Sunnat Prayers: The Spiritual Excellence of the Holy Prophet (sa)

Sunnat Prayers: The Spiritual Excellence of the Holy Prophet (sa)

In Islam, the Holy Prophet (sa) set an exemplary standard of devotion and spiritual excellence through the offering of extra Rak'at of Prayer, known as Sunnat Prayers, in addition to the obligatory Fard Prayers. These voluntary prayers are considered essential by Islamic jurists, emphasizing the significance of incorporating them into one's daily routine.

The wilful neglect of Sunnat Prayers is viewed as censurable in the sight of Allah, underscoring the importance of making a concerted effort to perform these prayers. The Sunnat Prayers, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet (sa), consist of:

 Two Rak'at before the Fard Prayer of Fajr, which can be offered after the congregational Prayer if unavoidable circumstances prevent their offering beforehand.
 Four Rak'at before Fard and two Rak'at after Fard in Zuhr Prayer. If the four Rak'at of Sunnat are not performed before the congregational Prayer due to unavoidable circumstances, they can be offered afterwards.
 Ahmadi Muslims, following the Hanafi school of thought, typically offer four Rak'at of Sunnat before the Fard of Zuhr and two Rak'at of Sunnat after the Fard of Zuhr Prayer. However, some Muslims may offer four Rak'at of Sunnat before the Fard of Zuhr Prayer and four after the Fard of Zuhr Prayer.
 Two Rak'at of Sunnat after the Fard of Maghrib Prayer.
* Two Rak'at of Sunnat after the Fard Rak'at of 'Isha' Prayer.

By incorporating these Sunnat Prayers into one's daily routine, believers can draw closer to Allah, foster spiritual growth, and emulate the exemplary model set by the Holy Prophet (sa). In essence, the performance of Sunnat Prayers is an essential aspect of a Muslim's spiritual development, enabling them to attain a higher level of devotion and righteousness.