and two after ʿishāʾ in his house, and two before the dawn prayer. At that time no one would enter upon the Prophet; Hafsah told me that when the mu’adhdhin gave the call to prayer and daybreak was evident, he would perform two rakʿahs.” Agreed upon.

Muslim also records, on the authority of ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “He would pray four rakʿahs before ẓuhr in my house, then go out and lead the people in prayer, and afterward return to my house and pray two rakʿahs.”

From this we learn that praying the regular sunnahs at home is better than performing them in the mosque, for several reasons. First, it protects one from showing off and self-admiration by keeping the deed hidden from people. Second, it helps achieve fuller humility and sincerity. Third, it enlivens the house with the remembrance of Allah and with prayer, through which mercy descends upon the household and Satan is kept at bay. The Prophet said, “Perform some of your prayers in your homes; do not turn them into graves.”