Fiqh-us-Sunnah Volume 2, Supererogatory Prayer, Fiqh 2.029A.
Many hadith describe the excellence of the duha prayer.
Abu Zharr reports that the Prophet sallallahu aleihi wasallam said: “Charity is required from every part of your body daily. Every saying of ‘Glory be to Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘Praise be to Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘There is no God but Allah’ is charity. Every saying of ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is charity. Ordering the good is charity. Eradicating the evil is charity. And what suffices for that (as a charity) are the two rak’at of duha.” This is related by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud.
Ahmad and Abu Dawud record from Buraidah that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “In a human (body) there are 360 joints and man must make a charity for each one.” The people said: “Who can do that, O Messenger of Allah?” He responded: “One may cover the mucus that one finds in the mosque or remove something harmful from the road. If one could not do that, he could pray two rak’at of duha and that will be sufficient for him.”
Talking of the legal import of these hadith, ash-Shaukani says: “These two hadith point to the greatness, excellence, and importance of the duha prayer, stressing its legality as its two rak’at suffice for 360 charities. Something like this should be performed regularly and persistently. The hadith also establish the importance of saying ‘Glory be to Allah’, ‘Praise be to Allah’, and ‘There is no God but Allah.’ And [the importance of] ordering the good, eradicating the evil, removing the spittle, removing what is harmful from the path, and such other acts that will fulfill what is required of a person of daily charities.”
An-Nawas ibn Sam’an relates that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Allah said: ‘Son of Adam, do not fail in performing four rak’at in the early day as it will be sufficient for the latter part of the day.”‘ This is related by al-Hakim and at-Tabarani and its narrators are trustworthy. Ahmad, at-Tirmizhi, Abu Dawud, and an-Nasa’i relate it on the authority of Na’im al-Ghatfani with a good chain. At-Tirmizhi’s wording is: “Son of Adam, pray four rak’at for Me in the early day and it will be sufficient for you for the latter part of the day.”
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr says: “The Messenger of Allah sent an expedition and they obtained lots of booty and returned quickly. The people talked about their quick victory, abundant booty, and quick return. At this the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Shall I not guide you to a closer battle, a greater booty and a quicker return? Whoever makes wudu’ and then goes to the mosque to pray duha, that is the closer battle, better booty, and quicker return.”‘ This is related by Ahmad and at-Tabarani. Abu Ya’la has something similar to it.
Abu Hurairah says: “My friend [the Messenger of Allah] advised me to do three things: fasting three days of every month, praying the duha prayer, and praying the witr prayer before I sleep.” This is related by alBukhari and Muslim.
Anas says: “During a journey, I saw the Messenger of Allah pray eight rak’at in the early day. When he finished, he said: ‘I prayed my prayer wishing and fearing. I asked my Lord for three things and He gave me two and withheld one. I asked Him not to put my ummah to trial by famine and He granted that request. And I asked that they would not be overtaken by their enemies and He granted that request. And I asked that they not be split into groups and parties and He refused that request.”‘ This is related by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i, al-Hakim, and ibn Khuzaimah who classifies it as sahih.