The Virtue of Praying Two Rak’ahs after Sunrise: A Guide to Salat al-Duha

Understanding the Authenticity and Rewards of Salat al-Duha

In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Gracious, the Exclusively Merciful 

 The Question:

The questioner asks: Is the Hadith regarding the virtue of praying two Rak’ahs after the rising of the sun, and that they are equivalent to a complete Hajj and Umrah, authentic? 

 The Answer:

The Hadith is suitable for being classified as Hasan (authentic). It was narrated by al-Tirmidhi from Anas, and by al-Tabarani from Ibn Umar, Abu Umamah, and ‘Utbah ibn ‘Abd al-Sulami. It is a Hasan Hadith when considering the different chains of narration. However, it should not be called ‘Salat al-Ishraq’ (the prayer of the sun’s rising) because there is no specific prayer called ‘Ishraq’. In fact, we have been prohibited from praying at the time of sunrise. Rather, this prayer is part of Salat al-Duha (the forenoon prayer), which is why it should be performed after the sun has risen to the height of a spear’s tip, not immediately at sunrise. We are prohibited from praying the moment the sun rises. 

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:  

(فَإِنَّهَا تَطْلُعُ-تشرق- حِينَ تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيْ شَيْطَانٍ ، وَحِينَئِذٍ يَسْجُدُ لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ) 

“For when it rises it comes up between the horns of the devil, and the infidels prostrate themselves to it at that time.” 

It has also come in a Hadith:  

(مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ-الفجر- فِي جَمَاعَةٍ، ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ) 

“If anyone, prays the Fajr prayer in congregation, then sits making mention of Allah till the sun rises, then prays two rak’as, he will have a reward equivalent to that for a Hajj and an ‘Umrah —complete, complete, complete.” 

It is preferable for the person to remain in the same place where they prayed the Fajr prayer. However, if they move to another place within the same Masjid, we cannot say that they are excluded from receiving the reward. 

As for women, if they pray in their homes and remain in their place of prayer until the sun has risen and they pray the two rak’ahs of Duha, it is hoped that they will receive this great reward, because the prayer of a woman in her home is better than her prayer in the Masjid and Allah (عز وجل) is generous. Thus, we encourage women to remain in their places, remembering Allah, until they perform the Duha prayer. Allah is generous, and it is hoped that He will bestow upon them this immense reward, because a woman’s prayer in her home is superior to praying in congregation at the Masjid. And Allah knows best. 

#Fatwas_on_Fiqh 

#Fatwas_on_Prayer_Salah 

#Fatwas_on_Voluntary_Payers 

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 فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن حزام الفضلي البعداني حفظه الله وتولاه