Voluntary Prayer
99 hadiths
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Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
I memorized from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ten Rak‘ahs (units of prayer)
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: I memorized from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ten Rak‘ahs (units of prayer): two Rak‘ahs before Zhuhr and two Rak‘ahs after it, two Rak‘ahs after Maghrib at his home, two Rak‘ahs after ‘Ishā’ at his home, and two Rak‘ahs before the Fajr prayer, an hour when none was allowed to enter upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Hafsah told me that after the muezzin would make Adhān (call to prayer) and after the break of dawn, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer two Rak‘ahs. Another wording reads: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer two Rak‘ahs after the Friday prayer.
Wake up ‘Āʾishah and pray Witr
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray at night while she would be asleep in front of him. When only the Witr was left, he would wake her and she would perform it. According to another narration, he would say: "Wake up ‘Ā'ishah and pray Witr."
We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to sleep at the beginning of the night and rise at its end to pray
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to sleep at the beginning of the night and rise at its end to pray.
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) missed prayer at night because of sickness or otherwise, he would pray twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) missed prayer at night because of sickness or otherwise, he would pray twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime.
At every part of the night, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Witr: at its beginning, middle, and end. Finally he settled on performing Witr just before dawn
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: 'At every part of the night, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Witr: at its beginning, middle, and end. Finally he settled on performing Witr just before dawn.
O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace
‘Abdullāh ibn Salām (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! Three times. I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar. The first thing I heard him say was: "O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray two light Rak‘ahs after the break of dawn
Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray two light Rak‘ahs after the break of dawn. Another narration reads: "before the (Fajr) prayer would start."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not ever leave four before Zhuhr and two Rak‘ahs before morning
‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not ever leave four before Zhuhr and two Rak‘ahs before morning.
Whoever regularly observes four Rak‘ahs before Zhuhr and four after it, Allah will make him forbidden to Hellfire
’Umm Habībah, the Prophet's wife, (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Whoever regularly observes four Rak‘ahs before Zhuhr and four after it, Allah will make him forbidden to Hellfire."
May Allah have mercy on whoever offers four Rak‘ahs before the ‘Asr prayer
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah have mercy on whoever offers four Rak‘ahs before the ‘Asr prayer."
(Voluntary) prayer in both the day and night is performed two by two
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "(Voluntary) prayer in both the day and night is performed two by two."
The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month, Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month, Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night."
O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep
Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported that he asked ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) how the Prophet's prayer was in Ramadan. She said: "Neither in Ramadan, nor in any other month, did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) exceed the eleven Rak‘ahs of prayer. He would pray four – and do not ask about their beauty and length; then he would pray another four, and do not ask about their beauty and length either, then he would pray three." ‘Ā'ishah then added: "I asked him: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?' he said: 'O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.'"
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer thirteen Rak‘ah in the night prayer including Witr, plus two (voluntary) Rak‘ahs of the Fajr prayer
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer thirteen Rak‘ahs in the night prayer including Witr, plus two (voluntary) Rak‘ahs of the Fajr prayer.
Perform Witr prayer before the morning
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perform Witr prayer before the morning."
If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the beginning of the night; and anyone expects to wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the end of the night. Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is better
Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the beginning of the night; and anyone expects to wake up at the end of the night, let him offer Witr prayer at the end of the night. Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels) and that is better."
O people, pray at your homes, for a person’s best prayer is the one he performs at his home except the obligatory prayer
Zayd ibn Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took for himself a room in the mosque made of straw mats. He prayed in it for a few nights until some people gathered with him for the night prayer. One night they did not hear his voice and thought he had slept, so some of them started to attract his attention to their presence by clearing their throats so that he would come out. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then said: "You kept doing what I saw you doing till I feared that this prayer might become obligatory upon you, and if it were to become obligatory upon you, you would not be able to observe it. O people, pray at your homes, for a person’s best prayer is the one he offers at his home except the obligatory prayer."
When anyone of you enters the mosque, let him offer two Rak‘ahs before he sits down
Abu Qatādah as-Salami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When anyone of you enters the mosque, let him offer two Rak‘ahs before he sits down."
قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة ولهم يومان يلعبون فيهما
عن أنس قال: قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة ولهم يومان يلعبون فيهما، فقال: "ما هذان اليومان؟" قالوا: كنا نلعب فيهما في الجاهلية، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إن الله قد أبدلكم بهما خيرا منهما: يوم الأضحى، ويوم الفطر".
لو كنت مسبحًا لأتممت صلاتي
عن حفص بن عاصم بن عمر بن الخطاب قال: صحبت ابن عمر في طريق مكة، قال: فصلى لنا الظهر ركعتين، ثم أقبل وأقبلنا معه، حتى جاء رحله، وجلس وجلسنا معه، فحانت منه الْتِفَاتةٌ نحوَ حيثُ صلى، فرأى ناسًا قيامًا، فقال: ما يصنع هؤلاء؟ قلت: يسبحون. قال: لو كنت مسبِّحًا لأتممتُ صلاتي، يا ابن أخي إني صحبتُ رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في السفر، فلم يزِدْ على ركعتين حتى قبضه الله، وصحبت أبا بكر، فلم يزد على ركعتين حتى قبضه الله، وصحبت عمر، فلم يزد على ركعتين حتى قبضه الله، ثم صحبت عثمان، فلم يزد على ركعتين حتى قبضه الله، وقد قال الله: {لقد كان لكم في رسول الله أسوة حسنة} [الأحزاب: 21].
ما من عبد مسلم يصلي لله كل يوم ثنتي عشرة ركعةً تطوعًا غير فريضة إلا بنى الله له بيتًا في الجنة
عن النعمان بن سالم عن عمرو بن أوس عن عنبسة بن أبي سفيان عن أم حبيبة زوج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنها قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «ما من عبد مسلم يصلي لله كل يوم ثنتي عشرة ركعةً تطوعًا غير فريضة إلا بنى الله له بيتًا في الجنة، أو إلا بني له بيت في الجنة» قالت أم حبيبة: فما برحت أصليهن بعد. وقال عمرو: ما برحت أصليهن بعد. وقال النعمان مثل ذلك.
إذا قضى أحدكم الصلاة في مسجده فليجعل لبيته نصيبًا من صلاته
عن جابر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «إذا قضى أحدكم الصلاة في مسجده فليجعل لبيته نصيبًا من صلاته، فإن الله جاعلٌ في بيته من صلاته خيرًا».
ما رأيتُ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقرأ في شيء من صلاة الليل جالسًا
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: ما رأيتُ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقرأ في شيء من صلاة الليل جالسًا، حتى إذا كبر قرأ جالسًا، فإذا بقي عليه من السورة ثلاثون أو أربعون آية، قام فقرأهن، ثم ركع.
ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيها
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «رَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا».
I saw you pray towards a direction other than the Qiblah! He said: Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) doing so, I would not have done it
Anas ibn Sirīn reported: 'We received Anas [ibn Mālik] when he returned from Syria and met him at ‘Ayn At-Tamr. I saw him pray on a donkey, and his face was to this side, i.e. to the left side of the Qiblah. I said to him: "I saw you pray towards a direction other than the Qiblah!" He said: "Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) doing so, I would not have done it."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer voluntary prayer on the back of his riding beast (camel), whatever direction it went. He would nod his head. Ibn ‘Umar would do so as well
Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer voluntary prayer on the back of his riding beast (camel), whatever direction it went. He would nod his head. Ibn ‘Umar would do so as well. Another version reads: "He used to perform Witr on top of his camel." A version by Muslim adds: "But he did not offer the obligatory prayer on top of it." A version by Al-Bukhāri states: "…except for the obligatory prayers."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not observe a voluntary prayer more regularly than the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr
‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not observe a voluntary prayer more regularly than the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr.
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَ عليا وفاطمة ليلاً، فقال: ألا تُصَلِّيَانِ
عن علي رضي الله عنه : أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم طَرَقَه وفاطمة ليلاً، فقال: «ألا تُصَلِّيَانِ؟».
Make haste to perform the Witr prayer before the morning
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make haste to perform the Witr prayer before the morning."
When one of you stands up for offering voluntary prayer at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur'an accurately, and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you stands up for offering voluntary prayer at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur'an accurately, and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down."
What an excellent man ‘Abdullāh is if only he observes the night prayer
Sālim ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What an excellent man ‘Abdullāh is if only he observes the night prayer." Sālim said: "Since then, ‘Abdullāh would not sleep at night but very little."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand in prayer at night until the skin of his feet would crack
‘Ā'ishah and Al-Mughīrah ibn Shu‘bah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand in prayer at night until the skin of his feet would crack. I (‘Ā'ishah) asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, why are you doing this while your past and future sins have been forgiven for you?" He said: "Should I not like to be a grateful slave (of Allah)?"
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) Abu Bakr, and ‘Umar used to offer the Eid prayers before delivering the sermon
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) Abu Bakr, and ‘Umar used to offer the Eid prayers before delivering the sermon.
Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his nightly portion, or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his nightly portion, or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night."
When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him, because when one of you performs prayers while feeling sleepy, unknowingly instead of seeking forgiveness he might abuses himself."
You should pray as long as you have the energy to do so. If you feel tired, then lie down
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came one day into the mosque and saw a rope stretched between two poles. He inquired: "What is this rope for?" He was told: "This is Zaynab's rope. When she feels tired (in voluntary prayer), she holds on to it for support." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Untie it. You should pray as long as you have the energy to do so. If you feel tired, then lie down."
Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for by Allah, Allah never grows weary (of giving rewards) unless you grow weary (of doing good deeds), and the best deed in His sight is that which is done regularly
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came in while a woman was sitting with her. He said: "Who is she?" ‘Ā'ishah replied: "She is so-and-so," and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly: "Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for by Allah, Allah never grows weary (of giving rewards) unless you grow weary (of doing good deeds), and the best deed in His sight is that which is done regularly.”
Whenever we stopped somewhere (during a journey) for rest, we would not offer (voluntary) prayer until we have unloaded the luggage from the mounts' backs
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever we stopped somewhere (during a journey) for rest, we would not offer (voluntary) prayer until we have unloaded the luggage from the mounts' backs.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to bring out the young girls and the girls who stay home on the two Eid days, and ordered the menstruating women to distance themselves from the praying area of the Muslims
Umm ‘Atiyyah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to bring out the young girls and the girls who stay home on the two Eid days, and ordered the menstruating women to distance themselves from the praying area of the Muslims. In another version of the Hadīth: “We have been ordered to come out on the Day of Eid, even bring out the virgin girls from their houses and the menstruating women; so they would say Takbīr along with them, invoke Allah along with them; hoping for the blessings of that day and its purification.”
O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, by Your help I contend with my foes, and to You I refer for judgment. So, forgive me the sins I committed in the past and those I may commit in the future, those I did secretly and those I did openly, and all that which You know of better than I do. There is no god but You
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered voluntary prayer during the night, he would say: "O Allah, our Lord! All praise belongs to You. You are the Custodian of the heavens and the earth, all praise belongs to You. You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all what is in them, all praise belongs to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. You are the Truth, Your speech is the Truth, Your promise is the Truth, Your meeting is the Truth, Paradise is true, Hell-fire is true, and the Hour is true. O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, By Your help I contend with my foes, and to You I refer for judgment. So, forgive me the sins I committed in the past and those I may commit in the future, those I did secretly and those I did openly, and all that which You know of better than I do. There is no god but You.”
Whenever we stopped at a place for rest, we would not offer any (voluntary) prayer until we unloaded the luggage from the riding animals
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever we stopped at a place (during a journey) for rest, we would not offer any (voluntary) prayer until we unloaded the luggage from the riding animals.
I saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) praying and making a sound like the rumbling of a mill because of weeping
‘Abdullāh ibn Ash-Shikhkhīr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) praying and making a sound like the rumbling of a mill because of weeping.
One night, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyām while reciting a single verse from the Qur'an
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: One night, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyām while reciting a single verse from the Qur'an (over and over again).
Offer two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib
‘Abdullāh ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Offer two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib." Then he said: "Offer two Rak‘ahs before Maghrib, if you will," fearing people might take it as Sunnah.
A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was on the pulpit: What do you say about the night prayer? He (ﷺ) said: "Two by two
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was on the pulpit: What do you say about the night prayer? He (ﷺ) said: "Two by two (i.e., in sets of two Rak‘ahs). When he fears that dawn is approaching, he should pray one (Rak‘ah), which will make what he has prayed Witr (odd)." And he (ﷺ) used to say: "Make the last of your prayers at night Witr,” for the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded it.
The Witr is due, so whoever wants to pray the Witr as seven (units of prayer), let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as five, let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as three, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray the Witr as one, let him do so
Abu Ayyūb al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Witr is due, so whoever wants to pray the Witr as seven (units of prayer), let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as five, let him do so; whoever wants to pray the Witr as three, let him do so; and whoever wants to pray the Witr as one, let him do so."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer during the month of Ramadan, offering eight Rak‘ahs as well as the Witr. The next night, we gathered in the mosque and hoped that he would come out to us. However, we remained in the mosque until the morning
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer during the month of Ramadan, offering eight Rak‘ahs as well as the Witr. The next night, we gathered in the mosque and hoped that he would come out to us. However, we remained in the mosque until the morning. Thereafter, we entered the Messenger’s place and said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, we were hoping that you would come out and lead us in prayer." He replied: "I feared that the Witr might be made obligatory upon you."
O ‘Abdullāh, do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer Qiyām al-Layl and then abandoned it
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Abdullāh, do not be like so-and-so. He used to offer Qiyām al-Layl and then abandoned it."