Voluntary Prayers in Islam: The 12 Sunnah & More

The Voluntary and Optional Prayers (Salah al-Nawafil): A British Muslim's Complete Guide (UK)

Beyond the five daily obligatory prayers, the Sunnah preserves an extensive system of voluntary and optional prayers (nawafil) — each with its own time, structure, and reward. In addition, This piece walks through them systematically, with British Muslim families in mind.

Types of Voluntary Prayers

Classical fiqh divides voluntary prayers into:

1. Sunan al-Rawatib — the regular voluntary prayers attached to obligatory ones

2. al-Witr — the most emphasised voluntary prayer, prayed after ʿIshaʾ

3. al-Tahajjud / Qiyam al-Layl — night prayer in the deep hours of the night

4. al-Ḍuḥa — the forenoon prayer

5. al-Istikharah — the prayer of seeking divine guidance

6. al-Tasbiḥ — the prayer with extensive tasbīḥ

7. Tahiyyat al-Masjid — two rakʿah on entering a mosque

8. Two rakʿah after wuḍuʾ

9. al-Tawbah — two rakʿah of repentance after sin

10. Tarawīh — the night prayer of Ramadan

11. al-ʿIdayn — the two Eid prayers

12. al-Kusuf wa al-Khusuf — solar and lunar eclipse prayers

13. al-Istisqa' — the prayer for rain

The Sunan al-Rawatib (12 daily rakʿah)

The Prophet ﷺ said whoever prays them daily, Allah builds them a house in Paradise (Sunnah.com):

• 2 rakʿah before Fajr — better than the world and all it contains

• 4 rakʿah before Ẓuhr + 2 after

• 2 rakʿah after Maghrib

• 2 rakʿah after ʿIshaʾ

For a British Muslim with workplace constraints: prioritise the 2 before Fajr (at home), 2 after Maghrib (at home), 2 after ʿIshaʾ (at home). The Dhuhr ones can be attempted at lunchtime or shifted to the workplace prayer room.

al-Witr (the odd-numbered prayer)

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Witr is true; whoever wishes can pray five, three, or one" (Ahmad). The minimum is one rakʿah; the most common is three. The time: any time after ʿIshaʾ until Fajr. Best: just before Fajr if you can wake.

For most British Muslims, witr is prayed immediately after ʿIshaʾ as a 3-rakʿah unit (the third rakʿah includes the qunut du'a). The Prophet ﷺ never abandoned witr at home or while travelling. E-aalim is an online educational platform and institute. E-aalim teaches the holy Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies inline.

al-Tahajjud (night prayer)

The most beloved voluntary prayer to Allah after the obligatory five. Time: after sleeping for some portion of the night, before Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer" (Muslim).

For British Muslims, the practical model is: sleep after ʿIshaʾ, set the alarm for 30-60 minutes before Fajr, perform 2-8 rakʿah of tahajjud, then witr (if not yet prayed), then Fajr.

The Companions varied their night prayer counts. The Prophet ﷺ typically prayed 8-11 rakʿah at night, though more on some occasions. The online teachers and tutors at E-aalim are highly experienced and qualified al-Azhar graduates.

al-Ḍuḥa (the forenoon prayer)

Time: from when the sun has risen approximately 15-20 minutes above the horizon, until just before Ẓuhr. Minimum: 2 rakʿah. Common: 4 rakʿah. Maximum: 8.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "In every joint of any one of you there is a ṣadaqah every day. Two rakʿahs of Ḍuha are sufficient for that" (Muslim). For British Muslims with morning office hours, two rakʿah of Ḍuha in the workplace prayer room or a quiet moment fulfils this.

al-Istikharah (the prayer of seeking guidance)

Two rakʿah followed by the famous du'a — for any decision where the outcome is unclear. Job offers, marriage, university choices, house purchases. Should be prayed whenever a decision arises; can be repeated. See our dedicated guide.

Tahiyyat al-Masjid

Two rakʿah on entering a mosque, before sitting. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit until he has prayed two rakʿah" (Bukhārī). Even if the iqāmah is being called, the two rakʿah are skipped only if joining the obligatory prayer immediately.

Two rakʿah after wuduʾ

The Prophet ﷺ told Bilāl: "What is the most hopeful deed you have done?" Bilāl replied: "I never make wuduʾ at any time without praying two rakʿah after it." The Prophet ﷺ confirmed this is a beloved practice.

Salat al-Tawbah

Two rakʿah after committing a sin, followed by sincere repentance. The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is no Muslim who commits a sin, then performs wuduʾ properly, then prays two rakʿah, then asks Allah for forgiveness, except that Allah forgives him" (Ahmad).

Tarawih (Ramadan)

The communal night prayer of Ramadan. 8-20 rakʿah depending on tradition. Usually performed at the local mosque immediately after ʿIshaʾ. See our Laylat al-Qadr guide.

The Eid Prayers

Two rakʿah on Eid al-Fitr morning and Eid al-Aḍḥa morning. Communal. With extra takbirs in the standing positions. Sunnah mu'akkadah for British Muslim families.

Eclipse and Rain Prayers

Special prayers performed at solar / lunar eclipses (Kusuf / Khusuf) and during droughts (Istisqa'). Both are sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. UK mosques organise these when occasions arise. Learners at E-aalim are kid, adult male and female Muslims worldwide. E-aalim teaches the holy Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies to the non-speakers of Arabic worldwide, especially living in Europe and the USA.

How to build voluntary prayers into a UK life

1. Start with witr. One rakʿah after ʿIshāʾ. Non-negotiable daily.

2. Add the rawatib gradually. The 2 before Fajr is the most important.

3. Add Ḍuua. 2 rakʿah at any morning break.

4. Build to tahajjud. Even 2 rakʿah before Fajr changes a person.

5. Use istikharah whenever decisions arise. Don't reserve it for "big" decisions.

Why Voluntary Prayers Matter

The Prophet ﷺ said in the famous ḥadith qudsī: "My servant draws near to Me with nothing more beloved than what I have made obligatory; and My servant continues to draw near to Me with the voluntary acts until I love him" (Bukhari).

The obligatory prayers establish the relationship. The voluntary prayers deepen it. E-aalim have their own specialized online courses. One such a course is the E-aalim Ebadat course. Join the E-aalim Ebadat course and learn more about the optional and voluntary prayers in Islam.

Pair with related pieces

• The Sunan within Salāh

• Salāt al-Istikhārah

• Morning and Evening Adhkār

Closing

The voluntary prayers are how the Muslim becomes beloved to Allah. Begin with witr. Add the rawātib. Build to tahajjud. Book a Free Eaalim Trial to learn proper recitation for these prayers.