Sunnah Prayers (Rawatib)

Definition

The Rawatib (الرواتب) are the regular sunnah prayers associated with the five daily obligatory prayers. They are among the most emphasized voluntary acts of worship, and maintaining them is a hallmark of the devout Muslim.

The Twelve Rak'ahs

The Prophet said: 'Whoever prays twelve rak'ahs during the day and night, a house will be built for them in Paradise' (Sahih Muslim 728). Based on the hadith of Umm Habibah, these twelve are: two rak'ahs before Fajr, four rak'ahs before Dhuhr and two after, two rak'ahs after Maghrib, and two rak'ahs after Isha.

The Most Emphasized

The two rak'ahs before Fajr are the most emphasized of all sunnah prayers. The Prophet said: 'The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it' (Sahih Muslim 725). He never abandoned them, even during travel. It is sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second.

Additional Sunnah Prayers

Beyond the rawatib, other voluntary prayers include: Salat al-Duha (forenoon prayer, 2-8 rak'ahs after sunrise), Salat al-Awwabin (six rak'ahs after Maghrib), Tahiyyat al-Masjid (two rak'ahs upon entering a mosque), and Salat al-Tawbah (prayer of repentance). The general principle is that voluntary prayers are prayed in sets of two during the day and can be two or four at night.