Prayer guide
The five daily prayers
Salah is the second pillar of Islam: five prayers spread across the day, each tied to the movement of the sun. Here is what each one is, and when it falls.
The five daily prayers are fixed to the sun rather than the clock, so their times shift a little each day and depend on where you are. You can see today's times for your location with the free prayer times tool.
| Prayer | When | Fard rak'ahs |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Dawn, before sunrise | 2 |
| Dhuhr | Just after midday | 4 |
| Asr | Afternoon | 4 |
| Maghrib | Just after sunset | 3 |
| Isha | Night | 4 |
Fajr — the dawn prayer
Fajr is prayed in the quiet before sunrise. It is two rak'ahs, and it is the prayer that asks the most of us, opening the day with remembrance before the world stirs.
Dhuhr — the midday prayer
Once the sun has passed its highest point, Dhuhr begins. It is four rak'ahs, a pause in the middle of the day's work.
Asr — the afternoon prayer
Asr falls in the later afternoon, four rak'ahs, before the light begins to soften towards evening. The Qur'an singles it out for care as "the middle prayer".
Maghrib — the sunset prayer
Just after the sun sets, Maghrib is prayed, three rak'ahs. It has a narrow window, so it is prayed soon after its time enters.
Isha — the night prayer
Once the twilight has faded, Isha begins, four rak'ahs, closing the day. Its time extends into the night.
Fard and sunnah
The rak'ahs above are the obligatory (fard) units. Many Muslims also pray optional sunnah units before or after them, following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Beginning with the fard is the surest place to start.
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Get the appCommon questions
How many daily prayers are there?
Five: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.
How many rak'ahs are the fard prayers?
Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, Isha 4. Many also pray optional sunnah units alongside them.
What if I miss a prayer?
Pray it as soon as you remember or are able. Sincerity and returning to it matter more than despair over a missed time.
New to prayer? Start with the Wudu guide, then learn the movements from a trusted local teacher. This overview is a friendly starting point, not a replacement for learning salah properly.