Scholars differ regarding whether the Ishraaq prayer is a separate name for Dhuha prayer or if it is a separate prayer. The Author has chosen the second opinion. The preferred opinion is that it is just another name for the Dhuha prayer. Some scholars have said that there are two Dhuha prayers and they call the Ishraaq prayer a minor Dhuha prayer. The time of this prayer comes immediately after the sun rises at spear length (10-20 minutes). The hadith on the virtue of Wird after Subh prayer mentions two Raka’a prayers. That prayer is Salaat al Ishraaq according to the scholars.
After praying `Ishraaq’, the seeker should read one Hizb (part of the Quran). Early scholars were assigning specific times to read parts of the Quran. Thus, we see that the Quran is divided into thirty even parts called Juz. Each Juz is divided into two Hizbs. Each Hizb marked by four quarters : first quarter (Rub’u), half (Nisf), third quarter (Thuluth) and upon finishing third quarter you will reach a new Hizb.
Hizb means any portion of the Quran that a person reads on a daily basis and does not necessarily mean the above said Hizb (half of a Juz). Nevertheless, it would be best practice to read at least a portion of said Hizb on a daily basis if one can’t read more than a Hizb.
The ethics of reading the Quran mentioned here are:
1. Paying attention to what he reads
2. Showing respect to the Quran
3. Presence of mind and heart in what he reads
4. Focusing and concentrating on reading
5. Observing all the rules of recitation
Imam Nawawi describes some further ethics in the book ‘Tibyan’. It would be worth citing some of them here.
1. Brushing teeth before reading the Quran
2. Reading on the status of wudu (for touching Mus’haf Wudu is obligatory)
3. Cleanliness and neatness of the place where he reads the Quran
4. Saying, `أَعُوذُ باللهِ مِنَ الشيطَانِ الرجِيم‘ at the beginning of reading
5. Reading the Quran with concentration and meditation
6. Crying when reading the Quran
7. Reading it in Tarteel (slowly)
8. Reciting Dua: seeking refute when reading verses of punishment and seeking the mercy when reading verses of mercy.
9. Avoiding laughter, mistakes and unnecessary talk.
10. Not playing with his hands
11. Not looking at any illegal or non -Islamic scenes.
12. It is not allowed to read the Quran in non-Arabic languages
13. It is allowed to read the Quran in one of the seven approved ways only.
14. Reading it in order (Fathia, Al Baqara, Al Imran ..)
15. Reading from the physical book of the Quran, and not from the ‘heart’.
16. Reading in congregation.
17. Reading it aloud unless he fears insincerity.
18. Beautifying voices in recitation.
19. Requesting the beautiful reciter to read the Quran and listen to it.
20. Not stopping the recitation at unnecessary places. If one stops then he should resume the earlier phrases associated with it.