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How Many Rakats in Isha Prayer?

Have you ever wondered how many Rakats the Isha prayer has? As one of the five daily prayers in Islam, Isha holds great importance and has specific number of Rakats.

In this article, we’ll break down how these Rakats are categorized into obligatory and optional categories to give you a better understanding.

Let’s jump right in and figure out what this Islamic practice is all about!

Understanding Isha Prayer

Isha prayer is the last of the five daily prayers in Islam and is a significant part of Muslim life. It lets people calm down, think about the day, and reach out to Allah SWT before bed.

During the Isha prayer, Muslims worldwide carefully follow several essential rituals.

The practice is split into two groups: those that are required, called Fard, and those that aren’t, called Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr.

How Many Rakats are in Isha?

Isha prayer consists of obligatory and optional Rakats.

Obligatory Rakats

Muslims perform four mandatory Rakats, known as Fard, during the Isha prayer. The proclamation of “Allahu Akbar” and a structured sequence of standing, kneeling, and prostrating are central to Islamic practices.

Fard Rakats are extremely important in Islam and essential to a Muslim’s daily worship routine. Each movement represents humility before Allah SWT because it engages the body and the mind in submission to God’s will.

Optional Rakats

You can perform additional Rakats during Isha prayer, which is entirely optional. These extra units include Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr prayers.

Nafl prayers allow Muslims to deepen their spiritual connection with Allah SWT through voluntary worship. Finally, Witr prayers are optional in Islam, but the Hanafi school of thought considers it as wajib (required).

Clearing the Dispute of Rakats Number in Isha Prayer

Numerous articles on the internet claim that there are 17 Rakats of Isha in the following order: 4 Sunnah, 4 Fard, 2 Sunnah, 2 Nafl, 3 Witr, 2 Nafl.

However, there are no credible references to back up these claims. The only reference we have is from a hadith about praying two Rakats after Isha:

“‏ مَنْ ثَابَرَ عَلَى ثِنْتَىْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مِنَ السُّنَّةِ، بُنِيَ لَهُ بَيْتٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ. أَرْبَعٍ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ، وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ، وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ، وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ، وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

“The Messenger of Allah PBUH said: ‘Whoever persists in performing twelve Rak’ah from the Sunnah, a house will be built for him in Paradise: four before the Dhuhr, two Rak’ah after Dhuhr, two Rak’ah after Maghrib, two Rak’ah after the ‘Isha’ and two Rak’ah before Fajr.’” Sunan Ibn Majah 1140

Nafl prayers are voluntary, and you can perform as many as you want; there is no specific count. If we talk about Witr, Prophet Muhamad PBUH used to pray 3, 5, 7, and sometimes even 9 Rakats of Witr, and he used to pray it at the end of the night.

So, if we take evidence from hadiths, we can conclude that the total number of Rakats in Isha is 9 (if we count Witr as three Rakats), as follows:

• 4 Rakats Fard
• 2 Rakats Sunnah (Muakkadah)
• 3 Rakats Witr

Note: Sunnah Muakkadah are those that Prophet Muhammad PBUH never missed in his entire life.

How to Perform Isha Prayer

If you want to learn more about praying Isha in step-by-step, visit our article [How To Perform Isha Prayer]. In this article, we describe all the steps, including how to perform Witr prayer. So, feel free to check it out!

Comparing Rakats in Other Daily Prayers

In other daily prayers, such as Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, and Maghrib, the number of Rakats differs from Isha prayer.

Fajr Prayer (Morning Prayer)

Fajr prayer, known as the Morning Prayer, consists of four Rakats in total. It includes two Rakats as Sunnah Mokaddah (highly recommended) and two Rakats as Fard (obligatory).

In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad PBUH said Allah SWT protects the one who prays Fajr.

‏ مَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏”‏ ‏”

“Whoever offers the morning prayer, he is under the protection of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.” Sunan Ibn Majah 3946

It is said that offering Fajr and Asr prayers guarantees entry into Jannah (heaven). It’s important to note that the Rakats in Fajr prayer differ from those in other daily prayers, making this morning prayer a unique and significant part of Islamic worship.

 ‏ مَنْ صَلَّى الْبَرْدَيْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ‏”‏‏”

 ‘Whoever prays the two cool prayers (`Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.’ “ (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 574)

Dhuhr Prayer (Noon Prayer)

Muslims perform the Dhuhr, or the Noon Prayer after the sun has passed its zenith and begins to decline. This prayer consists of 10 Rakats: four sunnahs, 4 Fard, and two sunnahs.

Like other daily prayers, the Dhuhr prayer follows a similar structure.

Asr Prayer (Afternoon Prayer)

In Islam, the afternoon prayer is known as Asr. It is made up of eight Rakats, among which are Sunnah Non-Mokaddah and Fard. It is believed that offering Asr prayer can gain significant spiritual benefits and blessings from Allah SWT.

Maghrib Prayer (Evening Prayer)

Maghrib prayer, also known as the Evening Prayer, is integral to Islam’s daily devotions. It is made up of seven Rakats: 3 Fard (obligatory), 2 Sunnat Moakkadah (highly recommended), and 2 Nafl (optional).

The number of Rakats performed during Maghrib prayer differs from the number of Rakats performed during other daily prayers. Offering the Maghrib prayer on time is critical, as failing is considered a punishable offense.

Benefits of Isha Prayer

Performing Isha prayer has numerous benefits for a Muslim’s physical and spiritual well-being. Physically, it relieves stress and promotes relaxation, allowing people to unwind after a long day.

Furthermore, regular participation in this prayer can improve posture and flexibility due to the various physical movements performed during the prayer.

Isha prayer is viewed spiritually as an opportunity for introspection and connection with Allah SWT. It enables people to seek forgiveness for their sins and seek guidance in their lives.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH has described great rewards for performing the Isha prayer in the congregation.

“Whoever prays `Isha` in congregation, it is as if he spent half the night in prayer,” Musnad Ahmad 408

The tranquil atmosphere created during this time promotes a sense of calm and inner peace in believers. Furthermore, performing the Isha prayer regularly increases one’s devotion to Allah SWT, strengthening one’s faith and deepening one’s relationship with Him.

Overall, the advantages of Isha prayer go beyond religious significance. Its physical benefits encourage healthy living, while its spiritual benefits nourish the soul, resulting in a harmonious mind, body, and spirit balance.

Conclusion

As you strive to deepen your connection with Allah SWT through your daily prayers, understanding the Isha prayer’s structure is important. This prayer comprises both mandatory  and optional Rakats, offering you various opportunities for devotion.

The Isha prayer entails four obligatory Rakats (Fard), which are the core of this prayer. Additionally, five optional Rakats – these encompass Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr prayers – allow you to express your devotion further and seek closeness to Allah SWT.

To get the most out of the Isha prayer, consider following a step-by-step guide to ensure that you perform it accurately and with sincerity. This way, you can embrace the blessings and rewards of engaging in this essential act of worship.

FAQs

Can extra optional (Nafl) Rakats be performed after the obligatory Sunnah prayers in Isha?

Yes, after performing the obligatory and Sunnah Rakats, one may perform voluntary (Nafl) Rakats if desired. The number of Nafl Rakats varies according to personal preference and devotion.

What should be done if one misses the compulsory prayer of Isha?

If a person has missed the mandatory prayers in Isha, they should make up for it as soon as possible by performing Qada’s prayers. When making up missed prayers, seeking advice from a qualified religious authority is critical.

When is the Ideal Time for Isha Prayer?

At nightfall, when the red glow in the sky has faded, is the best time for Isha prayer. It is the last of the five daily prayers in Islam and is very important for Muslims worldwide.

What Should I Do Before Isha Prayer?

Before you begin performing the Isha prayer, you must first prepare. To begin, perform Wudu, a cleansing ritual to purify yourself. Men must cover their bodies from the navel to their knees, while women must cover their entire bodies except for their hands and faces.

It’s important to remember that each type of prayer has its own recitations and body movements, so get familiar with them beforehand. Remember that there are Sunnah prayers (both confirmed and unconfirmed) that you can perform as well.

These steps will prepare you for a focused and meaningful Isha prayer experience.