How do I pray a 4 rakat prayer (Dhuhr, Asr and Isha)?
Dhuhr, Asr and Isha each have 4 rakat. The first two rakat have Al-Fatiha and a short surah, followed by a sitting with the Tashahhud only. Then you stand for two more rakat with Al-Fatiha alone, and end with the Tashahhud, the salawat and salam.
Pray along with it, step by step: Dhuhr
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Begin the prayer. Make wudu, face the qibla, intend in your heart which prayer you are praying (for example "4 rakat of Dhuhr for Allah") and say "Allahu Akbar".
- Rakat 1. Al-Fatiha and a short surah, then ruku, rising, and two prostrations with a short sitting between them.
- Rakat 2. Stand with "Allahu Akbar". Al-Fatiha and a short surah, ruku, rising and two prostrations.
- Middle sitting. Stay sitting and recite only the Tashahhud, without the salawat. Then say "Allahu Akbar" and stand up.
- Rakat 3. Recite Al-Fatiha only, then ruku, rising and two prostrations. Stand up again with "Allahu Akbar".
- Rakat 4. Recite Al-Fatiha only, then ruku, rising and two prostrations.
- Final sitting. Recite the Tashahhud and the salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- End with salam. Turn to the right and then to the left, saying "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" each time.
The four rakat at a glance
- Rakat 1 and 2: Al-Fatiha and a short surah.
- After rakat 2: the Tashahhud only, then stand up.
- Rakat 3 and 4: Al-Fatiha only.
- After rakat 4: the Tashahhud, the salawat and salam.
What to say in each position
Opening and every movement
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Bowing (ruku), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great
Rising from ruku
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal hamd
Allah hears those who praise Him. Our Lord, to You is all praise
Prostration (sujud), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
Sitting between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me
Ending the prayer, to the right and then the left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah
If you can pray two and three rakat, you can pray four
A four-rakat prayer is a two-rakat prayer, a middle sitting, and two shorter rakat. Learn Fajr first, then Maghrib, and the four-rakat prayers follow naturally.
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Common questions
Which prayers have 4 rakat?
Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon) and Isha (night). Fajr has 2 and Maghrib has 3.
What if I lose count of the rakat?
It happens to everyone at the start. Counting on your fingers or praying with the Revertly app, which shows which rakat you are in, helps a lot while you learn.
Do I recite a surah in rakat 3 and 4?
No. In the third and fourth rakat you recite Al-Fatiha only.
Are the four rakat of Dhuhr and Isha the same?
Yes, the structure is the same. Dhuhr and Asr are usually recited quietly; in congregation the imam recites aloud in the first two rakat of Maghrib and Isha.
Practise it with audio
Revertly walks you through this with a recitation for every word, at your own pace. Can't afford the app? Ask for a free code.