Ruling 751. There are many recommended prayers; they are called ‘supererogatory’ (nāfilah) prayers. From among the recommended prayers, the daily nāfilah prayers have been recommended more. These number thirty-four rakʿahs (on days other than Friday): eight rakʿahs are the nāfilah of ẓuhr, eight of ʿaṣr, four of maghrib, two of ʿishāʾ, eleven of the night, and two of ṣubḥ. As the two rakʿahs of the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ must be performed in a sitting position, they are counted as one rakʿah, based on obligatory precaution. On Fridays, four rakʿahs are added to the sixteen rakʿahs of ẓuhr and ʿaṣr. It is better that all twenty rakʿahs be performed before zawāl, except for two rakʿahs – it is better to perform these at the time of zawāl.

Ruling 752. From among the eleven rakʿahs of the night nāfilah,[1] eight rakʿahs must be performed with the intention of nāfilah of the night, two rakʿahs with the intention of the shafʿ prayer, and one rakʿah with the intention of the witr prayer. Full instructions on how to perform the nāfilah of the night are mentioned in the books of supplications (duʿāʾs).

Ruling 753. Nāfilah prayers can be performed in a sitting position even if one does so voluntarily, and [if someone performs these prayers in a sitting position,] it is not necessary to count two rakʿahs as one rakʿah. However, it is better to perform them in a standing position, except for the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ, which based on obligatory precaution must be performed in a sitting position.

Ruling 754. A traveller must not perform the nāfilah of ẓuhr and ʿaṣr. There is no problem if a traveller performs the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ with the intention of rajāʾ [i.e. in the hope that it is desired by Allah].