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Prayer, Sunnah and Ikamma

Q:

Asalamu Alikom,
I want to ask about the performance of sunnan before and after the prayers. Should the sunnah be prayed before the adhan or after? And what should one say when performing a sunnah in their ikamma? “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar nawayta assalli rakaateyn ad duhr” example what about the sunnah before the duhr would you say the same? Jazak Allahu khaira

A:

Wa Alaykumussalam

Thank you for your question

According to Shias:

Recommended (mustahabb) prayers according to Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyid Ali Sistany:

Ruling 751. There are many recommended prayers; they are called ‘supererogatory’ (nāfilah). From among the recommended prayers, the daily nāfilah prayers have been recommended more. These number thirty-four rakʿahs (on days other than Friday): eight rakʿahs are the nāfilah of Zuhr, eight of ʿaṣr, four of maghrib, two of ʿishāʾ, eleven of the night, and two of ṣubḥ. As the two rakʿahs of the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ must be performed in a sitting position, they are counted as one rakʿah, based on obligatory precaution. On Fridays, four rakʿahs are added to the sixteen rakʿahs of ẓuhr and ʿaṣr, and it is better that all twenty rakʿahs be performed before zawāl, except for two rakʿahs – it is better to perform these at the time of zawāl.

https://www.sistani.org/english/book/48/2205/

 

Timings for the daily supererogatory (nāfilah) prayers:

Ruling 755. The nāfilah of Zuhr is performed before the Zuhr prayer, and its time commences from the time of Zuhr and continues until the time it is possible to perform it before performing the Zuhr prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of Zuhr until the time that the shadow of an indicator (shākhis), which is visible after the time of Zuhr, becomes two-sevenths the length of the indicator – meaning that if the length of the indicator is seven spans, the shadow becomes two spans in length – in such a case, it is better to perform the Zuhr prayer before the nāfilah prayer unless one has performed one rakʿah of the nāfilah prayer before [the shadow of the indicator becomes two-sevenths the length of the indicator], in which case it is better to complete the nāfilah prayer before the Zuhr prayer.

Ruling 756. The nāfilah of ʿasr is performed before the ʿasr prayer, and its time continues until the time it is possible to perform it before performing the ʿasr prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of ʿasr until the time that the shadow of an indicator becomes four-sevenths the length of the indicator, it is better to perform the ʿasr prayer before the nāfilah prayer, except in the case mentioned in the previous ruling.

Ruling 757. The time for the nāfilah of maghrib is after performing the maghrib prayer, and as much as possible, it should be performed after performing the maghrib prayer within its prescribed time. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of maghrib until the redness of the western sky – which is visible after the sun sets – disappears, it is better that one first performs the ʿishāʾ prayer.

Ruling 758. The time for the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ is after performing the ʿishāʾ prayer until midnight, and it is better that it be performed immediately after the ʿishāʾ prayer.

Ruling 759. The nāfilah of the Subh prayer is performed before the Subh prayer, and its time commences after the passing of the time of the night prayer (Salāt al-layl) in which Salāt al-layl can be performed. Its time continues until the time it is possible to perform the Subh prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of Subh until the redness of the eastern sky becomes visible, it is better that one first performs the Subh prayer.

https://www.sistani.org/english/book/48/2206/

One can pray as many raka’hs possible from the nafilah such as if one is not able to pray 8 rak’ah of Zuhr or Asr, one can pray even 2 with the intention of Nafilah and will reward of those Rak’ahs prayed.

 

According to Ahlus Sunnah

Sunnah prayers are of two types:  Sunnah prayers which are done before the obligatory prayer – two rak’ahs before Fajr and four before Zhuhr. Sunnah prayers which are done after the obligatory prayer – two rak’ahs after Zhuhr, two rak’ahs after Maghrib and two rak’ahs after ‘Isha.
It is not correct to pray the Sunnah prayer before the time for the obligatory prayer begins, rather you should wait until the time for that prayer comes, then pray it.

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/33779/sunnah-prayers-what-are-their-virtues-and-times

Fajr (Subh) (Dawn Prayer): Two rak`ahs of sunnah before the fard Prayers. Zhuhr ( Noon Prayer): Either two or four rak`ahs of sunnah before the fard Prayers. Then two more rak`ahs of sunnah after the fard. `Asr (Afternoon Prayer): Either two or four rak`ahs of sunnah before the fard Prayers. Note that it is forbidden to perform sunnah Prayers after `Asr until sunset. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer): Two rak`ahs of sunnah after the fard Prayers. `Isha’ (Night Prayer): Two rak`ahs of sunnah after the fard Prayers.

https://islamonline.net/en/sunnah-optional-prayers-2/

 

May Allah(swt) grant you success

Wassalam,

Syed Haider