What is "mustahabb"

Mustahabb ( Arabic: مستحبّ /mustaḥabb/, literally "recommended") is an Islamic term referring to recommended, favored or virtuous actions.

Mustahabb actions are those whose status of approval in Islamic law ( ahkam) falls between mubah (neither encouraged nor discouraged) and wajib (compulsory). One definition is "duties recommended, but not essential; fulfilment of which is rewarded, though they may be neglected without punishment". Synonyms of mustahabb include masnun and mandub. The opposite of mustahabb is makruh (discouraged).