What Is Salat Al-Awwabin?

Praise be to Allah.

Salat Al-Awwabin is otherwise known as Salat Ad-Duha, and may consist of 2, 4, 6 or 8 Rak`ahs.

Best Time to Pray Salat Al-Awwabin

Salat Al-Awwabin should be prayed after the sun has risen and before the time for Dhuhr approaches. It is better to delay it until the day is hotter.

Hadiths on Salat Al-Awabin

The evidence for Salat Al-Awwabin is as follows:

From Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to the people of Quba and found them praying. He said: Salat Al-Awwabin is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand). (Narrated by Muslim, 1238)

According to a report narrated by Imam Ahmad from Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to or entered the mosque at Quba after the sun had risen, and found the people there praying. He said: Salat Ad-Duha should be prayed when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand).

According to a report narrated by Muslim from Al-Qasim Ash-Shaybani, Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) saw some people praying Duha and said: Do they not know that praying at some other time than this is better? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Salat Al-Awwabin is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand). (Narrated by Muslim, 1237)

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The phrase Salat Al-Awwabin is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand) refers to when the sand becomes unbearably hot from the sun’s heat, and burns the soles of the young camels feet, so they alternately raise and lower their feet in response to the heat of the sand.

Al-Awwab means one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. The Hadith also refers to the best time to offer this prayer, although it is permissible to pray it any time after the sun has risen and before it reaches its zenith. (End quote from Sharh Muslim)

For more details, please see the following answers:

Should One Make Up Duha Prayer?

Can You Pray Duha If You Missed Fajr?

Can You Pray Duha at Work?

And Allah knows best.