The Messenger of Allah [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] performed prayers beyond the five obligatory ones, though they were not prescribed as fard (obligatory). These are known as nawafil (voluntary prayers), and they hold a special place in the books of Islamic jurisprudence.
Among the many righteous deeds a believer can perform in daily life, voluntary prayers stand out as acts of devotion that draw one closer to Allah. The Companions, who emulated every practice of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam], were steadfast in performing them, for the Messenger himself encouraged and advised his companions to do so.
Each voluntary prayer offered between the five obligatory ones carries its own unique merit and virtue. Yet, the most excellent among them is the Tahajjud prayer — performed between the night (Isha) and dawn (Fajr) prayers. Known as the “night prayer,” it is the luminous worship of the lovers, the sincere, and the devout — a sacred time of intimate communion between the servant and his Lord, when the world sleeps and hearts awaken in sincerity.
It is a time when prayers are accepted, when hearts are softened, and the soul is filled with tranquility. The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] said:
“Observe the night prayer, for it was the practice of the righteous before you. It brings you nearer to your Lord, expiates sins, and protects you from wrongdoing.”
Apart from Tahajjud, there is also the Wudu (Ablution) Prayer, performed after taking ablution whenever it is not a disliked time for prayer. This was a practice highly valued by the righteous. The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] said:
“Whoever performs ablution well, then stands to perform two rak‘ahs of prayer with full devotion of heart and mind, Paradise becomes obligatory for him.”
