Non-Obligatory Prayers and their Timings

• Ashraq (Shuruq or early forenoon prayer): Ishraq Prayer is a nafl prayer which is performed about 12 minutes after sunrise. It has only 2 rakaats, which will take you less than 2 minutes, are equivalent to 360 good deeds. The best way to perform Ishraq prayer is to sit in place after fajr prayer and do dhikir and then leave after performing Ishraq prayers when the sun has risen.

• Chaasht (later forenoon prayer): The former takes place when the sun is nearly in the mid-eastern sky and the second a little before noon. The Chasht prayer has 2 to 12 rak’ats. This prayer has great merit, though it is not Farz, Wajeb or Sunnat. In order to gain excellence and high divine morals, this prayer has been recommended. Nearly all the Prophets used to observed this prayer Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. Great rewards for this prayer have been promised in the traditions.

• Salat Al-Awwabin: Awwabin is the plural of Awwab and this refers to the one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. Salat al-Awwabin refers to optional prayer after Maghrib and before Isha, consists of 6 rak’ahs. Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “He who performs 6 Rak`has after Maghrib while not supplicating against others, it will be as if he has worshipped Allah for twelve consecutive years.

• Tahajjud: After the Isha Namaz till just before dawn. It should preferably be offered after mid­night, getting up from sleep. Normally one should offer Namaz-i-Isha and sleep without offering Namaz-i-wajibul vittar which should be offered after Tahajjud after getting up from sleep late at night.

• Namaz Istakharah (prayer for seeking counsel): Istikharah prayer is a two-rak'ah non-obligatory prayer by which one seeks Allah's guidance when he is confused or can't choose between permissible alternatives. In this case, the Muslim should pray to Allah the Almighty to guide him to whatever He sees fit for him and make his heart satisfied with the decision. In the Prayer, one asks Allah to facilitate the matter if it is good and turn it away if it is not.

• Namaaz Istisqa (prayer for rain): Namaz-e-Istisqa is Mustahab (recommended) and to be prayed when we need rain, i.e. when rain is required. Istisqa means the request of water and rain. Namaz-e-Istisqa is a two Rakat Namaz. But Namaz-e-Estisqa has got an exception that we can pray it in a gathering i.e. Jamaat Namaaz.

• Salat Al-Tasbih (Prayer for forgiveness of all sins): This salaat (namaz) is offered in four rakat at a time and can be read in any part of the day and night but is preferred before Zuhr. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said if you can pray this salah once a day, if you can not pray once a day then every Friday, and even if this is not possible then once a month and even if this is not possible then once a year and even if this is not possible then at least once in a lifetime