(وَٱلضُّحَىٰ)

By the morning light! (Duha 93:1)

The time of Duha is really important in Islam, as Allah makes an oath by it in the Quran. This is quite special since Allah only swears by things that hold great significance. Imam an-Nasafi explains this verse as referring to the time of Duha—the beginning of the day, when the sun has risen. The reason for this oath, he adds, is that it was during this time that Allah spoke to Nabi Musa (peace be upon him), and the magicians fell into prostration. Imam Maturidi offers another interpretation, stating that the oath refers to the Duha prayer itself.

Discover the significance of Salah al-Duha, the Mid-Morning Prayer. Learn about its benefits, ideal time, and the correct method of performing this Sunnah prayer

So, what exactly is Salat ad-Duha?

Salat ad-Duha is known by a few other names as well, such as:

Salat al-Ishraq

Chasht (in Urdu)

The Practice of the Prophet ﷺ

The Duha prayer is regarded as a Sunnah prayer within Hanafi jurisprudence. The Prophet ﷺ sometimes chose not to perform it, but on other occasions, he ﷺ stressed its importance, showing that it’s not obligatory. Likewise, his companions would pray it at times, while at other moments, they would skip it.

Abu Sa’id narrated: “The Prophet ﷺ would pray the Duha prayer so regularly that we would say, ‘He will never abandon it.’ Then he ﷺ would refrain from praying it to the extent that we would say, ‘He will never perform it again.’” (Tirmidhi, 477)

Mulla Ali Qari comments on this narration: “It was obligatory upon the Prophet ﷺ to perform [the Duha prayer] as a whole, but he was not tasked with performing it every day.” The Duha prayer for the Prophet ﷺ was similar to tahajjud in terms of importance, but its ruling differs for him ﷺ compared to the general community.

Gratitude to Allah for His Blessings

Expressing gratitude to Allah for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us is a vital aspect of being a devoted servant. Giving alms as a way to show our appreciation is highly encouraged, as every healthy bone in our body is a reason to be thankful. One meaningful way to embody this gratitude is by performing the Duha prayer.

Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “In the morning, alms are due for every joint in a person’s body. Every utterance of ‘SubhanAllah’ is alms, every utterance of ‘Alhamdulillah’ is alms, every utterance of ‘La ilaha illallah’ is alms, and every utterance of ‘Allahu Akbar’ is alms. Enjoining good is alms, and forbidding evil is alms. And performing two units of Duha prayer suffices for all of them.” (Muslim, 720)

The time of Duha holds a special significance, as it’s a moment when many tend to overlook the remembrance of Allah.

Allah Suffices for You

In a Hadith Qudsi (a divine narration), the Prophet ﷺ relays the words of Allah: “Allah, the Most High, said: ‘O son of Adam! Bow to Me in four units at the start of the day, and I will suffice for you until its end.’” (Tirmidhi, 475)

Allah assures us that if someone starts their day by worshiping Him, He will take care of them, fulfilling all their needs throughout the day. Scholars often sum this up with the phrase: “He who is for Allah, Allah is for him.”

A Palace in Paradise

Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever performs twelve units of Duha, Allah will build for him a golden palace in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi, 473)

An extended version of this narration, recorded by Imam Bayhaqi and narrated by Abu Dharr, adds:
“If you pray two units at the time of Duha, you will not be recorded among the heedless. If you pray four units, you will be written among the pious. If you pray six units, you will be written among the successful. If you pray eight units, you will be written among the winners. If you pray twelve units, Allah will build for you a house in Paradise.”

Forgiveness of Sins

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever prays two units of Duha consistently, his sins will be forgiven—even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.” (Tirmidhi, 476)

Note: It’s worth noting that while some of the virtues associated with Duha are based on weak (Da’if) narrations, scholars generally agree that even weak Hadith promoting good deeds, such as the Duha prayer, can still hold value.

The Time for Duha

The time for the Duha prayer starts after the sun has completely risen and goes on until the moment of zawal, which is just before the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. To figure out when zawal is, follow these steps:

• First, find the time between sunrise and Maghrib (sunset).
• Next, divide that duration by two.
• The time you get will indicate the zawal.

For instance:

• If the sun rises at 5:00 AM and Maghrib is at 7:00 PM, the total time between them is 14 hours.
• When you divide 14 by 2, you get 7 hours.
• So, if you add those 7 hours to 5:00 AM, you arrive at 12:00 PM (zawal).
• This means that in this example, the Duha prayer time is from sunrise until 12:00 PM.
• Keep in mind that the zawal time isn’t always at noon (12:00 PM). 

It varies based on the times of sunrise and sunset, so it’s a good idea to use the method above or check local masjid calendars.

According to Hanafi scholars, as noted by Imam Ibn Abidin, the ideal time for Duha is roughly a quarter of the day, which is about halfway between sunrise and zawal.

The Method of Performing Duha

The number of units for Duha can vary quite a bit. The Prophet ﷺ typically performed at least four units, but there were times when he went up to twelve! This prayer is usually quite short, as noted by the Prophet’s ﷺ cousin

Umm Hani narrated: “The Prophet ﷺ visited her home on the day of the conquest of Makkah. He ﷺ bathed and then performed eight units. She said, ‘I never saw a shorter prayer than it, except that the bowing and prostration were performed completely.’” (Bukhari, 1176)

The Prophet ﷺ kept his recitations and supplications short and sweet compared to other prayers, but he still made sure to perform the bowing and prostration completely.

If you’re looking to perform a four-unit Duha prayer, here are some recommended Surahs to include:

• Surah Ash-Shams (91)
•  Surah Al-Layl (92)
•  Surah Ad-Duha (93)
•  Surah Al-Inshirah (94)

Some scholars particularly highlight Surah Ash-Shams and Surah Ad-Duha as excellent choices for this prayer. You can perform the Duha prayer in sets of two or four units, with a minimum of two units required. For those seeking greater rewards, it’s encouraged to aim for four to twelve units.

Conclusion about Salah al-Duha

The Duha prayer is a lovely way to express our devotion, gratitude, and worship, and it comes with incredible rewards. Whether you choose to pray two units or twelve, it serves as a powerful way to seek Allah’s forgiveness, blessings, and sufficiency. By making this Sunnah a part of our daily routine, we pay homage to the practices cherished by the Prophet ﷺ, reaping benefits in this life and the Hereafter. 

As-Siraj UK encourages everyone to regularly engage in this Sunnah prayer, fostering a connection with Allah during the peaceful morning hours. If you’re looking for more information and guidance on religious practices, don’t hesitate to check out their resources and charitable initiatives.

References:

• Madarik at-Tanzil wa Haqa’iq at-Ta’wil – Tafsir an-Nasafi, Abu al-Barakat an-Nasai
• Ta’wilat Ahl as-Sunnah – Tafsir Al-Maturidi, Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi
• Mirqat Al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih, Mulla Ali Qari
• Hashiyat at-Tahtawi ala Maraqi al-Falah Sharh Nur al-Idah, Tahtawi
• Hashiyat Ibn Abidin – Radd al-Muhtar ala Dur al-Mukhtar, Ibn Abidin

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