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What is the ruling on performing supererogatory prayers (salat nafilah) specifically for the last ten days of Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Laylat al-Isra wal-Mi'raj, the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid al-Nabawi), and a prayer with Surat al-Ikhlas recited once, and another with a surah recited 100 times after Al-Fatiha?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was consistent in performing specific prayers such as the regular Sunnah prayers (Rawatib), the night vigil (Qiyam al-Layl), Witr, and Duha prayer. He did not single out specific nights for worship except for the last ten nights of Ramadan, during which he exerted himself in prayer without dedicating any particular recitation. As for singling out nights like Isra and Mi'raj or the Prophet's Birthday for prayer, that is an innovation (bid'ah), as is dedicating certain prayers by repeatedly reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas. Al-Shatibi stated that the gathering of people for prayer in the regular Sunnah prayers is an innovation, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not do so. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah clarified that the night of Isra is not better than Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), and it is not legislated to dedicate it with worship, nor did the Companions or the Tabi'un do so.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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