(2-1) Types of Voluntary Prayer
Voluntary devotion is of two types:
The first is unrestricted voluntary devotion, for which the Lawgiver has prescribed no fixed limit.
For example, in voluntary charity, you may give whatever you wish in the cause of Allah, even half a date; and you may offer voluntary prayers by night or day, in sets of two.
However, one should not maintain any such unrestricted practice with the regularity of the regularly prescribed Sunnah prayers, nor should it lead to religious innovation or imitation of those who practice it.
The second is restricted voluntary devotion, for which Islamic law has prescribed a defined form.
For example, if someone wishes to perform the regularly prescribed Sunnah prayer of Fajr, it is not fulfilled except by performing two units before the Fajr prayer, after its time has begun, with the intention of performing the regular Sunnah prayer of Fajr. Likewise, if someone wishes to perform the eclipse prayer, it is not fulfilled except in the prescribed manner. The same applies to the two Eid prayers … and other Sunnah prayers for which Islamic law has prescribed a particular form.
The subject of this treatise is the second type of voluntary devotion—that is, restricted voluntary devotion.
(3-1) The Merit of Voluntary Prayers
Many hadiths have been reported concerning the merit of voluntary prayers. Among them are the following:
a) Abu Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “The first of their deeds(1) for which people will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is the prayer.” He said: “Our Lord, Mighty and Majestic, will say to His angels—though He knows best: ‘Examine My servant’s prayer: did he complete it, or was it deficient?’(2)
If it was