Number of Rakaats for Prayers
| Prayer | Sunnahs before the Fard |
Fard | Sunnah after the Fard |
| Fajr | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Dhuhr | 2+2 | 4 | 2 |
| Asr | 2+2 | 4 | 0 |
| Maghrib | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Isha | 2 | 4 | 2 plus 3 Witr |
The Above are the Number of Rakaahs that are performed in the 5 Daily prayers. The Fard Rakaahs are compulsory whereas the Sunnah Rakaahs are optional.
For those who are very new to praying they may need to start of by just performing the Fard prayers and as they advance they can add the 2 rakkahs of sunnah before the 2rakkahs of Fard of the fajr and also the 3 rakkahs of Witr after the Isha prayer.
When they Advance even furthur they may wish to include all or as many sunnahs as possible.
Note. When you are in the Masjid for prayer. If the Iqamah for prayer has started one must stop praying his Sunnah prayers immediately and join the congregation for the Fard prayers.
Some brothers and sisters when they arrive in the Masjid and see the congregation praying they do not join the congregation but they start trying to perform the sunnah rakkahs. This is wrong and against the Prophet 's peace be upon him teachings others keep of praying their sunnahs even when the iqamah has gone and this is also against the teachings of the Prophet peace be upon him
| Prayer |
Before Fard | Fard | Sunnah |
| Jummah (Friday prayer) |
2 Rakkah salutation for the Masjid. One must prayer these before sitting down in Masjid | 2 | 2 (if praying Sunnah at home or 2 +2) ( if praying Sunnah in Masjid |
Note for the Jummah prayer. When one arrives in the Masjid he should offer 2 rakaahs prayers for salutation for the Masjid before he sits down. If the Khutbah (sermon) is being performed he should still do his 2 rakkahs and then sit down and quietly listen to the sermon. However if the Friday prayer has started he does not do the 2 rakkahs salutation but rather he must join the congregation.
Importance of Sunnah prayers
The mother of the faithfull Umm Habibah
Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan Radhiallahu ‘anhu
narrated that she heard the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi
wa Salam saying: “A house will be built in
paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve
Rak’ah of optional salah other than the
obligatory salah in day and night, to seek
pleasure of Allah.” Narrated by Muslim.
According to Imam Nisaai and Imam Tirmidhi these 12 rakkahs are:
2 Before Fard of Fajr
4 Before Fard of Dhuhr and 2 After the Fard
2 After Fard of Mahgrib
and 2 After Fard of Isha
Importance of Prayer 2 Rakaats when entering the Masjid
Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the
Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a
mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari
and Muslim
Importance of the 2 Sunnahs of Fajr
Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi
wa Salam said : “The two rakaats before dawn (fajr) prayer are better than
the world and all that it contains.” Narrated by Muslim.
Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa
Salam was never more regular and strict in offering any Nawafil than the two
rakaats (sunnah before) dawn (fajr) prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
Importance of Sunnah of Dhuhr
Umm Habiba radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi
wa Salam said : “Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs
before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allah will shield him against
the fire of hell.” Narrated bay Abu Daud and At-Tirmithi
Importance of Witr prayer
Abdullah bin Umar Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated thet the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Make Witr as your last salah (prayer) at night.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Importance of Praying 2 Rakaats after wudhu
Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Shalallahu
‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most
hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have
done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps
of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider
any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time
of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me
to offer.” Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim