(May peace and blessings be upon
him) in which he said: Al Sunnan Al Rawatib
(Sunnah Prayers associated with Fardh Prayers)
Aas-salamu-alai-kum:
What is the structure of the obligatory prayers?
For example for Fajr prayers, are there two Farz rakats and two sunnat. Similarly for Zuhr, are there 4 farz and 2 sunnat. For Ashr, are there 4 farz and 2 sunnat; for Magribh are there 3 farz rakat and 2 sunnat. Lastly, for Isha are there 4 farz and 2 sunnat?
Am I correct in my assumption and if not would you kindly let me know to the correct structure?
Praise be to Allah;
The answer to your question is a Hadith by the Prophet
(May peace and blessings be upon
him) in which he said:
"Allaah will build a house in Heaven for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak'aat (as follows): 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr (Midday) Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib (Sunset Prayer), 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ (Evening) Prayer and 2 before the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer." Hadith sahih narrated by at-Tirmidhi No. 379 and by others. Hadith No. 6183 in Sahih al-Jaami’.
‘Anbasah ibn Abi Sufyan quoted Umm Habibah as saying "Allaah’s Messenger
(May peace
and blessings be upon him) said:
"A house will be built in Heaven for one who prays 12 Rak'aat in a day and evening as
follows: 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib Prayer, 2 after
the ‘Ishaa’ Prayer and 2 before the Fajr Prayer." Narrated by at-Tirmizi under No. 380. He said: The
Hadith narrated by ‘Anbasah quoting Umm Habibah in this chapter is a hassan and sahih hadith. It is under No. 6362
in Sahih al-Jaami’.
The ‘Asr (Late-Afternoon) Prayer has no routine Sunnah (basic recommended voluntary
prayer). However, it is mustahab (preferable and recommended) that one prays 4 Rak'aat
before the ‘Asr Prayer. The 4 Rak'ahs are of less reward and significance in importance of
adhering to them compared to the "sunnan al-rawaatib" described above. The 4 Rak'ahs are the
ones intended by the Prophet
(May peace and blessings be upon him) in saying: "May
Allaah have mercy on one who prays 4 raka’aat before the ‘Asr Prayer." Narrated by at-Tirmidhi
no. 395 and he declared it a hassan and ghareeb Hadith. Al-Albany rated the Hadith as hassan in Sahih al-Jami’ No.
3493.
All the foregoing 4-Rak'ah voluntary prayers are to be prayed two at a time according to Imam
ash-Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad.
Allaah, the Exalted, knows best.