Wednesday 7 March 2012

How to perform Salat al-Duha and Salat al-Ishraq


Ishraq prayer

The time for the Ishraq prayer begins ten to twenty minutes after sunrise and consists of two Raka'ahs at the very least. Praying ishraq is considered to yield greater rewards than performing the lesser Jihad according to some traditions.According to majority of scholars of Hadith and Fiqh, Duha Prayer and Al-Ishraq Prayer are all names of the same salah (ritual Prayer). It is a recommended Prayer without any fixed number of raka'ahs, and its time starts a little after sun rise (approximately fifteen minutes after sunrise) and extends up to the time of the declining of the sun from the meridian. The above view of the majority of scholars and jurists is based on the fact that there is no reason to make a distinction in the sources.
A minority of scholars, however, have made a distinction between Al-Ishraq Prayer and Duha Prayer. According to them, Al-Ishraq Prayer is done after sun rise (around fifteen minutes after) while Duha Prayer is done much later.
There is no doubt that the first view is more authentic and more in conformity with the close study of the hadiths in this respect. Anyway, one must never make an issue out of this controversy, for, after all, it is an optional Prayer. 
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him)is reported to have said, 'He who performs Fajr Salat with Jamaat and remains seated in the same place while engaging in Dhikr until after sunrise and thereafter performs 2 Rakaats Nafil Salat, (Ishraq), he will obtain the reward of one Hajj and one Umrah.' (Tirmidhi). 
As for the intention to be formulated while praying Al-Ishraq Prayer, or others, there is no hard and fast rule to follow. Since it is an optional Prayer, it is enough to say in one’s mind that one is praying nafl or sunnah of Duha or Ishraq. One may perform any number of raka`ahs from a minimum of two raka`ahs up to preferably eight raka`ahs.

Duha prayer

Duha prayer begins after sunrise and ends at meridian, and is generally thought to include at least two raka'ahs, though in some traditions the number is four or even twelve. It is generally prayed when one-fourth of the day has passed. According to the Sunni thought, performing this prayer is believed to be effective in seeking forgiveness for one's sins.
The supererogatory morning prayer has been narrated from the Prophet, through paths that have reached mass-narration levels - from 19 to over 30 Companions.  According to the vast majority of scholars of the Salaf and Khalaf it is a desirable and recommended prayer.

There are many more different types of Nafl Salat. So far, the ones listed are just the most common. The implication is, the more one does, the more reward he/she will be likely to get.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Assalamu Aleykum. could you tell me please if I pray at home and do zikr until sunrise then can I pray sallah Ishraq?

Dablu said...

will obtain the reward of one Hajj and one Umrah.' (Tirmidhi). " if I walk and doTasbih after Fajr Salat (to perform required morning exercise) till 10-15 minutes after sunrise, then perform 4 Rakaats of Ishraq. Will I in sha Allah get the same Sawab as mentioned in the Hadith?

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