If you do not know Al-Fatiha yet, you can still pray while you learn it. Here is how
These steps follow what the four Sunni schools share. Where they differ, the notes below show the other ways you may see.
Rakat by rakat
Sunnah before · 2 or 4 (optional)
| Rakat | Recite | Aloud or quiet | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Quietly | Stand up |
| 2 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Quietly | Final sitting and salam |
Fard · 4
| Rakat | Recite | Aloud or quiet | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Quietly | Stand up |
| 2 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Quietly | Sit for the tashahhud, then stand up |
| 3 | Al-Fatiha only | Quietly | Stand up |
| 4 | Al-Fatiha only | Quietly | Final sitting and salam |
Other ways you may see
- The Hanafi school prays 4 rakat before Asr as one prayer, and in its first sitting also recites the salawat.
- Raising the hands: everyone raises them for the first takbir, to the shoulders or the earlobes. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools also raise them before and after ruku and when standing up from the first sitting.
- Where the hands rest: on the chest, under the chest or under the navel, depending on the school. Many Malikis let the arms hang at the sides.
- The opening: this page uses "Subhanaka". The Shafi'i school often uses another opening dua, and the Maliki school goes straight to Al-Fatiha.
- The tashahhud has several authentic wordings. This page uses the one of Ibn Mas'ud, used by the Hanafi and Hanbali schools.
- Sitting: on the left foot with the right foot upright. In the last sitting of a 3 or 4 rakat prayer, many sit with the left foot under the right shin (tawarruk).
- Between the two prostrations, the Hanafi school sits a moment in silence, others say "Rabbighfir li".
- Women pray the same prayer. Some schools teach a more gathered posture, with the arms closer to the body in ruku and sujud, and a woman recites quietly where unrelated men can hear her.
Common questions
How many rakat is Asr?
4 rakat fard. The 2 or 4 rakat sunnah before it are optional.
Can I pray sunnah after Asr?
No regular sunnah is prayed after Asr. Voluntary prayers are disliked from after Asr until sunset, though a missed fard prayer may be made up.
When does Asr end?
At sunset. Delaying it until the sun turns yellow without a reason is disliked, so pray it in good time.
Every prayer
Pray with audio
The Revertly app walks you through each prayer with audio: a figure moves into each position while the recitation plays.