How Many Rakats in Isha Salah? Complete Guide with Step-by-Step Prayer

Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and holds a central place in the life of every Muslim. Among the five daily prayers, Isha Salah is performed at night and carries great blessings. One of the most common questions many Muslims ask is: how many rakats in Isha Salah? To answer this in detail, we will go step by step, covering everything from making wudu, to the number of rakats in Isha prayer, the proper method of performing it, and the benefits of Isha Salah.

What is Isha Salah?

Isha Salah is the fifth and final prayer of the day. It is prayed after the disappearance of the red twilight in the sky and continues until midnight (according to most scholars) or until Fajr begins.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized praying Isha on time and mentioned its great reward. Since it is performed at night, it concludes a Muslim’s day with worship, gratitude, and closeness to Allah.

How Many Rakats in Isha Salah?

The Isha prayer consists of 17 rakats in total when including Sunnah, Fard, Nafl, and Witr. Below is the breakdown:

1. 4 Rakats Sunnah (Ghair Mu’akkadah – optional but recommended)
2. 4 Rakats Fard (obligatory)
3. 2 Rakats Sunnah (Mu’akkadah – strongly recommended)
4. 2 Rakats Nafl (optional but rewardable)
5. 3 Rakats Witr (obligatory according to Hanafi, Sunnah according to others)
6. 2 Rakats Nafl (optional, prayed after Witr)

👉 So when someone asks how many rakats in Isha Salah? – the complete answer is 17 rakats.

If you are interested in exploring more chapters of the Qur’an, you can also read about the benefits of Surah Yaseen and its deep spiritual impact.

For more guidance, don’t miss our detailed post on the recitation of Surah Rehman, known as the Surah of mercy and healing.

Step 1: Preparing for Isha Salah – Wudu (Ablution)

Before offering Isha Salah, a Muslim must be in a state of purity. This is done through wudu (ablution).

Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Make Niyyah (intention) in your heart that you are performing wudu for the sake of Allah.
2. Say Bismillah before starting.
3. Wash hands up to the wrists three times.
4. Rinse mouth three times.
5. Rinse nose by inhaling water lightly and blowing it out, three times.
6. Wash face from forehead to chin, and ear to ear, three times.
7. Wash arms up to elbows, starting with the right arm, three times each.
8. Wipe head (Masah) once, passing wet hands over the head.
9. Wipe ears with wet fingers.
10. Wash feet up to the ankles, starting with the right foot, three times each.

After completing wudu, recite the dua:
“Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.”

Reward: The Prophet ﷺ said that a person who performs wudu perfectly will have his minor sins forgiven.

Step 2: Niyyah (Intention) for Isha Salah

Before starting Isha Salah, one should make intention in the heart.
Example:
“I intend to pray four rakats Fard of Isha for Allah facing the Kaaba.”

Step 3: How to Perform Isha Salah (Step by Step)

Let’s break down the complete Isha Salah of 17 rakats:

1. 4 Rakats Sunnah (Ghair Mu’akkadah)

These are optional but highly rewarding.

• Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah in each rakat.
• After 2 rakats, sit for Tashahhud, then complete the next 2.

2. 4 Rakats Fard (Obligatory) | Rakats in Isha Salah

These are compulsory. Skipping them is a major sin.

Step by Step (for each rakat):

1. Takbir al-Ihram: Raise hands and say “Allahu Akbar.”
2. Qiyam: Recite Surah Al-Fatihah + another Surah (like Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, Surah Nas).
3. Ruku: Bow, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” three times.
4. Qaumah: Stand up saying “Sami Allahu liman Hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd.”
5. Sujood: Prostrate, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la.”
6. Second Sujood.

That’s one rakat. Repeat for 4 rakats.
In the second rakat, after Sujood, sit for Tashahhud.
In the fourth rakat, complete Tashahhud, Durood, and Dua, then end with Salam.

3. 2 Rakats Sunnah (Mu’akkadah)

These are emphasized Sunnah. Pray them like normal Sunnah prayer.

4. 2 Rakats Nafl

Optional, but brings extra reward.

5. 3 Rakats Witr

According to Hanafi Fiqh, Witr is wajib (obligatory).

Method:

• First 2 rakats like normal prayer.
• In the 3rd rakat, after Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah, raise hands and recite Dua-e-Qunoot:
  “Allahumma inna nasta’inuka wa nastaghfiruka…”

Then complete the prayer.

6. 2 Rakats Nafl (Optional)

If you wish, you can pray 2 more Nafl after Witr for extra reward.

What to Recite in Isha Salah?

• Surah Al-Fatihah is mandatory in every rakat.
• After it, you can recite any Surah. Common short Surahs include:
  • Surah Ikhlas
  • Surah Falaq
  • Surah Nas
  • Surah Kafirun
• In long prayers, one may recite Surah Baqarah, Al-Imran, etc.

What Should We Do After Isha Salah?

1. Engage in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

After completing Rakats in Isha Salah, it is highly recommended to engage in Dhikr – remembering Allah through Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah 33 times), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah 33 times), and Takbeer (Allahu Akbar 34 times). This practice was advised by the Prophet ﷺ and brings peace to the heart, forgiveness of sins, and blessings in life. Many scholars also encourage reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi and the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah after Isha, as they serve as protection during the night.

2. Perform Witr Prayer & Sleep Early

The Witr Salah is an essential Sunnah prayer performed after Isha, usually consisting of 1, 3, 5, or more odd rakats. Performing Witr before sleeping ensures you end the day with worship and protection from Allah. After Witr, it is Sunnah to sleep early, avoiding unnecessary activities. Sleeping early after Isha allows you to wake up for Tahajjud or Fajr prayer with ease, and it preserves both your spiritual and physical health.

Dua After Isha Salah

After finishing Rakats in Isha Salah, it is highly encouraged to make Dua (supplication). The night is a blessed time when duas are more likely to be accepted. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek forgiveness, mercy, and guidance after our prayers.

Some important duas to recite after Isha Salah include:

• Astaghfirullah (3 times): Seeking forgiveness from Allah for mistakes during prayer or the day.
• Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255): Brings protection until the morning.
• Last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285–286): A source of mercy and safety.
• Tasbeeh Fatimah: Saying SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times before sleeping.
• Personal Dua: Ask Allah for good health, halal sustenance, protection from sins, strength in faith, and success in both this world and the Hereafter.

📌 Tip: Raise your hands, face the Qiblah, and make heartfelt supplications in your own language if needed. Allah loves sincerity more than fancy words.

Benefits of Isha Salah

Praying Isha Salah has numerous spiritual, physical, and psychological benefits:

1. Forgiveness of sins – The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he has prayed half the night.” (Muslim)
2. Strengthens faith – Ending the day with prayer increases taqwa (God-consciousness).
3. Better sleep – Salah brings peace of heart and relaxes the body.
4. Protection from Shaitan – Reciting Surahs in Salah shields from evil.
5. High reward – Praying Isha and Fajr in congregation equals the reward of praying the whole night.
6. Closeness to Allah – Salah keeps one connected to the Creator.

Common Mistakes in Isha Salah

• Rushing through rakats without proper recitation.
• Skipping Sunnah prayers thinking only Fard is enough.
• Neglecting Witr, which is highly emphasized.
• Not focusing on khushu (humility) during prayer.

Common Questions About Isha Salah

1. Can Isha be prayed late?

Yes, Isha time lasts until midnight (or Fajr, according to some scholars). But praying earlier is better.

3. Can I pray Isha sitting?

If one is sick or unable to stand, they may pray sitting.

4. What if I miss Isha?

One should pray qada (make up) as soon as possible.

Conclusion

So, how many rakats in Isha Salah?
The complete Isha prayer is 17 rakats including Sunnah, Fard, Nafl, and Witr. The essential part is the 4 Fard rakats, but the Sunnah and Nafl bring additional reward.

Performing Isha Salah properly—starting from wudu, making niyyah, reciting Surahs, and completing Witr—strengthens faith and ensures blessings from Allah.

Every Muslim should strive to pray Isha regularly, on time, and with khushu (humility), as it is one of the most rewarding prayers of the day.

FAQs on Isha Salah

Q1: How many rakats in Isha Salah?
👉 There are 17 rakats in Isha, including Sunnah, Fard, Nafl, and Witr.

Q2: Can I pray Isha late at night?
👉 Yes, the time for Isha extends until midnight (half of the night).

Q3: Is Witr compulsory?
👉 According to the Hanafi school, Witr is Wajib (compulsory). Other schools consider it highly recommended.

Q4: Can Isha Salah be combined with Maghrib?
👉 Only in cases of travel or hardship, according to some scholars.

Q5: What is the reward of praying Isha in congregation?
👉 It is as if you prayed half the night. If followed by Fajr in congregation, it equals praying the whole night.