The first thing to understand is the difference between what is known as fard and what is known as nafl. Fard is obligatory, it is what Allah requires us to do, and leaving it is a sin and we will be held accountable for it. An example is two rakah of Fajr prayer. Nafl literally means ‘extra’. Nafl worship is not required from a Muslim, rather it is up to the individual to offer it. It is optional and voluntary. The Muslim is not sinful for neglecting nafl, but is rewarded for doing it. Therefore, nafl worship is recommended.
A word of advice about the voluntary prayers. Add them slowly to your
daily, obligatory prayers. You must first focus on the five daily,
required prayers and make sure you are praying them regularly and on
time. Add them step by step, do not burn yourself out, and at the same
time do not neglect the voluntary prayers.
The Prophet said: “The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Our Lord will say to the angels although He knows better: ‘Look into the prayer (formal obligatory prayer) of my servant to see if he observed it perfectly or has been negligent in it.’ So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it in any way, Allah would say: ‘See if My servant has any extra prayers.’ Then if he has any extra prayers, Allah would say: ‘Make up the deficiency in My servant’s obligatory prayer with his supererogatory prayers.’ Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner” (Abu Dawud).
Two Types Of Nafl Prayers
a) General nafl prayers: One can pray them whenever one likes and there does not have to be any reason or cause for it, neither are they restricted to any given number.However it should be noted that the general nafl prayers should not be offered at the time when performing non obligatory prayers is prohibited or disliked.
b) Specific nafl prayers: These prayers are associated with a specific reason or cause.
Examples of Commonly Prayed Specific Nafl Prayers As-Sunan ar-Rawatib (often simply referred to as ‘Sunnah prayers’)
read more at
http://www.justmuslim.org/salaah-prayer/voluntary-prayers
The Prophet said: “The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Our Lord will say to the angels although He knows better: ‘Look into the prayer (formal obligatory prayer) of my servant to see if he observed it perfectly or has been negligent in it.’ So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it in any way, Allah would say: ‘See if My servant has any extra prayers.’ Then if he has any extra prayers, Allah would say: ‘Make up the deficiency in My servant’s obligatory prayer with his supererogatory prayers.’ Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner” (Abu Dawud).
Two Types Of Nafl Prayers
a) General nafl prayers: One can pray them whenever one likes and there does not have to be any reason or cause for it, neither are they restricted to any given number.However it should be noted that the general nafl prayers should not be offered at the time when performing non obligatory prayers is prohibited or disliked.
b) Specific nafl prayers: These prayers are associated with a specific reason or cause.
Examples of Commonly Prayed Specific Nafl Prayers As-Sunan ar-Rawatib (often simply referred to as ‘Sunnah prayers’)
read more at
http://www.justmuslim.org/salaah-prayer/voluntary-prayers
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