Is it permissible to perform the last sunnahs of the noon and night prayers as four rak’ahs?

The Details of the Question

Is it permissible to perform the last sunnahs of the noon and night prayers as four rak’ahs?

The Answer

Dear Brother / Sister,

The last sunnah of two rak’ahs of the noon prayer:

It is performed just like the sunnah of the morning prayer by making niyyah as follows: "I intend to perform the last sunnah of today’s noon prayer." It is mustahab to perform this last sunnah as four rak'ahs. In that case, it is possible to salute after every two rak'ahs or at the end of the fourth rak'ah. The supplication "Rabbana atina" is not read in the first sitting if one performs it as four rak'ahs. When one stands up by uttering takbir for the third rak'ah, he reads "Subhanaka". After that, he performs the last two rak’ahs like the first two rak’ahs.

The last sunnah of the night prayer can also be performed as four rak’ahs. In that case, it is performed just like the first four rak’ahs. It can also be performed by saluting after every two rak'ahs. In that case,"at-Tahiyyat and Salawat" and the supplication "Rabbana atina" are read in the sittings of both prayers.

It is more virtuous to salute after every two rak'ahs in the nafilah prayers that are performed at night. There are narrations showing that those Sunnah prayers can be performed as four rak'ahs. Therefore, it is regarded mustahab. (Zaylai, Nasbur-Raya, II/145 ff.; Shawkani, Naylul-Awtar, III/18; Marak al-Falah, 64)

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