How To Perform Isha Prayer? Full Guide For Beginners

Isha is one of the 5 prayers every practicing Muslim prays at night. Night prayer has quite significance in the Muslim routine. Some muslims think of this as an opportunity to stand longer in “qayam” and offer their prayer with more focus. Since nighttime is quiet and you hardly have any work pending, this gives you the freedom to pray with more devotion. The result is great rewards and calmness before your night’s sleep.

However, some new muslims or kids may have trouble learning the rakats of the Esha Salaah. So, let’s talk about how many rakats in Isha Salah and how to pray them?

What Is the Isha Prayer?

Isha is the prayer performed before midnight after twilight has completely disappeared following the maghrib.

Uthman bin Affan narrated that: Allah’s Messenger said: “Whoever attends Isha (prayer) in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) spent the entire night standing (in prayer).”

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 221

After a busy day, praying the Isha prayer brings spiritual peace and comfort. It enables Muslims to express gratitude to Allah, ask for forgiveness, and request protection during the night.

How Many Rakats In Isha Salah

Here’s the breakdown of Salat al-Isha (17 Rakats):

4 Rakats Sunnah – Optional but recommended before Farz.
4 Rakats Farz – Compulsory part of the prayer.
2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah – Strongly recommended after Farz.
2 Rakats Nafl – Optional, prayed after Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
3 Rakats Witr – Highly emphasized Sunnah, often prayed with the intention of completing Isha.
2 Rakats Nafl – Optional, prayed after Witr.

Compulsory: 4 Farz.
Voluntary: Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr.

The reward for performing Isha and Fajr is greatly increased because it is typically more difficult to pray at night and in the early morning. The incentive itself is nothing better than being added to the ranks of the dedicated followers of Islam. Furthermore, Isha experiences a pleasant night’s sleep, which is consistent with the widely held belief that prayers always have a calming effect on their practitioners.

When to Perform the Isha Prayer?

So, what is namaz isha time?

Time begins: after the disappearance of twilight (after Maghrib)
Time ends: before Fajr prayer (midnight preferred.

However, you may need to check the local time from the nearest Mosque.

Just know that, it is not acceptable to wait until midnight to offer the ‘Islamic Prayer Isha; it must be done before then. According to the Muslim narrator, al-Masaajid wa Mawadi’ al-Salah, 964, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated: “The time of ‘Isha is until midnight.”

Because the night may be longer or shorter, you must pray “Isha” before midnight based on how many hours it lasts. Delaying it until the end of the fifth hour is not acceptable if the night is ten hours long.

Now, steps on how to pray salat isha rakat?

Getting Ready for Prayer

First, make a heartfelt Niyyah (intention) to pray the Isha prayers rakat just for Allah’s sake.
Next, do your Wudu (ablution) properly so you’re clean and pure.
Wear clean, modest clothes that are appropriate for prayer.
Look for a quiet, clean spot where you can face the Qibla (the direction of Mecca).
Take a moment to focus and clear your mind, stepping away from any distractions.

How to Perform the 4 Obligatory Rakat

Stand tall, raise your hands, and say “Allahu Akbar” (the Takbeer).
Begin with Thana (Subhanaka Allahumma…), then recite Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by any short Surah (like Al-Ikhlas).
Go into Ruku (bowing) and say “Subhana Rabbiyal Azim” three times.
Stand up straight (Qawmah) and say “Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.”
Do two Sujood (prostrations) and say “Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la” each time.
In the first two rak‘ahs, men should recite aloud; it should be silent in the third and fourth rak‘ahs.
After the fourth rak‘ah, sit for Tashahhud, reciting At-Tahiyyat, Durood Sharif, and Dua, then finish with Tasleem by turning your head to the right and then to the left.

Sunnah and Witr Prayers

After completing the Farz, you can do 2 or 4 Sunnah rak‘ahs (said silently).
Then move on to perform 3 Witr rak‘ahs, which is a strongly recommended Sunnah.
In the first two rak‘ahs, recite as you normally would (Al-Fatihah + another Surah).
For the third rak‘ah, after your Surah, raise your hands and say the Dua-e-Qunoot, and then proceed to Ruku.
Wrap up with Tasleem to complete your prayer.

Optional Nafl Rak‘ahs

If you’d like, you can add 2 Nafl rak‘ahs after Witr to earn some extra reward.
These voluntary prayers lead to greater blessings, forgiveness, and a closer connection to Allah.

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Conclusion

You’re now aware of the rakats for Isha prayer. It’s imperative, so don’t skip it. Praying Isha on time really helps strengthen your bond with Allah, rather than just being a part of your routine. “If they knew the reward for the Isha and Fajr prayers, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari (7224), Sahih Muslim (437)