The Book of Virtues

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 207

Time for the Duha (Forenoon Optional) Prayer

باب‏:‏ تجويز صلاة الضحى من ارتفاع الشمس إلى زوالها والأفضل أن تصلى عند اشتداد الحر وارتفاع الضحى‏:‏

This chapter concerns the timing of the Duha (forenoon) prayer, and which part of the morning is best for it.

The single hadith points to praying it a little later in the forenoon, once the day has warmed, rather than too early. The lesson is simple guidance on choosing a fitting time for this voluntary prayer.

Hadith 1143

Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن زيد بن أرقم رضي الله عنه أنه رأى قومًا يصلون من الضحى، فقال‏:‏ أما لقد علموا أن الصلاة في غير هذه الساعة أفضل، إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏صلاة الأوابين حين ترمض الفصال‏" ‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I saw some people performing Duha (prayers) in the early forenoon and warned them (saying): These people must know that performing Salat a little later is better. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The Salat of the penitent is to be observed when the young ones of camels feel the heat of the sun (i.e., when it becomes very hot)." [Muslim].

In plain words

Seeing people pray Duha very early, Zaid bin Arqam noted that praying it a little later is better, recalling the Prophet's words that this prayer is best offered once the sun has climbed and the day has grown warm.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1143 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 153