How to Perform Dhuha Prayer: A Simple and Concise Guide

The beauty of the morning after the Fajr prayer becomes even more meaningful by engaging in voluntary acts of worship (nafl / sunnah), such as the Dhuha prayer (Ṣalāt al-Ḍuḥā). But what exactly is the Dhuha prayer?

In the Holy Qur’ān, Surah al-Nāzi‘āt (29:29), the word ḍuḥā is interpreted as "bright morning" or "forenoon light". This aligns with the usage in Surah Ṭāhā (20:119), where it signifies the "heat of the sun". Linguistically, ḍuḥā refers to "sunlight" or the "sun". Technically in Islamic jurisprudence (sharī‘ah), the Dhuha prayer is a voluntary prayer performed when the sun has fully risen in the morning.

The significance of the Dhuha period is so profound that Allah SWT swears by it in Surah al-Ḍuḥā: "By the morning brightness" (Wa al-ḍuḥā). According to Imam al-Rāzī, when Allah SWT swears by something in the Qur'ān, it signifies its immense virtue and greatness. Thus, the grandeur of the forenoon is manifested in the recommendation to perform the Dhuha prayer during this period.

When is the Time to Perform Dhuha Prayer?

The time for Dhuha prayer begins in the morning, approximately 20 to 30 minutes after sunrise (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear or about seven cubits). The period ends shortly before the time for Dhuhr prayer begins (approximately 10 minutes prior to Dhuhr).

Legal Status (Ḥukm) of Dhuha Prayer

The Dhuha prayer falls under the category of sunnah (voluntary/recommended) worship. Omitting it carries no sin; however, whoever performs it attains abundant rewards and divine blessings.

How Many Rak‘ahs (Units) is the Prayer?

The Dhuha prayer can be performed in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 rak‘ahs, performed in sets of two rak‘ahs terminated with one taslīm (salutation).

1. Two Rak‘ahs

Based on a Ḥadīth Qudsī narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) said that Allah SWT said:

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ، صَلِّ لِي أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَهُ

"O son of Adam, pray four rak‘ahs for Me at the beginning of the day, and I will suffice you [in your needs] until the end of it."

— Narrated by al-Ṭabarānī

2. Eight Rak‘ahs

Narrated by Umm Hāni’ (may Allah be pleased with her):

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed eight rak‘ahs of Dhuha prayer on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, offering the taslīm after every two rak‘ahs."

— Narrated by Abū Dāwūd

3. Twelve Rak‘ahs

Narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):

"I asked Abū Dharr, 'O uncle, advise me.' He replied, 'Your question is identical to what I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If you pray two rak‘ahs of Dhuha, you will not be written among the heedless. If you pray four rak‘ahs, you will be recorded among the devout worshipers (al-‘Ābidīn). If you pray six rak‘ahs, no sin will follow you on that day. If you pray eight rak‘ahs, you will be recorded among the constantly obedient (al-Qānitīn). And if you pray twelve rak‘ahs, Allah will build for you a palace in Paradise...'"

— Narrated by al-Bazzār

Step-by-Step Method to Perform Dhuha Prayer

1. Intention (Niyyah)

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ الضُّحَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Uṣallī sunnata al-ḍuḥā rak‘ataini lillāhi ta‘ālā.

Translation:

"I intend to perform two rak‘ahs of the Sunnah Dhuha prayer for the sake of Allah the Almighty."

2. The First Rak‘ah

1. Begin with Takbīrat al-Iḥrām (اللهُ أَكْبَرُ — Allāhu Akbar) while forming the intention in the heart.
2. Recite the opening supplication (Du‘ā’ al-Iftitāḥ).
3. Recite Surah al-Fātiḥah.
4. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kāfirūn or Surah al-Shams.
5. Perform Rukū‘ (bowing) and ‘Itidāl (standing upright).
6. Perform Sujūd (prostration), sit between the two prostrations, and perform the second prostration.

3. The Second Rak‘ah

1. Rise for the second rak‘ah with the Takbīr.
2. Recite Surah al-Fātiḥah.
3. It is recommended to recite Surah al-Ikhlāṣ or Surah al-Ḍuḥā.
4. Perform Rukū‘ and ‘Itidāl.
5. Perform the two prostrations with the sitting in between.
6. Sit for the final Tashahhud (al-Taḥiyyāt al-Ākhirah).
7. Conclude the prayer by giving Taslīm to the right and left.
8. Recite Surah al-Fātiḥah and engage in short remembrances (wirid).
9. Recite the Supplication for Dhuha (Du‘ā’ al-Ḍuḥā) after the prayer.

Supplication for Dhuha Prayer (Du‘ā’ al-Ḍuḥā)

The following supplication is traditionally recommended to be recited upon completing the Dhuha prayer:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ الضُّحَاءَ ضُحَاؤُكَ ، وَالْبَهَاءَ بَهَاؤُكَ ، وَالْجَمَالَ جَمَالُكَ ، وَالْقُوَّةَ قُوَّتُكَ ، وَالْقُدْرَةَ قُدْرَتُكَ ، وَالْعِصْمَةَ عِصْمَتُكَ .

اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ رِزْقِي فِي السَّمَاءِ فَأَنْزِلْهُ ، وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَأَخْرِجْهُ ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مُعَسَّرًا فَيَسِّرْهُ ، وَإِنْ كَانَ حَرَامًا فَطَهِّرْهُ ، وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعِيدًا فَقَرِّبْهُ ، بِحَقِّ ضُحَائِكَ وَبَهَائِكَ وَجَمَالِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ آتِنِي مَا آتَيْتَ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ.

Allāhumma inna al-ḍuḥā’a ḍuḥā’uka, wa al-bahā’a bahā’uka, wa al-jamāla jamāluka, wa al-quwwata quwwatuka, wa al-qudrata qudratuka, wa al-‘iṣmata ‘iṣmatuka.

Allāhumma in kāna rizqī fī al-samā’i fa-anzilhu, wa in kāna fī al-arḍi fa-akhrijhu, wa in kāna mu‘assaran 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 ‘ibādaka al-ṣāliḥīn.

Translation:

"O Allah! Indeed, the morning brightness is Your brightness, the elegance is Your elegance, the beauty is Your beauty, the strength is Your strength, the power is Your power, and the protection is Your protection.

O Allah! If my sustenance is in the heavens, send it down; if it is in the earth, bring it forth; if it is difficult, make it easy; if it is unlawful, purify it; and if it is far, bring it near. By the right of Your morning brightness, Your elegance, Your beauty, Your strength, and Your power, grant me that which You have granted to Your righteous servants."