Kindly explain the importance of Sunnat-e-Muakkadah. How many Rakaats ofSunnat-e-Muakkadah are there?

Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaat is an emphasised Sunnat which Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) performed punctually without leaving it out.%0D%0AThe Fuqahaa have stated that a person will be sinful for not performing his%0D%0ASunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaats (Shaami vol.1 pg.498; Kuwait).%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Umm Habiba (Radhiyallaahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whosoever performs twelve Rakaats of%0D%0ASalaat during the day and night, an abode in Jannah will be prepared for%0D%0Ahim; four Rakaats before Dhuhr, two Rakaats after Dhuhr, two Rakaats after%0D%0AMaghrib, two Rakaats after Esha and two Rakaats before Fajr Salaat (Mishkat%0D%0Avol.1 pg.103; Kuwait).%0D%0A%0D%0ABesides the above Hadith explaining the general virtue of performing the%0D%0Atwelve Rakaats of Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaat, there are other Ahaadith%0D%0Aexplaining the virtues of some specific Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaats.%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Abu Ayyoub Ansari (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Four Rakaats before Dhuhr with only one%0D%0ASalaam (i.e. with Salaam only after the fourth rakaat, not after two Rakaats%0D%0Aalso) is a means of opening the doors (of mercy) of the sky (Mishkat pg.104;%0D%0AKuwait).%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Umme Habiba (Radhiyallaahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whosoever is punctual in performing the%0D%0Afour Rakaats Salaat before Dhuhr, Allah will make the fire of Hell Haraam%0D%0Aupon him.' (Ibid)%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Huzayfah (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) said, 'Hasten with performing two Rakaats after Maghrib for%0D%0Athey are lifted up with the Fardh Salaat.' (Mishkat pg.105; Kuwait)%0D%0A%0D%0ARasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whosoever leaves out the%0D%0Afour Rakaat Sunnats before Dhuhr, will not get my intercession on the day of%0D%0AQiyaamat.' (Shaami vol.1 pg.494; Kuwait)%0D%0A%0D%0AIt should be noted that on Friday, after the Jummu'ah Salaat for males, it%0D%0Ais also Sunnat-e-Muakkadah to perform 4 Rakaats with one Salaam. (Shaami%0D%0Avol.1 pg.497; Kuwait)%0D%0A%0D%0AApart from the Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaats, occasionally Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) performed voluntary Nafil Salaats before Asr%0D%0Aand Esha, and mentioned great virtues for those Salaats as well.%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whosoever among you performs Salaat%0D%0Aafter Jummu'ah should perform four Rakaats.' (Mishkat pg.104; Kuwait)%0D%0A%0D%0AIbn Umar (Radhiyallaahu Anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam) said, 'May Allah have mercy upon that person who performs four%0D%0ARakaats before Asr Salaat.' (Ibid)%0D%0A%0D%0AThe most emphasised Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaats is the two Rakaats before the%0D%0AFardh of Fajr Salaat.%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Aaisha (Radhiyallaahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) used to be extremely steadfast on the two Sunnat Rakaats of%0D%0AFajr Salaat. (Mishkat pg.104; Kuwait)%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Aaisha (Radhiyallaahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) said, 'The two Rakaats of Fajr Salaat are better than the%0D%0Aentire world and its contents.' (Ibid)%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is mentioned in Sharhul Inaaya that if one reaches the Masjid and the%0D%0Acongregational Fajr Salaat has already commenced and the person has not yet%0D%0Aperformed the two Sunnats of Fajr, then if he expects that he can perform%0D%0Athe Sunnats of Fajr and join the Imaam (at least) in the last Qaaida%0D%0A(sitting), he should perform the two Rakaats of Sunnat (and then join the%0D%0AImaam).' (Fathul Qadeer vol.1 pg.414; Maktaba Rashidiyya). However, the%0D%0ASunnats should not be performed in the Masjid proper.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is reported in Bayhaqi from Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) that%0D%0Athe Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'When the Fardh Salaat%0D%0Abegins then no other prayer should be performed besides the Fardh Salaat,%0D%0Aexcept the two Sunnats of Fajr (they can be performed when the Fardh Salaat%0D%0Ais being performed).' (Bazlul Majhood vol.2 pg.261)%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0A%0D%0A