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The Place of Voluntary Prayers in a Muslim’s Life
Voluntary prayers, called nafl or sunnah prayers, are acts of worship that are not strictly obligatory, yet they are among the greatest means to draw close to Allah. They complete the shortcomings that occur in our obligatory prayers and they express love, eagerness, and dedication to standing before Allah beyond what is simply required.
Allah praises those who pray beyond the bare minimum and describes the believers as those who guard their prayers and increase in worship at night.
“And those who guard strictly their prayers, those will be the inheritors, who will inherit al‑Firdaws. They will abide therein forever.”
(Qur’an 23:9‑11)
The Prophet ﷺ taught that extra prayers are a way to gain the special love of Allah.
Allah said in a ḥadīth qudsī: “My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with nawāfil (voluntary deeds) until I love him…”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī)
In this chapter we will not explain the basics of obligatory ṣalāh but will focus on what is specific to voluntary prayers, their types, times, and spiritual role, so that a beginner can gradually add them to daily life.
Voluntary prayers do not replace the obligatory prayers. They are accepted only when the obligatory prayers are established.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection is his prayer. If it is complete, then it will be recorded as complete. If there is something lacking in it, He will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave has any voluntary prayers.’ If he has them, He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, al‑Tirmidhī)
Types of Voluntary Prayers
Voluntary prayers come in many forms. Some are closely attached to the obligatory prayers, some are prayed at night, some at special times, and some on special occasions. A Muslim does not need to perform all of them at once, but can build them step by step.
Regular Sunnah Prayers Around the Obligatory Prayers
Certain voluntary prayers are regularly prayed before or after the obligatory ones. These are often called rawātib.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged them greatly and promised a house in Paradise to the one who is consistent.
Umm Ḥabībah (رضي الله عنها) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays twelve rakʿahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
These twelve rakʿahs, in the most famous description, are two before Fajr, four before Ẓuhr and two after it, two after Maghrib, and two after ʿIshā’. The details belong to the fiqh of ṣalāh, but what matters here is the habit. These prayers protect and complete the five daily prayers and keep the heart attached to the masjid and to regular worship.
The two rakʿahs before Fajr are especially emphasized.
ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) said: “The Prophet ﷺ was not more regular in any supererogatory (non‑obligatory) prayers than the two rakʿahs before Fajr.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Some scholars described these two rakʿahs as the most important of the regular sunnahs. They are prayed lightly, with short recitation, but with sincere presence of heart.
Important rule: The regular sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers protect the obligatory prayers and bring the reward of a house in Paradise to the one who is consistent.
Duḥā Prayer
Duḥā prayer is a voluntary prayer prayed after the sun has fully risen and the day has advanced a little. It can be prayed until just before the time of Ẓuhr begins. It is sometimes called the forenoon prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged some companions, especially those who had the ability and free time, to keep it.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: “My close friend (the Prophet ﷺ) advised me to do three things: to fast three days of every month, to pray two rakʿahs of Duḥā, and to pray Witr before sleeping.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
There is flexibility in the number of rakʿahs. The minimum is two. Some narrations mention up to eight or more. A believer can adjust according to strength and time. Duḥā is a way to remember Allah when many people are busy with worldly affairs. It brings blessing to one’s day and is a form of gratitude for the health and strength Allah has given.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “In the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. Every tasbīḥah is a charity, every taḥmīdah is a charity, every tahlīlah is a charity, every takbīrah is a charity, enjoining good is a charity, and forbidding evil is a charity, and all this is sufficed by two rakʿahs that one prays of Duḥā.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This ḥadīth shows that Duḥā can stand as a daily act of thanks for the many favors Allah has given to the body and soul.
Night Prayer and Witr
Night prayer, called qiyām al‑layl or tahajjud, is from the greatest of voluntary prayers. Allah praised those who stand before Him at night with fear and hope.
“They used to sleep little at night, and in the hours before dawn they used to ask forgiveness.”
(Qur’an 51:17‑18)
“Their sides forsake their beds, they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided them. No soul knows what is hidden for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.”
(Qur’an 32:16‑17)
The Prophet ﷺ stood long in night prayer, sometimes reciting a single verse and reflecting upon it deeply. Yet he also taught moderation, especially for those beginning on this path.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr (رضي الله عنهما) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for Allah does not get tired, but you will get tired, and the most beloved deed to Allah is the one that is continuous even if it is small.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Witr is a special voluntary prayer that concludes the night prayers. It is prayed in an odd number of rakʿahs, such as one, three, five, or more. The Prophet ﷺ was very regular in Witr and he encouraged the believers to pray it even if only one rakʿah.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Witr is a duty for every Muslim, so whoever likes to pray five rakʿahs, let him do so. Whoever likes to pray three, let him do so. Whoever likes to pray one, let him do so.”
(Abū Dāwūd, al‑Nasā’ī, graded authentic by many scholars)
He ﷺ also said:
“Make the last of your prayers at night Witr.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
For beginners, it is enough to pray Witr after ʿIshā’ before sleeping, even if one rakʿah. For those who rise before Fajr, Witr may be delayed to the later part of the night. Witr combines humble duʿā and heartfelt recitation and becomes a private conversation with Allah.
Important rule: Witr is the most emphasized of the voluntary prayers at night. The Prophet ﷺ never left it even when traveling.
Ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to pray voluntary prayers on his riding animal facing whatever direction it faced. But he would pray Witr on it as well, apart from the obligatory prayers.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Voluntary Prayers Linked to Special Situations
Some voluntary prayers are connected to particular circumstances or needs. They help the believer to face life’s events with turning to Allah first of all.
Prayer for Need (Ṣalāt al‑Ḥājah)
When a person has an important need, or faces a difficulty, it is recommended to perform a number of rakʿahs, with calmness and focus, and then supplicate to Allah. This is known by many as Ṣalāt al‑Ḥājah. There is discussion among scholars regarding some specific narrations, but the general principle of praying and then making duʿā for one’s needs is clearly established.
Allah says: “And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is difficult, except for the humbly submissive.”
(Qur’an 2:45)
Turning to prayer at times of worry or decision brings reliance upon Allah and calms the heart.
Prayer for Guidance (Ṣalāt al‑Istikhārah)
For decisions where the right choice is not obvious, the Prophet ﷺ taught the special prayer of istikhārah. It is prayed as two rakʿahs of voluntary prayer, then a specific supplication is recited asking Allah to choose and decree what is best.
Jābir (رضي الله عنه) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us to seek guidance (istikhārah) in all matters, just as he would teach us a surah from the Qur’an…”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī)
The detailed wording of the duʿā belongs to its own topic, but what is specific here is that this is a voluntary prayer of trust. Its purpose is not to see a dream, but to ask Allah to open the path of what is good and to turn away what is harmful.
Prayer at Times of Fear and Calamity
When hardship strikes, such as natural disasters or frightening events, it is from the prophetic practice to turn to prayer. The most obvious example is the prayer during an eclipse, but the underlying meaning is general. A believer responds to fear and major signs in the universe with worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said during an eclipse: “These signs that Allah sends are not for the death or birth of anyone, but Allah sends them to frighten His servants, so when you see anything of that, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and to supplication and prayer.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Though the eclipse prayer has its own details, the general teaching is that voluntary prayer is a shield in times of crisis.
Voluntary Prayers With Special Reward
There are some voluntary prayers that carry great rewards for those who make a habit of them, even though they may be small in number of rakʿahs.
The Two Rakʿahs After Wuḍū’
When a person completes wuḍū’ properly, it is recommended to pray two rakʿahs with presence of mind. It is a way of greeting the state of purity and using it in worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said to Bilāl (رضي الله عنه): “O Bilāl, tell me of the best deed you have done in Islam, for I heard the sound of your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” He said: “I have not done anything more hopeful to me than that whenever I make wuḍū’, during the day or night, I pray what has been written for me to pray with that wuḍū’.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This shows how a simple habit, repeated often, can raise a person greatly with Allah.
Greeting the Masjid (Taḥiyyat al‑Masjid)
When entering the masjid, it is recommended not to sit before praying two rakʿahs. This is a way of honoring the house of Allah and presenting oneself in worship before sitting.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit until he has prayed two rakʿahs.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
If someone enters while the obligatory prayer is about to begin, he simply joins the congregational prayer and that suffices. For a beginner, making taḥiyyat al‑masjid a habit helps to link the visit to the masjid with the act of prayer immediately.
Praying at Home
Although the congregational obligatory prayers for men are best in the masjid, many voluntary prayers are better performed at home. This helps make the house a place of remembrance and protects the heart from showing off.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best prayer of a man is in his house, except for the obligatory prayer.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
He ﷺ also said: “Do not turn your homes into graveyards. Indeed, Shayṭān flees from the house in which Sūrat al‑Baqarah is recited.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
By making a small place for prayer in the home and praying some sunnah and nafl there, a believer brings light and tranquility to the family environment.
Important rule: Many voluntary prayers, especially the regular sunnahs, Duḥā, and night prayers, are recommended to be prayed at home when possible, to increase sincerity and bless the household.
Times for Voluntary Prayers
There are times when voluntary prayers are especially encouraged, and times when one should avoid praying voluntary prayers that are not connected to a strong reason. The detailed rulings belong to the fiqh of ṣalāh, but it is useful here to know the basic ideas that are specific to voluntary prayers.
Recommended Times
The best times for voluntary prayer are those in which the hearts are calmer and more focused, or which the Prophet ﷺ highlighted.
The last third of the night is the most virtuous time for qiyām.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
The time of Duḥā, after the sun has risen fully, is recommended for Duḥā prayer, as mentioned earlier.
The times before and after the obligatory prayers, especially around Fajr and ʿIshā’, carry softness of heart and less distraction for many people.
Times of Dislike for Voluntary Prayer
Islam teaches balance. This includes avoiding voluntary prayers at certain times without a clear reason.
The Prophet ﷺ forbade voluntary prayer directly after Fajr until the sun rises, and after ʿAṣr until the sun sets, except for prayers that are connected to a reason, such as making up missed obligatory prayers or the two rakʿahs of ṭawāf. The exact details belong to their own legal discussion, but the general idea is that a believer respects these times and focuses on other acts of worship then.
ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir (رضي الله عنه) said: “There are three times at which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us to pray or to bury our dead: when the sun begins to rise until it has fully risen, when the sun is at its highest until it has passed the meridian, and when the sun is setting until it has fully set.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
For beginners, it is enough to learn that one should not invent extra voluntary prayers right after Fajr or ʿAṣr, and to ask knowledgeable people for details as they grow in practice.
The Inner Spirit of Voluntary Prayer
Voluntary prayers are not just extra actions. They are an expression of love. Obligatory worship shows submission. Voluntary worship shows longing. When a believer chooses to stand in prayer at a time of comfort and rest, or to stay in the masjid for a few extra moments in sunnah prayers, it shows that the heart finds joy in being with Allah.
Allah describes the believers as those whose hearts find rest in His remembrance.
“Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest.”
(Qur’an 13:28)
Voluntary prayer is one of the most complete forms of dhikr. It combines recitation of Qur’an, takbīr, tasbīḥ, duʿā, and humble standing, bowing, and prostration.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase in supplication therein.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This applies to both obligatory and voluntary prayers. But in voluntary prayers, especially at night, a believer usually has more time and calmness to make long sujūd and heartfelt supplication.
Important statement: Voluntary prayers are among the strongest means to attain the love of Allah, to complete the obligatory acts, to soften the heart, and to taste the sweetness of faith.
Building a Personal Routine of Voluntary Prayers
For a beginner, the variety of voluntary prayers might feel overwhelming. Islam, however, encourages gradual, steady practice rather than sudden extremes. The objective is continuity.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
A simple way to start is to choose a small set of voluntary prayers and then stick to them:
Two rakʿahs before Fajr whenever possible.
Witr prayer every night, at least one rakʿah after ʿIshā’.
The two rakʿahs after wuḍū’ whenever one has time.
Taḥiyyat al‑masjid upon entering the masjid, if there is time before the congregational prayer.
As one grows, other prayers can be added, like some of the regular sunnahs around the obligatory prayers, Duḥā on days off, and occasional night prayers.
The goal is not to show off in front of people, but to build a private door between oneself and Allah that no one else knows in full detail. This private worship becomes a protection on the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned among the seven whom Allah will shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His: “…a man who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes overflow with tears.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Voluntary prayers create the quiet moments in which such remembrance can flourish. Through them, the Muslim’s relationship with ṣalāh moves beyond obligation to love, and the heart begins to taste the reality of “daily connection” with Allah in its fullest sense.