🌙 Prayers with Sunnah – The Hidden Beauty of Our Daily Salah

 🌙 Let's learn about The Hidden Beauty of Our Daily Salah

Sunnah prayers 🤲 

When we hear the word prayer, our mind instantly thinks of the five daily obligatory salah – Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. These prayers are the backbone of a Muslim’s life. But what many of us overlook, or sometimes rush through, are the sunnah prayers connected to them. And believe me, once you truly understand the value and beauty of sunnah, your salah experience will never feel the same again.

So today, let’s walk together through this journey of “Prayers with Sunnah”, and explore why they’re so much more than just “extra” rak‘ahs.

🌿 What Are Sunnah Prayers?

The term sunnah means “the way” or “tradition” of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In terms of salah, sunnah prayers are those additional rak‘ahs that the Prophet ﷺ used to pray regularly along with the fard (obligatory) ones.

They’re not mandatory, but skipping them means we’re missing out on massive blessings. Imagine being invited to a royal feast — the fard prayers are like the main meal, but the sunnah are the special side dishes that complete the table and make your experience richer. Wouldn’t you want the full spread?

☀️ Example: Fajr Prayer with Sunnah

Let’s start with Fajr.

Fard: 2 rak‘ahs (obligatory)

Sunnah before Fard: 2 rak‘ahs

Now, you may wonder, “It’s just 2 rak‘ahs sunnah, what difference does it make?”

The Prophet ﷺ said about these sunnah:

 “The two rak‘ahs before Fajr are better than this world and everything in it.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Pause for a second and let that sink in. This dunya with all its wealth, power, and beauty — and just two rak‘ahs of sunnah before Fajr is better? That shows us the spiritual weight of even the “smallest” sunnah prayer.

🕌 The Structure of Daily Prayers with Sunnah

To get a clearer picture, here’s how the daily prayers look when we include sunnah (according to the Hanafi view, with small differences in other madhhabs):

Fajr: 2 sunnah + 2 fard

Dhuhr: 4 sunnah + 4 fard + 2 sunnah + (2 nafl)

Asr: 4 sunnah + 4 fard

Maghrib: 3 fard + 2 sunnah + (2 nafl)

Isha: 4 sunnah + 4 fard + 2 sunnah + (2 nafl + 3 witr + 2 nafl)

Now, some might think, “That looks like a lot!” But if you break it down, these sunnah prayers are short and light, and once you form the habit, they become as natural as brushing your teeth.

🌸 Why Sunnah Prayers Matter?

Here are a few gems about why sunnah rak‘ahs are priceless:

1. They Complete Our Fard Salah

Let’s be real. None of us can pray with perfect concentration every time. Our mind drifts, we forget verses, or we rush. Sunnah prayers act as a buffer to fill the gaps.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

 “The first thing a person will be called to account for on the Day of Judgment is his prayer… If it is lacking, Allah will say: ‘Look, does My servant have any voluntary (sunnah) prayers?’ And the obligatory prayer will be completed with them.”

(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

Just imagine! Those “extra” sunnah rak‘ahs might be the reason our salah passes on the Day of Judgment.

2. They Bring Us Closer to Allah

Sunnah is like a secret meeting place with Allah. Obligatory prayers are like attending school — you have to go. But sunnah is like extra time with your favorite teacher who helps you grow and shine.

In a hadith qudsi, Allah says:

 “My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him…”

(Bukhari)

Is there anything greater than earning Allah’s love?

3. They Protect Our Faith

When life gets tough, sunnah prayers give spiritual strength. It’s like exercising daily — your body becomes stronger. With sunnah, your heart and faith become stronger.

🌙 The Peace You Feel in Sunnah

Here’s something many people notice: sunnah prayers have a different sweetness. You’re not rushing because of obligation. Instead, you’re praying purely out of love for Allah and following the way of His Messenger ﷺ.

I remember one brother saying, “Whenever I pray the sunnah after Maghrib, it feels like I’m sealing my day with calmness. It’s like Allah is telling me, don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

And that’s exactly the gift of sunnah — that quiet peace no worldly thing can give.

🌼 Practical Tips to Start Loving Sunnah Prayers

1. Begin Small: If you find it hard to pray all sunnah, start with the 2 rak‘ahs before Fajr. Once you taste the sweetness, slowly add others.

2. Think of Rewards: Remind yourself of the hadith — just 2 rak‘ahs before Fajr = better than the whole world.

3. Make Sunnah Light: The Prophet ﷺ used to pray them short, reciting Surah Ikhlas and Surah Kafirun sometimes. Don’t overburden yourself.

4. Consistency Beats Quantity: Better to pray a few sunnah daily than all one day and none the next.

5. Create an Atmosphere: Find a quiet spot, away from distractions, and treat your sunnah as a private conversation with Allah.

🔮 What Happens If We Ignore Sunnah?

This is where many of us slip. We think, “It’s just sunnah, no big deal.” But the scholars say that constantly abandoning sunnah mu’akkadah (the emphasized sunnah) without excuse is a sign of spiritual weakness.

It doesn’t make a person sinful like missing fard, but it surely makes our hearts less attached to the Prophet ﷺ’s lifestyle. And who among us wants that?

✨ The Exciting Part

Now here’s where the journey gets even more beautiful. Sunnah prayers are not just tied to the five daily salah. There are other sunnah and nafl prayers like Tahajjud (night prayer), Ishraq (after sunrise), Duha (mid-morning), and Awwabin (after Maghrib) that unlock new levels of closeness to Allah.

👉 And that’s exactly what we’ll explore in the next part of this series.

We’ll dive into how these “extra” prayers are actually superpowers that can transform your daily routine into a spiritual adventure.

So, if today you discovered the hidden gems of prayers with sunnah, stay tuned — because the next chapter might just change how you look at salah forever.

💬 Question for you: Do you usually pray the sunnah with your daily salah, or do you find yourself skipping them often? Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear how sunnah prayers fit into your life!

🛑 Disclaimer: This blog is for general Islamic awareness and friendly guidance only. For personal issues, always consult a qualified Islamic scholar or local Shariah board. Every situation is unique, and rulings can vary based on details.