In addition to the five obligatory (fard) prayers, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly performed voluntary (Sunnah) prayers that carry immense reward and bring the servant closer to Allah ﷻ. These prayers are categorized as Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly emphasized, the Prophet ﷺ rarely missed them) and Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah (encouraged but less strongly emphasized).
The Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Rawatib) prayers are 12 rak'ahs daily: 2 before Fajr, 4 before Dhuhr, 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after Isha. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays twelve rak'ahs during the day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise." (Sahih Muslim). The 2 rak'ahs before Fajr were especially dear to the Prophet ﷺ — he said: "The two rak'ahs of Fajr (Sunnah) are better than the world and everything in it."
Other important Sunnah prayers include: Salat al-Duha (forenoon prayer, prayed from sunrise + 15 minutes until about 15 minutes before Dhuhr), which can be 2, 4, 6, or 8 rak'ahs. Tahajjud / Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), prayed in the last third of the night, which the Prophet ﷺ described as the best prayer after the obligatory ones. Salat al-Witr (odd-numbered prayer prayed at the end of the night prayer), which can be 1, 3, 5, 7, or more rak'ahs. Salat al-Istikharah (prayer for guidance), prayed when making important decisions.
Our Living the Sunnah program includes dedicated weeks for each type of Sunnah prayer. You will learn the correct method, the virtues and rewards, the best times, and any specific du'as associated with each prayer. The tracking system allows you to mark which Sunnah prayers you perform daily, helping you build consistency. Start with the Rawatib prayers and gradually add Duha and Tahajjud as they become part of your routine.