Performing Duha and Ishraq Prayers: Maintaining Proper Intentions

The Importance of Specific Intentions in Voluntary Prayers

Question: When we perform the Duha (Chasht) or Ishraq prayers, is it correct to make multiple intentions such as for Ishraq, need, forgiveness, and gratitude all at once? Does this fulfill the rights of all these voluntary prayers and earn their rewards, or should they be performed separately?

Answer: When you perform the Duha or Ishraq prayers, you should make the intention for only that specific prayer and not combine it with other intentions. A Deobandi scholar has circulated a message teaching that one can make the intention for five different prayers (Salat al-Tawbah, Salat al-Hajat, Salat al-Shukr, Salat al-Isti’ana, and Salat al-Istikhara) in one prayer. This practice is invalid and rejected because there is no evidence for it in the religion. In fact, three of these prayers have no basis, and the other two are related to specific sins or tasks. 

Salat al-Tawbah is performed for repentance from a past sin, and you should not combine it with other prayers. Salat al-Istikhara is performed when you intend to undertake an important task in the future.

Therefore, you should perform the Duha or Ishraq prayers separately and only perform the prayers that are established by Hadith. Do not perform prayers that have no basis in the Sunnah.

Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi

Jeddah Dawah Center – Al-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia