Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah)
Voluntary prayers that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed regularly and rarely omitted.
Sunnah Mu'akkadah refers to the voluntary acts that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed regularly and consistently, and which he rarely omitted. These acts hold a special status in Sunni jurisprudence because they are considered strongly recommended, even though they are not obligatory (fard).
The most important Sunnah Mu'akkadah prayers (rawatib) are: 2 rak'ah before Fajr, 4 rak'ah before Dhuhr and 2 after, 2 rak'ah after Maghrib, and 2 rak'ah after Isha. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays twelve voluntary rak'ah during the day, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise" (Sahih Muslim). Imam al-Nawawi classified these prayers as Sunnah Mu'akkadah in his commentary on Sahih Muslim.
Regularly omitting Sunnah Mu'akkadah is considered blameworthy (makruh) by most Sunni scholars, although it is not sinful. Abu Hanifah, Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal all agreed on the importance of these prayers. Imam Ibn Qudamah mentions in al-Mughni that one who consistently omits them loses their credibility as a witness.
Related terms
Madhhab (School of Law)
An Islamic school of law with its own methodology for legal derivation from the sacred sources.
Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith in Prayer)
The testimony of faith recited in the sitting position during prayer.
Iqamah (Second Call to Prayer)
The second call to prayer, recited just before the prayer begins.
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Belief in prophethood — the third article of faith in Shia Islam.
Ikhlas (Sincerity)
Pure sincerity in worship — acting solely for the sake of Allah.
Imam (Prayer Leader)
The person who leads the congregational prayer at the mosque.