The correct answer is Chasht. The Chasht prayer, also widely referred to in Arabic as Salat al-Duha, is a voluntary (Nafli) act of worship that holds a distinct place in the Islamic daily cycle. Its timing is specifically defined as... Read More
The correct answer is Chasht. The Chasht prayer, also widely referred to in Arabic as Salat al-Duha, is a voluntary (Nafli) act of worship that holds a distinct place in the Islamic daily cycle. Its timing is specifically defined as beginning when the sun has completely risen—typically documented as the time when the sun reaches the height of a spear above the horizon—and extending until the sun reaches its zenith (Zawal), just before the commencement of the Dhuhr prayer. However, the most preferred time for this prayer, as noted in the question, is until approximately one-fourth of the day has passed.
The term "Chasht" is Persian in origin, commonly used in South Asia (Pakistan, India, and Iran) to describe the mid-morning period. In the primary Arabic texts of Hadith and Fiqh, it is titled Al-Duha. The historical practice of this prayer dates back to the early days of the Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H) ministry in Medina. Unlike the five obligatory prayers which are tied to the primary positions of the sun, Chasht is a "supererogatory" prayer, meaning it was practiced by the Prophet as a means of seeking closer proximity to the Divine during the busiest hours of the morning.
A common point of historical and scholarly discussion is the distinction between Ishraq and Chasht. While both are performed in the post-sunrise window, Ishraq is traditionally performed immediately after the sun rises (approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise), often as a continuation of the Fajr sitting. Chasht, conversely, is associated with the heat of the morning. Historically, scholars have cited that the most "excellent" time for Chasht is when the sand becomes hot under the feet of young camels, which aligns with the "one-fourth of the day" mark. This period represents the transition from the early morning calm to the peak of daily worldly activity and commerce.
In terms of its performance, historical records and Narrations (Hadith) suggest a flexible structure. It is generally performed in units of two (Rakats), but historical accounts mention the Prophet (P.B.U.H) performing four, eight, or even twelve Rakats on various occasions, such as during the Conquest of Mecca. This flexibility allowed early Muslims to integrate spiritual mindfulness into their workdays.
From a jurisprudential standpoint, the four major schools of Islamic thought (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali) all recognize the merit of this prayer. The emphasis is placed on the "opening of the day" with gratitude. In the historical context of the 7th century, the morning was when trade and agriculture began in earnest; thus, pausing for Chasht was a symbolic gesture of placing spiritual duties above material gain.
The calculation of "one-fourth of the day" is a traditional method used by classical jurists to divide the time between Fajr (dawn) and Maghrib (sunset). By identifying this specific window, the practitioner ensures they are avoiding the "Makruh" (disliked) times when the sun is exactly at its peak. This precise timing has been preserved through centuries of Islamic scholarship to help believers organize their voluntary worship without interfering with the strictly timed obligatory prayers. Today, it remains one of the most consistently practiced Nafli prayers across the Muslim world.
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