What Is the Awwabin Prayer Actually?

In the authentic hadith, Salat al-Awwabin means Salat ad-Duha — after the sun has risen high, when the sand becomes hot in the sunlight.

Where the Name Comes From

Young camels roam grazing behind their mothers. When the sun grows fierce and the sand feels hot on their feet, they leave off grazing and go to sit in the shade. The Arabs used to call this state “ramidat al-fisal”.

The Prophet ﷺ named exactly that time as the time of the Awwabin prayer — in the morning, after the sun has risen quite a bit higher.

“Awwab” means one who turns back to Allah again and again. It is not obligatory, yet it is not possible for such a person to leave the long stretch between Fajr and Dhuhr empty.

It is in the hadith Qudsi — My servant keeps seeking nearness to Me through voluntary acts, until I come to love him.

The Shaykh's Explanation

The scholars call the Duha prayer the sadaqah (charity) of the limbs and joints — two rak'ahs suffice on behalf of all of them.

For every joint of the body, a sadaqah (charity) is due each day — every tasbih is a sadaqah, every tahlil is a sadaqah, enjoining good is a sadaqah, and forbidding wrong is also a sadaqah. And the two rak'ahs of Duha suffice on behalf of all of these.

Evidence — Time and Virtue

صَلَاةُ الْأَوَّابِينَ حِينَ تَرْمَضُ الْفِصَالُ

The prayer of the Awwabin is when the feet of the young camels burn from the heat of the sun. (Sahih Muslim)Copy

Allah says — O son of Adam, pray four rak'ahs for Me at the beginning of the day; I will suffice you until the end of the day. (Musnad Ahmad — hasan chain)

What to Do

1. Stay seated in the mosque after Fajr; when the sun has risen and is a little high, pray two rak'ahs.
2. At least two rak'ahs — four, six or eight if you wish; on the day of the Conquest, the Prophet ﷺ prayed eight rak'ahs.
3. Hold on to Abu Hurayrah's (may Allah be pleased with him) three counsels — fasting three days a month, the Duha prayer, and Witr before sleeping.
4. If you miss Witr at night, pray it during the day — when the Prophet ﷺ missed it, he would pray it at the time of Duha.

Monthly Ruqyah Course

★ 12 live ruqyah sessions ★ Recorded video of every session ★ Separate session notes for every session ★ A diagnosis package worth 500 taka for only 150 taka ★ The chance to consult with the raqi in a group ★ A separate Telegram group ★ A separate discussion group for brothers and sisters ★ Separate sessions for different problems ★ A guidelines and Q&A segment in every session

The course hadiya (fee) is only 490 taka. To join, write Session in a message — I will send you the form link, in sha Allah.

Source: Based on the talk of Shaykh Wahid Abdus Salam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit — Al Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center