The Sunnah of Duha (Forenoon) Prayer: When and how it should be prayed

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and security―and his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly until the establishment of the Hour.

The Duhā prayer is a Sunnah encouraged by Allah’s Messenger (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) for his Companions and the believers — and he would sometimes perform it. He prayed 8 rak’ahs Duhā prayer on the day of the conquest of Makkah. So it is an emphasised Sunnah.

Its time is from the rising of the sun when it reaches the height of a spear in the sky (usually 20 minutes after sunrise) until before it reaches its full height (noon) before Dhuhr. If it is prayed at its earliest time or thereafter, the Sunnah of Duhā is fulfilled. However, its best time is later when the earth is at its warmest due to the saying of the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) about the Duhā Prayer: “The prayer of the repentant ones is offered when the young weaned camels feel the heat of the Sun.” (Muslim, no. 748)

A person should recite in it whatever is easy for him from the Surahs of Quran, and ayāt of the Quran. The least number of rak’ahs to be prayed are two with one tasleem at the end. A person can also pray four, six or eight or more — and he makes tasleem after every two rak’ahs. The Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) prayed eight rak’ahs on the day of the conquest of Makkah — and he made tasleem after every two.

‘A’ishah (radiyallāhu ‘anhā) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) would pray four rak’ahs of Duhā prayer (at the forenoon) and would add to them whatever Allah willed. (Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah (radiyallāhu ‘anhu) said: “My friend (the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam)) advised me with three things:
(1) to fast three days a month,
(2) to pray two rak’ahs of Duhā prayer, and,
(3) to pray witr before sleeping.” (Bukhārī, no. 1981)

End.

See: Noor ‘alad-Darb of Ibn Bāz (#10014 website).