64/50. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4292 — Eight Rak‘at Duha Prayer
The encamping place of the Prophet (saws) on the day of the Conquest (of Makkah)
Duha Prayer Hadith: Eight Rak‘at with Lightness and Complete Bowing
Sahih Bukhari : 4292
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4292
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، مَا أَخْبَرَنَا أَحَدٌ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى غَيْرَ أُمِّ هَانِئٍ، فَإِنَّهَا ذَكَرَتْ أَنَّهُ يَوْمَ فَتْحِ مَكَّةَ اغْتَسَلَ فِي بَيْتِهَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ، قَالَتْ لَمْ أَرَهُ صَلَّى صَلاَةً أَخَفَّ مِنْهَا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ يُتِمُّ الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُودَ.
Ibn Abi Laila Narrated from:
None informed us that he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) offering the Duha (i.e. forenoon) prayer, except Um Hani who mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) took a bath in her house on the day of the Conquest (of Mecca) and then offered an eight rak`at prayer. She added, "I never saw the Prophet (ﷺ) offering a lighter prayer than that prayer, but he was performing perfect bowing and prostrations."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4292In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 325USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 587
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4292
This Duha prayer hadith comes through Ibn Abi Laila, who says that no one informed them of seeing the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم pray Duha except Umm Hani. She reported that on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم took a bath in her house and then prayed eight rak‘at. She described the prayer as lighter than any prayer she had seen from him, but she also made it clear that he completed the bowing and prostrations. This balance is the heart of the report. The prayer was light, yet it was not careless. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم still gave the rukoo‘ and sujood their proper form. The hadith is often searched as eight rak‘at Duha prayer hadith because it gives a clear witnessed example.
What we learn from this hadith
- Umm Hani witnessed the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم praying eight rak‘at on the day of conquest.
- A prayer may be light while still having complete bowing and prostration.
- The report highlights care in prayer, not only length.
- Eyewitness narration matters in preserving the Prophet’s worship.
