Q: I would like to know what are the virtues, times and rakaats for salaatul ishraaq and chast?
A: The time for Ishraaq is approximately 20 minutes after sunrise. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has explained that whoever remains seated in his place engaged in zikr after performing Fajr Salaah until the sun rises and then performs two rakaats of salaah, Allah will grant him the reward of an accepted Umrah and Hajj.
One may perform 2 or 4 rakaats.
The time for chaast commences after the first quarter of the day has passed. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has explained that the one who is punctual on the performance of chaast namaaz, his sins will be forgiven even if they are equal to the amount of foam in the ocean. One may perform between 2 to 12 rakaats for chaast.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)