How Many Rakats Are in the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer in Islam?

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Learn about Fajr and how many Rakats are in all five daily prayers
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Daily prayer (Salat, plural Salah) is one of the most important pillars of Islam. Muslims pray, facing the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and just after dark. Fajr is the dawn prayer, performed when the white light of the sun just starts to appear over the horizon. Keep reading to learn how many Rakats (or units of movements and prayers) to perform, what the five daily prayers are, and how to complete Fajr each morning before your day begins.

How Many Rakats Do You Pray for Fajr?

Pray 2 Rakat Sunnah (optional, but highly recommended) and 2 Rakat Fardh (obligatory) during Fajr. Fajr is prayed at true dawn when the sun’s light just appears above the horizon. Pray 4 Rakat Fardh for Dhuhr (midday), 4 Rakat Fardh for Asr (afternoon), 3 Rakat Fardh for Maghrib (sunset), and 7 Rakat Fardh for Isha (night).

Section 1 of 4:

How many Rakats are prayed for Fajr?

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  1. Fardh (or Fard) and Wajib prayers are obligatory, and it’s sinful to leave them out intentionally. Sunnah prayers are optional but highly recommended because the Holy Prophet of Islam offered them. Nafl prayers are completely optional, but those who offer them benefit from Allah’s favor. [1]
    • Fajr: 2 Rakat Sunnah, then 2 Rakat Fardh.
    • Dhuhr: 4 Rakat Sunnah, then 4 Rakat Fardh, then 2 Rakat Sunnah, then 2 Rakat Nafl (optional).
    • Asr: 4 Rakat Sunnah, then 4 Rakat Fardh.
    • Maghrib: 3 Rakat Fardh, then 2 Rakat Sunnah, then 2 Rakat Nafl (optional).
    • Isha: 4 Rakat Sunnah, then 4 Rakat Fardh, then 2 Rakat Sunnah, then 2 Rakat Nafl (optional), then 3 Rakat Witr Wajib (obligatory, second to Fardh), then 2 Rakat Nafl (optional).
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Section 2 of 4:

What are the five daily prayers?

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  1. In addition to these, some Muslims choose to pray Tahajjad at night and Duha between sunrise and noon. Salah reminds Muslims to be faithful to Allah, provides opportunities to seek His forgiveness and guidance, and allows them to connect with Muslims around the world. [2]
    • Fajr (prayed before sunrise at true dawn, when light first appears)
    • Dhuhr (prayed at midday)
    • Asr (prayed at late afternoon)
    • Maghrib (prayed at sunset)
    • Isha (prayed at night before bed)
    • The times of the five daily prayers depend on your location. Use this tool to see when to pray each day.
Section 3 of 4:

What is the Qibla?

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  1. The Qibla is the direction Muslims around the globe face when performing their daily prayers. [3] The Kaaba (or “cube”) is the most sacred site in Islam, where Muslims pilgrimage to every year. [4]
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Section 4 of 4:

Performing Fajr

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  1. In any language, verbally or silently say that you intend to offer this Salat Fajr and how many Rakats you’re about to pray. Focus on Allah and raise both hands, palms facing the Qibla, while saying “Allah u Akbar” (“Allah is the greatest”). This position is called “qiyam.” [5]
    • Traditionally, men raise their hands up to their earlobes while women raise their hands to their shoulders. [6]
    • Find a clean space (like on a prayer mat) out of the way of others to perform Salat. [7] If you can’t stand, you can pray sitting down.
    • Perform wudu before it’s time for Salat. Men wear clothes that cover everything from your navel to your knees. Women cover everything except the hands, feet, and face. [8]
  2. Women traditionally place their hands over their chest, right hand over left. [9] Recite the following prayers in Arabic: [10]
    • “Subhanaka Allah humma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.”
      • “Praise and glory be to you O Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no God but You.”
    • “Audu bi Allah i mina ashaitan i errajeem. Bismillah i rrahman i erraheem.”
      • “I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned. In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.”
    • “Al humdo lil-lahi rab-bil al ala-meen. Arrahman i rraheem. Maliki yaum i eddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta een. Ihdinas sirata almustaqeem. Siratal lazhina anamta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim, wa la adhdhaal leen. (Aameen).” (Al-Fatihah prayer)
      • “Praise be to Allah, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (portion) is not wrath, And who go not astray. (Let it be so).”
    • Recite any other Surah. The minimum recitation is 3 verses, or one long verse equal in length to 3 verses, but it’s better to recite a complete Surah. [11]
  3. This position is called Ruku. Make sure your back is straight. Rest at this position and say “Subhana rabbiya al azeem” (“Glorified is my Lord, the Great”) at least 3 times. [12]
  4. This means “Allah listens to him who praises Him.” When you stand up fully, say “Rab'bana lakal hamd” (“Our Lord, praise be for you only”). [13]
  5. When prostrating, or laying on the ground face-down, make sure your forehead, nose, palms, hands, knees, and toes are pointed forward and touching the floor. Say “Subhana rubbiyal a'ala” (“Glory to Allah, the Exalted”) at least 3 times. [14]
    • This position is called “sujood.” [15]
  6. When you sit up, place the palms of your hands on your knees, sit on the bottom of your left foot, and keep the toes of your right foot pointed forward with the sole facing behind you. After a few minutes, return to the prostration position while saying “Allah u Akbar.” [16]
    • Once prostrating, recite “Subhana rubbiyal a'ala” (“Glory to Allah, the Exalted”).
    • Traditionally, women lean on their left hip with the toes of both feet pointing to their right side.
    • The sitting position is called “Juloos.” [17]
    • This completes one Rakat.
  7. Stand with your right hand over your left, below the navel. Recite the Al-Fatihah prayer and any short Surah or verses of the Holy Qur’an. [18] Repeat steps 3 through 6 to complete the first part of the second Rakat.
    • “Al humdo lil-lahi rab-bil al ala-meen. Arrahman i rraheem. Maliki yaum i eddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta een. Ihdinas sirata almustaqeem. Siratal lazhina anamta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim, wa la adhdhaal leen. (Aameen).” (Al-Fatihah prayer)
  8. While sitting, recite “Attahiyat u lil Allah i wa assalawat u wa attaiyibat. Assalam u a'laika aiyoha annabiyyu wa rahmat u Allah i wa barakatuh. Assalam u a'laina wa a'la ebadi e llahi essaliheen.” [19]
    • This roughly translates to “All our oral, physical and monetary ways of worship are only for Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah.”
  9. Keeping your hands rested on your knees, lift your right index finger and move it up and down as you recite “Ashehadu alla ilaha illa Allah u wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh.” Then, say this prayer: [20]
    • “Allah umma salli a'la Muhammadin wa ala aali Muhummadin, kama sallaita ala Ibraheema, wa ala aali Ibraheem, innaka hameedun majeed. Allah u mma barik a'la Muhammadin wa ala aali Muhummadin, kama barakta ala Ibraheema, wa ala aali Ibraheem, innaka h ameedun majeed”
      • “O God send your Mercy on Muhammad and his posterity as you sent Your mercy on Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious. O God, send your Blessings on Muhammad and his posterity as you have blessed Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most praised, The Most Glorious.”
    • The last part of the Tashahud translates to “I testify that there is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.” [21]
  10. A popular, simple supplication is “’Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanataw wa fil-aakhirati hasantaw wa qina ‘adhaaban Naar’.” This means “O our Lord give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” [22]
  11. Complete the Surat by turning your face over your right shoulder. Say “Assalam u a'laikum wa rahmatu Allah” (“Peace and mercy of Allah be on you”). Turn your face to the left and repeat the same prayer. [23]
    • This completes the 2 Rakat Fardh.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.alislam.org/book/salat/types-of-prayers-number-of-rakats/
      2. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2019/03/the-five-daily-prayer-times-and-why-we-observe-them
      3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/qiblah
      4. ↑ https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/resources/knowledge-base/five-pillars-of-islam/hajj/the-kaaba/
      5. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      6. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      7. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      8. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      9. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      1. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      2. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      3. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      4. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      5. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      6. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      7. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      8. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      9. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      10. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      11. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      12. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      13. ↑ https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/07/how-to-perform-salah
      14. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf

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