What is fard, waajib, sunnah and nafl and what is the difference between them?
Fard means compulsory beyond any argument. Anyone who denies a fard is a kaafir. And one who leaves a fard without excuse is a faasiq and is sinful.
Waajib comes second to fard. One who denies waajib is not a kaafir but if he leaves it without excuse, he is faasiq and is sinful.
Sunnah is an act which the Prophet did and his Companions followed and commanded. Sunnah mu'akkadah is a highly emphasized Sunnah and should not be missed habitually without a valid excuse.
Nafl is an act commanded by Sharee’ah. It brings reward if done but no punishment if not done. It is also called mustahab, mandoob or tatawwu’.
Question: What is the excellence of optional Prayers?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
1. The mother of the faithfull Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that she heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “A house will be built in paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak’ah of optional salah other than the obligatory salah in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” Narrated by Muslim.
Note : these extra 12 rakaats of optional prayers, according to Imam Nasaai and Tirmithi are : 2 rakaats before the obligatory prayer of Early morning (fajr), and 4 rakaats before (Duhr) and 2 rakaats after it ,and 2 rakaats after the obligatory of early evening prayer (magrib) and 2 rakaats after the obligatory prayer of night (isha) prayer.
2. Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu said : “My Khalil (friend) (the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam) advised me to observe three things and I shall not leave them till I die: 1. “To observe Saum (fasting) three days every (lunar) month; 2.” To offer the Duha prayer; 3. To offer Witr prayer before sleeping.” Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.
3. Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said : “The two rakaats before dawn (fajr) prayer are better than the world and all that it contains.” Narrated by Muslim.
4. Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was never more regular and strict in offering any Nawafil than the two rakaats (sunnah before) dawn (fajr) prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
5. Umm Habiba radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said : “Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allah will shield him against the fire of hell.” Narrated bay Abu Daud and At-Tirmithi.
6. One should make Witr as the last salah (prayer) (at night).
Abdullah bin Umar Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated thet the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said : “Make Witr as your last salah (prayer) at night.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
7. If anyone enters a mosque, he should offer two raka’ah before sitting.
Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
8. Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
There are many optional prayers , I will list them below.
Two before Fajar (Better than the world and everything in it according to the prophet peace be upon him).
Salat al Duhu (Forenoon prayer ) After Sunrise before Zuhur noon prayer and it is two, four, six , eight , or tweleve cycles or Rakakhs
Four before Zuhur or noon and Four after (The prophet peace be upon him said , "whoever prays four before Zuhur and four after, Allah will make him forbidden upon the fire). You can also pray Two before and Two after.
Four before Asr and Two after (The prophet peace be upon him said "God have mercy on a man who prays four before Asr).
Two before Magrib early evening prayer and two after. Six after Magribe(Prayer of the repentant or awwabin) including the two cyc;es after Magrib. You can also pray twenty after Magrib or evening prayer (The prophet peace be upon him said "Whoever prays twenty after MAgrib Allah will build him a house in Paradise).
Two to four before Isha evening prayer and two to four after . Three Witr prayer of Qayam al layal.
Please pray what you can of these as you can and don't overwhelm yourself. The prophet adviced Abo Hururar (The father of Kitten) to pray two cycles of Duhu forenoon prayer , fast three days a month (the 13th, 14th, 15th) and pray Witr before going to sleep. The best deeds are those which you do on a continuedly basis. Even if you if you pray two cycles before Fajar and Witr prayer and fast one day a week on a daily basis is better than doing too much than quitting. May Allah give you success. Also in Fiqh, your obligation take precedence over your optional acts of worship, so if you have a job or family obligations or kids. It is ok, to just pray the five daily prayers only. Taking care of kids, of a wife , and maintaining them and taking of yourself are all forms of worship. Please be balanced and take care of yourself, don't exhausted yourself, do what you can do. You will enter paradise by Allah's Mercy and blessings untimely.
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did and his Companions followed and commanded. Sunnah mu'akkadah is a highly emphasized Sunnah and should not be missed habitually without a valid excuse.
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