The Namaz Rakat Chart with Time is a clear breakdown of how many rakats are performed in each of the five daily prayers in Islam: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. It shows the division between Fard (obligatory), Sunnah Muakkadah (emphasized Sunnah), Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah (non-emphasized Sunnah), Nafl (voluntary), and Witr prayers.
Each Salah has specific time windows defined in Islamic law. Fajr begins at Subh Sadiq (true dawn), Dhuhr starts after Zawal (solar noon), Asr follows in the afternoon, Maghrib begins at sunset, and Isha starts after twilight disappears and continues until Fajr. Because prayer times vary by location and calculation method — such as ISNA, MWL, or Umm al-Qura — Muslims should consult their local masjid timetable or trusted prayer app for exact timings.
Below, you will find a complete Namaz Rakat Chart with time ranges, clear distinctions between Fard, Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr, and practical guidance to help you organize your daily Salah schedule.
What is a Rakat in Namaz?
A rakat is the building block of Salah, the daily prayer in Islam. It combines a set of physical actions with Qur’anic recitation to form one complete cycle of worship. Each rakat follows a clear sequence: qiyam (standing) with Surah al-Fatihah and another surah, ruku (bowing in humility), returning to qiyam, two sujood (prostrations) with jalsa (sitting) between them, and then either continuing to the next rakat or completing with the tashahhud in the final rakat (Hadith Sahih Muslim).
The number of rakats is fixed for each prayer—Fajr has 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, and Isha 4—and each can be Fard, Sunnah Muakkadah, Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah, Nafl, or Witr (Darul Ifta Deoband). Knowing the structure of a rakat helps you pray correctly, fulfilling both the outward requirements and the inner focus (khushu) that make Salah meaningful.
Why Knowing Rakat Count and Prayer Time Matters?
Knowing the exact rakat count and prayer time for each Salah is essential for its validity. If you add or miss rakats, or pray outside the set time, your Salah will not be valid in most Islamic rulings. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed each Salah with a fixed number of rakats—Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, and Isha 4—and always within its correct time: Fajr before sunrise, Dhuhr after Zawal (midday), Asr before sunset, Maghrib right after sunset, and Isha until Fajr.
Knowing these counts also keeps each prayer type—Fard, Sunnah Muakkadah, Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah, Nafl, and Witr—clear in your mind, helping you follow both the outward rules and the spiritual discipline of Salah.
Namaz Rakat Chart with Time
The chart below shows the exact number of rakats for each of the five daily prayers—Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha—and how they are divided into Fard, Sunnah Muakkadah (emphasized Sunnah), Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah (non-emphasized Sunnah), Nafl (voluntary), and Witr. It also gives the time window for each prayer based on the Hanafi madhhab. Other schools may differ slightly.
| Prayer | Fard | Sunnah Muakkadah | Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah | Nafl | Witr | Time Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | 2 (before) | – | – | – | Subh Sadiq (true dawn) → before sunrise |
| Dhuhr | 4 | 4 (before) + 2 (after) | – | 2 (after) | – | After Zawal (midday) → before Asr |
| Asr | 4 | – | 4 (before) | – | – | After Dhuhr → before sunset |
| Maghrib | 3 | 2 (after) | – | 2 (after) | – | After sunset → before Isha |
| Isha | 4 | 2 (after) | – | 2 (after) | 3 | After Maghrib → before Fajr |
Notes:
- In the Hanafi school, Witr is wajib; in other schools, it is Sunnah.
- Sunnah Muakkadah refers to prayers the Prophet ﷺ prayed regularly.
- Exact clock times depend on your location and the calculation method you follow, such as ISNA or Umm al-Qura (ISNA vs Umm al-Qura).
How to Read the Namaz Rakat Chart?
The Namaz rakat chart gives a clear overview of the five daily prayers—Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha—and how their rakats are divided into Fard (obligatory), Sunnah Muakkadah (emphasized Sunnah), Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah (non-emphasized Sunnah), Nafl (voluntary), and Witr. Each row in the chart represents a prayer, and the columns show both the number of rakats in each category and the time span in which that prayer can be offered.
For example, Fajr is prayed from Subh Sadiq (true dawn) until sunrise, while Asr must be prayed before sunset. This chart follows the Hanafi madhhab; other schools, such as Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali, may have slight differences in Sunnah and Nafl rakats.
FAQs – Namaz Rakat and Time
- Fajr: Subh Sadiq (true dawn) until before sunrise.
- Dhuhr: After Zawal (midday) until before Asr.
- Asr: After Dhuhr until before sunset.
- Maghrib: After sunset until before Isha.
- Isha: After Maghrib until before Fajr.
- Fard: Must be made up (qada).
- Sunnah Muakkadah: Make up if missed without excuse; missing them deliberately is makruh.
- Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah and Nafl: No qada obligation.
- Hanafi: Only allowed during Hajj at Arafah and Muzdalifah.
- Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali: Allowed in situations like travel, illness, or heavy rain.
Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.