1143/1 - Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he saw some people performing the Duha prayer in the early forenoon, so he said: “These people must know that performing this prayer in other than this time is better. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘The prayer of those who are oft-returning to Allah is when weaned camels are bitten by excessive heat.’” [Narrated by Muslim]
Weaned camel: young camel.
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“When weaned camels are bitten by excessive heat”: when the young camels, whose hooves are not yet strong, feel the intense heat of the sand so they alternate between their legs.
1) It points out the best time for offering the Duha prayer, which is the time when it is very hot.
2) It is recommended to pursue the meritorious time for performing acts of worship, even if it is permissible to do them at other times; however, a person with good understanding should seize virtuous times.
What is known among lay Muslims as Salāt al-Awwābīn (the prayer of the oft-returning), which they offer between the Maghrib and ‘Ishā’ prayers, has no basis in the Shariah; rather, it contradicts the Prophet’s guidance and Sunnah, which gives this name to the Duha prayer. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Only an oft-returning person will offer the Duha prayer regularly; it is the prayer of the oft-returning (to Allah).” [Narrated by Ahmad]. All goodness lies in following the Prophet’s guidance and abandoning what people have newly introduced in religion.