Specific Optional Prayers

An- Nawafil zawwatil asaab- Specific Optional Prayers

Those that are highly recommended to do consistently also known as  'Sunnah Ar Rawatib, sunnah prayer associated with fard prayer

`Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is a Salat (prayer) between every Adhan and Iqamah; there is a Salat between every Adhan and Iqamah.'' (While saying the same for the) third time (he (PBUH) added), "It is for him who desires (to perform it).''
~Al-Bukhari and Muslim

The Prophet (saas) said, Allaah will build a house in Heaven for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak'aat (as follows): 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr (Midday) Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib (Sunset Prayer), 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ (Evening) Prayer and 2 before the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer."

~ Hadith sahih narrated by at-Tirmidhi No. 379 and by others. Hadith No. 6183 in Sahih al-Jaami

They are regarded as sunnah attached to obligatory prayer.

These sunnah include:

Sunnah of Fajr -2 before

Sunnah of Dhuhr- 4 before and 2 after

Sunnah of Maghrib- 2 after

Sunnah of Isha- 2 after

The Prophet (saas) would consistently adhere to these prayers and also encourage the believers to do the same as a means of getting closer to Allah.

Prophet (saas) said:

•  “Prostrate as much as you can, because whenever you prostrate, Allah elevates your rank by a degree and wipes out a sin from your record” (Muslim)
• “Whenever a servant prostrates to Allah, Allah writes a reward for him, wipes out one of his sins and elevates his rank by one degree; so prostrate as much as you can” (Ibn Majah)

* If these are missed for any specific reason you may make them up. Some scholars say if you were consistent with making them then try to make-up the ones missed.

Evidence on missing Sunnah of Fajr

Qais bin Fahad who said: "The Prophet (saas) saw me performing two Rak'ah of prayers after finishing the Fajr prayer He asked: 'What are these two Raka'h?' "What is this prayer?" I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I did not perform the two Raka'h that precede the prayer of Fajr, so I performed them now" [ Ahmad , Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhii ].

The Prophet (saas) did not make any comment. So, the silence of the Prophet (saas) proves that it is permitted. However, it is likeable to perform these two Sunnah Raka'h if one misses doing them before Fajr after the sunrise.

 The Prophet (saas) said: "Whoever missed to performing the two Raka'h of Fajr he should perform them after sunrise" [ al-Tirmidhi ].