Q) When does the time for Duha Prayer start?
Ans.
Shaykh Ibn Al-‘Uthaymeen defined it as being from a quarter of an hour after the sun has risen (Tulu’) until ten minutes before Zuhr prayer.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 4/122
Q) What is the Ishraaq prayer?
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
Ishraaq prayer is Duha prayer done at the beginning of its time.
Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 11/401.
Q) What is the virtue of Ishraaq (Early Duha) prayer?
Concerning its virtue, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”
Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (586), from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), Hasan according to Sh.Al-Albani and Sh.Ibn Baaz.
Q) Is Ishraaq or Duha Wajib (Obligatory)?
No it is Mustahab (highly recommended) but not Wajib.
Q) What is the maximum number of Rakahs allowed in Duha?
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The minimum – for Duha – is two rak‘ahs, and there is no maximum number. But the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed two and four rak‘ahs, and on the day of the conquest of Makkah he prayed Duha with eight rak‘ahs, on the day on which Allah granted him the conquest of Makkah. So this matter is broad in scope. Whether a person prays eight or ten or twelve rak‘ahs, or more than that, or less, there is nothing wrong with it, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The (Sunnah) prayers of the night and day are two (rak‘ahs) by two.” The Sunnah is to pray two by two, saying the salaam after each two rak‘ahs.
End quote from Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/389
Q) How should one offer the Duha prayers?
Ans. Two Rakahs with a complete Tasleem (Salams), and then two and two and so on.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
What is prescribed is for the Muslim to offer the naafil prayers of the day and the night two by two, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The night prayers are (to be offered) two by two” (saheeh – agreed upon). And according to a saheeh report he said: “The prayers of the night and the day are (to be offered) two by two.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad and the authors of al-Sunan with a saheeh isnaad.
Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 11/390
Q) What is Salatul Awabeen?
Salatul Awwabeen is Salatud Duha which is prayed when the sun has risen high and it is best to pray it when the weather is the hottest.
According to a report narrated by Muslim from al-Qaasim al-Shaybaani, Zayd ibn Arqam saw some people praying Duhaa and said: Do they not know that praying at some other time than this is better? The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand). (Saheeh Muslim, 1237).
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The phrase Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand) refers to when the sand becomes unbearably hot from the suns heat, and burns the soles of the young camels feet, so they alternately raise and lower their feet in response to the heat of the sand. Al-Awwaab means one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. The hadeeth also refers to the best time to offer this prayer, although it is permissible to pray it any time after the sun has risen and before it reaches its zenith.
(Sharh Muslim lil-Nawawi).
Q) What are the forbidden times for praying Salatud Duha?
-1- From when dawn breaks until approximately a quarter of an hour after the sun has risen (Atleast 15 minutes after Tulu’ we mustn’t pray any Nafil). You can find out the time of sunrise from the timetables that are available in all countries.
-2- Approximately a quarter of an hour before the time for Zuhr prayer begins, until the time for Zuhr begins. (Atleast 15 mins before Zuhr we should stop praying all Nafil Salah.)
Note: There are many more virtues of Duha Prayer in the Ahadith.
Compiled: Abu Muaaz Mohammed Manna.
Sources:
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/22389/the-time-of-duha-prayer
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/2626/salaat-al-awaabeen
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/109254/times-when-it-is-forbidden-to-offer-voluntary-prayers
Saheehus-Seerah 