Grade 7 - Voluntary Prayer

The Model School, Abu Dhabi

Class VII

Voluntary Prayers

Pages for thorough reading: p. 134-142

Learning Objectives:

·         Explain benefits of voluntary prayers

·         Appreciate the merits of Duha and Night prayers

·         Explain the rules concerning Duha and Night prayers

Key Words:

صَلاةُ الضُّحَى          Duha Prayer

صَلاَةُ اللَّيل            Night Prayer

الأوَّابِين            One who keeps return back to Allah (SWT)

Answer the following:

1.      What is meant by voluntary prayers?

Ans. Voluntary prayers include all prayers other than obligatory prayers which will bring extra reward for the worshipper on the Day of Judgment.

2.      Give examples for voluntary actions that supplement obligatory worship acts? What is the purpose of supplementing obligatory actions by voluntary actions?

Ans: Voluntary worship acts include Umrah, fasting of six days of Shawwal, voluntary charity (sadaqa) and voluntary prayers. Voluntary worship acts work as remedial for the defects that may happen in obligatory acts. It also bring extra reward for believer and exalt his position in Paradise.

3.      What is meant by Duha prayer?

Ans. It is a voluntary prayer that can be performed after sunrise till the entry of the time of Dhuhr prayer.

4.      Mention the number of Rakaat and timing of Duha prayer?

Ans. Duha prayer can be offered as two two rakaat. Its maximum number of rakaat is twelve. But the best number is eight. The time starts fifteen minutes after sunrise and extends till the entry of Dhuhr prayer. The best time to offer Duha prayer is when the sun is bright.

5.      What is meant by night prayer?

Ans. It is the voluntary prayer offered after Isha prayer till the adhan of Fajr prayer.

6.      What is the maximum number of rakaat of night prayer?

Ans. There is no specific rakaah for night prayer. A Muslim can offer as much rakah as he can, two by two.

7.      Mention one hadith in the merit of voluntary prayers?

Ans: The Prophet (SAW) said to Thawban (R.A) : Perform prostration for Allah as  much as you can. For every prostration that you perform for Allah, He will raise your position one degree and eliminate one of your sins. (Narrated by Muslim) 

8.      Mention one Hadith that shows merits of Duha Prayer?

Ans.  When you get in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. There is charity in every saying of ‘Subhana-Allah’; there is charity in every saying of ‘Allahu-Akbar’, there is charity in every saying of ‘Alhamdulillah’, there is charity in every saying of ‘La-ilaha-Illa-Allah’, there is charity in ordering good, there is charity in forbidding evil. Two Rakah of Duha are equal to all of this reward. [Narrated by Muslim]

9.      Why Duha prayer is named as Salat Al-Awwabin?

The Prophet (SAW) said: Only one who keeps returning back to Allah (Awwabin)  will keep performing it. [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah]

10.  Mention one Hadith in the merit of Night prayer?

Ans: The Prophet (SAW) said: The best month for fasting next after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram, and the best prayer next after the obligatory prayers is the Night Prayer [Narrated by Muslim]