Salat ad-Duha: the forenoon prayer

Salat ad-Duha (also called Salat al-Awwabin) is a voluntary prayer offered in the forenoon.

When is the time for Duha?

From roughly fifteen to twenty minutes after sunrise until just before the sun reaches its zenith, shortly before Dhuhr. The best time is when the heat intensifies: "The prayer of the oft-returning is when the young camels feel the heat of the sun." (Sahih Muslim 748)

How many rak'ahs is Duha?

A minimum of two, prayed in pairs. Abu Hurayrah said: "My close friend ﷺ advised me with three things: fasting three days of each month, two rak'ahs of Duha, and praying Witr before I sleep." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1178) Eight rak'ahs are also reported from the Prophet's ﷺ practice.

What is the reward of Duha?

"Every morning charity is owed by every joint of a person. Every tasbihah is charity, every tahmidah is charity, every tahlilah is charity, every takbirah is charity, enjoining good is charity, forbidding evil is charity — and two rak'ahs of Duha suffice for all of that." (Sahih Muslim 720)

Is Duha connected to the night prayer?

Yes, in spirit. Those who miss the night are encouraged to keep the voluntary prayers of the day; the Prophet ﷺ, when he missed his night prayer due to sleep or illness, would pray twelve rak'ahs during the day. (Sahih Muslim 746) Duha is the daytime counterpart of standing at night.