Sunnat Namaz is among the voluntary and devotional prayers that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly performed and encouraged his Ummah to observe. These prayers are not obligatory (Fard), but offering them is considered a source of great reward and blessings. Sunnah Namaz is performed before or after the five daily obligatory prayers, such as the Sunnahs of Fajr, Zohar, Maghrib, and Isha.
Sunnat Namaz holds great importance in Islam because it helps complete the deficiencies of Fard prayers and serves as a means to draw closer to Allah. A Muslim who regularly performs Sunnah Namaz follows the Sunnah of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, strengthening both their worship and faith
1. What is Sunnat Namaz
Sunnat Namaz is the great prayer which our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ himself performed regularly and advised his Ummah to adopt as well. Although these prayers are not obligatory, they have a very high status in the Islamic daily routine. Sunnah prayers are generally offered before or after Fard prayers, thereby compensating for the deficiencies and omissions in Fard prayers.
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty states the importance of Nafl and additional worship (Surah Al-Isra 17:79). It is mentioned in the Hadith Sharif that whoever observes twelve Rakaat Sunnah prayers daily, Allah Almighty prepares a wonderful house for him in Paradise (Sahih Muslim: 728).
2. Difference Between Farz and Sunnat Namaz
It is important for every Muslim, especially beginners, to understand the difference between FarZ and Sunnat prayers. Fard Namaz is an order of Allah and it is mandatory to perform it. Deliberately skipping obligatory prayers is a sin. At the same time, Sunnah Namaz is the favorite worship of Rasoolullah ﷺ, reading which is not a duty but is a reason for great reward. There will be a question on Fard Namaz, whereas Sunnah Namaz brings closer to Allah and additional reward. Sunnah makes the duty of Namaz beautiful and compensates for the shortcomings in worship.
3. Types of Sunnat Namaz (Sunnah Rawatib)
Sunnat Namaz Rawatib are those Sunnah prayers which are associated with the five obligatory daily namaz. Rasulullah ﷺ used to pay these regularly, hence they have great importance. These Sunnahs are sometimes recited before the Farz and sometimes after the Farz. Two Rakaat Sunnah of Fajr are performed before Fard, four before and two after Zuhr, four (non-Muakkada) of Asr before, two Rakaat of Maghrib after Fard and two Rakaat of Isha after Fard and four Rakaat of Jumu’ah before Fard and two after Fard, four + two Rakaat Sunnah. Sunnah Rawatib completes the obligatory prayers and increases closeness to Allah.
4. Sunnat Namaz Rakats table chart
| Prayer Time | Sunnah Before Fard | Fard | Sunnah After Fard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 Rak‘ahs (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) | 2 | — |
| Zuhr | 4 Rak‘ahs (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) | 4 | 2 Rak‘ahs |
| Asr | 4 Rak‘ahs (Ghair Mu’akkadah) | 4 | — |
| Maghrib | — | 3 | 2 Rak‘ahs |
| Isha | — | 4 | 2 Rak‘ahs |
| Jumu’ah | 4 Rak‘ahs (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) | 2 | 4 + 2 Rak‘ahs (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) |
- Fajr Sunnat-e-muaqqadah: 2 Rakats before Farz
- zuhar Sunnat-e-muaqqadah: 4 before + 2 after Farz
- Asr Sunnat: 4 before Farz (Ghair Muakkadah)
- Maghrib Sunnat-e-muaqqadah: 2 after Farz
- Isha Sunnat-e-muaqqadah: 4 sunnat (ghair muaqadah) before Farz and after 2 sunnat
- Jumuah sunnat-e-muaqqdah: 4 sunnat before farz + 4+2 sunnat after farz
5. Sunnat Namaz Muakkadah vs Ghair Muakkadah
Sunnat Muakkadah are those Sunnah prayers which the Prophet ﷺ performed regularly and rarely missed. Offering these namaz is a very important and rewarding task. It was not liked to leave them without any reason. For example, the 2 rak’ahs before Fajr, the Sunnah of Zuhr, the Sunnah after Maghrib and Isha are Sunnah Muakkadah.
Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah are those prayers which Rasoolullah ﷺ sometimes offered and sometimes omitted. There is a reward for reading them, but there is no sin in not reading them. For example, the 4 rak’ahs before Asr are Sunnah non-Muakkadah.
👉 The objective of both is to complete the obligatory Namaz and attain closeness to Allah, but the status of Muakkadah is higher.
6. Best Time to Pray Sunnat Namaz
It is essential to perform the Sunnah prayers at their prescribed times. For example, the Sunnah prayers that are to be performed before the obligatory (Fard) prayer should be offered at that time, and the Sunnah prayers that are to be performed after the Fard prayer should be offered afterward. However, if you are unable to perform the Sunnah prayer before the Fard prayer, you can perform it after the Fard prayer. But the emphasized (Mu’akkadah) Sunnah prayers must be performed.
The Sunnah prayers performed before the obligatory (Fard) prayer are called Sunnah Qabliyyah, and the Sunnah prayers performed after the Fard prayer are called Sunnah Ba’diyyah.
7. Where to Pray Sunnat Namaz (Home or Mosque)
It is generally considered better and more preferable to perform the Sunnah prayers at home. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) would often perform the obligatory prayers in the mosque and then go home to perform the Sunnah prayers. This brings blessings to the home and prevents ostentation in worship.
However, if it is not possible to pray at home for any reason, then performing the Sunnah prayers in the mosque is also permissible. The Sunnah prayers of Friday and some other Sunnah prayers performed in the mosque are also established by the Sunnah.
8. Common Mistakes in Sunnat Namaz
While performing Sunnah Namaz, some common mistakes can occur, which may reduce the reward. It is important to avoid them:
- Neglecting intention (Niyyah): Starting the prayer without a clear intention in the heart.
- Rushing through the prayer: Not performing Ruku (bowing) and Sajdah (prostration) properly.
- Skipping Sunnah prayers altogether: Not regularly offering Sunnah Namaz, especially the Fajr Sunnah.
- Ignoring the proper time: Performing Sunnah prayers during disliked (Makruh) times.
- Equating Sunnah with Fard: Considering Sunnah as obligatory like Fard, or criticizing those who do not perform it.
- Lack of concentration and humility (Khushu’): Praying while distracted or inattentive.
If Sunnah Namaz is offered correctly, with calmness, attention, and according to the Sunnah, it beautifies the act of worship and becomes a means of drawing closer to Allah.
9. Rewards of Sunnat Namaz
Sunnah prayers carry great rewards and spiritual benefits, as highlighted in authentic Hadith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly performed these prayers and encouraged his followers to observe them consistently. Offering Sunnat Namaz helps complete shortcomings in obligatory (Farz) prayers, brings a person closer to Allah, and becomes a source of immense reward in the Hereafter. According to Hadith, a person who performs twelve rak‘ahs of Sunnah daily is promised a house in Paradise, showing the high virtue of maintaining these prayers regularly.
10. Activity namaz
Start your prayers today and earn immense rewards! Strengthen your connection with Allah, complete your Fard prayers, and follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ. Don’t wait—make Sunnah Namaz a part of your daily routine and secure your spiritual blessings in this life and the Hereafter.
Faqs-sunnat namaz
How to do Sunnah Namaz?
- Make intention (Niyyah), stand facing Qiblah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah, perform Ruku (bowing), Sujood (prostration), and complete the required rak‘ahs calmly following the Sunnah.
How to perform 4 rak‘at Sunnah Namaz?
- Offer 2 rak‘ahs at a time, following the same steps as Fard prayer: Niyyah → Takbir → Surah recitation → Ruku → Sujood → Tashahhud → Salam.
How many Sunnah are in Namaz?
- Each daily prayer has Sunnah before and/or after Fard prayers; total varies. Example: Fajr 2, Zuhr 4 before + 2 after, Asr 4 before, Maghrib 2 after, Isha 2 after, Jumu’ah 4 before + 4+2 after.
How is Sunnah different from Fard Namaz?
- Fard is obligatory and must be performed. Sunnah is voluntary, highly recommended, and brings extra reward.
Can I pray only 4 fards for Isha?
- No, Isha Fard is 4 rak‘ahs. You may offer Sunnah after for extra reward, but Fard must be completed first.
What are the three types of Sunnah?
- Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized), Ghair Mu’akkadah (non-emphasized), and Nafl/Tahajjud (voluntary night prayer).
How to pray Sunni step by step?
- Follow Niyyah → Takbir → Surah recitation → Ruku → Sujood → Tashahhud → Salam, just like in Fard prayer, with proper timing and calmness.
Is Tahajjud prayer 2 nafl or Sunnah?
- It is a voluntary night prayer (Nafl), highly recommended (Sunnah).
Does sperm break Salah?
- Yes, ejaculation nullifies Wudu; you must perform Wudu before praying again.
Is Sunnah Namaz compulsory?
- No, it is not compulsory, but highly recommended for extra reward.
How do you get 100% dua accepted?
- Make sincere dua with humility, proper intention, consistency, and after obligatory prayers, while avoiding sins.
Is it Sunnah to shower with your wife?
- Private intimacy is allowed; no specific Hadith prescribes showering together as Sunnah.
How to pray Sunnah Namaz?
- Follow the same steps as Fard prayer, offer before or after Fard as prescribed, with proper intention and concentration.
Is Zuhr 4 4 2 2?
- Zuhr Fard: 4 rak‘ahs. Sunnah: 4 before, 2 after. (2 nafl)So total 12 rak‘ahs if including Sunnah.
What are the common mistakes during rak‘at?
- Rushing, improper Ruku or Sujood, distracted mind, neglecting intention, skipping Sunnah, wrong timing.
Do I pray Sunnah or Fard first?
- Follow the prescribed order: Sunnah before Fard if Sunnah is before, Fard in the middle, Sunnah after Fard if prescribed.
Is marriage a Fard or Sunnah?
- Marriage is strongly recommended (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) for those able to fulfill its rights, but obligatory (Fard) in certain Islamic contexts to avoid sin.
How many Sunnat Namaz are there?
- Varies per day: Fajr 2, Zuhr 6, Asr 4, Maghrib 2, Isha 2, Jumu’ah 10 (including before and after).
How to pray 4 Sunnat Namaz?
- Perform 2 rak‘ahs at a time, following proper Sunnah steps, with calmness and proper recitation.
Is Tahajjud Nafl or Sunnah?
- It is a voluntary night prayer (Nafl), highly recommended (Sunnah).
What happens if I miss Fajr prayer?
- You should perform it as soon as possible (Qadha), and you may offer extra Sunnah prayers to gain reward.