The Recommendation of Varying One’s Acts of Devotion

Question:
We move on to a letter sent by the questioner, Umm Muhammad, from the southern region. In her first question, she says: Which is better, O Shaykh—performing voluntary prayers or reciting the Noble Qur’an, and persisting in reciting one part (juz') every day? We ask you to provide us with information.

Answer:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) combined both. It is the Sunnah for the Muslim man and the Muslim woman to increase in recitation, along with prayer, along with voluntary prayer, the Duha prayer, the Tahajjud prayer at night, and the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib). One should read whatever is easy for them, a part (juz'), or more, or less. Praise be to Allah, one combines between the two good deeds.
One should not limit oneself to prayer alone, nor to recitation alone, but rather combine between the two good deeds. One should strive in recitation during the night and day, a part (juz'), or more, or less, and pray what Allah has prescribed of the Duha prayer, the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib), and the Tahajjud prayer at night, until one combines between the two good deeds. And so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do, and the Companions would strive in recitation and in prayer, all together.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.