands and say praying: O Allah, O Allah. He who does not do so does not offer a perfect prayer. Abu Dawud was asked about offering prayer at night in two rak'ahs. He said: They may be two if you like and four if you like.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ الصَّلاَةُ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى أَنْ تَشَهَّدَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَأَنْ تَبَاءَسَ وَتَمَسْكَنَ وَتُقْنِعَ بِيَدَيْكَ وَتَقُولَ اللَّهُمَّ اللَّهُمَّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ سُئِلَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى قَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ مَثْنَى وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَرْبَعًا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to al-Abbas ibn AbdulMuttalib: Abbas, my uncle, shall I not give you, shall I not present to you, shall I not donate to you, shall I not produce for you ten things? If you act upon them, Allah will forgive you your sins, first and last, old and new, involuntary and voluntary, small and great, secret and open. These are the ten things: you should pray four rak'ahs, reciting in each one Fatihat al-Kitab and a surah. When you finish the recitation of the first rak'ah you should say fifteen times while standing: "Glory be to Allah", "Praise be to Allah", "There is no god but Allah", "Allah is most great". Then you should bow and say it ten times while bowing. Then you should raise your head after bowing and say it ten times. Then you should kneel down in prostration and say it ten times while prostrating yourself. Then you should raise your head after prostration and say it ten times. Then you should prostrate yourself and say it ten times. Then you should raise your head after prostrating and say it ten times in every rak'ah. You should do that in four rak'ahs. If you can observe it once daily, do so; if not, then once weekly; if not, then once a month; if not, then once a year; if not, then once in your lifetime.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لِلْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ يَا عَبَّاسُ يَا عَمَّاهُ أَلاَ أُعْطِيكَ أَلاَ أَمْنَحُكَ أَلاَ أَحْبُوكَ أَلاَ أَفْعَلُ بِكَ عَشْرَ خِصَالٍ إِذَا أَنْتَ فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ ذَنْبَكَ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ قَدِيمَهُ وَحَدِيثَهُ خَطَأَهُ وَعَمْدَهُ صَغِيرَهُ وَكَبِيرَهُ سِرَّهُ وَعَلاَنِيَتَهُ عَشْرَ خِصَالٍ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَسُورَةً فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ فِي أَوَّلِ رَكْعَةٍ وَأَنْتَ قَائِمٌ قُلْتَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ تَرْكَعُ فَتَقُولُهَا وَأَنْتَ رَاكِعٌ عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ فَتَقُولُهَا عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَهْوِي سَاجِدًا فَتَقُولُهَا وَأَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ مِنَ السُّجُودِ فَتَقُولُهَا عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَسْجُدُ فَتَقُولُهَا عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ فَتَقُولُهَا عَشْرًا فَذَلِكَ خَمْسٌ وَسَبْعُونَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ تَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فِي أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَهَا فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَرَّةً فَافْعَلْ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَفِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ مَرَّةً فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَفِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ مَرَّةً فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَفِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ مَرَّةً فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَفِي عُمُرِكَ مَرَّةً  

AbulJawza' said: A man who attended the company of the Prophet ﷺ narrated to me (it is thought that he was Abdullah ibn Amr): The Prophet ﷺ said to me: Come to me tomorrow; I shall give you something, I shall give you something, I shall reward you something, I shall donate something to you. I thought that he would give me some present. He said (to me when I came to him): When the day declines, stand up and pray four rak'ahs. He then narrated something similar. This version adds: Do not stand until you glorify Allah ten times, and praise Him ten times, and exalt Him ten times, and say, "There is no god but Allah" ten times. Then you should do that in four rak'ahs. If you are the greatest sinner on earth, you will be forgiven (by Allah) on account of this (prayer). I asked: If I cannot pray this the appointed hour, (what should I do)? He replied: Pray that by night or by day (at any time). Abu Dawud said: Habban b. Hilal is the maternal uncle of Hilal al-Ra'i. Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by al-Mustamir b. al-Riyyan from Ibn al-Jawza' from 'Abd Allah b. 'Amr without referring to the Prophet ﷺ, - narrated as a statement of 'Abd Allah b. 'Amr himself (mauquf). This has also been narrated by Rawh b. al-Musayyab, and Ja'far b. Sulaiman from 'Amr b. Malik al-Nakri from Abu al-Jauza' from Ibn 'Abbas as his own statement (and not the statement of the Prophet). But the version of Rawh has the words: "The tradition of the Prophet ﷺ."  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ائْتِنِي غَدًا أَحْبُوكَ وَأُثِيبُكَ وَأُعْطِيكَ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ يُعْطِينِي عَطِيَّةً قَالَ إِذَا زَالَ النَّهَارُ فَقُمْ فَصَلِّ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ قَالَ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ يَعْنِي مِنَ السَّجْدَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَاسْتَوِ جَالِسًا وَلاَ تَقُمْ حَتَّى تُسَبِّحَ عَشْرًا وَتَحْمَدَ عَشْرًا وَتُكَبِّرَ عَشْرًا وَتُهَلِّلَ عَشْرًا ثُمَّ تَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ فِي الأَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ لَوْ كُنْتَ أَعْظَمَ أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ ذَنْبًا غُفِرَ لَكَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَهَا تِلْكَ السَّاعَةَ قَالَ صَلِّهَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ  

That an al-Ansari narrated to him: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Ja'far. He then narrated the tradition in like manner. This version has the words: "In the second prostration of the first rak'ah" in addition to the words transmitted by Mahdi b. Maimun (in the previous tradition).  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لِجَعْفَرٍ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُمْ قَالَ فِي السَّجْدَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِنَ الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى كَمَا قَالَ فِي حَدِيثِ مَهْدِيِّ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ