Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
In the Shafi`i madhhab, is it possible to conduct sunna and nafl prayers in the congregation with my wife following me? If so, do I read loudly or quietly? I know that there are hadith where sahaba joined the Messenger of Allah or one another in sunna prayers. I want to know for salat al-duha, tahajjud and salat al-awwabin mainly. So please advise how this could be done in the Shafi`i madhab.
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you infinitely for wanting to establish a spiritual environment in your home and wishing to worship with your wife. A family that prays together stays together!
Group Prayer
The Reliance of the Traveller mentions that it is superior to pray the duha (midmorning) prayer in the mosque. All other sunna prayers are best prayed at home. The prayers that you mentioned should not be prayed in a group, but instead, alone.
Please see more details here:
All of the supererogatory prayers in the Shafi’i school
What is the best way to pray salat al ishraq and salat al duha?
Should I Pray in Congregation or with My Spouse?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.