Offering Supererogatory Prayers (Nafila) in One's House

1- Narrated Abdullah Ibn Omar that the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Offer some of your prayers in your houses and do not make them like graves."¹

2- Narrated Zaid Ibn Thabit: the Prophet (pbuh) took a room made of date palm leaves mats in the mosque. Allah's Apostle (pbuh) prayed in it for a few nights till the people gathered (to pray the night prayer (in Ramadan) 'Tarawih', behind him.)

Then on the 4th night the people did not hear his voice and they thought he had slept, so some of them started humming in order that he might come out. The Prophet (pbuh) then said: "You continued doing what I saw you doing till I was afraid that this 'Tarawih prayer' might be enjoined on you, and if it were enjoined on you, you would not continue performing it. Therefore, O people! Perform your prayers at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is what is performed in his home except the compulsory congregational prayer."²

3- Ahmad and Muslim relate from Yabir, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you offers his prayers in the mosque then he should make a portion of his prayers in his house, as Allah has made his prayers in his house a means of goodness (for him)."³

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([1]) Sahih Al-Bukhari – Kitab Al-Salah (234), Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al-Salah (777).

([2]) Sahih Al-Bukhari – Kitab Al-Adhan (137), Sahih Muslim – Kitab Salatu Al-Musafreen (187).

([3]) Sahih Muslim – Kitab Saltu Al-Musafreen (877).