Life… It tends to get so busy that we almost forget how blessed we are to have all that we have. If we just take a moment to look around, we will find ourselves wrapped around Allah’s blessings. But what do we give Allah in return for the abundant blessings we have access to? 

Not that Allah would ever require something from us; however, shouldn’t we as His Creation try to practise gratitude in every manner we can? 

The best manner to show our gratitude to Allah is to pray. However, our prayers are not just limited to the 5 daily obligatory prayers. There are also the Sunnah and Nafil prayers, which are a very good way to get closer to Allah. 

However, many find it confusing to differentiate between the Sunnah and Nafil prayers. Therefore, in this blog, we will be diving into the differences between these two sets of prayers. 

What are the Sunnah Prayers? 

The Sunnah prayers are those that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to pray throughout the day in addition to the 5 obligatory prayers. There are a total of 12 Sunnah prayers which the Prophet (SAW) used to pray without fail, unless he was travelling. These 12 Sunnah prayers are: 

• 2 rak'ahs before Fajr
  
  

• 4 rak'ahs before Dhuhr
  
  

• 2 rak'ahs after Dhuhr
  
  

• 2 rak'ahs after Maghrib
  
  

• 2 rak'ahs after Isha 

These Sunnah prayers are also called Rawatib, which means "regularly observed", and all of them are highly recommended and have many rewards. 

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Whoever prays twelve rak'ahs of voluntary prayer in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise: four before Dhuhr, two after Dhuhr, two after Maghrib, two after Isha, and two before Fajr." (Tirmidhi)

This hadith serves as a motivation for many Muslims to regularly pray the 12 Sunnah prayers consistently in addition to the 5 obligatory prayers. 

What are the Nafil Prayers? 

Nafil prayers are the extra prayers that you can perform at any time of the day or night, except for the times when prayer is forbidden. They are also called "supererogatory" prayers. 

Nafil prayers are optional and have great rewards, but they are not as emphasized as the Sunnah prayers. However, Nafil prayers are another great way to get closer to Allah throughout the day. 

One of the most important Nafil prayers is the Tahajjud prayer, which is performed in the last part of the night. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "In the night, there is a moment when a Muslim will ask for good for the matters of this world and the Hereafter, it will be given to him; and that happens every night." (Sunan Ibn Majah)

This hadith highlights the importance of praying the Nafil Tahajjud prayer in the special portion of the night when supplications are most likely to be answered by Allah. 

Difference Between the Sunnah and Nafil Prayers

Here are three main differences between the Sunnah and Nafil Prayers: 

1. Number and Timing 

One of the main differences between Sunnah and Nafil prayers is that Sunnah prayers have a fixed number and timing, whereas Nafil prayers have no limit and can be performed at any time. 

For instance, there are two rak'ahs of Sunnah prayer before Fajr, four rak'ahs before Dhuhr, two rak'ahs after Dhuhr, four rak’ahs before Asr, two rak'ahs after Maghrib, and two rak'ahs after Isha. These Sunnah prayers were performed by the Prophet (SAW) at the prescribed timings before and after each obligatory prayer. 

On the other hand, there are no fixed Nafil prayers for any of the five daily prayers as it is with the Sunnah prayers, which are 12 in number per day. When it comes to the Nafil prayers, you can pray as many rak'ahs as you want, whenever you want. 

2. Reason for Praying

Another difference between the two lies in the fact that Sunnah prayers are derived from the habitual practices of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), whereas Nafl prayers are voluntary and stem from the occasional practices of the Prophet. This means that people have the discretion to perform Nafl prayers according to their personal inclinations.

Therefore, this also implies that Sunnah prayers are relatively highly recommended for Muslims to adhere to, as they emulate the strict practice of the best of Allah’s creation. 

Where Nafil prayers are optional for Muslims to perform, they too are very rewarding and beneficial, as they show our sincerity and gratitude to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer." (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith highlights how important the Nafil prayers can be, especially if they are performed during the solitude of the night. 

3. Reward

Since the Sunnah prayers were strictly observed by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), they have more reward and virtue than the Nafil prayers. However this should not diminish the importance of Nafil prayers in any way. 

Rabi’ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, ”Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said, “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise. ” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet (SAW) said to him, “Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers)” (Abu Dawud)

This hadith highlights the great virtue of Sunnah prayers. Nafil prayers are a beautiful and flexible way for Muslims to engage in additional acts of worship and to seek closeness to Allah at any time and in any situation. 

However, if an occasion arises where you can either perform the Sunnah prayers or the Nafil, it would be advisable to pray to Sunnah due to its significant reward highlighted by the Prophet (SAW). 

Ishraq: 2 Nafil 

Dhuhr: 2 Nafil After Praying

How many Sunnah and Nafil are there in each prayer? 

• Fajr: There are two Sunnah prayers before the Fard prayer of Fajr. There is no Nafil prayer after Fajr as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “There is no prayer after Fajr until the sun has risen fully, and no prayer after 'Asr until the sun has set.” (Bukhari). 

  
  
  

• Ishraq (Sunrise): This is a Nafil prayer that is performed 15 minutes after Sunrise. Although it is optional, there are many virtues associated with the Ishraq Nafil prayer. 

  
  
  

• Dhuhr: There are four Sunnah prayers before the Fard prayer of Dhuhr and two Sunnah prayers after it. There is also an optional Nafil prayer of two rak'ahs after the Sunnah prayer.

  
  
  

• Asr: There are four Sunnah prayers before the Fard prayer of Asr. There is no Sunnah or Nafil prayer after Asr.

• Maghrib: There are three Fard prayers in Maghrib. There are two Sunnah prayers after the Fard prayer. There is also an optional Nafil prayer of two rak'ahs after the Sunnah prayer.

  
  
  

• Isha: There are four Fard prayers in Isha. There are two Sunnah prayers after the Fard prayer and three Wajib prayers (Witr) after that. There is also an optional Nafil prayer of two rak'ahs before the Witr prayer.

  
  
  

Where the number of Sunnah prayers with each obligatory prayer is clearly prescribed from the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), the number Nafil prayers can be adjusted based on your own preference. 

What is the difference between Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Nafil? 

We’ve all heard of Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Nafil prayers, but do you know what the difference is among them? Many Muslims often get confused between the different types of prayers. 

Here is a brief explanation of why each of the 4 prayers are performed: 

• Fard means obligatory. These are the 5 daily prayers that are compulsory for every Muslim to perform. These are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. 

• Wajib means necessary. These are the acts that are very close to being obligatory, but not quite. They are also binding on every Muslim, but their omission is not sinful unlike the Fard prayers. Some examples of Wajib acts are the Eid prayers, the Witr prayer, and the funeral prayer.

• Sunnah means the way or practice of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). These are the acts that he performed regularly and encouraged his followers to do as well. There are a total of 12 daily Sunnah prayers.  

  
  
  

• Nafil means additional or extra. These are the acts that go beyond what is required or recommended. They are also not obligatory, but they are very virtuous and beneficial. Some examples of Nafil acts are the Tahajjud prayer at night and the Ishraq (sunrise) prayer. 

  
  
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can see that Sunnah and Nafil prayers are both optional but highly recommended forms of worship that enhance our relationship with Allah and increase our rewards in the Hereafter.

If you happen to face difficulty in being consistent with your Sunnah and Nafil prayers, there are always certain tips you can follow to get better. We should also remember that Allah loves those who are consistent in their deeds, even if they are small. The Prophet (SAW) said, "The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little." (Bukhari)

May Allah accept our prayers and grant us His mercy and forgiveness. Ameen.

Vocabulary List:

Mushaf: Arabic for a codex or collection of sheets, but also refers to a written copy of the Quran.

Rabb: Sustainer, Cherisher

Tilawa: Recitation of Quran

Azkaar: Repeated remembrance Of Allah

Hasanat: Credit for good deeds

Ayats: Verses