The Virtues of Performing Syuruq Prayer

For some Muslims, the morning after the Subuh prayer often passes by without much notice. In fact, within this time span there is a sunnah practice with great virtue, namely the syuruq prayer.

The syuruq prayer is often said to carry a reward equivalent to Hajj and Umrah, as explained in a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW as follows:

مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ، ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ، تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ

Meaning: “Whoever performs the Subuh prayer in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs, he will receive a reward like that of Hajj and Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” (Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi)

Many Muslims are still often confused about what the syuruq prayer is. When is the best time to perform the syuruq prayer? Is the syuruq prayer different from the duha prayer? What are the correct intention and procedures for the syuruq prayer?

A lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Dr. Isman, S.H.I., S.H., M.H., explained that understanding the syuruq prayer needs to be placed within the proper framework of fiqh. This is intended so that Muslims do not make mistakes in practicing it.

According to Isman, syuruq is a term for the duha prayer that is performed at its earliest time. It is not a sunnah prayer that stands alone as a separate act of worship.

“Beforehand, so there is no confusion, the syuruq prayer is also commonly referred to as the isyraq prayer. This act of worship is part of duha, not a separate act of worship. This refers to the explanations of classical scholars as recorded in Al-Mawsu’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah,” explained Isman, Friday (2/1/2026).

The term isyraq itself, said Isman, has references in the Qur’an. One of them is found in Surah Sad verse 18, which reads:

اِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهٗ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْاِشْرَاقِۙ

Meaning: “Indeed, We subjected the mountains to glory along with him (Daud) in the evening and in the morning (isyraq).”

“Some tafsir scholars from the Shafi‘i school interpret the word isyraq in that verse as referring to the time of performing prayer, namely the duha prayer performed when the sun has just risen and begun to ascend,” he continued.

Understanding the timing of syuruq is important so that this act of worship is not performed at a makruh time. Isman explained that the time for performing the syuruq prayer begins after the sun has risen and ascended to the height of one spear, namely when the prohibited time for prayer after Subuh has ended.

The time for syuruq is estimated to be around 15–30 minutes after sunrise. This range is considered safer and more ahwath (cautious) so as not to fall into a prohibited time.

“If the duha prayer is performed right at this earliest time, then it is called the syuruq or isyraq prayer. If it is performed later in the morning, then it is simply called duha,” explained Isman. Thus, the difference between the terms syuruq and duha lies only in the time of their performance.

The virtue of the syuruq prayer cannot be separated from the proper procedure of its performance. Isman emphasized that in order to attain this virtue, there is a sequence of practices that must be observed, including:

• Performing the Subuh prayer jamaah.
• Remaining seated at the place of prayer to engage in dhikr and refraining from idle activities.
• Waiting until the sun rises and ascends.
• Performing two rakaat of prayer.

“This sequence is important. If someone comes only after the sun has risen without having performed the Subuh prayer in congregation and engaging in dhikr beforehand, then they will still receive the reward of the duha prayer. However, they will not attain the special virtue of syuruq or isyraq,” he explained.

Another question that frequently arises concerns the intention of the syuruq prayer. Is there a specific wording of intention that must be recited?

Isman explained that the intention for the syuruq prayer is simply to intend it as a sunnah duha prayer in one’s heart. There is no prescribed verbal intention that must be recited aloud, because intention, in essence, is an act of the heart.

“Because the syuruq or isyraq prayer is part of the duha prayer, the intention is simply a sunnah prayer. There is no specific wording of intention taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW,” Isman emphasized. This is in line with Muhammadiyah’s tarjih guidance, which stresses simplicity in intention and adherence to authentic textual evidence.

There is no specific supplication after the syuruq prayer that was explicitly exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad SAW. A person is only encouraged to increase general supplications and remembrance of Allah.

“Because the time between Subuh and sunrise is filled with dhikr, after performing the syuruq prayer one may recite any general supplication in accordance with the sunnah,” Isman explained. Morning remembrance, tasbih, tahmid, and prayers for goodness in this world and the hereafter are among the recommended practices to fill this time.

From the perspective of Muhammadiyah’s tarjih, the syuruq prayer is understood as a duha prayer that is masyru’ (legislated) when performed at the beginning of its time. This has been affirmed in the Muhammadiyah Tarjih Fatwa of 2009.

“Let us practice this prayer correctly, solely to attain the great virtue promised by the Prophet Muhammad SAW,” Isman concluded in his reminder.

Writer: Genis Dwi Gustati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva