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The 5 Daily Prayers Explained: Names, Times, and Rakats

A clear overview of Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha, including when each prayer is due, how many rakats it has, and the sunnah prayers around it.

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5 min read

Short answer

Muslims pray five obligatory prayers every day: Fajr (2 rakats) at dawn, Dhuhr (4) just after midday, Asr (4) in the afternoon, Maghrib (3) at sunset, and Isha (4) at night, for 17 obligatory rakats in total. Each prayer has a time window based on the position of the sun, so exact times change daily and vary by location.

Salah, the five daily prayers, is the second pillar of Islam and the heart of a Muslim's daily routine. Whether you are new to Islam, returning after a break, or just want a clear refresher, this guide covers the essentials: the name of each prayer, when it is prayed, and how many rakats it has.

What are the 5 daily prayers and their times?

Prayer When it begins When it ends Fard rakats
Fajr True dawn Sunrise 2
Dhuhr Just after midday (sun passes its zenith) Start of Asr 4
Asr Mid-afternoon (based on shadow length) Sunset 4
Maghrib Sunset Twilight disappears 3
Isha Twilight disappears Before Fajr (preferably by midnight) 4

That is 17 obligatory (fard) rakats a day in total.

When is Fajr, and how many rakats is it?

When: from true dawn (when light first spreads horizontally across the horizon) until sunrise.

Rakats: 2 fard, prayed aloud. It is preceded by 2 sunnah rakats, which the Prophet ﷺ almost never left, even when travelling. He described them as better than the world and everything in it (Sahih Muslim 725).

Fajr is often the hardest prayer to keep up with. If that is your struggle, see our guide on how to wake up for Fajr.

When is Dhuhr, and how many rakats is it?

When: begins just after the sun passes its highest point in the sky, and lasts until Asr begins.

Rakats: 4 fard, prayed silently. The commonly practiced sunnah prayers are 4 rakats before and 2 after (with some variation between madhabs).

On Fridays, Dhuhr is replaced by Jumu'ah, a congregational prayer of 2 rakats preceded by a sermon (khutbah), which is obligatory for adult men who are not travelling (Qur'an 62:9). Our step-by-step guide explains how to pray Jumu'ah.

When is Asr, and how many rakats is it?

When: begins when an object's shadow equals its own length (plus the shadow it had at midday) according to the majority of scholars, based on the hadith of Jibril leading the Prophet ﷺ in prayer (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 149), or twice its length according to the Hanafi school. That is why prayer apps often let you choose an Asr calculation method. Asr lasts until sunset, but it is disliked to delay it until the sun turns yellow.

Rakats: 4 fard, prayed silently. There is no confirmed sunnah after Asr, though some pray 4 voluntary rakats before it.

The Qur'an emphasizes guarding "the middle prayer" (2:238), which many scholars identify as Asr.

When is Maghrib, and how many rakats is it?

When: begins immediately after sunset and lasts until the red twilight disappears from the sky. Its window is the shortest of the five, so it is best prayed promptly.

Rakats: 3 fard. The first 2 are recited aloud, the third silently. It is followed by 2 sunnah rakats.

When is Isha, and how many rakats is it?

When: begins when the twilight has fully disappeared. Its preferred time extends to a third of the night or midnight, and according to many scholars it can be prayed until Fajr if necessary.

Rakats: 4 fard. The first 2 are recited aloud. It is followed by 2 sunnah rakats, and then Witr, an odd-numbered prayer (commonly 1 or 3 rakats) that closes the night's prayers. The Hanafi school considers Witr wajib (necessary); the other schools consider it a strongly emphasized sunnah. See how to pray Witr for its timing and a step-by-step guide.

Why do prayer times change every day?

Because prayer times are tied to the position of the sun, they shift throughout the year and differ by location. In summer, Fajr is earlier and Isha is later; in winter, the prayers are packed more closely together. That is why it helps to rely on accurate local prayer times rather than memorizing a fixed schedule.

How many rakats are in each prayer?

  • Fard (obligatory): Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, Isha 4
  • Commonly practiced sunnah (rawatib): 2 before Fajr; 4 before and 2 after Dhuhr; 2 after Maghrib; 2 after Isha
  • Witr: after Isha, before Fajr

How can you make the five prayers a habit?

Knowing the prayers is the first step. Praying all five, every day, is the journey. A few things that help:

  • Anchor each prayer to something you already do (see how to pray 5 times a day consistently)
  • Pray early in each window rather than waiting until the end
  • Track your prayers so you can see your progress

Salah Home makes that last part simple: log each of the five prayers with a tap, build your streak, and earn Dates to grow your own Salah Home along the way.

Frequently asked questions

How many rakats are in the five daily prayers?

There are 17 obligatory (fard) rakats a day: Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, and Isha 4.

Which prayers are recited out loud?

The recitation is aloud in Fajr, in the first two rakats of Maghrib and Isha, and in Jumu'ah. Dhuhr and Asr are recited silently.

Why does my prayer app show two different Asr times?

The majority of scholars begin Asr when an object's shadow equals its length, while the Hanafi school begins it when the shadow is twice its length. Most apps let you choose between the two methods.

Is Witr one of the five daily prayers?

No. Witr is prayed after Isha and is not one of the five obligatory prayers. The Hanafi school considers it wajib (necessary), while the other schools consider it a strongly emphasized sunnah.

What is the latest time to pray Isha?

Isha's preferred time ends at a third of the night or at midnight. Many scholars hold that it can still be prayed until Fajr if necessary, though delaying it without a reason is disliked.

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