OPTIONAL DAILY PRAYERS

Types of Nafl Salah

Tahiyyat-ul-Wudhu Salaat-ul-Ishraaq Salaat-ut-Duhaa (Chaasht) Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid Salaat-ut-Taubah Salaat-ul-Hajaat Salaat-ul-Istikhara Aw-Waabeen Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh Salaat-us-Safar Salaat-ut-Tahajjud

Makrooh & Forbidden Times

Makrooh Times Of Salah
All types of Nafl Salah should be avoided during the following times: 1. Subh-e-Saadiq (Fajr Begining) till Sunrise 2. After Asr Salah till Sunset (Maghrib)

Forbidden Times Of Any Salah

All types of Salah including Nafl, should be avoided during the following times: 1. At the time of Sunrise. 2. At the time of Zawaal. 3. At the time of Sunset

Tahiyyat-ul-Wudhu
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
The Prophet (s.a.w)is reported to have said: He who observes two Rakaats with full devotion after performing Wudhu well, becomes entitled to enter Jannah. (Sahih Muslim)

After Wudhu Performance of Tahiyyat-ul-Wudhu 2 Rakaats

Note:
Whether one makes Wudhu at home or at the Masjid, Tahiyyat-ul-Wudhu can be prayed as long as it is in permitted time and not Makrooh time.

Salaat-ul-Ishraaq
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
About 15 minutes after Sunrise. Performance of Salaat-ul-Ishraaq 2 or 4 Rakaats

The Prophet (s.a.w)is reported to have said: He who performs Fajr Salah with congregation (Jamaat) and remains seated in the same place engaging in the remembrance of Allah until after Sunrise, thereafter he performs two Rakaats Nafl Salah, will obtain the reward of one Hajj and one Umrah.
(Tirmidhi)

Note:
After the Fajr Salah one should sit at the same place and recite Quran, Durood, Tasbeeh etc and then perfrom Ishraaq Salah. One can also perform the Salah even after indulging in worldly affairs although the reward will be less.

Salaat-ut-Duhaa (Chaasht)
Time of Performance:
and When the sun has risen high there is heat in its rays. Performance remains until Zawaal. Performance of Salaat-ut-Duhaa Consists of up to 12 Rakaats.
(One may perform 2,4,6,8,10 0r 12 Rakaats)

Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) related that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: Whoever adheres to the Duhaa prayer shall have his sins forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea. (Tirmidhi) Hazrat Anas (ra) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: Who so prays the forenoon Salah with twelve Rakaats, Allah will build for him a castle of gold in Jannah. (Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi)

Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid
Time of Performance:
before

Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:

Upon entering the Masjid and sitting down. Performance of Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid 2 Rakaats.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) related that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: When anyone of you enters the Masjid, he should not sit until he has offered two Rakaats
(Bukhari)

Note:
Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid is performed to honour Almighty Allah upon entering the Masjid. It should not be restricted to two Rakaats only, one may also perform four Rakaats. Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid should not be performed at Makrooh times.

If one enters the Masjid and it happens to be Makrooh time then recite the following four times. After having recited this, recite Durood Sharif.

Subhaa nallaa-hi walhamdu lil-laahi walaa ilaaha illal-laho wallaahu akbar wala hawla wala quwata illa billah-hil aliyyil azeem.

If one enters the Masjid and the Fardh Jamaat is in progress, then one should not perform Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid; but rather join in the Fardh Salah. As this will take the place of Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid If, after entering the Masjid, one sat down and thereafter performed Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid, it will be valid though it is best to perform it before sitting. If one visits the Masjid several times during the day, it will suffice if one performs Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid once.

Salaat-ut-Taubah
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
Whenever the need arises. Performance of Salaat-ut-Taubah 2 Rakaats.

Hazrat Ali (ra) narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) narrated to me that he heard the Prophet (s.a.w) say, Whoever commits a sin, and then gets up and performs Wudhu, offers Salah and seeks the forgiveness of Allah. In any case, Allah forgives him. After this the Prophet (s.a.w) recited the verse of the Quran: And those who, when they happen to commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah, then, seek forgiveness for their sins, and who is there to forgive sins except Allah? And do not persist in what they have done, knowingly. (Tirmidhi)

Method Of Salaat-ut-Taubah
The best method of making Istighfaar (seeking repentance) is to perform Ghusl/Wudhu, thereafter perform two Rakaats Salaat-ut-Taubah. On completing the Salah, praise Allah the Creator and Sustainer, confer Durood on the Prophet (s.a.w) and make Istighfaar and Taubah with utmost sincerity, humbleness and regret. Shed as many tears as you possibly can. Make a firm resolution and promise Allah that you will never commit sins again. By the grace of Allah, your sins will be forgiven.

Sayyidul Istighfaar
On the authority of Shaddad ibn Aws (ra), the Prophet (s.a.w) said, The chief of prayers for forgiveness is:

O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshiped except You, You created me and I am Your servant and I abide to Your covenant and promise [to honour it] as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I committed. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sins except You.

The Prophet (s.a.w) added, If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it and dies before the morning he will be from the people of Paradise.
(Bukhari)

Salaat-ul-Hajaat
Time of Performance:
any time. At the time of need. Permitted Performance of Salaat-ul-Hajaat. 2 Rakaats.

Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:

Abullah ibn Abi Awfa (ra) relates that the Prophet (s.a.w) said, Whoever has a need with Allah, or with any human being, then let them perform ritual ablutions well and then pray two rakats. After that, let them praise Allah and send blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). After this, let them say:

 , , , , , , ,
There is no god but Allah the Clement and Wise. There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin. Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfil it, O Most Merciful!
(Tirmidhi)

Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah
Time of Performance:
bed. At night just before going to Performance of Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah 2 Rakaats.

Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:

Hazrat Saad bin Waqqas (ra) says that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: The goodness of man is that whenever he intends to do anything he should take indications by Istikhaarah. (Abu Yala)

Method Of Salaat-ut-Istikhaarah
Hazrat Jabir (ra) relates that the Prophet (s.a.w) taught us the method of Istikhaarah in our affairs with the same care and solitude with which he taught the verses of the Quran. He (s.a.w) said, When any of you decides to do a thing he should first offer two Rakaats of Nafl and then ask Allah in the following words:

Dua Of Istikhaarah

Allahumma inni astakhiruka biilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa asaluka min fadlika al-azim Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa talamu Wala alamu, Wa anta allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta talam anna hadhal-amra (then the person reciting the dua should mention the matter for which he is seeking Allahs Guidance) Khairun li fi dini wa maashi waaqibati amri (or ajili amri waajilihi) Faqdirhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta talamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa maashi waaqibati amri (or fiajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.

Translation
O Allah, I beg You for the good through Your knowledge and ability through Your power; I beg (Your favours) out of your infinite bounty. For You have power and I have none, You know and I know not, and for You are the great knower of hidden things. O Allah if in your knowledge this matter is good for my religion, for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs then ordain it (decree it) for me and make it easy for me and bless me therein. But if in your knowledge this matter is bad for my religion, for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to be pleased with it.

When one utters the words

which means this matter one should

contemplate the matter about which guidance is sought.

Important Points:
Istikharaah means to seek goodness. In this case it means the way of seeking advice and goodness from Allah. And to seek divine favour or a hint regarding whether or not to do any important work. In the first Rakaat after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second Rakaat after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After the two Rakaats and Dua, one should, without talking in the state of purity (Wudhu), retire on a neat and clean bed with his facing the Qiblah. Whatever comes firmly in his heart on waking up in his best course of action and should be adopted. If the heart is not set on anything after the first night, the Istikharaah should be done continuously for 3 or 5 or 7 nights. If the Istikharaah is done in a proper manner some firm thought will set upon the heart by the seventh night and it is better to act according to it. Indication via dream is NOT essential after Istikharaah Salaah.

Salaat-ul-Aw Waabeen
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) says, that the Prophet (s.a.w) offered six Rakaats after Maghrib himself and said that whoever offers six Rakaats after Maghrib will have all his sins forgiven even if they are as muchas the foam on the ocean.
(Tabrani)

After Maghrib Salaah. Performance of Salaat-ul-Aw Waabeen The minimum number of Rakaats is 6 and the maximum is 20 Rakaats.

Note:
Aw Waabeen Salaah can be performed in 2 or 4 Rakaats unit, although 2 Rakaat units are preferred. Some Scholars are of the opinion that the 2 Sunnat Rakaats and 2 Nafl after Maghrib can be part of the 6 Rakaats of Salaat-ul-Aw Waabeen.

Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
Any permitted time. Performance of Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh. 4 Rakaats.

It is related by Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (r.a) that Prophet (s.a.w) said to his uncle (Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib): O Abbas (r.a)! O my uncle! Shall I not give you, shall I not present to you, shall I not inform you, shall I not produce to you 10 things, by you doing this Allah (s.w.t) will forgive all your sins, whether past or present, new or old, intentional or unintentional, small or big, secret or open. You should pray 4 Rakaats Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh. (Abu Dawood)

Method of Praying Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh

This Salah is called Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh because the following Tasbeeh is recited repeatedly in the Salaah:

Subhaa-nallahi wal-hamdu lil-laahi wa laa ilaaha il-lallahu wa-allahu akbar

When to recite the above Kalimah: After Subhaanak allahumma before Surah Fatiha After Surah Fatiha and Qirat In Ruku After Ruku in standing position (Qawmah) In first Sajdah Sitting after first Sajdah (Jalsah) In second Sajdah Total in 1 Rakaat Total in 4 Rakaats 15 times 10 times 10 times 10 times 10 times 10 times 10 times 75 times 300 times

Important Points:
There is no specific Surah to be recited in Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh. In the counting of Tasbeehs recited, the tongue should not be employed. If the counting is done verbally, the Salaah will be nullified. The Tasbeeh should be counted by pressing the fingers. If the Tasbeehs of a particular occasion in this Salaah are omitted in error, then recite the missed Tasbeeh in the next part of the Salaah. E.g. If the Tasbeehs before Surah Fatiha were omitted, recite these after Qiraat. If the Tasbeehs between the two Sajdah (i.e. Jalsah) were omitted, then recite these in the second Sajdah. If for some reason Sajdah-Sahw became necessary and if some Tasbeehs were omitted at some stage, and not as yet fulfilled, then recite the omitted Tasbeehs in the SajdahSahw. However, remember that Sajdah-Sahw has no addiotnal Tasbeehs of its own, DO NOT recite additional Tasbeehs when making Sajdah-Sahw. The number of Tasbeehs for four Rakaats of Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh is 300. Therefore, it is possible to recite only such Tasbeehs in Sajdah-Sahw, as were missed out earlier and not fulfilled.

Salaat-us-Safar
Time of Performance: Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats: Hadith:
Before setting out on a journey. Performance of Salaat-us-Safar. 2 Rakaats.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: A man has not left anything better at home (when he departs on a journey) than these two Rakaats which are performed at the time of a journey. (Tabrani)

Note:
After returning from the journey, it is Sunnah to first go to the Masjid and perform two Rakaats Salaah, remaining thereafter for a while in the Masjid. It is Mustahab to perform two Rakaats Salaah wherever one breaks ones journey and intends to stay over for a while.

Salaat-ut-Tahajjud
Time of Performance:
of the best time is After Isha either in the early part night or in the later part. The the later part of the night. The time ends when Sehri time ends. Performance of Salaat-ut-Tahajjud. Minimum number is 2 Rakaats and the maximum is 8 Rakaats.

Niyyah to intend: Number of Rakaats:

Ayah:

And worship Him (a portion of the night and glorify Him through the night.

Hadith:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) reports the Prophet (s.a.w) said: Shaytaan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, The night is long, so stay asleep. when one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs Wudhu, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.
(Bukhari)

Hazrat Anas (ra) says the Prophet (s.a.w) has said that: Four Rakaats of Tuhajjud after Isha are equal to four Rakaats of Laylatul Qadr (the night of power).
(Tabrani)

Note:
Best procedure for Tahajjud Salah is to sleep and rise late in the night to engage oneself in this meritorious Salaah. To sleep before performing Tahajjud Salaah is not pre-conditional.

Dua At The Time Of Tahajjud Salaah

)When the Prophet (s.a.w) used to get up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, He (s.a.w used to say: