The five daily prayers

Every Muslim prays five times a day. Here are the names, the times and the number of units (rak'ahs) of each prayer.

Words to know

A rak'ah is one unit of the prayer: standing, bowing (rukoo'), two prostrations (sujood). Fard prayers are required. Sunnah prayers are the extra ones the Prophet ﷺ regularly prayed.

The five prayers

PrayerWhenFardSunnah (regular)

Fajr

From dawn until sunrise

2

2 before

Dhuhr

After midday, when the sun passes its highest point

4

4 (or 2) before, 2 after

'Asr

Late afternoon

4

—

Maghrib

Just after sunset

3

2 after

'Ishaa

When the night is dark, after the twilight has gone

4

2 after, then Witr

This guide is being checked by teachers. The English pronunciation is a guide: learn the exact sounds by listening.