Q 9: What is the degree of authenticity of the following Hadith: “The (optional) Salah (Prayer) during the daytime is two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) followed by two Rak‘ahs (and so on).” ?

A: This Hadith is related by Ahmad in his Musnad, Abu Dawud, Al-Nasa'y, Al-Tirmidhy, and Ibn Majah in their Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes), on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) in the following wording: “The (optional) Salah during night and day is two Rak‘ahs followed by two Rak‘ahs (and so on).” [i.e., two Rak’ahs at a time with Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer) made after each two Rak’ahs] Al-Haythamy said that this is an authentic Hadith whose narrators are all Thiqah (trustworthy). The saying of Al-Daraqutny that the word "day" is added to the narrations of the Hadith, and that there is a Wahm (illusion) on the part of Al-Barqy is wrong, because he is a Thiqah (trustworthy) and the addition of the Thiqah narrator should be accepted.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.