Sunnah prayer

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A Sunnah prayer (Arabic: صلاة السنة) is an optional or supererogatory salah (ritual prayer) that can be performed in addition to the five daily salah, which are compulsory for all Muslims. Sunnah prayer have different characteristics: some are done at the same time as the five daily compulsory prayers, some are done only at certain times (e.g. late at night), or only for specific occasions (e.g. during a drought); some have their own name (e.g. Tahajjud) and some are identified by how they are performed (e.g. "4 (rakat) before Zuhr and 2 after"). The length of Sunnah prayer also varies.^[1]

While the five daily salah are wajib/fard (obligatory), Sunnah prayer (and other sunnah deeds) are Mustahabb (encouraged) – those who perform them will earn a reward in the afterlife, but those who neglect them will not be punished (Allahu masta’an).

Sunnah (in mainstream Islam), means the traditional customs and practices that (are believed to) follow the example of Muhammad. According to the Sunnah of Muslim tradition, all of these prayers were originally performed by Muhammad (in addition to the five daily obligatory prayers).^[2]