The Holy Prophet(sa) of Islam offered extra Rak‘at of Prayer in addition to those of Fard Prayers. These Prayers are called Sunnat Prayers. Offering Sunnat Prayers is considered to be necessary by all jurists. The wilful neglect of Sunnat Prayers is censurable in the sight of Allah. Sunnat Prayers are:
Two Rak‘at before the Fard Prayer of Fajr; but if a person joins the congregation without having offered two Rak‘at of Sunnat due to some unavoidable circumstances, he can offer them after the congregational lead Prayer.
Four Rak‘at before Fard and two Rak‘at after Fard in Zuhr Prayer. In case one has not performed the four Rak‘at of Sunnat before the congregational four Rak‘at due to unavoidable circumstances, one should do so after the congregational Prayer.
Note: Ahmadi Muslims, who most often follow the Hanafi school of thought, offer four Rak‘at of Sunnat before the Fard of Zuhr and two Rak‘at of Sunnat after the Fard of Zuhr Prayer. However, some other Muslims offer four Rak‘at of Sunnat before the Fard of Zuhr Prayer and four after the Fard of Zuhr Prayer.
Two Rak‘at of Sunnat after the Fard of Maghrib Prayer.
Two Rak‘at of Sunnat after the Fard Rak‘at of ‘Isha’ Prayer.