How Many Rakat Are There in the Maghrib Salah?

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Learn how to perform the Maghrib and how to do it while traveling
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The Maghrib prayer is one of the 5 mandatory daily prayers for Muslims. This beautiful Islamic tradition takes place right after sunset and ends right around the time the sun disappears. Although there are 7 total rakat, or units of movement and prayer, only 3 are mandatory. Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs of this holy prayer, including how to perform it if you’re new to Islam.

Number of Rakat in Maghrib

There are 3 rakat Fardh (mandatory), 2 rakat Sunnah (optional, but highly recommended), and 2 rakat Nafl (completely optional) in the Maghrib prayer. Together, this makes 7 rakat, with 3 obligatory rakat that must be performed each time. Maghrib begins immediately after sunset and ends at dusk.

Section 1 of 6:

How Many Rakat in Maghrib

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  1. Maghrib is one of the 5 daily Salah (prayers), and Muslims perform it just after sunset so that it ends at dark. Maghrib has 3 rakat Fardh, 2 rakat Sunnah, and 2 rakat Nafl. [1] Rakat are units of movement and supplication performed during Salah.
    • Fardh prayers are obligatory, and missing them is a major sin. If you miss a prayer, make it up as soon as you remember it.
    • Sunnah prayers are highly recommended, and you will gain great rewards for performing them, but there is no sin for skipping them.
    • Nafl prayers are completely optional and can be skipped without penalty.
    • Wajib prayers are obligatory (second to Fardh) and are only included in the Isha (night) prayer.
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Section 2 of 6:

Performing the Rakat Fardh in the Maghrib Prayer

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  1. To prepare for prayer, perform Wudu by completely washing your wrists, hands, nostrils, face, and arms (beginning with the right). Wipe your head and the insides of both ears, then wash the ankles and feet, beginning with the right foot. [2]
    • After, say “Ash-hadu anllaa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluh,” which means “I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”
    • Then say “Allahuma ij-’alnee minat-tawabeen waj-’alnee minal-mutatahireen,” meaning “Oh Allah, make me among those who turn in repentance to you and make me among those who purify themselves.”
  2. Make a sincere intention to perform this prayer for the sake of Allah. Stand upright and face the direction of the Qibla, the Muslim holy site. Lift both hands to your ears so your fingertips are in line with your shoulders or ears and say “Allaahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest). [3]
    • This movement is called qiyam . [4] The phrase is called the Takbir , and is repeated several times during daily prayer. [5]
    • Use Google’s Qibla Finder to locate the direction of the Qibla.
  3. Say “Subhanaka Allah humma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk,” which means “Praise and glory be to you O Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no God but You” Then, recite these prayers and Al-Fatiha: [6]
    • Ta’awadh: “Audu bi Allah i mina ashaitan i errajeem,” which translates to “I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned.”
    • Tasmiah: “Bismillah i rrahman i erraheem,” which means “In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.”
    • Surat Al-Fatiha: “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)”
    • “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.”
    • Recite a short chapter from the Qur’an of your choice. Examples include Al-Kawthar 108:1-3, Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4, Al-Falaq 113:1-5, and An-Nas 114:1-6. [7]
  4. Say the Takbir , then bow down until you can place your hands on your knees. [8] Make sure your back is at a 90-degree angle with your legs. [9] Recite this prayer 3 times:
    • “Subhana rabbiya al azeem,” which means “Glorified is my Lord, the Great.”
    • This position is called ruku or rukoo .
  5. Slowly rise to a standing position and say “Samia Allah u liman hamidah,” meaning “Allah listens to him who praises Him.” After you stand fully, say “Rab'bana lakal hamd,” which means “Our Lord, praise be for you only.” [10]
  6. Say “Allaahu Akbar” and drop to the floor. Make sure the toes of your feet are upright, with your soles facing behind you. Place your fingers together as you press your palms to the floor. In this position, say “Subhana rubbiyal a'ala” (“Glory to Allah, the Exalted”) three times. [11]
    • This position is called Sujood. [12]
  7. Sit with the top of your left foot against the ground and underneath you. Place the toes of your right foot against the floor with your sole facing behind you. [13] Place your hands on your knees and, optionally, say this prayer three times:
    • “Astaghfirullaaha rabbee wa atoobu ilayh,” meaning “I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn towards him.” [14]
  8. As you go into the prostration ( sujood ) position for the second time, make sure your forehead, nose, knees, and palms are pressed to the ground. Once you’re fully in this position, say the following three times: [15]
    • “Subhana rubbiyal a'ala,” which translates to “Glory to Allah, the Exalted.” [16]
    • This completes one Rak’ah. [17]
  9. Repeat the third step, except that you only recite Surat Al-Fatiha along with any short Surah or verses from the holy Qu’ran. [18]
    • Al-Fatiha: “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)”
    • “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.”
  10. After you finish those 4 steps, enter the sitting position with your right foot facing behind you and your left foot underneath you. [19] Raise your right index finger and recite the Tashahud : [20]
    • “At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi wassalawaatu wat tayibaatu assalaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakaatuh assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ebaadillaahis saaliheen, ash hadu allaa ilaha illa Allah Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhuu wa rasuuluh.”
    • “All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”
    • This completes the second Rak’ah.
  11. All postures and prayers are the same, except you may only recite Al-Fatiha without any additional Surah from the Qur’an. [21]
    • This completes the third Rak’ah.
    • If you’re performing the optional prayers, continue to the next section. If you’re done, go to the section on completing the prayer.
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Section 3 of 6:

Performing the Rakat Sunnah & Nafl in the Maghrib Prayer

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  1. Sunnah prayers are another way to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) and increase your spiritual rewards in this life and in the hereafter. To perform Sunnah, follow the steps above until you complete 2 rakat. [22]
    • Make sure to perform wudu beforehand and face the direction of the Qibla as you pray.
    • After you’re finished, continue to the next section to perform the closing movements before moving on to the rakat Fardh.
  2. Rakat Nafl are completely optional but can draw you closer to Allah and lead to even greater rewards. [23] To pray Nafl, follow the same steps for the rakat Fardh until you finish 2 rakat. [24]
    • Follow the closing steps in the section below when you’re finished with your prayers.
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Section 4 of 6:

Completing Each Rakat in the Maghrib Prayer

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  1. After you complete each kind of rakat (Fard, Sunnah, or Nafl), perform these closing prayers. Stay in the sitting position with your left foot underneath you and the index finger of your right hand raised slightly. Repeat the rest of the Tashahud : [25]
    • “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad Kamaa salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim Innaka Hameedun Majeed Wa baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad Kamaa baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim Innaka Hameedun Majeed.”
    • “O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family (or followers) of Muhammad, just as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the followers of Ibrahim, verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as you blessed Ibrahim and the followers of Ibraaheem, verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty.”
  2. From the sitting position, turn your face to the right side of your body and say “Assalam u a'laikum wa rahmatu Allah,” which means “Peace and mercy of Allah be on you.” Turn to the left side of your body and repeat the line once again. [26]
    • These lines are directed to the angels and the Muslims on your right and left.
    • This ends the Salah.
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Section 5 of 6:

Praying Maghrib While Traveling

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  1. Because the number of Rakat in Maghrib is an odd number, there is not a reduction in the number of rakat if you’re traveling. [27] However, it’s permissible to combine Maghrib and Isha by offering both at either prayer time. [28]
    • For example, if you cannot perform Maghrib because you’re on a plane, you can wait until you land after dark to perform both Maghrib and Isha back-to-back.
    • You can also perform Maghrib in full (with 3 rakat) and pray Isha as shortened a traveling prayer (5 rakat). [29]
Section 6 of 6:

How many rakat are in the other daily prayers?

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  1. Fajr has 2 mandatory rakat, Dhuhr has 4, Asr has 4, and Isha has 7. On top of the obligatory rakat, there are optional rakat you can perform. [30]
    • Fajr (dawn prayer): 2 rakat Sunnah, 2 rakat Fardh
    • Dhuhr (noon prayer): 4 rakat Sunnah, 4 rakat Fardh, 2 rakat Sunnah, 2 rakat Nafl
    • Asr (afternoon prayer): 4 rakat Sunnah, 4 rakat Fardh
    • Isha (night prayer): 4 rakat Sunnah, 4 rakat Fardh, 2 rakat Sunnah, 2 rakat Nafl, 2 rakat Wajib, and 2 rakat Nafl
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      • Menstruation or post-natal women do not have to pray as long as they bleed. Their prayers do not need to be made up. [31]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/resources/prayer-timetables/london/
      2. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      3. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      4. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/files/prayers.pdf
      6. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      7. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/files/prayers.pdf
      9. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      1. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      2. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      3. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      4. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/files/prayers.pdf
      6. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      7. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      8. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      9. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      10. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf
      11. ↑ https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-learn-pray-salah/chapter-4/
      12. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      13. ↑ https://www.arabiantongue.com/sunnah-prayers/
      14. ↑ https://iqraonline.com/are-nafl-and-sunnah-the-same/
      15. ↑ https://iqraonline.com/are-nafl-and-sunnah-the-same/
      16. ↑ https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-learn-pray-salah/chapter-4/
      17. ↑ https://icohp.org/Instructions%20for%20Performing%20Prayers.pdf
      18. ↑ https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/lawbase/risalah_maliki/book14.html
      19. ↑ https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/prayer/can-combine-prayers-traveling/
      20. ↑ https://myislam.org/rakats-for-travellers/
      21. ↑ https://www.islamicreliefcanada.org/resources/prayer-times/eastern-standard-time
      22. ↑ https://salamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prayer-Guide.pdf

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