Salah (صلاة) is the formal prayers which are the most basic religious practices in the lives of Muslims. Thus, Salah has become one of the five fundamentals of the Islamic faith, and Allah has felt lenient enough to take time and teach the Muslims to perform to enable them to live a good life.
In Salah, you have several Rakats that change depending on the kind of Salah we are about to undertake or even the time we are undertaking, whether it is fard, sunnah, or nafl. To Muslims, knowing the Prayer Rakats Table is very important for praying well and efficiently.
Here, in this all-embracing article, we categorize the Prayer Rakats Table, lead our dear readers through the types of Salah, and give an explanation of some of the verses in the Quran and Hadith to this Imbraced Act of Praise with hands clasped at the palms.
Why Salah is Important
Not only is it an act of prostration, but it is closest to Allah as personified by the Prophet (Peace be upon him). They learn discipline and humility; it eliminates hatred and keeps believers away from evil. The Quran highlights its significance:
“إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ”
‘Surely, Salah will keep away from Forna and Fasad, and the remembering of Allah is much more.’ And Allah knows what you do.” (Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:45)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also stressed its importance:
“الصَّلَاةُ عِمَادُ الدِّينِ، مَن أَقَامَهَا فَقَدْ أَقَامَ الدِّينَ”
‘Al-Salat is the pillar of the Din and standing up for it is tantamount to establishing the Din. ”The fundamental of the religion is prayer.” Whoever established it has established the religion.” (Musnad Ahmad, 211)
While offering Salah at the right time and the right number of Rakats is wajib, it also invites His blessings and grace.
Understanding the Prayer Rakats Table
To perform Salah correctly, knowing the number and type of Rakats for each of the five daily prayers is essential Below is the detailed Prayer Rakats Table, which includes obligatory (Fard), Sunnah, and optional (Nafl) units:
| Prayer | Sunnah Mu’akkadah | Fard (Obligatory) | Sunnah Mu’akkadah | Nafl (Optional) | Witr (Compulsory) | Total Rakats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | 4 |
| Dhuhr | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 12 |
| Asr | – | 4 | – | – | – | 4 |
| Maghrib | – | 3 | 2 | 2 | – | 7 |
| Isha | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
Key Highlights of the Rakats Table
- Fajr (Morning Prayer)
- 2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah (highly recommended).
- 2 Rakats Fard (obligatory).
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“رَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا”
“The two Rakats of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it.”
(Sahih Muslim, 725) - Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
- 4 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah before Fard.
- 4 Rakats Fard.
- 2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah after Fard.
- 2 Rakats Nafl.
- Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
- 4 Rakats Fard.
Although there is no emphasized Sunnah before or after Asr, the Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged offering voluntary Rakats:
“رَحِمَ اللهُ امْرَءًا صَلَّى قَبْلَ العَصْرِ أَرْبَعًا”
“May Allah have mercy on a person who prays four Rakats before Asr.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, 1271) - 4 Rakats Fard.
- Maghrib (Evening Prayer)
- 3 Rakats Fard.
- 2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
- 2 Rakats Nafl.
- Isha (Night Prayer)
- 4 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah before Fard.
- 4 Rakats Fard.
- 2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah after Fard.
- 2 Rakats Nafl.
- 3 Rakats Witr (compulsory).
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized Witr:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ”
“Indeed, Allah is Witr (One) and loves Witr.”
(Sahih Bukhari, 6419)
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Salah
- Purification (Wudu):
- Perform Wudu to cleanse yourself physically and spiritually.
- Ensure your prayer area and clothing are clean.
- Intention (Niyyah):
- Make a sincere intention in your heart to perform the specific prayer.
- Opening Takbir (Takbir al-Ihram):
- Raise your hands to your ears and say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer.
- Recitation:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by another Surah in the first two Rakats of every Salah.
- Ruku (Bowing):
- Bend at your waist, place your hands on your knees, and say, “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” three times.
- Sujood (Prostration):
- Place your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground, saying, “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times.
- Tashahhud (Sitting for Testimony):
- After two Rakats, sit and recite At-Tashahhud, praising Allah and seeking blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- Salam (Closing):
- End the prayer by turning your head to the right and left, saying, “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
Conclusion
The Prayer Rakats Table also informs Muslims if they are correctly performing Salat. In Islam, as Muslims perform salah in a very right way, they receive many benefits in terms of spirituality, and they also have an increased level of obedience towards Allah. As the Quran beautifully reminds us:
“حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَٱلصَّلَاةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ”
“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer, and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:238)
May this guide help you perfect your Salah and achieve greater closeness to Alla.?