The Five Daily Islamic prayers consist of 17 Obligatory (Fard) rakats of Fard with additional Sunnah rakats

How many Rakats in each prayer ?

Here is a breakdown of how many rakats in each pray:

The Fard Rakahs are compulsory whereas the Sunnah Rakahs are optional.

Fajr (dawn) pray 2 sunnah then 2 Fard

Dhuhr (midday) pray 4 sunnah (prayed 2 by 2 ) then 4 fard and 2 sunnah

Asr (Late Afternoon) pray 4 sunnah (prayed 2 by 2 ) then 4 fard

Maghrib (after sunset) pray 3 Fard then 2 sunnah

Isha (Night) pray 2 sunnah then 4 Fard then 2 sunnah and then 3 witr

Note The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also prescribed a (Sunnah) prayer before Maghrib, and between the adhaan and iqaamah. So you may also pray 2 rakahs before Maghrib

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer,” then the third time he said: “For whoever wishes.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (627) and Muslim (838).

What is meant by the two calls is: the Adhan and Iqamah.

Table Shows how many rakats in each of the 5 daily prayers

Note The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also prescribed a (Sunnah) prayer before Maghrib, and between the adhaan and iqaamah. So you may also pray 2 rakahs before Maghrib if you wish.

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer,” then the third time he said: “For whoever wishes.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (627) and Muslim (838).

What is meant by the two calls is: the Adhan and Iqamah.

What to do if the Fard prayer has started or the Iqamah for the fard prayer has started ?

When you are in the Masjid for prayer. If the Iqamah for prayer has started one must stop praying his Sunnah prayers immediately and join the congregation for the Fard prayers.

Some brothers and sisters arrive in the Masjid and see the congregation praying the Fards they do not join the congregation but they start trying to perform the sunnah rakahs and then join. This is wrong and against the Prophet ‘s peace be upon him teachings

What if you are New to prayer

For those who are very new to praying and thus may be overwelmed by the learning process, my advice would be to start by praying just the fard rakats (rakah)

Then as you grow do the sunnah of the fajr prayer and the 3 witr as soon as possible

Then as you grow more you can do the additional sunnahs if you wish.

Sometimes overwhelm themselves and end up missing even the fard prayers.

Number of rakats for Jummah prayer

 Tahiyyat al-Masjid (Greeting the Masjid)

When one arrives in the Masjid he or should offer 2 rakahs prayers for for greeting the Masjid before he or she sits down.

Even if the Khutbah (sermon) for Jummah is being performed he should still do 2 rakahs and then sit down and quietly listen to the sermon. However if the Friday prayer has started he does not do the 2 rakahs salutation but rather he must join the congregation.

 Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Importance of Sunnah prayers

The mother of the faithfull Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that she heard the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam saying: “A house will be built in paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak’ah of optional salah other than the obligatory salah in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” Narrated by Muslim.

According to Imam Nisaai and Imam Tirmidhi these 12 rakkahs are:

2 Before Fard of Fajr

4 Before Fard of  Dhuhr and 2 After the Fard

2 After Fard of  Mahgrib

and 2 After Fard of Isha

Importance of Prayer 2 Rakaats when entering the Masjid

 Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Importance of the 2 Sunnahs of Fajr

 Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “The two rakaats before dawn (fajr) prayer are better than the world and all that it contains.” Narrated by Muslim.

Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam was never more regular and strict in offering any Nawafil than the two rakaats (sunnah before) dawn (fajr) prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhari

Importance of Sunnah of Dhuhr

Umm Habiba radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allah will shield him against the fire of hell.” Narrated bay Abu Daud and At-Tirmithi

Importance of Witr prayer

Abdullah bin Umar Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated thet the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Make Witr as your last salah (prayer) at night.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Importance of Praying 2 Rakaats after wudhu

Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudhu) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim

It is mustahabb to pray two rakahs between each two calls

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer, between each two calls there is a prayer,” then the third time he said: “For whoever wishes.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (627) and Muslim (838).

What is meant by the two calls is: the Adhan and Iqamah.

Muslimconverts.com Admin