Nafl prayer

In Islam, a nafl prayer, (pl. Nawafil) (صلاة النفل, ṣalāt al-nafl) or supererogatory prayer, is a type of optional Muslim salah (formal worship). As with sunnah prayer, they are not considered obligatory but are thought to confer extra benefit on the person performing them. An example is the offering of four raka'ahs of "nafl" before the compulsory Zuhr prayers. According to the following Hadith, "nafl" not only draws a person closer to Allah but also helps one attain the better success in the Afterworld i.e. Jannah (Paradise). Rabi'ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet (PBUH) said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (Supererogatory prayers)". Tahiyatul wudu is the nafl prayer after doing wudhu. Abu Hureyrah narrates that once the Islamic prophet Muhammad asked Bilal at Fajr salah: O Bilal Tell me that deed of yours which is most hopeful (for reward) after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise. Bilal replied: I have not done anything extra ordinary except that whenever I perform wudu during the day or night, I salah (tahiyatul wudu) after that, as much as was written or granted for me." Abu Hureyrah narrated that Muhammad said to Bilal Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise. Bilal said : I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudu) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer. There are 6 rakats in Tahiyatul Wudhu. It should not be performed during the improper (makruh) times; when the sun rises, when it is at zenith and when it sets. Abu Qatada narrated that Muhammad said: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.