Salat ad-Duha: what it is, when and why to pray it

Duha is the voluntary morning prayer: it is prayed after sunrise, once the sun is well up, until shortly before Dhuhr.

What is Duha?

« Duha » means the forenoon, when the sun is already high. Salat ad-Duha is a voluntary prayer of 2 rak'as or more, recommended by the Prophet ﷺ. It has no adhan and no iqama.

Why pray it?

• The Prophet ﷺ said: « Every morning, charity is due on every joint of each of you… and two rak'as prayed in the forenoon suffice for all of that. » (Sahih Muslim 720)
• Abû Hurayra رضي الله عنه said: « My close friend ﷺ advised me to do three things: to fast three days every month, to pray the two rak'as of Duha, and to pray Witr before sleeping. » (Sahih al-Bukhari 1178)

When to pray it?

• Start: after sunrise, once the sun is well up, about a quarter of an hour after sunrise time (Shuruq). Never during sunrise itself.
• End: shortly before Dhuhr time, before the sun reaches its highest point.
• The best time: when the heat of the day rises. The Prophet ﷺ said: « The prayer of those who constantly turn back to Allah is when the young camels feel the heat. » (Sahih Muslim 748)

How to pray it?

1. Like a normal prayer of 2 rak'as, with Al-Fâtiha then a surah in each rak'a, recited quietly.
2. You can pray 2, 4 or 8, always two at a time, with a salam every two rak'as. 'Â'isha رضي الله عنها reported that the Prophet ﷺ prayed four, and sometimes more (Sahih Muslim 719). Umm Hâni' رضي الله عنها saw him pray eight on the day of the conquest of Mecca (Sahih al-Bukhari 1176).
3. No particular surah is required: recite what you know.

Remember

Duha is prayed between a quarter of an hour after sunrise and shortly before Dhuhr, two rak'as at a time. Two rak'as are enough to earn its reward. The L'Imam Virtuel app offers Duha guided step by step.

The religious texts in this article come from the Quran and authentic hadiths, with their references. For a personal question, ask a person of knowledge.