(Q & A) Is it true that we should not perform the Duha prayer every day?

Question : Ustadz, is it true that we are not allowed to perform Duha prayer every day?

Answer : Some scholars indeed hold the view that it is not recommended to make Duha prayer a daily routine. This is the valid (shahih) opinion in the Hanbali school(1) and part of the Hanafiyah.(2) Imam Abu Al-Khatthab Al-Kaludzani Al-Hanbali said,

وأَدْنَى صَلاَةِ الضُّحَى رَكْعَتَانِ وَأَفْضَلُهَا ثَمَانٍ ووَقْتُهَا إِذَا عَلَتِ الشَّمْسُ واشْتَدَّ حَرُّهَا، ولاَ تُسْتَحَبُّ المُدَاوَمَةُ عَلَيْهَا عِنْدَ أَصْحَابِنَا

“The minimum of Duha prayer is 2 rak'ahs and the best is 8 rak'ahs. Its time is when the sun has risen high and its heat has become intense. It is not recommended to make it a routine according to the followers of our school...” (Al-Hidayah ‘ala Madzhab Al-Imam Ahmad, 1/89)

The evidence for this opinion is because the Messenger of Allah never made Duha prayer a routine in his daily life. This is seen from the admission of several Companions of the Prophet. The Tabi’i Abdullah bin Syaqiq asked Aisha,

"هَلْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى؟" قَالَتْ: "لَا، إِلَّا أَنْ يَجِيءَ مِنْ مَغِيبِهِ"

“Did the Prophet use to perform Duha prayer?” Aisha answered, “No, unless he just returned from his travels.” (Narrated by Muslim: 717)

In another narration, Umm al-Mu'minin Aisha said,

مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى قَطُّ

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah performing Duha prayer as a routine even once.” (Narrated by Muslim: 718)

Companion Anas bin Malik was asked,

أَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى؟" قَالَ: "مَا رَأَيْتُهُ صَلَّاهَا إِلَّا يَوْمَئِذٍ

“Did the Prophet routinely perform Duha prayer?” Anas answered, “I never saw him perform it except on that day only.”(3) (Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 670)

Companion Abu Hurairah said,

مَا رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَّى الضُّحَى قَطُّ إِلَّا مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً

“I never saw the Prophet perform Duha prayer at all except only once.” (Narrated by Ahmad in Al-Musnad: 9758)

The Tabi’i Abdurrahman bin Abi Layla said,

مَا حَدَّثَنَا أَحَدٌ أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى غَيْرُ أُمِّ هَانِئٍ

“There is no one (Companion) who saw the Prophet performing Duha prayer other than Umm Hani only.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 1176)

The Tabi’i Muwarriq Al-‘Ijli asked Companion Ibn Umar,

أَتُصَلِّي الضُّحَى؟" قَالَ: "لاَ" قُلْتُ: "فَعُمَرُ؟" قَالَ: "لاَ" قُلْتُ: "فَأَبُو بَكْرٍ؟" قَالَ: "لاَ" قُلْتُ: "فَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟" قَالَ: "لاَ إِخَالُهُ

“Do you make Duha prayer a routine?” Ibn Umar answered, “No.” I asked again, “What about Umar?” He answered, “No.” I asked again, “What about Abu Bakr?” He answered, “No.” I asked again, “What about the Prophet (peace be upon him)?” He answered, “I don't think so either.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 1175)

Companion Abu Bakrah said when he saw people performing Duha prayer in crowds,

أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ لَيُصَلُّونَ صَلَاةً مَا صَلَّاهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَا عَامَّةُ أَصْحَابِهِ

“Why do they perform a prayer that was never performed by the Messenger of Allah nor the general body of his Companions?!” (Narrated by Ad-Darimi: 1497)

Among the Companions who did not make Duha prayer a routine besides Abu Bakr and Umar were Companion Abdullah bin Umar, Abdullah bin Mas’ud, and Ibn Abbas.(4) Even Ibn Umar also asserted that Duha prayer was not performed in the time of Uthman bin Affan.(5) Another evidence according to the Hanbalis is sadd ad-dzarai’ (blocking the means to harm), in the form of fear that Duha prayer would be considered a mandatory prayer if made a routine. This is based on the trace (athar) of Companion Ibn Mas’ud. The Tabi’i Masruq said,

كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَثْبُتُ النَّاسُ فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ بَعْدَ قِيَامِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، ثُمَّ نَقُومُ فَنُصَلِّي لِلضُّحَى فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ ابْنَ مَسْعُودٍ فَقَالَ: "عِبَادَ اللَّهِ، لِمَ تُحَمِّلُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُحَمِّلْهُمُ اللَّهُ، إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا بُدَّ فَاعِلِينَ فَفِي بُيُوتِكُمْ"

“We used to read the Quran in the mosque. People would remain reading the Quran after Ibn Mas’ud left. Then we stood up and performed Duha prayer. That matter reached Ibn Mas’ud. Ibn Mas’ud said, “O servants of Allah, why do you burden the other servants of Allah with worship that Allah has not burdened them with?! If you must do it, then do it in your homes!” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Mushannaf: 7777)

As for the majority of scholars, namely the Malikis, Shafi’is, some Hanbalis,(6) and the authentic (shahih) view(7) in the Hanafi school, they actually assert the recommendation or sunnah nature of Duha prayer if made a routine. Imam Al-Hashakafi of the Hanafis said,

وَ نُدِبَ أَرْبَعٌ فَصَاعِدًا فِي الضُّحَى عَلَى الصَّحِيحِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الطُّلُوعِ إلَى الزَّوَالِ وَوَقْتُهَا الْمُخْتَارُ بَعْدَ رُبُعِ النَّهَارِ

“And it is recommended [to pray] 4 rak'ahs or more during Duha time according to the authentic opinion, from after sunrise until the sun moves from its zenith, and its chosen time is after a quarter of the day has passed.” (Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtar, 1/92)

Imam Al-Hatthab of the Malikis said,

شَاعَ عِنْدَ الْعَوَامّ أَنَّ مَنْ صَلَّى الضُّحَى يَلْزَمُهُ الْمُوَاظَبَةُ عَلَيْهَا، وَأَنَّهُ إنْ تَرَكَهَا عَمِيَ أَوْ أَصَابَهُ شَيْءٌ، وَذَلِكَ بَاطِلٌ بَلْ حُكْمُهَا حُكْمُ سَائِرِ النَّوَافِلِ تُسْتَحَبُّ الْمُدَاوَمَةُ عَلَيْهَا، وَمَنْ تَرَكَهَا فَلَا إثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَلَا حَرَجَ

“It has spread among the laypeople that whoever performs Duha prayer, then he must be consistent in it, and that if he leaves it he will go blind or befall some calamity. All of this is false. The ruling of Duha prayer is the same as the ruling of other voluntary prayers. It is recommended to be made a routine, and whoever leaves it incurs no sin and there is no harm...” (Mawahib Al-Jalil, 2/67)

Imam An-Nawawi of the Shafi’is said,

فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا صَلَاةُ الضُّحَى سُنَّةٌ مُؤَكَّدَةٌ وَأَقَلُّهَا رَكْعَتَانِ وَأَكْثَرُهَا ثَمَانِ رَكَعَاتٍ

“Thus the followers of our school hold the view that Duha prayer is a confirmed sunnah (sunnah muakkadah). Its minimum is 2 rak'ahs and its maximum is 8 rak'ahs.” (Al-Majmu’ Syarh Al-Muhaddzab, 4/36)

Imam Al-Mardawi from the Hanbalis said,

فَتَلَخَّصَ: أَنَّ الْآجُرِّيَّ وَابْنَ عَقِيلٍ وَأَبَا الْخَطَّابِ وَابْنَ الْجَوْزِيِّ وَالْمَجْدَ وَابْنَ حَمْدَانَ وَابْنَ تَمِيمٍ، وَصَاحِبَ مَجْمَعِ الْبَحْرَيْنِ وَالْحَاوِي الْكَبِيرِ اخْتَارُوا اسْتِحْبَابَ الْمُدَاوَمَةِ عَلَيْهَا، وَأَطْلَقَ الْوَجْهَيْنِ فِي التَّلْخِيصِ وَاخْتَارَ الشَّيْخُ تَقِيُّ الدِّينِ الْمُدَاوَمَةَ عَلَيْهَا لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقُمْ مِنْ اللَّيْلِ

“So in summary: Al-Ajurri, Ibn ‘Aqil, Abu Al-Khatthab, Ibn Al-Jauzi, Al-Majd, Ibn Hamdan, Ibn Tamim, the author of the book Majma’ Al-Bahrain and Al-Hawi Al-Kabir chose the recommendation of making Duha prayer a routine. It is also mentioned that there are 2 versions regarding this in At-Talkhish. Meanwhile, Shaykh Taqiuddin (Ibn Taymiyyah) chose the recommendation of making it a routine for those who do not perform the night prayer.” (Al-Inshaf, 2/192)

The evidence of the majority of scholars is the saying of the Prophet regarding the virtue of Duha prayer and his testament (advice) to several Companions to always make Duha prayer a routine. Among them is the Prophet's saying,

يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلَامَى مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ، فَكُلُّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْيٌ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَيُجْزِئُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَكْعَتَانِ يَرْكَعُهُمَا مِنَ الضُّحَى

“Every joint of one of you is required to give charity. Thus every tasbih is charity, every tahmid is charity, every tahlil is charity, every takbir is charity, enjoining what is good is charity, forbidding what is evil is charity, and all of that is sufficed by performing 2 rak'ahs of Duha prayer.” (Narrated by Muslim: 720 from Abu Dzar Al-Ghifari)

The Messenger of Allah said,

لَا يُحَافِظُ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الضُّحَى إِلَّا أَوَّابٌ

“No one guards (maintains) the Duha prayer except a person who is awwab.”(8) (Narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah in his Shahih: 1224 and Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak: 1182 from Abu Hurairah)

Companion Abu Hurairah said,

أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي بِثَلاَثٍ لاَ أَدَعُهُنَّ حَتَّى أَمُوتَ صَوْمِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَصَلاَةِ الضُّحَى وَنَوْمٍ عَلَى وِتْرٍ"

“My beloved (the Messenger of Allah) advised me with 3 things that I will not leave until I die: fasting 3 days every month, Duha prayer, and sleeping after Witr.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 1178 and Muslim: 721)

As for the Prophet's action of not making Duha prayer a routine, this is answered by his own wife, Umm al-Mu'minin Aisha bint Abu Bakr,

مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى قَطُّ وَإِنِّي لَأُسَبِّحُهَا، وَإِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيَدَعُ الْعَمَلَ وَهُوَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَيُفْرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah performing Duha prayer as a routine even once. However, I truly continue to perform it. For indeed, the Messenger of Allah would sometimes leave a righteous deed even though he loved to perform it, out of fear that the people would also perform it, so that it would become obligatory upon them.” (Narrated by Muslim: 718)

This Hadith indicates that the Prophet actually loved performing Duha prayer and tended to want to make it a routine. However, he did not do so, because he worried that Duha prayer would later be made obligatory upon his Ummah if he and his Ummah routinely performed it. This is what caused the Prophet to convey several virtues of Duha prayer, advising it to be made a routine to some Companions, but only performing it occasionally himself. This means, the original ruling of Duha prayer is that it is recommended to be done by his Ummah. Not upon him. Especially after he passed away, because the Shari'ah was discontinued (completed) after his death, so it is impossible for a new obligation to come from Allah Ta’ala regarding prayer matters. This Duha prayer was made a routine by some Companions such as Aisha, Abu Hurairah, Abu Darda, and Abu Dzar.(9) Among those who asserted the importance of this Duha prayer was Amir al-Mu'minin Ali bin Abi Talib.(10) Hadiths regarding Duha prayer were also narrated by many of the Prophet's Companions.

Conclusion The majority of scholars view that making Duha prayer a routine is highly recommended. This is closer to the truth, although a handful of scholars view it as not recommended to be made a routine. Seen from the aspect of evidence, then making it a routine is far more prioritized for those capable of making it a routine, because of the existence of virtue for those who do it. It is impossible that it is not recommended to make it a routine while the Prophet explained its virtues specifically. If it were not to be made a routine, then for what purpose did the Prophet convey the virtues regarding it?!

Wallahu a’lam