Isha Prayer
The Isha prayer consists of a total of 13 rakats: 4 rakats of the first sunnah, 4 rakats of fard, 2 rakats of the last sunnah, and 3 rakats of the obligatory (wajib) witr prayer. You can learn how to perform the Isha prayer with all its rakats on our page. The Isha prayer is performed first with 4 rakats of sunnah, then 4 rakats of fard, and finally 2 rakats of the last sunnah. After the Isha prayer, 3 rakats of witr prayer are also performed.
Prayer Time
The time for the Isha prayer begins when the twilight disappears and ends at midnight.
Rak'ah Breakdown
First Sunnah: 4 rak'ahs, Fard: 4 rak'ahs, Last Sunnah: 2 rak'ahs, Witr: 3 rak'ahs (Total 13 rak'ahs)
“Whoever performs the Isha prayer in congregation is like someone who has prayed until midnight. And whoever performs the Fajr (morning) prayer in congregation is like someone who has prayed all night.”
Muslim
The Witr prayer is performed from after the Isha prayer until the time of Fajr. The Prophet (sav) said: "O people of the Qur'an, perform the Witr prayer! For Allah is One, and He loves oneness." (Bukhari). Witr prayer is performed like the 3 obligatory rak'ahs of Maghrib; the difference is that a surah is recited after Fatiha in every rak'ah, and in the last rak'ah, a takbir is taken and Qunut supplications are recited before Ruku.
How to Perform
- First, the intention is made (I intend to perform the first Sunnah of today's Isha prayer for the sake of Allah)
- The opening takbir is recited by saying "Allahu Akbar"
- The hands are clasped and the prayer begins (Men; clasp their right hand over their left hand below the navel. Women; place their right hand over their left hand on their chest).
- Subhanake is recited
- Euzü-Besmele is recited
- Surah Fatiha is recited
- A prayer surah is recited
- Bow down into Ruku' by saying "Allahu Akbar" and say "Subhane Rabbiyel-Azim" three times. While rising from the bowing position, say "Semi Allahü Limen Hamideh," and when standing fully upright, say "Rabbena Lekel Hamd."
- Say "Allahü Ekber," go into prostration twice, and say "Sübhane Rabbiyel-a'lâ" three times.
- Say "Allahü Ekber," stand up and begin the second rak'ah.
- Say Bismillah
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
- Recite a prayer surah
- Say "Allahü Ekber," bow down into the bowing position
- Say "Allahü Ekber," go into prostration twice
- Stand up in the first sitting position
- Recite Attahiyyat in the sitting position
- Recite Allahumma Salli
- Recite Allahumma Barik
- Say "Allahü Ekber," stand up and begin the third rak'ah.
- Subhanaka is recited
- A'uzu-Basmala is recited
- Surah Al-Fatiha is recited
- A prayer surah is recited
- Bow down into Ruku' saying "Allahu Akbar"
- Go into Sajdah twice saying "Allahu Akbar"
- Stand up (Qiyam) saying "Allahu Akbar" and begin the fourth rak'ah.
- Basmala is recited
- Surah Al-Fatiha is recited
- A prayer surah is recited
- Bow down into Ruku' saying "Allahu Akbar"
- Go into Sajdah twice saying "Allahu Akbar"
- Go to the final sitting (Qa'da-i ahire)
- Attahiyyatu is recited in the sitting position
- Recite Allahumma Salli, Allahumma Barik, Rabbana Atina, and Rabbana Firli prayers.
- The prayer is completed by saying "Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah".