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
Fard · 4
| Rakat | Recite | Aloud or quiet | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Aloud | Stand up |
| 2 | Al-Fatiha and a surah | Aloud | Sit for the tashahhud, then stand up |
| 3 | Al-Fatiha only | Quietly | Stand up |
| 4 | Al-Fatiha only | Quietly | Final sitting and salam |
Sunnah after · 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 |
Other ways you may see
- The Hanafi school also recommends 4 rakat sunnah before Isha. They are not stressed.
- 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 Isha in total?
4 rakat fard, 2 rakat sunnah after, and Witr, usually 3. That is 9 rakat, or 13 with the Hanafi 4 before.
Is Witr part of Isha?
Witr is its own prayer, but its time begins after Isha, so most people pray it straight after the sunnah of Isha. You can also pray it later in the night.
How late can I pray Isha?
Most scholars say until the middle of the night is best, and until dawn in case of need.
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.