The Duha prayer starts when the sun has risen the height of a spear and ends just before the sun passes the Zenith . When the Sun passes the Zenith the time for Dhuhr prayer ends. Some scholars say end point is preferable 10 minutes before start of dhuhr.

Narrated Abu Huraira: My Khalil (friend) (the Prophet) advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die, these are: To fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping. (Bukhari Volume: 2, Book Number: 21, Hadith Number: 274)

Narrated Ibn Abu Laila: Only Um Hani told us that she had seen the Prophet (p.b.u.h) offering the Duha (forenoon prayer). She said, “On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet took a bath in my house and offered eight Rakat. I never saw him praying such a light prayer but he performed perfect prostration and bowing. Narrated ‘Abdullah bin amir that his father had told him that he had seen the Prophet (p.b.u.h) praying Nawafil at night on the back of his Mount on a journey, facing whatever direction it took. (Bukhari Volume: 2, Book Number: 20, Hadith Number: 207)

Narrated Mujahid: Somebody came to the house of Ibn ‘Umar and told him that Allah’s Apostles had entered the Ka’ba. Ibn ‘Umar said, “I went in front of the Ka’ba and found that Allah’s Apostle had come out of the Ka’ba and I saw Bilal standing by the side of the gate of the Ka’ba. I said, ‘O Bilal! Has Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) prayed inside the Ka’ba?’ Bilal replied in the affirmative. I said, ‘Where (did he pray)?’ He replied, ‘(He prayed) Between these two pillars and then he came out and offered a two Rakat prayer in front of the Ka’ba.’ ” Abu ‘Abdullah said: Abu Huraira said, “The Prophet (p.b.u.h) advised me to offer two Rakat of Duha prayer (prayer to be offered after sunrise and before midday). ” Itban (bin Malik) said, “Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) and Abu Bakr, came to me after sunrise and we aligned behind the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and offered two Rakat.” (Bukhari Volume: 2, Book Number: 21, Hadith Number: 268)

Narrated ‘Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila: Only Um Hani narrated to me that she had seen the Prophet offering the Duha prayer. She said, “On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet entered my house, took a bath and offered eight Rakat (of Duha prayers. I had never seen the Prophet offering such a light prayer but he performed bowing and prostrations perfectly (Bukhari 2, Book Number: 21, Hadith Number: 272)

The Ishraaq (Ishrak) prayer is also Duha (Chast) prayer but it is Known as Ishraaq prayer because it is performed Immediately after the sun has risen the height of a spear

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is preferable to offer Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”  (Narrated by Muslim, 748 )

The minimum number of rakkahs for Duha Prayer are 2 Rakkah and all scholars agree on this. As for maximum number of rakkahs scholars differ some say 8 and some say 12 rakkahs

As  Muslims we should try to do the optional prayers  due to their great benefits.

Other Optional Prayers:

Umm Habiba radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allah will shield him against the fire of hell.” Narrated bay Abu Daud and At-Tirmithi.

Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that she heard the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam saying: “A house will be built in paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak’ah of optional salah other than the obligatory salah in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” Narrated by Muslim.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays twelve rak’ahs during the night and day, a house will be built for him in Paradise: four before Zuhr and two after, two rak’ahs after Maghrib, two rak’ahs after ‘Isha’ and two rak’ahs before Fajr prayer.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 380; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6362.

Note : That is.

 2 rakaats before the the Fardh of Fajr Prayer,

 4 Rakkats before the Fardh of Dhuhr prayer and 2 after Fardh of  Dhuhr,

2 after Fardh of Maghrib Prayer

2 after Fardh of Isha Prayer

Thus totalling 12 Rakkats of optional Prayer

Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam was never more regular and strict in offering any Nawafil than the two rakaats (sunnah before) dawn (fajr) prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “The two rakaats before dawn (fajr) prayer are better than the word and all that it contains.” Narrated by Muslim.

Abdullah bin Umar Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated thet the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Make Witr as your last salah (prayer) at night.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim

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