Daily Prayers in Islam: Obligatory and Sunnah
Prayer (Salat) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after the declaration of faith. Muslims are required to pray five times a day, but there are also recommended Sunnah prayers that follow the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
1. Obligatory Prayers (Fard)
There are five daily prayers, each with a specific number of units (rak’ahs):
| Prayer | Units (Rak’ahs) |
|---|---|
| Fajr (Dawn) | 2 |
| Dhuhr (Noon) | 4 |
| Asr (Afternoon) | 4 |
| Maghrib (Sunset) | 3 |
| Isha (Night) | 4 |
Total obligatory units daily: 17 rak’ahs
2. Sunnah (Regular Recommended) Prayers
These are additional prayers the Prophet ﷺ regularly performed to complement the obligatory prayers:
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Fajr: 2 rak’ahs before the Fard
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Dhuhr: 4 rak’ahs before, 2 rak’ahs after
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Asr: 4 rak’ahs before (optional, varies by school)
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Maghrib: 2 rak’ahs after
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Isha: 2 rak’ahs after
Total Sunnah rak’ahs daily: approximately 12 rak’ahs
3. Optional and Extra Prayers (Nafl)
Muslims can also perform additional voluntary prayers to earn more reward and seek closeness to Allah:
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Witr: 1–3 rak’ahs after Isha (highly recommended)
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Duha (Forenoon): 2–8 rak’ahs after sunrise
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Taraweeh: Ramadan night prayers, usually 8–20 rak’ahs
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Other voluntary prayers: Any extra prayers outside Fard and Sunnah
Summary
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Obligatory (Fard) prayers: 5 daily, 17 rak’ahs total
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Regular Sunnah prayers: ~12 rak’ahs daily
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Voluntary (Nafl) prayers: Unlimited, optional according to devotion
By combining obligatory, Sunnah, and optional prayers, Muslims maintain spiritual discipline, strengthen their connection with Allah, and seek protection and guidance throughout the day.