Mustahabb: The Preferred in Islamic Law

Definition

Mustahabb (مستحب) means 'preferred' or 'liked' in Islamic jurisprudence. It refers to acts that are encouraged and rewarded but whose omission carries no sin. It is largely synonymous with mandub (recommended), nafl (voluntary), and tatawwu' (supererogatory), though some scholars make subtle distinctions between these terms.

Examples

Using the siwak (tooth stick), saying Bismillah before eating, praying the Duha (forenoon) prayer, reading Surah al-Kahf on Fridays, fasting the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims, giving voluntary charity, visiting the sick, and making dhikr after prayers are all classified as mustahabb.

Legal Significance

While omitting a mustahabb act carries no sin, regularly practicing mustahabb acts builds spiritual discipline and draws the servant closer to Allah. In a hadith qudsi, Allah says: 'My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have imposed upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts until I love him' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6502). Mustahabb acts also serve as a safety net for deficiencies in obligatory worship on the Day of Judgment.