Fard, Wajib, Sunnah & Nawafil
The five daily obligatory prayers are the second pillar of Islam. Every sane adult Muslim must pray them.
| Name | Arabic | Rakat | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | الفجر | 2 | Dawn to sunrise |
| Dhuhr | الظهر | 4 | After midday |
| Asr | العصر | 4 | Late afternoon |
| Maghrib | المغرب | 3 | After sunset |
| Isha | العشاء | 4 | Night |
"Between a man and shirk and kufr, there stands his giving up prayer." — Sahih Muslim
Strongly emphasized prayers the Prophet (peace be upon him) consistently performed and rarely missed.
Fajr Sunnah
سنة الفجر
Before Fajr Fard
Highest importance
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it." (Muslim)
Dhuhr Sunnah (Before)
سنة الظهر القبلية
Before Dhuhr Fard
Whoever prays 4 before Dhuhr and 4 after, Allah forbids that person from the Fire. (Abu Dawud)
Dhuhr Sunnah (After)
سنة الظهر البعدية
After Dhuhr Fard
Regular confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and part of the 12 daily Sunnah rak'ahs tied to a house in Jannah.
Maghrib Sunnah
سنة المغرب
After Maghrib Fard
Regular confirmed Sunnah and part of the 12 daily Sunnah rak'ahs tied to a house in Jannah.
Isha Sunnah
سنة العشاء
After Isha Fard
Regular confirmed Sunnah and part of the 12 daily Sunnah rak'ahs tied to a house in Jannah.
"Whoever prays 12 voluntary rak'ahs in a day, a house will be built for him in Paradise." — Sahih Muslim
Witr
الوتر
After Isha Sunnah, before Fajr
Scholarly Note
In the Hanafi school, Witr is classified as Wajib (obligatory). According to the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly emphasized).
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Witr is a duty for every Muslim." (Abu Dawud). In the Hanafi school, Witr is Wajib.
Voluntary prayers that carry immense reward. These are ways to draw closer to Allah beyond the obligatory acts.
Tahajjud
تهجد
Last third of the night (after sleeping, before Fajr)
Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night and calls: "Who will supplicate Me that I may respond?"
Source: Bukhari & Muslim
Duha (Forenoon)
صلاة الضحى
After sunrise until before Dhuhr (best: mid-morning)
"Whoever prays 12 rak'ahs of Duha, Allah will build a palace of gold for him in Paradise." (Tirmidhi)
Source: Tirmidhi
Ishraq (Post-Sunrise)
صلاة الإشراق
15–20 minutes after sunrise
"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays 2 rak'ahs, he has the reward of Hajj and Umrah."
Source: Tirmidhi
Awwabeen
صلاة الأوابين
After Maghrib fard + sunnah
"Whoever prays 6 rak'ahs after Maghrib, without speaking evil in between, they are equivalent to 12 years of worship." (Tirmidhi)
Source: Tirmidhi
Tarawih
صلاة التراويح
After Isha — Ramadan nights only
8
rakat (Sunnah)
20
rakat (Hanafi)
About Tarawih
Tarawih is the night prayer performed during Ramadan. Scholars differ on the rakat count: 8 rakat is narrated in hadith, while 20 rakat was the practice established by Umar (RA). Both are valid.
Tarawih is a form of Qiyam al-Layl (night standing prayer) specifically associated with the blessed nights of Ramadan.
"Whoever prays Tarawih during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, all their past sins are forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Source: Bukhari & Muslim
A compact overview of every prayer — Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Nafl — at a glance.
| Prayer | Rakat | Category | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | Fard | Dawn to sunrise |
| Dhuhr | 4 | Fard | After midday |
| Asr | 4 | Fard | Late afternoon |
| Maghrib | 3 | Fard | After sunset |
| Isha | 4 | Fard | Night |
| Witr | 3 | Wajib | After Isha Sunnah, before Fajr |
| Fajr Sunnah | 2 | Sunnah | Before Fajr Fard |
| Dhuhr Sunnah (Before) | 4 | Sunnah | Before Dhuhr Fard |
| Dhuhr Sunnah (After) | 2 | Sunnah | After Dhuhr Fard |
| Maghrib Sunnah | 2 | Sunnah | After Maghrib Fard |
| Isha Sunnah | 2 | Sunnah | After Isha Fard |
| Tahajjud | 2–12 | Nafl | Last third of the night (after sleeping, before Fajr) |
| Duha (Forenoon) | 2–12 | Nafl | After sunrise until before Dhuhr (best: mid-morning) |
| Ishraq (Post-Sunrise) | 2 | Nafl | 15–20 minutes after sunrise |
| Awwabeen | 6 | Nafl | After Maghrib fard + sunnah |
| Tarawih | 8 or 20 | Nafl | After Isha — Ramadan nights only |