Sunnah Muakkadah

What Does Sunnah Muakkadah Mean in Detail?

In Islamic jurisprudence, actions are categorized by their level of obligation. Sunnah Muakkadah sits below fardhu (wajib) and wajib (necessary, in Hanafi terminology) but above Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah (non-emphasized sunnah). Nabi Muhammad performed these acts so consistently that scholars emphasize their importance. A person who performs them earns reward, and one who occasionally omits them is not sinful. However, one who habitually abandons Sunnah Muakkadah is considered blameworthy and may even be deemed sinful according to some scholars. Examples include: the twelve rakaat of rawatib shalat (sunnah shalat associated with the five daily shalat), the two rakaat before Fajr, Witr shalat, praying in congregation, and the Eid shalat. In the context of Haji, many of the rites have Sunnah Muakkadah components that, while not invalidating the ibadah haji if omitted, should be performed whenever possible.