>Hello Sohib EditorOnline, in this article we will discuss about the proper ways to perform sunnah prayers before and after obligatory prayers according to Islamic principles. Sunnah prayers are voluntary prayers that are performed in addition to the obligatory ones. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to perform sunnah prayers regularly, and it is recommended for all Muslims to do so as well.
The Importance of Sunnah Prayers
Sunnah prayers are not obligatory, but they are highly recommended for Muslims. They help to increase our love for Allah, and they provide us with an opportunity to remember Him more often throughout the day. Sunnah prayers also act as a means of forgiveness for our sins, and they help to strengthen our connection with Allah.
In addition, sunnah prayers are a way to earn reward from Allah. Every good deed that we do, including voluntary prayers, will be rewarded in the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The first thing that a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is his prayer. If his prayer is in order, then he will have succeeded, and if it is not, then he will have failed and lost.”
Sunnah Prayers Before Obligatory Prayers
1. Tahiyatul Masjid
The first sunnah prayer that can be performed is called tahiyatul masjid. This prayer is performed when entering a mosque, and it is highly recommended for every Muslim to do so. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “When any one of you enters a mosque, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak’ahs.”
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray two rak’ahs of tahiyatul masjid, and then perform the prayer as follows:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand facing the qiblah |
| 2 | Raise both hands up to the ears and say Allahu Akbar (takbiratul ihram) |
| 3 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah |
| 4 | Recite any other surah |
| 5 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) |
| 6 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him) |
| 7 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (glory be to my Lord, the Most High) |
| 8 | Sit back up and repeat steps 5-7 again |
| 9 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the prayer |
After finishing the two rak’ahs of tahiyatul masjid, one can sit down and engage in any permissible activity until the start of the obligatory prayer.
2. Sunnah Prayer Before Fajr
Before performing the obligatory Fajr prayer, it is recommended to perform two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do this regularly, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer before Fajr, and then perform the prayer as follows:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand facing the qiblah |
| 2 | Raise both hands up to the ears and say Allahu Akbar (takbiratul ihram) |
| 3 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah |
| 4 | Recite any other surah |
| 5 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) |
| 6 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him) |
| 7 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (glory be to my Lord, the Most High) |
| 8 | Sit back up and repeat steps 5-7 again |
| 9 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the first rak’ah |
| 10 | Repeat steps 3-8 to perform the second rak’ah |
| 11 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the prayer |
3. Sunnah Prayer Before Dhuhr
Before performing the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, it is recommended to perform four rak’ahs of sunnah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do this regularly, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray four rak’ahs of sunnah prayer before Dhuhr, and then perform the prayer as follows:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand facing the qiblah |
| 2 | Raise both hands up to the ears and say Allahu Akbar (takbiratul ihram) |
| 3 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah |
| 4 | Recite any other surah |
| 5 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) |
| 6 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him) |
| 7 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (glory be to my Lord, the Most High) |
| 8 | Sit back up and repeat steps 5-7 again |
| 9 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the first rak’ah |
| 10 | Repeat steps 3-8 to perform the second rak’ah |
| 11 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to start the third rak’ah |
| 12 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any other surah |
| 13 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem |
| 14 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah |
| 15 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la |
| 16 | Sit back up and repeat steps 13-15 again |
| 17 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the third rak’ah |
| 18 | Repeat steps 12-16 to perform the fourth rak’ah |
| 19 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the prayer |
4. Sunnah Prayer After Dhuhr
After performing the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, it is recommended to perform four rak’ahs of sunnah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do this regularly, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray four rak’ahs of sunnah prayer after Dhuhr, and then perform the prayer as follows:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand facing the qiblah |
| 2 | Raise both hands up to the ears and say Allahu Akbar (takbiratul ihram) |
| 3 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah |
| 4 | Recite any other surah |
| 5 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) |
| 6 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him) |
| 7 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (glory be to my Lord, the Most High) |
| 8 | Sit back up and repeat steps 5-7 again |
| 9 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the first rak’ah |
| 10 | Repeat steps 3-8 to perform the second rak’ah |
| 11 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to start the third rak’ah |
| 12 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any other surah |
| 13 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem |
| 14 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah |
| 15 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la |
| 16 | Sit back up and repeat steps 13-15 again |
| 17 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the third rak’ah |
| 18 | Repeat steps 12-16 to perform the fourth rak’ah |
| 19 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the prayer |
5. Sunnah Prayer After Maghrib
After performing the obligatory Maghrib prayer, it is recommended to perform two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do this regularly, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer after Maghrib, and then perform the prayer as follows:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand facing the qiblah |
| 2 | Raise both hands up to the ears and say Allahu Akbar (takbiratul ihram) |
| 3 | Recite Surah Al-Fatihah |
| 4 | Recite any other surah |
| 5 | Bow down and say Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) |
| 6 | Stand up straight again and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him) |
| 7 | Prostrate and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (glory be to my Lord, the Most High) |
| 8 | Sit back up and repeat steps 5-7 again |
| 9 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the first rak’ah |
| 10 | Repeat steps 3-8 to perform the second rak’ah |
| 11 | Stand up and say Allahu Akbar to end the prayer |
6. Sunnah Prayer After Isha
After performing the obligatory Isha prayer, it is recommended to perform two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do this regularly, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.
To perform this prayer, one should make the intention to pray two rak’ahs of sunnah prayer after Isha, and then perform the prayer as follows: