Question
What is the ruling on performing voluntary prayers after dawn before the obligatory prayer?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: It is disliked to perform voluntary prayers after the dawn prayer before the obligatory prayer, as it occupies the time with the Sunnah in consideration; for Hafsa, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "When the dawn broke, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would not pray except for two light rak'ahs," in Sahih Muslim 1: 500. And from Yasar, the freedman of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, said: "Ibn Umar saw me praying after the dawn had broken, and he said: O Yasar, how many rak'ahs have you prayed? I said: I do not know. He said: You do not know, for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came out to us while we were praying this prayer and said: Let those of you who are present convey to those who are absent that there is no prayer after the dawn except for two prostrations," in Musnad Ahmad 2: 104, and Sunan Abu Dawood 2: 25, and Musnad Abu Ya'la 9: 461, and others. See also: Al-Darayah 1: 110, and Allah knows best.