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Times for Ishraq and Chasht Prayers By Mufti Ebrahim Desai POSTED: 18 SHAWWAL 1423, 23 DECEMBER 2002 Q.) What's the starting, ending and Mustahab time for Ishraaq and Chaast Prayers? [Muhammad Faizan] A.) In a lengthy Hadith, Sayyidna Ali, Radi-Allahu anhu, is reported to have said, 'In the morning when the sun rises to the height of that the same as it is at the time of Asr, the Prophet used to perform 2 Rakaats (Salatul Ishraaq). When the sun rose in the east to the height where it is in the west at the time of Dhuhr Salat, he performed 4 Rakaats (Salat al-Dhuhaa, Chast).' (Shamaail Tirmidhi, Hadith No.271) According to the Fuqahaa (jurists) and Muhadditheen (scholars of Hadith), the time for Salat al-Dhuhaa is from the morning after the Makrooh time passes till Zawaal. But according to the Sufis this period covers the time for two separate Salats, one is Ishraaq and the other is Dhuhaa. The Sufis substantiate their view from the above mentioned Hadith of Sayyidna Ali, Radi-Allahu anhu, and other narrations. (Khasaail Nabawiy pg.292) Ishraaq Salat Rasulullah is reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala says, 'O son of Aadam, perform 4 Rakaats of Salat (Ishraaq) in the early part of the day. I shall help you in accomplishing all your responsibilities during the rest of the day.' (Mishkaat pg.116) In another narration of Tirmidhi, Rasulullah is reported to have said, 'He who performs Fajr Salat with Jamaat and remains seated in the same place while engaging in Dhikr until after sunrise and thereafter performs 2 Rakaats Nafil Salat, (Ishraaq), he will obtain the Thawaab of one Hajj and one Umrah.' (Tirmidhi). From the above Ahaadith, we learn that the number of Rakaats to be performed are 2 or 4 Rakaats, and the Mustahabb method of performing it is to remain seated in your place of Salat after Fajr and engage in Dhikr, etc. until sunrise. Then, approximately, 10-15 minutes after sunrise perform 2-4 Rakaats. 'If a person gets occupied in some worldly activity after the Fajr Salat, and after sunrise he offers Ishraaq Salat, this will also be permissible although the reward will be less.' (Bahishti Zewar part2 pg.30) Dhuhaa Salat Sayyidna Anas, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whoever performs 12 Rakaats of Salat al-Dhuhaa, Allah Ta' ala will build for him a castle of gold in Jannah.' (Mishkaat pg.116) It is reported that Sayyidna Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) used to perform 8 Rakaats of Salat al-Dhuhaa. She said that even if her parents arose from the grave, she would not leave Salat al-Dhuhaa to go and meet them. (Ibid). Rasulullah is reported to have said, 'Whoever offers 2 Rakaats of Salat al-Dhuhaa, all his sins will be forgiven even though they are as much as the foam of the sea.' (Ibid) 'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505) The Mustahabb (preferred) time of performing Salat al-Dhuhaa is after 1/4 of the day has passed. This is deduced from a Hadith of Muslim. (Halabi; Sharah Kabeer pg.390). From many Ahaadith, we understand that Salat al-Dhuhaa should be performed after the sun has risen quiet high. Because the Fuqahaa and Muhadditheen are of the opinion that the commencement of the time of Salat al-Dhuhaa is the same as that of Ishraaq (i.e. immediately after sunrise), the Ulama have stated that 'if due to lack of time, one performs the Salat of Ishraaq and Dhuhaa together at one time, that too will be correct.' (Our Namaas pg.44) And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best http://albalagh.net/qa/ishraq_chasht_times.shtml