Rakats of the daily prayers

Each salah is made of units called rakats. Allah has made salah obligatory at fixed times (an-Nisa 4:103) and commands us to establish it (al-Baqarah 2:43).

Fard (obligatory) rakats

1. Fajr: 2
2. Zuhr: 4
3. Asr: 4
4. Maghrib: 3
5. Isha: 4

That makes 17 fard rakats a day. On Friday, Jumu'ah takes the place of Zuhr (al-Jumu'ah 62:9).

Sunnah prayed with the fard The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever regularly prays twelve voluntary rakats in a day and night, Allah builds for him a house in Paradise (reported by Muslim). They are:

1. Fajr: 2 before the fard. The Prophet was more regular in these two than in any other voluntary prayer.
2. Zuhr: 4 before the fard and 2 after.
3. Maghrib: 2 after the fard.
4. Isha: 2 after the fard.

Another authentic report mentions 2 before Zuhr instead of 4; both are from the Prophet. You may also pray voluntary rakats before Asr and before Isha, since the Prophet said there is a prayer between every adhan and iqamah.

Witr Pray witr after Isha and before Fajr: an odd number of rakats, commonly three. The Prophet never left it, at home or on a journey, and it is strongly emphasised. Make it the last prayer of your night.

Jumu'ah (Friday)

1. Before the khutbah, pray as many voluntary rakats as you can.
2. After the khutbah, 2 fard rakats with the imam.
3. After the fard, 4 rakats in the mosque or 2 at home; both are reported from the Prophet.

Good to know

1. A traveller shortens each four-rakat fard to two (an-Nisa 4:101). Fajr and Maghrib stay the same.
2. A woman does not pray during menstruation or postnatal bleeding, and does not make those prayers up.
3. If you sleep through a prayer or forget it, pray it as soon as you remember.

Scholars differ on some details, such as the number of witr rakats.

If you are unsure about your own situation, ask a trusted local alim.