This chapter is about the Duha prayer, a voluntary prayer offered in the forenoon after the sun has risen well into the sky. It is presented as an easy, rewarding act of devotion.
The hadith show its reward as great even for just two units, enough to stand for the gratitude owed by every part of the body each morning. They also record the Prophet praying more. The thread is the worth of pausing to worship in the bright part of the day.
Hadith 1139
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: أوصاني خليلي صلى الله عليه وسلم بصيام ثلاثة أيام من كل شهر، وركعتي الضحى، وأن أوتر قبل أن أرقد" . ((متفق عليه)) والإيتار قبل النوم إنما يستحب لمن لا يثق باستيقاظ آخر الليل، فإن وثق فآخر الليل أفضل.
My Khalil (the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)) directed me to fast three days of each month, and to observe two Rak'ah Duha (optional prayer) at forenoon, and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet advised Abu Hurairah to keep three practices: fasting three days each month, praying two units of Duha in the forenoon, and praying Witr before sleeping. Simple habits worth holding to.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1139 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 149
Hadith 1140
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him)reported:
وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "يصبح على كل سلامى من أحدكم صدقة: فكل تسبيحة صدقة، وكل تهليلة صدقة، وكل تكبيرة صدقة، وأمر بالمعروف صدقة، ونهي عن المنكر صدقة، ويجزئ من ذلك ركعتان يركعهما من الضحى" . ((رواه مسلم)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "In the morning, charity is due on every joint bone of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah's Glorification (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity and every utterance of declaration of His Greatness (i.e., saying La ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity; and enjoining M'aruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two Rak'ah Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward)." [Muslim].
In plain words
Every joint in the body owes daily thanks, and that can be met by remembering Allah, glorifying and praising Him, urging good and discouraging evil. The Prophet said two units of Duha prayer in the forenoon equal all of this in reward.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1140 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 150
Hadith 1141
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي الضحى أربعًا ويزيد ما شاء الله . ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform four Rak'ah of Duha prayer (at the forenoon) and would add to them whatever Allah wished. [Muslim].
In plain words
Aishah reports that the Prophet would pray four units of Duha in the forenoon, and would add more as Allah willed, showing the prayer can be lengthened beyond the minimum.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1141 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 151
Hadith 1142
Umm Hani, daughter of Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن أم هانئ فاختة بنت أبي طالب رضي الله عنها قالت: ذهبت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عام الفتح فوجدته يغتسل فلما فرغ من غسله صلى ثمان ركعات، وذلك ضحى" ((متفق عليه وهذا مختصر لفظ إحدى روايات مسلم))
I went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day of the conquest of Makkah. He was taking a bath at that time. When he finished the bath, he performed eight Rak'ah (of optional) prayers. This was during the Duha (forenoon). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Umm Hani recalls that on the day Makkah was conquered, after bathing, the Prophet prayed eight units during the forenoon, which is counted among the Duha prayer.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1142 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 152