Dhuha Prayer, A Key to Blessings

The Duha prayer is one of the sunnah acts of worship widely known among Muslims. Prophet Muhammad SAW consistently performed the Duha prayer and encouraged Muslims to do it as well.

Dr. Triono Ali Mustofa, S.Pd.I., M.Pd.I., Lecturer of Islamic Education at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, explained that the legal ruling of performing the Duha prayer is sunnah mu’akkadah, a sunnah strongly emphasized by the Prophet. “The reward is immense for those who perform it regularly,” Triono said on Friday (18/9/2025).

The virtues of the Duha prayer are also reflected in the Qur’an, in Surah Ad-Duha:

وَالضُّحٰىۙ‏ ١ وَالَّيۡلِ اِذَا سَجٰىۙ‏ ٢ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلٰىؕ‏ ٣

By the morning brightness, and by the night when it grows still. Your Lord has neither forsaken you, O Muhammad, nor does He detest you. (QS. Ad-Duha: 1–3)

Likewise, in a hadith narrated by Muslim, the Prophet SAW said:

“Each joint of the human body must perform an act of charity every day. Every tasbih is charity, every tahmid is charity, every tahlil is charity, every takbir is charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil is charity. And all of this can be fulfilled by two rak‘ahs of Duha prayer.” (HR. Muslim)

The procedure for performing the Duha prayer is not much different from other prayers. Triono explained that there are five steps in performing the Duha prayer:

1. Intend in the heart to perform the Duha prayer.
2. Perform at least 2 rak‘ahs and at most 12 rak‘ahs.
3. The Duha prayer is performed two rak‘ahs at a time with one salām.
4. The surah recited after Al-Fatihah is not specified.
5. After finishing, it is recommended to pray, as that time is considered a moment when prayers are likely to be answered, especially for sustenance, forgiveness, and blessings in this world and the Hereafter.

The time for the Duha prayer lasts from sunrise until just before the noon prayer (Zuhr). Triono said the most ideal time to perform it is around 9 to 11 a.m.

Triono explained that this timing refers to a hadith narrated by Muslim:

“The prayer of those who often return to Allah (awwabin) is when the young camels begin to feel the heat of the sun.” (HR. Muslim)

There is a special prayer recited after the Duha. Triono explained that the prayer carries the meaning of asking Allah SWT for sustenance.

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّ الضُّحَآءَ ضُحَاءُكَ وَالْبَهَاءَ بَهَاءُكَ وَالْجَمَالَ جَمَالُكَ وَالْقُوَّةَ قُوَّتُكَ وَالْقُدْرَةَ قُدْرَتُكَ وَالْعِصْمَةَ عِصْمَتُكَ

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنْ كَانَ رِزْقِى فِى السَّمَآءِ فَأَنْزِلْهُ وَاِنْ كَانَ فِى اْلاَرْضِ فَأَخْرِجْهُ وَاِنْ كَانَ مُعَسَّرًا فَيَسِّرْهُ وَاِنْ كَانَ حَرَامًا فَطَهِّرْهُ وَاِنْ كَانَ بَعِيْدًا فَقَرِّبْهُ بِحَقِّ ضُحَاءِكَ وَبَهَاءِكَ وَجَمَالِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ آتِنِىْ مَآاَتَيْتَ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ

“O Allah, indeed the time of duha is Your time, the majesty is Your majesty, the beauty is Your beauty, the power is Your power, and the protection is Your protection. O Allah, if my sustenance is in the heavens, then send it down; if it is within the earth, then bring it out; if it is difficult to obtain, then make it easy; if it is unlawful, then purify it; if it is far, then bring it near. O Allah, by the right of Your duha, Your beauty, Your power, and Your authority, grant me what You grant to Your righteous servants.”

The virtue of the Duha prayer most sought after by Muslims is the opening of the doors of sustenance. However, Triono mentioned five key virtues of the Duha prayer that Muslims should know:

1. As a substitute for charity on behalf of all the joints of the body.
2. Receiving forgiveness of sins from Allah.
3. Bringing sufficiency of sustenance for that day.
4. Becoming a mark of obedience for those who often return to Allah (awwabin).
5. Being beloved by the Prophet Muhammad SAW because he himself consistently performed it.

Triono invited Muslims to make the Duha prayer a good way to start the day, with the hope of attaining blessings and ease in carrying out daily activities.

“Be consistent, even if only with two rak‘ahs. Push yourself, push yourself, and push yourself again until you are able and accustomed to being consistent,” Triono stressed.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva