Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The prayer of those who are repentant is offered when the young weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.” [Reported by Muslim no. 748]
“Al- Awwabun” is plural of “Awwab” which means returning to Allaah’s obedience after one’s disobedience to Him.
Allaah (Ta’ala) has praised Al-Awwabin in the Qur’an in many verses.
In Surat Saad (38:17), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلْأَيْدِۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
“And remember Our slave Dawoud (David), endowed with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (towards Allaah).”
In Surat Saad (38:19), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَٱلطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةًۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
“And (so did) the birds assembled: all with him [Dawoud (David)] did turn (to Allaah i.e. glorified His Praises).”
In Surat Saad (38:30), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَيْمَٰنَۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
“And to Dawoud (David) We gave Sulayman (Solomon). How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!”
Also, in Surat Saad (38:44), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
إِنَّا وَجَدْنَٰهُ صَابِرًاۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
“Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!”
In Surat Qaaf (50:32), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍ
(It will be said): “This is what you were promised, – (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allaah) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allaah.”
In Surat Al-Isra’ (17:25), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
إِن تَكُونُوا۟ صَٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّٰبِينَ غَفُورًا
“If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said in his interpretation of Surat Saad (38:17): “Awwab means he turned to Allaah in all his affairs, by repenting to Him, loving Him, showing devotion to Him, fearing Him, putting his hope in Him, beseeching Him often and calling upon Him, turning to Him whenever he committed an error, giving it up and repenting sincerely.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
What is Salaat Al-Awwabin?
It is Duhaa prayer offered late when the weaned (young) camels feel the heat of the sun. They lift up their hoofs because of the heat of the sand which becomes hot from the sun’s heat, i.e. at the end of Duhaa time before the sun’s Zenith by 15-20 minutes.
The Hadeeth indicates that the best time of Duhaa prayer is just before noon (Dhuhr).
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Only the Awwab will guard strictly the Duhaa prayer.” [Reported by Ibn Khuzaimah and Al-Haakim and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan in Saheeh Al-Jamie’]
Why is it called Salaat Al-Awwabin?
Imaam Al-Manawi (Rahimahullaah) said in “Faid Al-Qadeer”: “This Salaat which is offered at this time (when the sand becomes very hot due to the heat of the sun) is affixed to Al-Awwabin because at that time the human soul inclines to rest and will be in a state of mildness (tenderness), so he (the Awwab) will direct it to obedience and occupy himself with Salaat, returning to the pleasure of the Lord and turning away from self-desires. This is mentioned by Al-Qadi.” [End quote]
The scholars said that the most preponderant point of view regarding Duhaa prayer is that it is a recommended Sunnah.
The number of its Rak’ah
It is offered as two, four, six, or eight Rak’aat. Offering them as two Rak’ah followed with another two Rak’ah and so forth with Tasleem after every two Rak’ah.
Its Timing
Shaikh Ibn Baaz (Rahimahullaah) said: “Before Dhuhr (noon) by one or two hours and this is the best time and this is Salatul-Awwabin, when the young weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.”
Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “The more one delays the Duhaa prayer, the better it is. However, if one will be busy at the end of Duhaa time with his job or business, or so forth and he fears that if he delays it till that time he may forget it or will not be able to offer it, then let him offer it in the beginning of its time and there is no sin on him.”
Note: There is a weak Hadeeth which quotes that six Rak’ah offered after the Maghrib prayer are called Salatul-Awwabin (prayer of the penitent).
Sources
Fat-h Dhil-Jalali wal-Ikram Fee Sharh Bulugh Al-Maram by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
Fatawa Shaikh Ibn Baaz
