The best prayer after the Tahajjud prayer is the Ishraq prayer.

Introduction and virtues of Ishraq prayer:

The best prayer after the Tahajjud prayer is the Ishraq prayer.

Are Ishraq, Doha, and Chasht the same prayer? The time, rules, and number of rak'ahs of these prayers are briefly presented.

Introduction and virtues of Ishraq prayer:

Ishraq means dawn, morning, or sunrise. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Whoever prays Fajr prayer in congregation, then sits and remembers Allah until sunrise, then prays two rak'ahs at sunrise (15/20 minutes after sunrise), will have the reward of a complete Hajj and 'Umrah written for him." He emphasized this three times. [Tirmidhi, As-Sunan: 586; Hadith is Hasan].

 No name of this prayer is mentioned in the Hadith. However, this prayer is known to scholars as the Ishraq prayer or the sunrise prayer.

Introduction to Doha and Chasht prayers.

The word ‘Doha’ is Arabic. It means the first hour of the day. In Persian, it is called ‘Chasht.’ Therefore, Doha and Chasht are the same prayer. In terminology, the prayer that is performed after sunrise, after the sun’s heat becomes a little intense, is called the Doha prayer.

The great virtue of the Duha (Chasht) prayer:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Every morning, you have to give charity for every joint of your body. (Know) every Tasbih (Subhan Allah) is charity; every Tahmid (Alhamdulillah) is charity; every Tahlil (La ilaha illallah) is charity; every Takbir (Allahu Akbar) is charity; enjoining good deeds is charity, and forbidding evil deeds is charity. And two rak’ahs of the Duha prayer will suffice for both of these. [Muslim, As-Sahih: 1704].

It is narrated in a hadith qudsi that Allah the Almighty said, “O son of Adam, pray four rak’ahs for Me in the first part of the day; I will suffice for you in the last part of the day.” [Tirmidhi, As-Sunan: 437; the hadith is sahih].

In explaining the hadith, the scholars of hadith say that Allah will suffice for his needs for the rest of the day and will keep away from him his dislikes. [Mubarakpuri, Tuhfatul Ahwazi: 2/478].

Number of rak’ahs of the Duha prayer:

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, ‘The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray four rak’ahs of the Duha prayer. However, if Allah willed, He would have increased it.’ [Muslim, As-Sahih: 719].

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed 8 rak’ahs of Duha (Friday Prayer) on the day of the Conquest of Mecca. [Muslim, As-Sahih: 791].

It is stated in Sharhul Jami’ As-Sahih that among the Companions, Ammajan Aisha used to pray 6 rak’ahs; Ibn Umar used to pray 2 rak’ahs, Sa’d and Ammajan Umm Salamah used to pray 8 rak’ahs, and Ali ibn Abi Talib used to pray 4 rak’ahs. May Allah be pleased with him.

According to the majority of scholars, the minimum number of Duha (Friday Prayer) is 2 rak’ahs, and the maximum is 12 rak’ahs. They have provided evidence in their favor. However, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “The maximum number of rak’ahs (of Duha Prayer) is not specified. Because in the hadith narrated from Aisha (RA), it is said, “If Allah willed, he would pray more than that” (no specific boundary given). [Sharhul Mumti’: 4/85].

However, according to the commentary of the hadith, the Prophet would pray 4 rak’ahs most of the time, as we have read before.

Time of Duha (Chasht) Prayer:

Duha (Chasht) prayer can be prayed from 15/20 minutes after sunrise. However, the best time for Duha (Chasht) prayer is when the sun is at its hottest. From this time until the beginning of the afternoon, the time for Duha (Chasht) prayer is.

Are Duha and Ishraq the same prayer?

The renowned jurist and hadith scholar Imam Abu Bakr Jassas (rah.) said, according to most scholars, Ishraq and Doha prayers are the same. [Ahkamul Quran: 3/559].

The hadith scholars have considered Doha and Ishraq prayers to be the same prayer. However, the Sufis have considered them to be different. [Zakaria Kandhalvi, Fathul Mulhim: 4/634].

Imam Tibi has said in his Sharhul Mishkat that Ishraq is the first time of Doha. Basically, the two are the same prayer. This is also the opinion of Arab scholars, including Shaykh Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymeen (rah.).

Conclusion:

The main thing is that Ishraq and Doha (Chashat) are the same prayer. Their names have changed only due to the difference in time. Ishraq is the first time in Doha. If one prays Fajr in congregation, sits in the prayer place and makes dhikr, and then prays it 15/20 minutes after sunrise, then it is called Ishraq. And if one prays it after the sun has risen a little (during the morning breakfast), then it is called ‘Doha’ (Chasht). Basically, both are Doha prayers.

It is also permissible to pray Ishraq and Doha (Chasht) prayers on the same day. Since the intention for any (fard, wajib, sunnah, or nafl) prayer does not have to be recited verbally (it has to be done in the heart), it is sufficient to make the intention in the heart for Ishraq and Doha (Chasht) prayers as well.