Many of us seek peace of mind and a smooth flow of sustenance amidst the busyness of daily life. One of the “paths from heaven” taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is to perform Dhuha prayer. This sunnah worship is often referred to as the key to unlocking the door to sustenance and is valued as charity for all the joints of the body.
However, the question often arises: what is the best time to pray Dhuha (Duha) prayer? Is it permissible to pray Dhuha at 6:30 AM? Or, what is the correct intention (niyyah) for the Dhuha prayer and its supplication according to the guidance of scholars?
In this article, we will thoroughly discuss a guide to the Dhuha prayer based on references from authoritative classical fiqh texts, namely Fath al-Mu’in by Sheikh Zain al-Din Al-Malibari and its commentary, I’anah at-Talibin.
What is Dhuha Prayer?
Simply put, Dhuha prayer is a sunnah prayer performed in the morning when the sun begins to rise until before the time of Dhuhr. In the book Fathul Mu’in, its special status is explained:
ويسن ( الضحى ) لقوله تعالى : * ( يسبحن بالعشي والاشراق ) * قال ابن عباس : صلاة الاشراق صلاة الضحى
(And) it is sunnah to pray (Dhuha – a voluntary prayer offered after sunrise) based on the word of Allah Ta’ala: ‘They glorify in the evenings and in the mornings (Isyraq).’ Ibn Abbas said: ‘Isyraq prayer is the Dhuha prayer.’
This shows that the benefits of the Dhuha prayer are very great, even likened to the glorification of the universe.
Dhuha Prayer Time: When Does it Start and End?
Knowing dhuha time is very important so that our worship is valid. Based on the book I’anah at-Talibin, there are two phases of time that you need to understand.
1. Initial and Limit Time for Dhuha Prayer
What time does the Dhuha prayer start? The time begins when the sun rises to the height of a spear (approximately 15-20 minutes after sunrise).
- Is it permissible to pray Dhuha at 6 AM? If the sun has just risen (syuruq) at 6 am, it is best to wait a little while until the sun has risen higher (around 06.15 or 06.30 depending on location and season) to avoid the disliked time.
- The deadline for the Dhuha prayer is until the sun declines or just before the time of Dhuhr (the zawal phase).
2. Prime Time (Optional Time)
Although it can be done very early in the morning, there is a preferred time or time of opportunity.
والاختيار فعلها عند مضي ربع النهار لحديث صحيح فيه
The preferred (optional/best) time is to do it after a quarter of the day has passed, based on a sahih hadith.
So, what time is the best time to pray Dhuha (Duha) prayer? The answer is around 9:00 to 10:00 AM. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called it Shalat Awwabin (the prayer of those who repent), which is when the camel calf starts to feel the heat of the sun.
Number of Raka’ahs in the Dhuha Prayer
How many rak’ahs should we perform for Dhuha (mid-morning) prayer?
- Minimal: 2 cycles (of prayer).
- Maximum: The majority of scholars state 8 rak’ahs based on a hadith below, however, there is an opinion in the book Ar-Rawdah that allows up to 12 rak’ahs.
In the narration of Abu Dawud:
صلى سبحة الضحى ثماني ركعات , وسلم من كل ركعتين
Meaning:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed the Dhuha prayer of 8 rak’ahs and gave the salam after every two rak’ahs.
The Procedure for Performing the Dhuha Prayer (4 Rakaat)
If you want to perform the Dhuha prayer of 4 rak’ahs or more, the way to do it is to perform 2 rak’ahs with a greeting of peace (salam), then another 2 rak’ahs with a greeting of peace (salam). So, how many salams are there in 4 raka’at? Two. This is based on a hadith narrated by Abu Dawud that the Prophet ﷺ separated every two rak’ahs with a greeting of peace (salam).
Intention and How to Perform the Dhuha Prayer
Here are the procedures for the Dhuha prayer, complete with the intention (niyyah) reading:
1. The Intention (Niyyah) for the Dhuha Prayer
The niat for 2 raka’at (whether at home or elsewhere) is the same for additional raka’at, as you repeat it after each salam, because performing Duha prayer more than 2 rak’ahs is done with 2 rak’ahs of salam and after the salam it is required to have the intention again when takbir al-ihram. Here are the words:
Arabic:
أُصَلِّيْ سُنَّةَ الضُّحَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلهِ تَعَالَى
Latin:
Uṣallī sunnataḍ-ḍuḥā rak‘atayn lillāhi ta‘ālā
Meaning: “I intend to pray the Dhuha (forenoon) sunnah prayer of two rak’ahs for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.”
2. Reciting Short Surahs
In I’anah at-Talibin, the strategy of reading a letter to obtain maximum virtue is explained.
- Common Method: In the first rak’ah, recite Surah Asy-Syams, and in the second rak’ah, recite Ad-Dhuha.
- Imam Ramli’s Method: First rak’ah Al-Kafirun, second rak’ah Al-Ikhlas (because its reward is equivalent to 1/4 and 1/3 of the Qur’an).
- The Most Excellent Method (Combined):
- Rakaah 1: Read Asy-Syams + Al-Kafirun.
- 2nd Rakaat: Read Ad-Dhuha + Al-Ikhlas.
Dhuha Prayer and its Meaning
After finishing the prayer, it is highly recommended to read the Dhuha prayer. Here is the well-known prayer after the Dhuha prayer which is recorded in the book I’anah at-Talibin (Volume 1 Page 295):
1. The Main Prayer of Dhuha Prayer
ويسن ( الضحى ) … ( فائدة ) إذا فرغ من صلاتها دعا بهذا الدعاء
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ الضُّحَاءَ ضُحَاؤُكَ , وَالْبَهَاءَ بَهَاؤُكَ , وَالْجَمَالَ جَمَالُكَ , وَالْقُوَّةَ قُوَّتُكَ , وَالْقُدْرَةَ قُدْرَتُكَ , وَالْعِصْمَةَ عِصْمَتُكَ . اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ رِزْقِيْ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَأَنْزِلْهُ , وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَخْرِجْهُ , وَإِنْ كَانَ مُعْسِرًا فَيَسِّرْهُ , وَإِنْ كَانَ حَرَامًا فَطَهِّرْهُ , وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعِيْدًا فَقَرِّبْهُ , بِحَقِّ ضُحَائِكَ وَبَهَائِكَ وَجَمَالِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ , آتِنِيْ مَا آتَيْتَ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
Latin:
Allāhumma innaḍ-ḍuḥā’a ḍuḥā’uka, wal-bahā’a bahā’uka, wal-jamāla jamāluka, wal-quwwata quwwatuka, wal-qudrata qudratuka, wal-‘iṣmata ‘iṣmatuka.
Allāhumma in kāna rizqī fis-samā’i fa’anzilhu, wa in kāna fil-arḍi fa’akhrijhu, wa in kāna mu‘siran fa-yassirhu, wa in kāna ḥarāman fa-ṭahhirhu, wa in kāna ba‘īdan fa-qarribhu, bi-ḥaqqi ḍuḥā’ika wa bahā’ika wa jamālika wa quwwatika wa qudratika, ātinī mā ātayta ‘ibādakaṣ-ṣāliḥīn.
Meaning: “O Allah, indeed the time of Dhuha is Your time, majesty is Your majesty, beauty is Your beauty, strength is Your strength, power is Your power, and protection is Your protection.”
Oh Allah, if my sustenance is in the heavens, then send it down, if it is on earth, then bring it forth, if it is difficult, then make it easy, if it is forbidden, then make it pure, if it is far, then bring it near. By the right of Your midday sun, Your greatness, Your beauty, Your strength, and Your power, grant me what You grant to Your righteous servants.”
2. Additional Readings After the Dhuha Prayer
Besides the prayer above, the book I’anah at-Talibin also suggests adding the following prayer to strengthen our requests:
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ بِكَ أُصَاوِلُ , وَبِكَ أُحَاوِلُ , وَبِكَ أُقَاتِلُ
Latin:
Allāhumma bika uṣāwilu, wa bika uḥāwilu, wa bika uqātilu.
Meaning: “O Allah, by You I move, by You I strive, and by You I struggle.”
Then concluded with istighfar (seeking forgiveness) 40 or 100 times:
Arabic:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ
Latin:
Rabbi’ghfir lī warḥamnī wa tub ‘alayya innaka anta at-tawwābu ar-raḥīm.
Meaning: O my Lord, have mercy on me, accept my repentance, indeed You are the Most Accepting of repentance and the Most Merciful.
Dhuha Prayer Time Summary Table
| Time Description | Hour (Estimate) | Legal Status |
| Sunrise (Syuruq) | 05.30 – 05.45 | Forbidden/Disliked (Wait) |
| Beginning of Dhuha Time | 06.00 – 06.30 | Permissible (Sun at the height of a spear) |
| Best Time (Effort) | 09.00 – 10.30 | Highly Recommended (1/4 Day) |
| Final Limit | 11.30 – 11.45 | Permissible (Before zawal time) |
| Zawal Time | 11.45 onwards | Prohibited (Sun at its zenith) |
The Benefits of Dhuha Prayer and Conclusion
The benefits of the Dhuha prayer are not just about facilitating material wealth. More than that, it is a form of gratitude for the 360 joints in our bodies that are healthy. By performing it regularly, we are included in the group of Awwabin (servants who return to obedience).
Don’t overburden yourself. You can start with just 2 rak’ahs of Dhuha prayer before leaving for work or during office activities. If you have free time, feel free to add to 4 or 8 rak’ahs.
Hopefully this guide helps you understand the correct way to pray Dhuha. Let’s make Dhuha a necessity, not just a burden of obligation.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What time does the Dhuha prayer start and end?
The Dhuha prayer begins when the sun rises to the height of a spear (about 15 minutes after sunrise) and ends shortly before the time for Dhuhr (about 15 minutes before the Dhuhr call to prayer).
2. Is it permissible to pray Dhuha (forenoon prayer) four rak’ahs at once without saying the salam?
Even though there are opinions that allow it, the most important and in accordance with the sunnah is to perform the greeting every two rak’ahs (matsna-matsna), as explained in the narration of Abu Dawud. This is a matter of preference, but following the sunnah is highly recommended.
3. What is the reading for the Dhuha prayer if you don’t memorize Surah Ad-Dhuha?
No problem. You may read any short letter that you memorize, such as Al-Kafirun or Al-Ikhlas. In fact, according to some scholars, reading Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas has its own merits.
4. Is it permissible to pray Dhuha (forenoon prayer) at 11 AM?
Sure, as long as it’s not yet time when prayer is prohibited (when the sun is directly overhead/zawal). 11 AM is usually still within the permissible time range.
5. Is the ‘Ishraq prayer the same as the Dhuha prayer?
In the book it is mentioned:
والأوجه أن ركعتي الإشراق من الضحى
Meaning:
Strong opinion: the Ishraq prayer is part of the Dhuha prayer.
Reference
Shaṭṭā, ʿUthmān ibn Muḥammad, Abū Bakr (al-Mashhūr bi-al-Bakrī) ad-Dimyāṭī. Iʿānat aṭ-Ṭālibīn ʿalā Ḥall Alfāẓ Fatḥ al-Muʿīn (Commentary on Fatḥ al-Muʿīn with an explanation of Qurrat al-ʿAyn concerning the essentials of religion). 1st ed. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1997.
