Salat al-Ghufaylah (Prayer Between Maghrib and Isha)

Salat al-Ghufaylah (Arabic: صلاة الغفيلة) is a specially recommended (mustahab) prayer in Shia Islam, prayed between the Maghrib and Isha prayers. The name "ghufaylah" suggests that this is a time when many people are "heedless" (ghafilun) of worship, and the one who takes advantage of this time for prayer earns special reward.

The prayer consists of two rak'ah. In the first rak'ah, after Al-Fatiha, verses 87-88 from Surah Al-Anbiya are recited: "And [remember] Dhun-Nun, when he departed in anger and thought that We would not decree upon him. But he called out in the darkness: 'There is no deity except You. Exalted are You! Indeed, I was of the wrongdoers.' So We responded to him and saved him from worry." In the second rak'ah, after Al-Fatiha, verse 59 from Surah Al-An'am is recited.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Between Maghrib and Isha, there is a time that the servant of Allah should not neglect — it is a time when answered prayers are guaranteed" (Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Shaykh al-Tusi). This narration encourages the believer to take advantage of this "golden window" of time for personal prayer and du'a.

Salat al-Ghufaylah is an example of the rich Shia tradition of specific prayers at specific times. This prayer can also be combined with the Maghrib nafilah (the four rak'ah voluntary prayer after Maghrib), but it must be prayed as a separate prayer with its specific niyyah (intention). For those who wish to strengthen their spiritual practice, Salat al-Ghufaylah is a beautiful and powerful prayer to incorporate into the daily routine.