What Is Awwabin Prayer And How Is It Performed?

What is awwabin prayer and how is it performed?

“Awwabin” refers to those who repent, take refuge in, and turn to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (saw) informed that the time of awwabin prayer is the same as the time of duha prayer (Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin, 143, 144; Ibn Hanbal, al-Musnad, IV, 366, 367, 372; Darimi, Salat, 153). Besides, the term “awwabin prayer” is also used for the nafl prayer established after maghrib prayer (Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-awsat, I, 250; VII, 191). This usage is more common both in fiqh tradition and among the public.

Although it has a weak sanad (chain of narrators), the following narrative from the Messenger of Allah (saw) is associated with awwabin prayer by some scholars: “Whoever establishes six-rakat prayer after maghrib prayer without saying bad words, this will be equal for him to twelve years’ prayer.” (Tirmidhi, Salat, 209; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 185). In addition, it is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) himself also established a six-rakat prayer after maghrib prayer (See. Shawkani, Nayl al-awtar, III, 525).

The six-rakat awwabin prayer may be established all at once with one salam, or may be established with a total of three salams by giving salam in every two rakats (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-falah, I, 148).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS