What Are the Regular Sunnah Prayers?

The regular Sunnah prayers are voluntary prayers with prescribed times that accompany the obligatory prayers. Some are performed before an obligatory prayer and are called preceding regular Sunnah prayers, while others are performed afterward and are called following regular Sunnah prayers.

They are called regular because they consistently accompany and recur with the obligatory prayers. They are emphasized Sunnahs, not obligations. A person who preserves them is rewarded, and someone who leaves them is not sinful. However, deliberately and continually abandoning them causes a Muslim to miss tremendous good and deprives him of practically following the guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in this matter.

Witr is not one of the twelve rakahs of the regular Sunnah prayers. Rather, it is an independent prayer belonging to the night prayer. Its time begins after the Isha prayer and ends at the appearance of true dawn.

The Virtue of Preserving Twelve Rakahs

Umm Habibah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Whoever prays twelve rakahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise: four before Dhuhr, two after it, two after Maghrib, two after Isha, and two before the morning prayer."

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (415) and authenticated by al-Albani. The foundational narration concerning the virtue of the twelve rakahs is in Sahih Muslim (728).

This is a tremendous promise for the one who preserves them seeking the pleasure of Allah. What is intended is that they become a consistent practice in a Muslim’s life, not that they are performed for one day and then abandoned.

The Number of Regular Sunnah Prayers in a Day and Night

The twelve regular Sunnah rakahs are:

1. Two rakahs before the Fajr prayer.
2. Four rakahs before the Dhuhr prayer, performed two by two.
3. Two rakahs after the Dhuhr prayer.
4. Two rakahs after the Maghrib prayer.
5. Two rakahs after the Isha prayer.

Their total is twelve rakahs. There is no emphasized regular Sunnah prayer before or after Asr, nor is there a specified regular Sunnah prayer before Maghrib or Isha, although prayer between the adhan and iqamah is prescribed, as will be explained.

Why Do Some Hadiths Mention Ten Rakahs?

It is authentically reported that Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:

"I memorized ten rakahs from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: two before Dhuhr, two after it, two after Maghrib in his home, two after Isha in his home, and two before the morning prayer."

Narrated by al-Bukhari (1180), and the foundational narration is in Muslim (729).

There is no contradiction between the hadith of ten and the hadith of twelve. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, related what he had memorized and observed, while Umm Habibah and Aishah, may Allah be pleased with them, reported four rakahs before Dhuhr. The most complete prescribed practice is to preserve twelve rakahs, while someone who prays two before Dhuhr has also acted upon an established Sunnah.

The Times of the Regular Sunnah Prayers

The time of a preceding regular Sunnah prayer begins when the time of its obligatory prayer begins and ends when the prayer is established or the obligatory prayer starts. Thus, the Sunnah of Fajr is not performed before the appearance of true dawn, and the regular Sunnah of Dhuhr is not performed with that intention before Dhuhr time begins.

The time of a following regular Sunnah prayer begins after performing the obligatory prayer and generally extends until the obligatory prayer’s time ends. It should be performed promptly after the prescribed adhkar unless there is a need.

Once the obligatory prayer is established, a Muslim should not begin a voluntary prayer, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"When the prayer is established, there is no prayer except the obligatory prayer."

Narrated by Muslim (710).

First: The Sunnah of Fajr

The Sunnah of Fajr consists of two rakahs performed after Fajr time begins and before the obligatory prayer. It is the most emphasized of the regular Sunnah prayers. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"The two rakahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it."

Narrated by Muslim (725).

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would keep them brief while still completing their pillars and observing tranquility. It is authentically reported that after Al-Fatihah, he recited Surat Al-Kafirun in the first rakah and Surat Al-Ikhlas in the second. This is a Sunnah, not an obligation, so other passages may be recited.

They should not be prolonged to the point that the opening takbir or congregational prayer is missed. If the obligatory prayer is established before a person performs them, he joins the imam and makes them up after the obligatory prayer or after the sun has risen. Delaying them until after sunrise is preferable to avoid the scholarly disagreement when this is convenient.

Second: The Sunnah of Dhuhr

The most complete prescribed practice is four rakahs before Dhuhr, performed as two rakahs followed by another two, and two rakahs afterward. This makes six regular Sunnah rakahs connected to Dhuhr.

It is recommended to add two more rakahs after Dhuhr, thereby performing four after it, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Whoever consistently performs four rakahs before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will forbid him to the Fire."

Narrated by Abu Dawud (1269), al-Tirmidhi (428), and al-Nasai (1816), and authenticated by al-Albani.

However, the following regular Sunnah included among the twelve consists of two rakahs. The two additional rakahs after them are a recommended voluntary prayer with a particular virtue.

Third: What Is Prescribed Before Asr

Asr has no emphasized regular Sunnah prayer. It is nevertheless recommended for a Muslim to perform four rakahs before it, two by two, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"May Allah have mercy on a person who prays four rakahs before Asr."

Narrated by Abu Dawud (1271) and al-Tirmidhi (430), and graded hasan by al-Albani.

These four rakahs are recommended but are not included among the twelve regular Sunnah rakahs. There is no regular Sunnah prayer after Asr because the period after the Asr prayer until sunset is a time when unrestricted voluntary prayer is prohibited, except for a prayer performed for a specific reason, subject to details explained by scholars.

Fourth: The Sunnah of Maghrib

The regular Sunnah of Maghrib consists of two rakahs after the obligatory prayer, and it is preferable to perform them at home. It is authentically reported that after Al-Fatihah, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would sometimes recite Surat Al-Kafirun and Surat Al-Ikhlas in the two rakahs after Maghrib.

It is also prescribed for a Muslim to pray two rakahs between the Maghrib adhan and iqamah when time permits, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Pray before the Maghrib prayer." On the third occasion, he added: "For whoever wishes," because he disliked that people might treat it as a regular Sunnah.

Narrated by al-Bukhari (1183).

These two rakahs are recommended, but they are not among the emphasized regular Sunnah prayers.

Fifth: The Sunnah of Isha

The regular Sunnah of Isha consists of two rakahs after the obligatory prayer, and their time begins after Isha is completed. If Isha is validly combined with Maghrib at the earlier time for a prescribed excuse, a person may perform the regular Sunnah of Maghrib, then the regular Sunnah of Isha, and then Witr. The time of Witr begins after the Isha prayer has been performed, even when Isha was validly brought forward through combining.

Prayer before Isha is generally prescribed between the adhan and iqamah, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Between every two calls there is a prayer; between every two calls there is a prayer." Then on the third occasion, he said: "For whoever wishes."

Agreed upon: narrated by al-Bukhari (627) and Muslim (838). The two calls here mean the adhan and iqamah.

This voluntary prayer before Isha, however, is not a regular Sunnah specified by a number that must be preserved.

Where Should the Regular Sunnah Prayers Be Performed?

It is preferable to perform the regular Sunnah prayers and other voluntary prayers at home, except those for which congregation is prescribed or that are connected specifically to the mosque. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"O people, pray in your homes, for the best prayer of a person is in his home except for the obligatory prayer."

Agreed upon: narrated by al-Bukhari (731) and Muslim (781).

Prayer at home is further removed from showing off, brings the home to life through worship, and teaches the family to preserve prayer. Nevertheless, regular Sunnah prayers are valid in the mosque, and there is no blame upon someone who performs them there, especially if he fears becoming occupied and missing them at home.

The Regular Sunnah Prayers While Traveling

It is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, preserved the Sunnah of Fajr and Witr while traveling. As for the other regular Sunnah prayers, the Sunnah for a traveler is to leave them while traveling, although he may perform whatever voluntary night prayer, Duha prayer, or other voluntary prayer he wishes.

Leaving the remaining regular Sunnah prayers while traveling does not mean that performing them is prohibited or invalid. Rather, the point is that the Prophet’s predominant guidance, peace and blessings be upon him, was not to preserve them during travel, as a concession for the traveler.

Are Missed Regular Sunnah Prayers Made Up?

Making up missed regular Sunnah prayers due to a prescribed excuse is considered legitimate by a group of scholars. It is authentically established that the Sunnah of Fajr was made up and that the preceding regular Sunnah of Dhuhr was made up after the prayer.

Among the most important practical rulings are:

1. Someone who misses the Sunnah of Fajr because of sleep or because the prayer was established may perform it after the obligatory prayer or after the sun has risen.
2. Someone who misses the four preceding rakahs of Dhuhr because of an occupation or because the prayer was established may make them up after Dhuhr and then perform the following regular Sunnah, or perform the following regular Sunnah first and then make up the preceding prayer. The matter is flexible.
3. There is recognized scholarly disagreement regarding making up the other regular Sunnah prayers after their times have ended. Someone who makes them up after missing them because of sleep or forgetfulness has followed a recognized opinion, and someone who does not make them up should not be condemned.
4. Someone who deliberately leaves a regular Sunnah prayer until its time has ended should not make a habit of making it up, because a time-specific act of worship should be performed within its time. He should strive to preserve it in the future.

What Is the Witr Prayer?

Witr is a prayer that concludes the night prayer with an odd number of rakahs. Its minimum is one rakah, and it may be performed as three, five, seven, nine, or eleven rakahs. Multiple forms are authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

It is called Witr because its number of rakahs is odd. It does not refer to all of the night prayer. A Muslim may pray at night two rakahs at a time and then conclude with one rakah that makes the total he prayed odd.

There is no established maximum for the night prayer. If someone prays two rakahs at a time and concludes with one rakah, his Witr is valid even if his total prayer exceeds eleven rakahs. Generally, however, it is preferable to follow the guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, by praying eleven or thirteen rakahs while giving careful attention to khushu, tranquility, and avoiding haste.

The Ruling on Witr

Witr is an emphasized Sunnah according to the majority of scholars and is not one of the five obligatory prayers. Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, held that it is obligatory, which demonstrates how strongly emphasized it was among scholars.

Among the evidence cited by the majority is that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, informed the Bedouin about the five prayers, the man asked whether anything else was due from him. He replied:

"No, unless you perform something voluntarily."

Agreed upon: narrated by al-Bukhari (46) and Muslim (11).

A Muslim should not be negligent about Witr. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, preserved it while resident and traveling and instructed his Companions to observe it.

The Time of Witr

The time of Witr begins after the Isha prayer and extends until the appearance of true dawn. If a person performs Witr before praying Isha, his Witr has not been performed within its valid time, even if the time of Isha has already begun.

Someone who fears that he will not awaken at the end of the night should perform Witr before sleeping. Someone who expects that he will rise should make Witr the conclusion of his prayer, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Whoever fears that he will not rise at the end of the night should perform Witr at its beginning. Whoever hopes to rise at its end should perform Witr at the end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better."

Narrated by Muslim (755).

The end of the night is preferable for someone confident that he will awaken. For someone who fears missing it, performing Witr early is better than exposing himself to abandoning it.

How to Perform Witr and the Number of Its Rakahs

The easiest and clearest form is for a Muslim to perform two rakahs and give salam, then perform one rakah and give salam, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"The night prayer is two by two. When one of you fears the approach of morning, he should perform one rakah, making what he has prayed odd."

Agreed upon: narrated by al-Bukhari (990) and Muslim (749).

Among the valid forms are:

1. One independent rakah after the Isha prayer.
2. Three rakahs: two rakahs followed by salam and then one rakah. This is clearest and furthest from resembling Maghrib.
3. Three connected rakahs may also be performed with one tashahhud at their conclusion and one salam.
4. Five or seven connected rakahs, sitting only at their conclusion.
5. Nine connected rakahs, sitting in the eighth to recite the tashahhud without giving salam, then rising for the ninth, reciting the tashahhud, and giving salam.
6. Eleven rakahs, preferably giving salam after every two rakahs and then performing one rakah of Witr.

Generally, the preferable form is the one that is gentler for the worshipper, best gathers his heart, and most helps him attain khushu. The three rakahs should not be made like the Maghrib prayer with two tashahhuds and one salam.

What Is Recited in Witr?

When performing three rakahs of Witr, it is recommended to recite after Al-Fatihah:

1. Surat Al-Ala in the first rakah.
2. Surat Al-Kafirun in the second rakah.
3. Surat Al-Ikhlas in the third rakah.

This is authentically established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, but it is not obligatory. Other portions of the Quran may be recited.

The Qunut Supplication in Witr

Qunut in Witr is prescribed, but it is not obligatory and does not have to be performed every night. A person who sometimes performs it and sometimes leaves it has allowed himself the breadth of the matter and acted in a way that accommodates the reported narrations.

Among the established supplications is what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught Al-Hasan ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both:

"اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ."

Meaning: "O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given me, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. You decree and none can decree over You. The one You befriend is never humiliated. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord."

Narrated by Abu Dawud (1425), al-Tirmidhi (464), and al-Nasai (1745), and authenticated by al-Albani.

The words "protect me from the evil of what You have decreed" do not attribute evil to Allah Most High. All of Allah’s decree is founded upon knowledge, wisdom, and justice. Rather, the servant asks his Lord to protect him from what may be evil or painful for him among the things decreed.

Qunut may be performed before or after bowing; both are reported from the early Muslims. The better-known practice among many scholars is to perform it after rising from bowing in the final rakah. The worshipper raises his hands in supplication. No authentic hadith establishes wiping the face with them after the qunut supplication, so it is preferable to leave that.

One should not force rhymed prose, prolong the supplication in a manner burdensome to followers, or supplicate for sin, severing family ties, or transgressively.

What Is Said After the Salam of Witr?

After the salam of Witr, it is recommended to say:

"سُبْحَانَ المَلِكِ القُدُّوسِ" three times, meaning: "Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy," extending and raising the voice on the third repetition.

Narrated by Abu Dawud (1430) and al-Nasai (1699), and authenticated by al-Albani.

This is a remembrance after completing the prayer. It is not part of the tashahhud and is not said before the salam.

Someone Who Performs Witr Early and Then Rises Later at Night

If someone performs Witr early in the night and Allah then enables him to rise later, he prays whatever Allah has decreed for him, two rakahs at a time, and does not repeat Witr, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"There are not two Witr prayers in one night."

Narrated by Abu Dawud (1439), al-Tirmidhi (470), and al-Nasai (1679), and authenticated by al-Albani.

He does not need to perform one rakah at the beginning of his later prayer to make his earlier Witr even; this is not authentically established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Witr With the Tarawih Imam

It is preferable for someone who performs Tarawih with the imam to remain with him until he finishes, including Witr, so that he attains the virtue of standing in prayer with the imam. If he then wishes to pray later at home, he prays two rakahs at a time and does not perform Witr a second time.

Someone who wishes to delay his Witr until the end of the night has flexibility in the matter. However, his eagerness for a particular form should not cause him to stop following the imam or miss the virtue of standing with him until he finishes.

Making Up Witr if It Is Missed

If Witr is missed because of sleep, forgetfulness, or illness, a group of scholars recommended making up one’s customary portion of the night prayer during the day as an even number of rakahs, from after the sun has risen until before midday.

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said about the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

"When sleep or pain prevented him from the night prayer, he would pray twelve rakahs during the day."

Narrated by Muslim (746).

Someone whose habit is to perform three rakahs of Witr prays four during the day; someone whose habit is five prays six; and someone whose habit is eleven prays twelve, giving salam after every two rakahs. Scholars differed regarding making up Witr after its time has passed, so someone who does not make it up should not be condemned. Nevertheless, making it up is prescribed and supported by strong evidence for someone who missed it due to an excuse.

A Practical Program for Preserving the Regular Sunnah Prayers and Witr

1. Connect each regular Sunnah prayer directly to its obligatory prayer so that you do not forget it.
2. Perform the regular Sunnah prayers at home whenever possible, and let your family have a share in seeing prayer and following its example.
3. Begin with what you will not abandon: the two rakahs of Fajr and Witr, then complete the remaining regular Sunnah prayers.
4. Perform the four before Dhuhr two rakahs at a time.
5. Perform Witr before sleeping if you are not confident that you will awaken.
6. If you rise at the end of the night, make Witr the conclusion of your prayer.
7. Do not let missing some voluntary prayers cause you to abandon them all; return to them beginning with the next prayer.
8. Preserve khushu and tranquility, for the purpose is to worship Allah, not merely to complete a number of rakahs.

Common Mistakes Concerning the Regular Sunnah Prayers and Witr

1. Counting Witr among the twelve rakahs of the regular Sunnah prayers.
2. Calling the four rakahs before Asr an emphasized regular Sunnah.
3. Believing that there is an established regular Sunnah prayer before Maghrib or Isha.
4. Performing the regular Sunnah of Fajr before Fajr time begins.
5. Beginning a voluntary prayer after the obligatory prayer has been established.
6. Prolonging the Sunnah of Fajr until the congregation is missed.
7. Believing that qunut is obligatory in every Witr or that leaving it invalidates the prayer.
8. Adhering to a lengthy rhymed supplication every night while leaving the established supplication.
9. Wiping the face after the Witr qunut while believing that this is authentically established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
10. Performing Witr twice in one night.
11. Believing that Witr is valid only when performed as eleven rakahs.
12. Turning the regular Sunnah prayers into a permanent congregation, although the basic rule is that they are performed individually.
13. Abandoning all the regular Sunnah prayers while traveling, including the Sunnah of Fajr, or abandoning Witr on the assumption that both are waived during travel.
14. Condemning someone who follows an authentic form among the different forms of Witr.