Prayer (Salah) is the heart of a Muslim’s daily life. It is not just a ritual but a constant reminder of our purpose: to worship Allah and remain connected to Him. While the five daily prayers are obligatory (fard), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also encouraged additional prayers known as Sunnah prayers.
These voluntary prayers are more than just extra acts of worship—they are keys to spiritual elevation, protection, forgiveness, and blessings in our lives.
In this complete guide, we will explore the types of Sunnah prayers, their times, number of rak‘ahs, the benefits they bring, and how you can practically incorporate them into your daily routine.
🌙 What Are Sunnah Prayers?
The word Sunnah refers to the practices of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Sunnah prayers are voluntary prayers that he regularly performed and encouraged his companions to do as well.
They are not obligatory, meaning you are not sinful if you miss them, but they carry tremendous reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. If it is lacking, then the rest of his deeds will be lacking.” (At-Tabarani)
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his Salah. If it is found to be complete, then it will be recorded as complete. If something is lacking, He will say: Look and see if you can find any voluntary prayers with which to complete what he neglected of his obligatory prayers.” (Abu Dawud)
This shows the powerful role Sunnah prayers play in filling the gaps of our obligatory worship.
📖 Types of Sunnah Prayers
Scholars generally divide Sunnah prayers into two main categories:
- Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah):
- These are the prayers that the Prophet ﷺ performed regularly and strongly encouraged.
- Neglecting them consistently is considered blameworthy.
- Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Non-emphasized Sunnah):
- These are prayers that the Prophet ﷺ performed occasionally.
- They are recommended but not as strongly emphasized.
Both types carry immense reward and serve as a shield for one’s obligatory prayers.
🕌 Times and Rak‘ahs of Sunnah Prayers (Before and After Each Salah)
Let’s look at the Sunnah prayers around the five daily salah:
1. Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
- Before Fajr: 2 rak‘ahs Sunnah Mu’akkadah
- ✅ Importance: The Prophet ﷺ never left these two rak‘ahs. He said:“The two rak‘ahs before Fajr are better than this world and everything in it.” (Muslim)
These two rak‘ahs are short but filled with blessings, serving as a spiritual shield at the start of the day.
2. Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
- Before Dhuhr: 4 rak‘ahs Sunnah Mu’akkadah (prayed in sets of 2)
- After Dhuhr: 2 rak‘ahs Sunnah Mu’akkadah
- Optional: An additional 2 rak‘ahs (Ghair Mu’akkadah)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays four before Dhuhr and four after it, Allah will forbid his flesh from the Fire.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
3. Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
- Before Asr: 4 rak‘ahs Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“May Allah have mercy on the one who prays four rak‘ahs before Asr.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
While not emphasized as much as others, these prayers are highly recommended.
4. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
- After Maghrib: 2 rak‘ahs Sunnah Mu’akkadah
- Optional: Additional 2 rak‘ahs (Ghair Mu’akkadah)
This short Sunnah helps settle the heart after the fast-paced day and transition into the evening with gratitude.
5. Isha (Night Prayer)
- After Isha: 2 rak‘ahs Sunnah Mu’akkadah
- Optional: Extra voluntary rak‘ahs + Witr (highly recommended)
The Prophet ﷺ never left the Witr prayer, which he described as a right upon every Muslim. Witr can be prayed as 1, 3, 5, or more rak‘ahs, usually after Isha and before Fajr.
🌟 Other Sunnah & Voluntary Prayers
Beyond the prayers surrounding the five daily salah, Islam encourages other voluntary prayers that carry immense reward:
🌌 Tahajjud (Night Prayer)
- Performed after Isha and before Fajr, ideally in the last third of the night.
- Known as the prayer of the righteous.
- Allah says in the Qur’an:“And rise from sleep during the night — this is an additional prayer for you. Perhaps your Lord will raise you to a praised position.” (Qur’an 17:79)
☀️ Duha (Forenoon Prayer)
- Time: Between sunrise and before Dhuhr.
- Can be prayed as 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 rak‘ahs.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:“In the morning, charity is due from every joint of the body. Every tasbeeh is charity, every tahmeed is charity, every tahleel is charity, and every takbeer is charity. Two rak‘ahs of Duha suffice for all of this.” (Muslim)
🕌 Tahiyyatul Masjid (Greeting the Mosque)
- 2 rak‘ahs prayed upon entering the masjid before sitting down.
🙏 Salat al-Istikhara (Prayer for Guidance)
- Performed when seeking guidance from Allah regarding a decision.
- It involves 2 rak‘ahs followed by a special dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
💎 Benefits of Sunnah Prayers
- Completes Deficiencies in Obligatory Prayers
On the Day of Judgment, if any obligatory salah is lacking, Sunnah prayers will compensate for it (Abu Dawud). - A Source of Protection and Blessings
Sunnah prayers act as a shield against sins and hardships, bringing barakah in time and sustenance. - A Sign of Love for the Prophet ﷺ
By performing Sunnah prayers, a believer demonstrates love and commitment to following the Prophet’s way. - Spiritual Elevation and Inner Peace
Sunnah prayers cultivate humility, patience, and mindfulness, drawing the heart closer to Allah. - Multiplied Rewards
Every rak‘ah is an opportunity for immense reward, as Allah multiplies good deeds many times over.
📝 Practical Tips to Make Sunnah Prayers a Habit
- Start small: Begin with the emphasized Sunnah prayers before and after Fard, especially the 2 rak‘ahs of Fajr.
- Be consistent: Even short, consistent Sunnah prayers are better than irregular long ones.
- Create a routine: Attach Sunnah prayers to your daily salah so it becomes automatic.
- Seek motivation from Hadith: Reflect on the great rewards the Prophet ﷺ promised for Sunnah prayers.
- Remember quality over quantity: Focus on sincerity and presence in prayer rather than rushing.
✨ Conclusion
Sunnah prayers are treasures of faith that bring light, forgiveness, and blessings into a believer’s life. They are not mere optional extras but gifts of mercy from Allah, taught and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
By embracing Sunnah prayers, you not only protect your obligatory salah but also open doors to countless rewards and spiritual elevation.
If you are just beginning, start with the Sunnah Mu’akkadah, such as the two rak‘ahs before Fajr and after Maghrib. Gradually, you can build up to other Sunnah and voluntary prayers like Duha and Tahajjud.
Each extra bow, each extra sajdah, is a step closer to Allah. 🌙
