Seven Sunnah prayers every Muslim should know are the regular Sunnah prayers alongside the obligatory ones, the two rak'ahs before Fajr, Witr, the night prayer, Duha, two rak'ahs on entering the mosque, and Istikhara. Each is voluntary, and each is supported by an authentic narration from the Prophet.
Key Takeaways
- Praying twelve voluntary rak'ahs in a day and night is linked to a house built in Paradise (Sahih Muslim 728a).
- The two rak'ahs before Fajr are "better than this world and what it contains" (Sahih Muslim 725a).
- The Prophet said to make Witr the last prayer at night (Sahih al-Bukhari 998), and called the night prayer the most excellent after the obligatory ones (Sahih Muslim 1163a).
- Duha, the mosque greeting prayer, and Istikhara each have their own authentic basis in the Sunnah.
- The schools of thought differ on some details, such as Witr's exact status, so ask your imam about your own madhab.
1. The Regular Sunnah Prayers (Rawatib)
These are the voluntary prayers prayed before or after the five daily obligatory prayers. Umm Habiba reported the Prophet saying: "A house will be built in Paradise, for anyone who prays in a day and a night twelve rak'ahs" (Sahih Muslim 728a). The exact breakdown of these rak'ahs, and which are most emphasised, is explained slightly differently between the schools, so learn the pattern your madhab follows.
2. The Two Rak'ahs Before Fajr
Among the regular Sunnah prayers, these two stand out. Aisha reported the Prophet saying: "The two rak'ahs at dawn are better than this world and what it contains" (Sahih Muslim 725a). They're short and easy to keep, even on busy mornings.
3. Witr
Witr is an odd-numbered prayer that closes the night. The Prophet said: "Make witr as your last prayer at night" (Sahih al-Bukhari 998). Most schools regard Witr as a strongly emphasised Sunnah, while the Hanafi school regards it as wajib. Many recite Dua Qunoot within it, explained in our guide to Dua Qunoot.
4. The Night Prayer (Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl)
Abu Huraira reported the Prophet saying that "the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night" (Sahih Muslim 1163a). It can be prayed any time after Isha, and many aim for the last part of the night. Surah Al-Muzzammil opens with the call to this prayer, as our overview of Surah Al-Muzzammil explains.
5. Duha, the Forenoon Prayer
Duha is prayed after the sun has risen and before midday. Abu Dharr reported the Prophet saying that charity is due every morning from every bone in the body, that each act of remembrance and each good deed is a charity, "and two rak'ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice" (Sahih Muslim 720).
6. Greeting the Mosque (Tahiyyat al-Masjid)
Abu Qatada reported the Prophet saying: "If anyone of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak'at before sitting" (Sahih al-Bukhari 444). Scholars discuss what to do if you enter at times when voluntary prayer is generally discouraged, so ask your imam about your madhab's view.
7. Istikhara, the Prayer for Guidance
Jabir bin Abdullah reported that the Prophet "used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara... in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur'an": two voluntary rak'ahs followed by a specific supplication asking Allah to guide a decision (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166). It's for any decision, large or small, not only major life choices.
All Seven at a Glance
| Prayer | When | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Sunnah (rawatib) | Before or after the obligatory prayers | Sahih Muslim 728a |
| Two rak'ahs before Fajr | Before the Fajr obligatory prayer | Sahih Muslim 725a |
| Witr | After Isha, as the last prayer of the night | Sahih al-Bukhari 998 |
| Night prayer (Tahajjud) | During the night, after Isha | Sahih Muslim 1163a |
| Duha | After sunrise, before midday | Sahih Muslim 720 |
| Greeting the mosque | On entering a mosque, before sitting | Sahih al-Bukhari 444 |
| Istikhara | Whenever you need guidance on a decision | Sahih al-Bukhari 1166 |
Learn Your Prayers Properly
Our Salah course teaches the obligatory and Sunnah prayers step by step, and our Islamic Studies course covers the wider fiqh of worship. New Muslims can begin gently with our Quran for reverts lessons. You can book a free trial lesson with no card required, or call +44 7848 496686.
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