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
| 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 · 2
| Rakat | Recite | Aloud or quiet | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Aloud | Stand up |
| 2 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Aloud | Final sitting and salam |
Other ways you may see
- In the Shafi'i school a short dua, the qunut, is said in the second rakat of Fajr after rising from ruku. The other schools do not say it every day.
- 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 Fajr?
2 rakat fard and 2 rakat sunnah before it. The sunnah of Fajr is the most stressed sunnah of the day.
When is the time for Fajr?
From true dawn, when light first spreads across the horizon, until sunrise. You can find today's times on the prayer times pages of this site.
I woke up after sunrise. What now?
Pray Fajr as soon as you wake up. It is a make-up prayer (qada), with the same 2 rakat.
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.