مرحبا بكم في موقع مواقيت الصلاة

How Many Rakats For Dhuhr (Zuhr) Prayer?

Are you unsure about how many Rakats are in the Dhuhr (Zuhr) prayer? No worries. We have all the answers you need in this blog.

Zuhr Prayer, the second daily prayer in Islam, consists of ten Rakats in total. This post will walk you through the breakdown of these Rakats for an accurate and focused Salah, and answer frequently asked questions about this essential Islamic practice.

Understanding Dhuhr Prayer

Dhuhr prayer is performed by Muslims around midday when the sun has fallen from its zenith point to the west of the sky.

It begins by facing Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. This orientation represents unity and allows worshipers worldwide to connect symbolically with other Muslims during Salah.

Individuals offer 4 Rakats Sunnah, followed by 4 Rakats Fard, and then an additional 2 Rakats Sunnah.  An optional 2 Rakats Nafil can be performed if desired.

Despite its routine nature, each prayer serves as an essential act in cleansing believers’ minds and focusing their attention on Allah SWT.

Dhuhr Prayer Rakats Explained

Below is a detailed description of the Dhuhr prayer Rakats.

4 Rakats Sunnah

Performing the 4 Rakats Sunnah is a crucial part of the Dhuhr prayer. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH always fulfilled these Sunnah Rakats, highlighting their significance in Islamic practice.

Aisha R.A. narrates, “The Prophet (PBUH) never missed four rak’at before the Dhuhr prayer and two rak’at before the Fajr prayer.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1182

You can get more help and protection from Allah SWT through this ritual.

Islamic scholars highly recommend these four Rakats, as they carry great rewards since they are specifically mentioned in a hadith.

‏ مَنْ صَلَّى قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ أَرْبَعًا، وَبَعْدَهَا أَرْبَعًا، حَرَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّارِ ‏”‏ ‏”

“Whoever prays four Rak’ah before the Zuhr and four afterward, Allah will forbid him to the Fire.” Sunan Ibn Majah 1160

Even though they aren’t required, there’s a lot of spiritual value in performing them regularly, along with the Fard prayers.

4 Rakats Fard

In your Dhuhr prayer commitment, the 4 Rakats Fard are mandatory, and come after the first 4 Rakats Sunnah.

Approach these Fard Rakats with reverence and focus. Beyond spiritual benefits, regular prayer practices like these can also be physically beneficial.

Islamic teachings are holistic, so performing the 4 Rakats Fard prayer rewards you spiritually and improves your health.

2 Rakats Sunnah (final part)

Incorporating the 2 Rakats Sunnah after the Fard prayer is highly encouraged in Islam. These extra voluntary prayers hold substantial spiritual rewards and serve as a means of seeking Allah SWT’s protection and blessings.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH himself emphasized the significance of this Sunnah portion, underlining its importance in enhancing worship and connecting with Allah SWT’s divine grace.

By including these 2 Rakats Sunnah in your regular Dhuhr prayer routine, you adhere to the Prophet’s teachings and open yourself up to the abundant spiritual benefits they offer.

Detailed Steps to Perform Dhuhr Prayer

If you want to learn the step-by-step process of performing the Dhuhr prayer, visit our blog post How To Perform Dhuhr Prayer, as we have defined each step in the post with full explanation.

Special Considerations for Jumu’ah prayer (Friday Prayer)

During Jumu’ah prayer, you must be mindful of certain unique aspects. This period is regarded as an exceptional time in Islam, as it is believed that the gates of Heaven are opened, presenting a favorable opportunity for supplicating and seeking blessings from Allah SWT.

It’s worth noting that the timing for Jumu’ah prayer can vary based on your specific location. To ensure you attend this significant occasion, check and confirm the accurate prayer timings well in advance.

The Difference in Opinion About Rakats For Jumu’ah prayer

There are two opinions about the Rakats in Jumu’ah prayer. One group believes that there are four Sunnah before the Jumu’ah prayer, and they relate it to the Sunnah before Dhuhr. At the same time, the second group says that there is no Sunnah before Jumu’ah except for the two rakats of tahiyyat al-Masjid (a prayer performed after entering the masjid).

If you go back to your home after performing the two Fard rakats, then you should perform two rakats at home as it is also noted in a hadith:

‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar, while describing the Nafl prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said:

He did not observe (Nafl) prayer after Jumu’a until he returned and observed two rak’ats in his house. Sahih Muslim 882b

In a nutshell, The Hanafi group says that there are four sunnah prayers before Jumu’ah and four after it. In contrast, the Hanbali group says there is no Sunnah before Jumu’ah except for the two rakats of tahiyyat al masjid, but you can pray two rakats after Jumu’ah.

The Importance and Benefits of Dhuhr Prayer

As you perform the Dhuhr prayer, you align yourself with protection from Hellfire on the Day of Judgment, solidifying your allegiance to Islam.

Through this unique connection you establish with the divine, your soul undergoes purification, and the bond between you and Allah is strengthened.

Regularly engaging in the Dhuhr prayer reminds you of your responsibilities as a Muslim, fostering a life rich in compassion, integrity, and profound gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon you by Allah SWT.

Relevant Hadiths about Dhuhr Prayer

Several hadiths, by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)  highlight the significance of this prayer:

• Whoever prays four rak’ahs before Zuhr and four after, the Fire will not touch him.” Sunan an-Nasa’i 1817
• “The best deeds or deeds are the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 85e.)
• Whoever persists in praying twelve rak’ahs each day and night, Allah SWT, the Mighty, and Sublime will build for him a house in Paradise: Four before Dhuhr and two after Dhuhr, two rak’ahs after Maghrib, two rak’ahs after Isha’ and two rak’ahs of Fajr.” (Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 1795)
• “…and if they knew the reward of the Dhuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time), they would race for it (go early)…” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 615)

Prophet Muhammad PBUH has described the virtues of praying Dhuhr Rakats, including the voluntary ones. He did that to motivate us to pray these voluntary prayers. So, instead of showing laziness, make every effort to pray Dhuhr Fard and Sunnah Rakats on time!

Commonly Asked Questions about Dhuhr Prayer

Below are some of the most common questions that arise among people. We answer them here to make things easier for you.

Can you pray Fard only?

It is permissible to pray only the Fard portion of the Dhuhr prayer. The Fard portion, which consists of four Rakats that must be performed, is mandatory and cannot be skipped.

While the Sunnah and Nafil portions are recommended, they are not required.

Do you pray Sunnah or Fard first?

The Sunnah portion of Zuhr prayer consists of four Rakats performed before the obligatory four Rakats of Fard prayer.

After completing the Fard portion, you can perform two Rakats of Sunnah. It is critical to pray Dhuhr in this order to fulfill the obligatory and recommended portions of the prayer.

Can you pray Sunnah at home?

You can absolutely pray Sunnah at home. In fact, Prophet Muhammad PBUH recommended us to pray Sunnah at home.

“‏إذا قضى أحدكم صلاته في مسجده، فليجعل لبيته نصيبًا من صلاته، فإن الله جاعل في بيته صلاته خيرًا‏”

 “When you have finished your (Fard) Salat (prayer) in the mosque, you should observe some of your (Sunnah and Nawafil) Salat at home; Allah SWT will bless your homes because of your Salat (in your homes).” (Reference:  Riyad as-Salihin 1130)

Sunnah prayers are optional prayers that can be performed before or after obligatory (Fard) prayers. These additional prayers are highly recommended and significantly benefit those who perform them.

The important thing is to establish a consistent practice of offering these voluntary prayers to earn extra blessings and draw yourself closer to Allah SWT, whether you pray Sunnah at home or in a mosque.

Can you pray Sunnah before Adhan?

According to Islamic teachings, praying the Sunnah before the Adhan is permissible. Sunnah prayers are voluntary acts of worship that Muslims are strongly encouraged to perform.

You can only perform these Sunnah prayers for Dhuhr before Adhan if the time for Dhuhr prayer has passed. Your current geographical location determines the timing, so make sure to pray at the appropriate time.

Can you pray Dhuhr Sunnah after Fard?

There are four Sunnah Rakats before Fard and two Sunnah Rakats after the Fard. So, if you miss the four Sunnah before Fard, you can make up for them after performing the two Sunnah Rakats that occur after the Fard.

What is the difference between Sunnah and Fard?

Fard and Sunnah are both types of prayers in Islam, but they differ significantly. Fard refers to the obligatory prayers that every Muslim must perform, whereas Sunnah prayers are recommended but not required.

Conclusion

The Dhuhr prayer encompasses a total of 10 Rakats. This comprises 4 Rakats Sunnah before the obligatory 4 Rakats Fard prayer, followed by 2 Rakats Sunnah.

When you engage in this prayer at its designated time, you’re fulfilling a significant Islamic duty and unlocking many spiritual and physical advantages. Take a moment in your day to establish a direct connection with Allah SWT through the Dhuhr prayer and experience the firsthand benefits it brings into your life.