mustahab

Mustahab is an Islamic legal term referring to an act that is recommended or desirable to perform but not obligatory. Performing a mustahab act is rewarded in the afterlife, while abstaining from it incurs no punishment. This category of actions falls between fard (obligatory) and mubah (permissible).

Examples of mustahab acts include many acts of worship and good deeds that are not explicitly commanded as mandatory. The Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) practices, when not considered obligatory, are often categorized as mustahab. This includes certain voluntary prayers (nafl), reading specific supplications at particular times, and acts of kindness and generosity.

Islamic jurisprudence distinguishes mustahab from other categories of Islamic rulings. While fard acts are mandatory and neglecting them is sinful, and haram acts are forbidden, mustahab acts encourage piety and spiritual elevation. Mubah acts are those that are permissible to do or not to do without any reward or punishment. Understanding the category of mustahab helps Muslims to identify recommended practices that can enhance their religious devotion and earn divine favor.