Every one of the five daily prayers in Islam has a fixed number of rakats — units of prayer made of specific standing, bowing, and prostrating movements. Getting these counts right is essential for your Salah to be valid. In this guide you'll find the exact rakat count for Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha — clearly separating Fard (obligatory), Sunnah (recommended), and Nafl (voluntary) — with evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and a note on how the schools of jurisprudence differ.
[مؤهله — مثال: Ijazah in Qur'an (Hafs), X years teaching at Madrasat El Quran] · Last reviewed: [شهر/سنة]
The Importance of Salah in Islam
Salah is a direct link between the believer and Allah — a daily act of worship that maintains discipline, fosters gratitude, and strengthens one's connection with the Creator. It answers the question of why Muslims pray five times a day: to keep faith present in every part of the day. To perfect your recitation within it, exploring free online Tajweed courses is a valuable step.
Performing Each Prayer with Its Rakats
Each prayer has a specific number of rakats designed to maintain spiritual balance throughout the day. As Allah says:
"Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times."
— Surah An-Nisa (4:103)فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا
What Is a Rakat in Salat?
A rakat is a single unit of the Islamic prayer that includes standing (Qiyam), bowing (Ruku), and prostrating (Sujood), each performed with specific Qur'anic recitations. Each of the five daily obligatory prayers consists of a set number of rakats, varying by the time of day.
How Many Rakats in Each Prayer? (Summary Table)
The table below is the single reference for the counts used throughout this guide, following the Hanafi method.
| Prayer | Sunnah (before) | Fard | Sunnah (after) | Nafl | Witr | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | 4 |
| Dhuhr | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 12 |
| Asr | 4 | 4 | – | – | – | 8 |
| Maghrib | – | 3 | 2 | 2 | – | 7 |
| Isha | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
"Sunnah before/after" = Sunnah Mu'akkadah & Ghair Mu'akkadah · "Witr" is treated as Wajib in the Hanafi school.
The number of Fard rakats is agreed upon by all four schools (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali). The Sunnah counts differ slightly between them. [يكمل المراجِع الفروق الأساسية باختصار]. If you follow a specific madhhab, refer to its guidance for the emphasized Sunnah.
Fajr (Dawn) Prayer — 4 Rakats
Fajr is the first prayer, performed before sunrise. As Allah says:
"Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and [also] the recitation of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed."
— Surah Al-Isra (17:78)أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
- 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah — performed first, strongly emphasized.
- 2 Fard — obligatory, the essential part of Fajr.
Dhuhr (Noon) Prayer — 12 Rakats
Dhuhr is offered in the early afternoon after the sun passes its zenith.
- 4 Sunnah Mu'akkadah — before the Fard.
- 4 Fard — obligatory.
- 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah — after the Fard.
- 2 Nafl — optional.
Asr (Afternoon) Prayer — 8 Rakats
Asr is the third prayer, performed in the late afternoon.
- 4 Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah — optional, less emphasized.
- 4 Fard — obligatory, the core of Asr.
Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer — 7 Rakats
Maghrib is performed immediately after sunset and is unique for its odd Fard count.
- 3 Fard — obligatory, the core of Maghrib.
- 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah — after the Fard.
- 2 Nafl — optional.
Isha (Night) Prayer — 15 Rakats
Isha is the last prayer of the day, performed at night.
- 4 Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah — optional.
- 4 Fard — obligatory.
- 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah — after the Fard.
- 2 Nafl — optional.
- 3 Witr (Wajib) — concludes the day's prayers.
During Ramadan, many Muslims also perform special night prayers. Learn how to pray Taraweeh and its significance in night worship.
"[نص الحديث بترجمة مرخّصة — يختاره المراجِع. المرجّح: حديث أم حبيبة عن الاثنتي عشرة ركعة سنّة]"
— [المصدر ورقم الحديث — مثال: Sahih Muslim 728]Additional Notes
- Sunnah rakats are not obligatory but highly recommended; the Prophet ﷺ performed them regularly.
- Nafl rakats are entirely optional and bring additional reward.
- Witr concludes the day's prayers; the Hanafi school treats it as Wajib.
Courses for a Deeper Understanding of Islam
- Online Quran Recitation Course
- Free Quran Memorization Online Course
- Online Ijazah Course
- Islamic Studies Online Course
FAQ: How Many Rakats in Each Prayer?
What are rakats?
Rakats are units of prayer in Islam. Each rakat is a sequence of standing, bowing, and prostrating, performed with specific recitations.
Is it mandatory to perform Sunnah rakats?
Sunnah rakats are not obligatory but highly recommended. Performing them brings additional reward and completes the prayer experience.
Why is it important to know the number of rakats?
Knowing the count helps you fulfill each prayer correctly and maintain a structured daily worship.
What should I do if I miss a rakat?
Complete the prayer, then perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sujud as-Sahw) at the end to compensate.
Is there a specific time for each prayer?
Yes — each of the five daily prayers has a specific time window during which it should be performed.
