Are nafl and Sunnah the same?

The sunnah refers to the prayers that our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) used to offer in addition to Fard prayers, it’s not obligatory prayers and there’s no sin in missing or not praying them.

How many Sunnah prayers are there in a day?

The sunnah prayers in a day include Two Rakahs before Salat al-Fajr, Four Rakahs before Salat al-Zuhr, two Rakahs after Salat al-Zuhr, Two Rakahs after Salat al-Maghrib, Two Rakahs after Salat al-Isha, and Tarawih, In this article will know are nafl and Sunnah the same?

 

 

The sunnah refers to the prayers that our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) used to offer in addition to Fard prayers, it’s not obligatory prayers and there’s no sin in missing or not praying them.

How many Sunnah prayers are there in a day? The sunnah prayers in a day include Two Rakahs before Salat al-Fajr, Four Rakahs before Salat al-Zuhr, two Rakahs after Salat al-Zuhr, Two Rakahps after Salat al-Maghrib, Two Rakahs after Salat al-Isha, and Tarawih.

Are nafl and Sunnah the same? 

Sunnah and nafl are similar to each other; they are both performed to worship Allah, and they are not obligatory which means there is no sin for not performing them. However, praying to them grants you many rewards.

Fard: Are the five daily prayers that are obligatory to perform, including fajr, dhuhr, asr, maghrib, and isha.

Sunnah: it is the optional prayer prayed before or after the fard prayers. They are as follows: 2 before fajr, 4 before dhuhr and 2 after, 4 before ASR, 2 after Maghrib, 2 after isha.

Nafl: optional prayers.

Until now we don’t understand the difference between them, we know that they are both optional prayers and we will be rewarded if we perform them. So what is the difference between Sunnah and nafl?

Scholars have different opinions when it comes to this question; some say that they are both the same while others say that Sunnah refers to what the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) did persistently. While nafl is what the prophet did sometimes not always.

Why are Sunnah and nafl Rakats offered?

Ad-Dasooqi al-Maaliki said: Naafil refers in linguistic terms to something extra or additional; in Islamic terminology it refers to that which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did but did not do persistently, i.e., sometimes he did not do it and sometimes he did do it.

It does not mean that he stopped doing it altogether, because one of his characteristics is that if he did a righteous deed he would not stop doing it altogether after that. … With regard to “Sunnah”, in linguistic terms it refers to a way or path; in Islamic terminology it refers to that,

which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did openly when he was among a group of people, and he persisted in doing it, but there is no proof to indicate that it is obligatory. Sunnahs that are described as mu’akkadah (confirmed) are those that bring a great deal of reward, such as Witr.

Al-Khateeb ash-Sharbeeni ash-Shaafa‘i said: Naafil in linguistic terms refers to something extra; in Islamic terminology it refers to actions other than those which are obligatory. They are so called because they are extra to what Allah, may He be exalted, has made obligatory. Naafil is similar to Sunnah, mandoob (recommended), mustahabb (encouraged) and so on. This is the well-known view.

Do you have to pray Sunnah and nafl?

No you don’t have to pray Sunnah and nafl, they are not obligatory prayers but optional. Meaning that not committing them is not a sin, while performing them will grant the performer with many rewards.

What is the difference between Sunnah and Fard?

Fard or obligatory prayers are the prayers that we are obligated to pray, not praying them is a sin. And Fard prayers are: fajr, dhuhr, ASR, Maghrib, isha.

Whilst Sunnah means the optional prayers that there is no sin in not performing them and many rewards when being performed. Sunnah include: 2 before fajr, 4 before dhuhr and 2 after, 4 before ASR, 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after isha.

What is nafl?

Nafl is an optional prayer that Muslims pray voluntarily to get closer to Allah and be rewarded. Not performing them is not a sin. Additionally some say that when you pray more nafl prayers you will get more rewards. Nafl prayers include many prayers, here are some of them:

• Al-Tahajjud or the night prayer: this one is performed in the middle of the night and it is prefered that after you pray isha sleep for a while then wake up in the middle of the night and perform al-tahajjud. This nafl prayer is performed in two rakats and its total number is 12 in addition to one witr rakat.
• Salat al-Ishraq: this prayer is performed after Fajr, about 20-45 minutes after sunrise.
• Salat ad-Duha: this is another nafl prayer performed after the one third of the day pass.
• And Salat al-Awwabin: this salah is performed after praying maghrib and it is performed in two rakat, the total number of rakat ranges from 6 to 20 rakats.

what is the difference between sunnah and nafl prayers?

Is tahajjud Sunnah or nafl?

As we said above tahajjud is one of the nafl prayers that is performed in the middle of the night. Pray Isha, sleep for a while then wake up in the middle of the night, make wudu and pray as much as you can. You don’t have to pray all the 12 Rakat.

How to pray nafl?

So, how to pray Nafl prayer? You pray Nafl prayer similar to the way you pray obligatory prayers. However, it is preferred to pray it in two Rakats. But if you like to pray it in four rakat you can do so.

Here is how to pray Nafl prayer step by step:

1- Face the Qibla, by that we mean to stand facing the Holy Ka’bah.

2- Make your intention, before you start praying it is important to make your intention. You don’t have to make the intention out loud make it from the heart, and you could say: “I intend to perform two Rakats” and mention the name of the prayer.

3- Raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر), in English “Allah is the greatest.”.

4- Put your right hand over your left hand on your chest.

5- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by any other Surah you know by heart.

6- Say “Allahu Akbar” and bend down (Ruku), put your hands on your knees, and say “Subhaana Rabiyal Adheem” three times.

7- Stand up again and put your hands beside you and say “Samiallah Huliman Hamidah”, in English it means “Allah hears those who praise Him”. Then put your hands on your chest again, your right hand above your left hand, and say “Rabana Walakal Hamd” meaning “Our Lord, all praise is for you”.

8- Say Allahu Akbar and perform Sujood. When performing sujood, put your knees, and hands on the ground, and your nose, and forehead should be touching the ground. Say “Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa” (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times, then sit and say “Allaahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa ‘aafinee war’zuqnee” (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me and grant me provision), and do a second sujood and say “Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa” three times.

9- Say Allahu akbar and stand up. Repeat the process again, recite surah al Fatiha, followed by another surah.

10- Say “Allahu Akbar” and bend down (Ruku), put your hands on your knees, and say “Subhaana Rabiyal Adheem” three times.

11- Stand up again and put your hands beside you and say “Samiallah Huliman Hamidah”, in English it means “Allah hears those who praise Him”. Then put your hands on your chest again, your right hand above your left hand, and say “Rabana Walakal Hamd” meaning “Our Lord, all praise is for you”.

12- Say Allahu Akbar and perform Sujood. When performing sujood, put your knees, and hands on the ground, and your nose, and forehead should be touching the ground. Say “Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa” (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times, then set and say “Allaahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa ‘aafinee war’zuqnee” (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me and grant me provision), and do a second sujood and say “Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa” three times.

13- Sit again and recite Tashahhud:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِين. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu wattayyibatu. Assalaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyi warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. Assalaamu ‘alyna wa ‘ala ‘ibaadillaahis saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluh.

Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama sallaita ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem innaka Hameedun Majeed, wabaarik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhamaad kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem innaka Hameedun Majeed.

Meaning: “All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.

O, Allah! Praise Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as You Praised Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem; you are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. And send blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as you sent blessings on Ibraaheem, and the family of Ibraaheem; you are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.”

14- When you finish the Tashahhud turn your face to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.” Then turn your face to the left and say “Assalamu alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.”

If you want to offer the Nafl prayer in 4 Rakat then in the second Rakah recite half the Tashahhud as follows:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِين. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu wattayyibatu. Assalaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyi warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. Assalaamu ‘alyna wa ‘ala ‘ibaadillaahis saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluh.

Meaning: “All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.

Then say “Allahu Akbar” and stand for the third Rakah. In the four Rakat prayers, recite surah Fatiha only in the third and fourth Rakah, and in the fourth Rakah recite the full Tashahhud.

Difference between Sunnah and mustahab

Fard or obligatory prayers are the prayers that we are obligated to pray, not praying them is a sin. And Fard prayers are: fajr, dhuhr, ASR, Maghrib, isha.

Whilst Sunnah means the optional prayers that there is no sin in not performing them and many rewards when being performed. Sunnah include: 2 before fajr, 4 before dhuhr and 2 after, 4 before ASR, 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after isha.

Sunnah, mustahab are both similar. The point of performing them is to get closer to Allah and seek forgiveness. Performing these prayers grants the person many rewards.

Sunnah and Nafl prayers.

Now that you understand the difference between Sunnah and Nafl prayer let’s learn more about the number of Rakat in a day.

List of nafl prayers.

So, how many nafl prayers are there in a day? Let’s find out:

1. Duha prayer.

Duha or Ishraq prayer is the prayer performed when the sunrises, and it doesn’t have a specific number of Rakat, you can pray as much as you want.

2. Taubah prayer.

When you see to ask for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for a sin that you have committed then pray the Taubah prayer. It is of two Rakat.

3. Istikhaarah prayer.

Istikhaarah prayer is prayed when you are seeking Allah’s guidance in a matter. For instance, when asking Allah to guide you to the best decision. It is of 2 Rakat and can be prayed at any time.

4. Salaat ul Hajaat nafl prayer.

Ul Hajaat prayer is prayed when the person is in a time of need, and it is of 2 Rakat.

5. Tahajjud prayer.

Tahajjud prayer is prayed after Isha prayer and is preferred to pray in the last third of the night. The minimum number of Rakat is 2 and the maximum is 12 Rakat.

6. Tahiyyat ul Masjid prayer.

Tahiyyat ul Masjid is prayed when entering the Mosque and it is 2 Rakat prayer.

7. Awwabeen prayer.

One of the Nafl prayers that our beloved prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recommended us to pray for their many rewards and virtues. It is prayed after the maghrib prayer, and there is no specific number of Rakat to it but the minimum number is two Rakat and you are free to pray as much as you want.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:” Whoever prayed six rak’ahs between Maghrib and ‘Isha, twelve years of worship are written for him.” (al-Tirmidhi)

Taraweeh prayer is sunnah or nafl?

Taraweeh is a nafl prayer and it is performed in Ramadan after Isha, the messenger of Allah, used to pray it everyday throughout Ramadan. But they are not obligatory, taraweeh is an optional prayer.

How many Sunnah prayers in a day?

The total number of Sunnah prayer is 12 Rakat divided into the five daily prayers as follows:

• 2 before fajr
• 4 before dhuhr and 2 after.
• 4 before ASR.
• 2 after Maghrib.
• 2 after Isha.

Difference between Sunnah and hadith

• Sunnah is always authentic while Hadith can be authentic as well as spurious.
• Hadith has been written and interpreted by scholars of Islam. Thus, these are dependent upon their ways of thinking, their character, and their memory and intellect.
• Sunnah has been passed on from one generation to another, so there is little chance of any error.
• Sunnah is related to certain aspects of life while Hadith is not confined to certain aspects.

Rakat fard and Sunnah

Fard or obligatory prayers are the prayers that we are obligated to pray; not praying them is a sin. And Fard prayers are fajr, dhuhr, ASR, Maghrib, isha.

Sunnah prayer consists of 12 rakat divided into the five daily prayers as follows:

• 2 before fajr
• 4 before dhuhr and 2 after.
• 4 before ASR.
• 2 after Maghrib.
• 2 after Isha.

Get to know more about the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad and what is the Sunnah!