What is Namaz?

Namaz (Salah) is one of the five pillars of Islam and a way for Muslims to connect with Allah. It is an obligation for every Muslim and must be performed five times a day. Isha namaz rakat is the final prayer of the day and carries great spiritual rewards.

How Many Rakats in Isha Namaz?

Isha namaz rakat consists of 17 Rakats, which are divided as follows:

• 4 Fard Rakats are compulsory—they must be prayed.
• 3 Witr Rakats are Wajib (necessary) and should not be missed.
• The other rakats (Sunnah and Nafl) bring extra rewards but are not obligatory.

How to Pray 4 Rakat Fard of Isha Namaz?

The 4 Fard Rakats of Isha must be prayed exactly as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed them. Below is the step-by-step guide and how to perform 4 rakat (chapter) :

Step 1: Make Niyyah (Intention)

Before starting, make the intention in your heart:

"I intend to pray four Fard Rakats of Isha for the sake of Allah."

For other Niyyahs, check this link: Niyyah for Salah.

Step 2: Takbir (Start the Prayer)

• Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar."

Step 3: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and a Surah

• In the first two Rakats, recite:
  • Surah Al-Fatiha
  • Any short Surah (e.g., Surah Ikhlas, Surah Nass, Surah Falak).
• In the third and fourth Rakats, only recite Surah Al-Fatiha (no additional Surah in 4 farz).

To see all these details in a picture format, visit our blog: Namaz Guide Step by Step.

Step 4: Perform Ruku (Bowing)

• Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow.
• Recite "Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" three times.

Step 5: Qiyam (Standing Back Up)

• Stand and say: "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd."

Step 6: Perform Sujood (Prostration)

• Say "Allahu Akbar" and go into Sujood.
• Recite "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times.
• Sit briefly, then perform the second Sujood.

Step 7: Complete the Rakats

• Repeat the same steps for the next two Rakats.
• After the fourth Rakat, sit for Tashahhud and recite:
  
  "At-tahiyyatu Lillahi wa-salawatu wa’t-tayyibat, as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuha’n-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘alaa ‘ibad-Illah is-saliheen. ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu"
  
  التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
  
• Recite Durood Ibrahim and any dua.
• End with Salam:
  
  "As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah" (turn right and left).

To see all these details in a picture format, visit our blog: Namaz Guide Step by Step.

How to Pray 3 Witr Rakats in Isha Namaz?

Step 1: Make Niyyah (Intention)

Before starting, make the intention in your heart:

"I intend to pray three Witr Rakats of Isha for the sake of Allah."

Step 2: Pray as Usual for the First Two Rakats

• Follow the same steps as the Fard prayer.

Step 3: Special Addition in the Third Rakat – Dua e Qunoot

• After Surah Al-Fatiha and a short Surah, perform Ruku and stand up.
• After saying "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah", raise your hands and recite Dua e Qunoot:

اللّهمّ إنا نستعينك ونستغفرك ونؤمن بك ونتوكل عليك ونثني عليك الخيره، ونشكرك ولا نكفرك، ونخلع ونترك من يفجرك. اللّهمّ إيّاك نعبد ولك نصلّي ونسجد، وإليك نسعى ونحفد، ونرجو رحمتك ونخشى عذابك، إنّ عذابك بالكفّٰری ملحق.

"Allah humma inna nasta-eenoka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu'minu bika wa natawakkalu alaika wa nusni alaikal khair, wa nashkuruka wala nakfuruka wa nakhla-oo wa natruku mai yafjuruka, Allah humma iyyaka na'budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjud; wa ilaika nas aaa wa nahfizu wa narju rahma taka wa nakhshaa azaabaka; inna azaabaka bil kuffari mulhik."

• If you don’t remember Dua e Qunoot, you can say any Dua e Masura: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil akhira ti khasana waqina aza"
• After Dua e Qunoot, continue the prayer as usual and complete it with Salam.

Importance of Dua e Qunoot in 3 Witr

Dua e Qunoot is a special supplication recited in Witr prayer. It is a powerful dua that asks for Allah’s help, forgiveness, and guidance. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regularly recited this in his Witr prayer. If you don’t know it, you can learn it gradually while praying.

What is Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Mustahab in Salah?

Understanding the different types of prayers (Rakats) in Namaz is essential for performing Salah correctly. The classifications of Sunnah, Fard, Wajib, and Mustahab help us know which parts of the prayer are obligatory, necessary, recommended, or optional. Let's discuss each category in detail.

1. Fard (Obligatory) – فرض

Fard means compulsory or mandatory in Islam. Any act of worship that is classified as Fard must be performed. If a person deliberately misses a Fard act in Salah, their prayer is invalid (Batil), and they must repeat it.

Fard in Namaz

• Every Salah has Fard Rakats, which must be performed.
• If Fard Rakats are missed, the Salah is incomplete.

 Examples of Fard Rakats in Salah:

Skipping Fard Rakats:

• If someone misses a Fard Rakat, they must repeat the whole prayer.
• Deliberately missing Fard Salah is a major sin in Islam.

2. Wajib (Necessary) – واجب

Wajib means necessary in Salah. It is slightly less important than Fard but still must be performed. If a Wajib act is missed unintentionally, the prayer is still valid but requires Sujood al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness).

Wajib in Namaz

• 3 Witr Rakats in Isha are Wajib.
• Tashahhud (sitting after two Rakats) is Wajib.
• Dua e Qunoot in Witr is Wajib.
• Takbirat (saying Allahu Akbar in Eid Salah) is Wajib.

Skipping Wajib Rakats:

• If missed by mistake, Sujood al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) can correct it.
• If someone intentionally skips Wajib, the Salah becomes invalid and must be repeated.

3. Sunnah (Prophetic Practice) – سنت

Sunnah means the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sunnah Rakats are not compulsory, but they carry great rewards. Missing Sunnah does not invalidate Salah, but a person loses blessings.

Types of Sunnah Rakats in Namaz

There are two types of Sunnah in Namaz:

Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah) – Strongly Recommended

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always performed them and advised others to do so.
• Skipping them without reason is disliked (Makruh).

Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Non-Emphasized Sunnah) – Optional Sunnah

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sometimes performed these but did not do so regularly.
• It is recommended but not necessary.

Examples of Sunnah Mu’akkadah:

Skipping Sunnah Mu’akkadah:

• No sin if missed, but it is disliked to skip them without a reason.
• Consistently missing Sunnah Mu’akkadah without excuse is against the Sunnah.

 Examples of Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah:

Skipping Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah:

• No sin or dislike.
• Performing them brings extra rewards.

4. Mustahab (Recommended) – مستحب

Mustahab means recommended or desirable. These actions in Salah bring extra rewards but are completely optional.

Examples of Mustahab in Salah:

• Performing Nafl (voluntary) prayers before or after Fard.
• Saying longer Surahs in Salah.
• Making long Sujood (prostrations).
• Raising hands before and after Ruku.

 Skipping Mustahab Acts:

• No sin or dislike if not performed.
• Doing them brings more rewards.

Conclusion

Isha namaz rakat is an essential prayer consisting of 17 Rakats, with 4 Fard Rakats being compulsory. 3 Witr Rakats are Wajib (necessary) and include Dua e Qunoot, which holds great importance. By following Namaz step by step, making the right Niyyah, and reciting duas, we can pray properly and earn great rewards. Salah is our direct connection to Allah, and performing it with sincerity brings countless blessings.

FAQs

1. How many Rakats are compulsory in Isha Namaz?

4 Fard Rakats are compulsory (must be performed).

2. Is Witr in Isha Namaz mandatory?

Yes, 3 Witr Rakats are Wajib (necessary) and should not be missed.

3. Can I pray only 4 Fard Rakats in Isha Namaz?

Yes, but it is best to pray all recommended Sunnah and Witr Rakats for extra rewards.

4. What should I do if I miss Isha Namaz?

You should pray Qaza (make-up prayer) as soon as possible.

5. Why is Dua e Qunoot recited in Witr?

Dua e Qunoot is a special supplication asking for Allah’s mercy, protection, and guidance. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).