A:
The prayers to be offered after obligatory prayer are called
Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib (supererogatory acts that were stressed and regularly performed by the Prophet) that is, four Rak`ahs (unit of Prayer) before Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and two Rak`ahs after Zuhr, two Rak`ahs after Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer and two Rak`ahs after `Isha' (Night) Prayer and two Rak`ahs before Fajr (Dawn) Prayer. It is reported from
Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said,
"I memorized (a tradition) from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) two Rak`ahs before Zhuhr and two after it; two Rak`ahs after Maghrib, and two Rak`ahs after ‘Isha', and two Rak`ahs before Fajr."
(Related by
Al-Bukhari and
Muslim) It is also reported from
`Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said,
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never missed offering four (Rak`ahs) before the Zhuhr Prayer."
(Related by
Al-Bukhari in his Sahih) As for Jumu`ah Prayer, there is no supererogatory prayer before it, yet it is desirable to voluntarily offer some Rak`ahs before it and recite Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer) after each two Rak`ahs. As for the supererogatory prayer offered after Friday Prayer, it is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he stated,
"When any one amongst you observes prayer after Jumu`ah, let it be four Rak`ahs."
(Related by
Muslim in his book Sahih) Also it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) (Part No. 6; Page No. 111) used to offer two Rak`ahs at home after Friday Prayer.
(Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.