Hadith about voluntary prayer

732 hadith on this topic, one card per hadith and its versions; authentic ones first. 503 are translated into English.

Filter these hadith (collection, grade, narrator…)

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 102

I offered Salat (Tahajjud - optional night prayer) with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night, and he started reciting (Surat) Al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow at the end of one hundred Verses, but he continued reciting; I, then, thought that he would perhaps recite the whole (Surah) in a Rak'ah, but he…

الثامن‏:‏ عن أبي عبد الله حذيفة بن اليمان، رضي الله عنهما، قال‏:‏ صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة، فافتتح البقرة، فقلت يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى؛ فقلت يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضى؛ فقلت يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء؛…

+ 16 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1172

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not observe more than eleven Rak'ah (of Tahajjud prayers), be in Ramadan or any other month. First of all he would perform four Rak'ah. Ask not about their excellence and their length. He (ﷺ) would then perform four more Rak'ah; and do not ask about their excellence…

"‏يا عائشة إن عيني تنامان ولا ينام قلبي‏"

+ 11 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1198

We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a Miswak (tooth-stick) and the water for making Wudu'. Whenever Allah wished to awaken him from sleep at night, he (ﷺ) would brush his teeth with Miswak, make Wudu', and perform Salat. [Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت‏:‏ كنا نعد لرسول الله، سواكه وطهوره، فيبعثه الله ما شاء أن يبعثه من الليل، فيتسوك ويتوضأ ويصلي‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 23 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 142

The Prophet (ﷺ) came in when a woman was sitting beside me. He asked me, "Who is she?" I said: "She is the one whose performance of Salat (prayer) has become the talk of the town." Addressing her, he (ﷺ) said, "(What is this!) You are required to take upon yourselves only what you can carry out…

"‏ مه عليكم بما تطيقون، فوالله لا يمل الله حتى تملوا‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 33 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1097

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "A house will be built in Jannah for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak'ah of optional Salat other than the obligatory Salat in a day and a night (to seek the Pleasure of Allah)." [Muslim].

عن أم المؤمنين أم حبيبة رملة بنت أبي سفيان، رضي الله عنهما، قالت سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يقول‏:‏ ما من عبد مسلم يصلي لله تعالى كل يوم ثنتي عشرة ركعة تطوعًا غير الفريضة، إلا بنى الله له بيتًا في الجنة أو‏:‏…

+ 12 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1122

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Perform two Rak'ah before Maghrib prayer." He (ﷺ) repeated it twice; when repeating it for the third time he added: "He who may so wish." [Al- Bukhari].

وعن عبد الله بن مغفل، رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏صلوا قبل المغرب‏"‏ قال في الثالثة‏:‏ ‏"‏لمن شاء‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

+ 19 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1185

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When one of you dozes off while performing Salat, he should lie down till his drowsiness has gone away from him. When one of you performs Salat while dozing, he may abuse himself instead of seeking pardon (as a result of drowsiness)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏ إذا نعس أحدكم في الصلاة، فليرقد حتى يذهب عنه النوم، فإن أحدكم إذا صلى وهو ناعس، لعله يذهب يستغفر فيسب نفسه‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 10 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1480

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "Allahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika amantu, wa 'alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu, wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu. Faghfir li ma qaddamtu, wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta (O…

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏اللهم لك أسلمت، وبك آمنت، وعليك توكلت، وإليك أنبت وبك خاصمت، وإليك حاكمت، فاغفر لي ما قدمت، وما أخرت وما أسررت وما أعلنت، أنت المقدم، وأنت…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 18 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 229

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would sometimes abstain from doing something he wished to do, lest others should follow him and it might become obligatory upon them. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ إن كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليدع العمل، وهو يحب أن يعمل به، خشية أن يعمل به الناس فيفرض عليهم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 15 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1100

The Prophet (ﷺ) never omitted four Rak'ah prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two Rak'ah prayers before dawn (Fajr) prayer. [Al- Bukhari].

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان لا يدع أربعًا قبل الظهر، وركعتين قبل الغداة ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 14 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1115

Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) stayed in my house, he would perform four Rak'ah (supererogatory prayer) before Zuhr prayer. Then he would go out and lead Salat. He (ﷺ) would then come back and perform two Rak'ah (supererogatory prayer). He would lead the Maghrib prayer and come back and perform two…

وعنها قالت‏:‏ كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي في بيتي قبل الظهر أربعًا، ثم يخرج فيصلي بالناس، ثم يدخل فيصلي ركعتين، وكان يصلي بالناس المغرب ثم يدخل بيتي فيصلي ركعتين، ويصلي بالناس العشاء، ويدخل بيتي، فيصلي ركعتين‏.‏…

+ 27 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1128

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O people! perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏صلوا أيها الناس في بيوتكم، فإن الصلاة صلاة المرء في بيته إلا المكتوبة‏"

Narrated by Zayd ibn Thābit + 15 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1133

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed Witr prayer in every part of night at the beginning, middle and at the last part. He (ﷺ), however, would finish his Witr prayer before dawn. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ من كل الليل قد أوتر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ من أول الليل ومن أوسطه، ومن آخره‏.‏ وانتهى وتره إلى السحر‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 14 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1134

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Make Witr prayer the last of your Salat at night." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏ اجعلوا آخر صلاتكم بالليل وترًا‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 30 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1163

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Do not be like so-and-so O 'Abdullah! He used to pray during the night, then stopped the practice." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏يا عبد الله لا تكن مثل فلان‏:‏ كان يقوم الليل فترك قيام الليل‏"

+ 10 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1167

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best month for observing Saum (fasting) after Ramadan is Muharram, and the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night." [Muslim].

"‏أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم، وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة الليل‏"

+ 19 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 717

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) in all matters as he would teach us a Surah of the Qur'an. He used to say: "When one of you contemplates entering upon an enterprise, let him perform two Rak'ah of optional prayer other than Fard prayers and then…

-وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعلمنا الإستخارة في الأمور كلها كالسورة من القرآن ، يقول ‏:‏ إذا همّ أحدكم بالأمر، فليركع ركعتين من غير الفريضة، ثم ليقل، اللهم إني أستخيرك بعلمك، وأستقدرك…

+ 10 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1182

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If anyone falls asleep and therefore fails to observe his Hizb (share) or part of it, if he observes it between the Fajr and the Zuhr prayers, it will be recorded for him as though he had observed it during the night." [Muslim].

"‏من نام عن حزبه، أو عن شيء منه، فقرأه فيما بين صلاة الفجر وصلاة الظهر، كتب له كأنما قرأه من الليل‏"

+ 9 other versions

Not graded Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3758b

"I said to 'Aishah: 'Which of the companions of the Prophet SAW were the most beloved to him?' She said: 'Abu Bakr.' I said: 'Then who?' She said ' 'Umar.' I said: 'Then who?' She said: 'Then Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.'" He said: I said: 'Then who?'" He said: "Then she was silent."

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ الدَّوْرَقِيُّ أخبرنا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ أَىُّ أَصْحَابِ انَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ أَحَبَّ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 17 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Al-Adab al-Mufrad 695

Ibn 'Abbas said, "I spent the night at the house of my aunt. Maymuna. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up to answer a call of nature and then washed his hands and face and slept. Then he got up and took the water-skin and loosened its strap and then did a medium sort of…

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ‏:‏ بِتُّ عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ، فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله…

+ 16 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Al-Adab al-Mufrad 955

'Ali reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, knocked at the door of 'Ali and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "Don't you pray?" 'Ali said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, our spirits are with Allah. When He…

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حُسَيْنٍ، أَنَّ حُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ حَدَّثَهُ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ…

Narrated by Ali + 10 other versions

Not graded Bulugh al-Maram 458

He [Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)] used to recite in the two 'Eids and in the Friday prayer: "Sabbih isma Rabbikal-A'la (Surat 87)" and "Hal ataka hadithul-ghashiyah (Surat 88)." [Reported by Muslim].

وَلَهُ: عَنِ اَلنُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ: { كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي اَلْعِيدَيْنِ وَفِي الْجُمُعَةِ: بِـ "سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ اَلْأَعْلَى", وَ: "هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ اَلْغَاشِيَةِ" } 1‏ .‏ ‏1 ‏- صحيح.‏ رواه مسلم (878)‏.‏

+ 16 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Bulugh al-Maram 378

"He used to pray ten Rak'at (of prayer), and making it Witr by one Rak'at, and he used to pray the two (Sunnah) Rak'at of Fajr, so that it became thirteen Rak'at."

وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لَهُمَا عَنْهَا: { كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنْ اَللَّيْلِ عَشْرَ رَكَعَاتٍ, وَيُوتِرُ بِسَجْدَةٍ, وَيَرْكَعُ رَكْعَتَيْ اَلْفَجْرِ, فَتِلْكَ ثَلَاثُ عَشْرَةَ } 1‏ .‏ ‏1 ‏- صحيح.‏ رواه البخاري (1140)‏، ومسلم…

+ 20 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1116

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rak'ah before Zuhr prayer and four after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will shield him against the Fire (of Hell). [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

"‏من حافظ على أربع ركعات قبل الظهر وأربع بعدها، حرمه الله على النار‏"

Narrated by Umm Habība + 10 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1141

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform four Rak'ah of Duha prayer (at the forenoon) and would add to them whatever Allah wished. [Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي الضحى أربعًا ويزيد ما شاء الله ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 7 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 848

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih].

"‏يا أيها الناس أفشوا السلام، وأطعموا الطعام، وصلوا الأرحام وصلوا والناس نيام، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Salāam + 9 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1102

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The two Rak'ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains." [Muslim] Another narration goes: "The two Rak'ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are dearer to me than the whole world."

"‏ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيها‏"

+ 6 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1137

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Hasten to perform the Witr prayer before dawn." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

"‏بادروا الصبح بالوتر‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 6 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 1162

Salim bin 'Abdullah bin 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) reported, on the authority of his father, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "What an excellent man 'Abdullah is! If only he could perform optional prayers at night." Salim said that after this, (his father) 'Abdullah…

"‏نعم الرجل عبد الله لو كان يصلي من الليل‏"

+ 6 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 146

The Prophet (ﷺ) came into the mosque and noticed a rope stretched between two poles. He enquired, "What is this rope for?" He was told: "This is Zainab's rope. When during her voluntary prayer, she begins to feel tired, she grasps it for support". The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Untie it. You should perform…

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ دخل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المسجد فإذا حبل ممدود بين الساريتين فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏ما هذا الحبل‏"‏ قالوا ‏:‏ هذا حبل لزينب، فإذا فترت تعلقت به‏.‏ فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ حلوه، ليصل أحدكم…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 6 other versions

Hadith about voluntary prayer

We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a Miswak (tooth-stick) and the water for making Wudu'. Whenever Allah wished to awaken him from sleep at night, he (ﷺ) would brush his teeth with Miswak, make Wudu', and perform Salat. [Muslim].

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "A house will be built in Jannah for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak'ah of optional Salat other than the obligatory Salat in a day and a night (to seek the Pleasure of Allah)." [Muslim].

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Perform two Rak'ah before Maghrib prayer." He (ﷺ) repeated it twice; when repeating it for the third time he added: "He who may so wish." [Al- Bukhari].

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When one of you dozes off while performing Salat, he should lie down till his drowsiness has gone away from him. When one of you performs Salat while dozing, he may abuse himself instead of seeking pardon (as a result of drowsiness)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would sometimes abstain from doing something he wished to do, lest others should follow him and it might become obligatory upon them. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (ﷺ) never omitted four Rak'ah prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two Rak'ah prayers before dawn (Fajr) prayer. [Al- Bukhari].

Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) stayed in my house, he would perform four Rak'ah (supererogatory prayer) before Zuhr prayer. Then he would go out and lead Salat. He (ﷺ) would then come back and perform two Rak'ah (supererogatory prayer). He would lead the Maghrib prayer and come back and perform two…

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O people! perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed Witr prayer in every part of night at the beginning, middle and at the last part. He (ﷺ), however, would finish his Witr prayer before dawn. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Make Witr prayer the last of your Salat at night." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Do not be like so-and-so O 'Abdullah! He used to pray during the night, then stopped the practice." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best month for observing Saum (fasting) after Ramadan is Muharram, and the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night." [Muslim].

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If anyone falls asleep and therefore fails to observe his Hizb (share) or part of it, if he observes it between the Fajr and the Zuhr prayers, it will be recorded for him as though he had observed it during the night." [Muslim].

"I said to 'Aishah: 'Which of the companions of the Prophet SAW were the most beloved to him?' She said: 'Abu Bakr.' I said: 'Then who?' She said ' 'Umar.' I said: 'Then who?' She said: 'Then Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.'" He said: I said: 'Then who?'" He said: "Then she was silent."

Ibn 'Abbas said, "I spent the night at the house of my aunt. Maymuna. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up to answer a call of nature and then washed his hands and face and slept. Then he got up and took the water-skin and loosened its strap and then did a medium sort of…

He [Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)] used to recite in the two 'Eids and in the Friday prayer: "Sabbih isma Rabbikal-A'la (Surat 87)" and "Hal ataka hadithul-ghashiyah (Surat 88)." [Reported by Muslim].

"He used to pray ten Rak'at (of prayer), and making it Witr by one Rak'at, and he used to pray the two (Sunnah) Rak'at of Fajr, so that it became thirteen Rak'at."

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rak'ah before Zuhr prayer and four after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will shield him against the Fire (of Hell). [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform four Rak'ah of Duha prayer (at the forenoon) and would add to them whatever Allah wished. [Muslim].

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih].

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The two Rak'ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains." [Muslim] Another narration goes: "The two Rak'ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are dearer to me than the whole world."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Hasten to perform the Witr prayer before dawn." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

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