praying the Duhā prayer. He said: “They certainly know that praying at a different hour is better. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘The prayer of those who continually turn to Allah is performed when the young camels feel the scorching heat (1).’” Recorded by Muslim. (2)
- (4-2-4) The Number and Manner of the Rak'ahs of the Duhā Prayer:
It is prescribed for a Muslim to perform the Duhā prayer as two, four, six, eight, or twelve rak'ahs.
He may perform it in pairs of two, if he wishes.
The evidence that it may be performed as two rak'ahs is the hadith of Abū Dharr. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Every morning, charity is due for every joint of each of you ...” (The hadith continues and includes the words: “Two rak'ahs performed as Duhā suffice for all of that.”) Recorded by Muslim. (3)
The evidence that it may be performed as four rak'ahs is the hadith of Abū al-Dardā' and Abū Dharr, who reported from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said: “Son of Adam, perform four rak'ahs for Me at the beginning of the day, and I shall suffice you for its latter part.” Recorded by al-Tirmidhī. (4)
The evidence that it may be performed as six rak'ahs is the hadith of Anas ibn Mālik: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to perform the Duhā prayer as six rak'ahs.” Recorded by al-Tirmidhī in al-Shamā'il. (5)