Answered by Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Salat al-Awwabin and Salat al-Tawba
No. They are two different prayers. Salat al Tawba is specifically for repentance and may be prayed at any time. Salat al Awwabin can be prayed during duha time or between maghrib and `isha. According to the Reliance, Duha time “is after the sun is well up until just before the noon prayer (zuhr).” Salat al Tawba consists of two rak’ahs.
Salat al Awwabin can consist of two up to twenty rak’ahs. When I was in Syria, which is heavily Shafi’i, people tended to pray six rak’ahs of Awwabin after the maghrib prayer, in pairs of two. Here is a link which will clarify the difference for you:
Salat al-Tawba & Salat al-Awwabin
And Allah knows best.
Umm Salah