Overview of Isha Prayer
Isha is the fifth and final daily prayer, prayed at night after the red twilight disappears. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he has prayed half the night. And whoever prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the whole night." (Muslim)
When to Pray Isha
Isha time begins when the red twilight (shafaq) disappears and lasts until the middle of the night (halfway between Isha and Fajr). It is recommended to pray it before the first third of the night passes. Use our prayer times tool for accurate Isha times in your city.
The 4 Fard Rak'ahs — Step by Step
Perform wudu first, face the Qibla, and make the intention for Isha.
Rak'ah 1 & 2 (Standing Rak'ahs)
In each of the first two rak'ahs, recite Surah Al-Fatiha followed by any surah or verses. After completing the 2nd rak'ah's sujud, sit for the first Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat only).
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ...
At-Tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh...
Rak'ah 3 & 4 (Quiet Rak'ahs)
Stand for the 3rd and 4th rak'ahs. In these, recite only Surah Al-Fatiha (no additional surah). After the 4th rak'ah, sit for the final Tashahhud.
Final Tashahhud & Tasleem
Recite At-Tahiyyat, then the Salawat (Ibrahimiyyah), then end with:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah — turn right, then left
Witr Prayer (After Isha)
Witr is a highly recommended prayer performed after Isha (and after Taraweeh during Ramadan). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make Witr the last prayer you pray at night." (Bukhari & Muslim)
How to Pray Witr (3 Rak'ahs)
- Pray 2 rak'ahs normally (with Tasleem), then pray 1 rak'ah separately
- Or pray 3 rak'ahs continuously with one Tashahhud at the end (Hanafi method)
- In the last rak'ah, after ruku (or before ruku in Hanafi), recite the Qunut dua
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ
Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa 'afini fiman 'afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt...
"O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, take care of me among those You have taken care of..."
🌙 The Bedtime Sunnah After Isha
After praying Isha and Witr, the Prophet ﷺ would:
- Recite Surah Al-Mulk — protection from the punishment of the grave
- Recite Ayatul Kursi — a guardian angel protects you until morning
- Recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah — sufficient for the night (Bukhari)
- Recite the bedtime duas and blow into palms with Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas
- Sleep on the right side facing the Qibla
🌃 For even greater reward, consider praying
Qiyam al-Layl in the last third of the night — especially during Ramadan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rak'ahs is Isha prayer?
Isha consists of 4 optional Sunnah, 4 obligatory Fard, 2 Sunnah after Fard, and 1–3 Witr rak'ahs. The minimum obligation is the 4 Fard rak'ahs.
What time is Isha prayer?
Isha begins when red twilight disappears and can be prayed until the middle of the night. Praying before the first third of the night passes is preferred. Use our
prayer times tool for your city.
What is Witr prayer?
Witr is a highly recommended prayer after Isha — 1 or 3 rak'ahs with a special Qunut dua in the last rak'ah. The Prophet ﷺ said to make it the last prayer of the night.
Can I combine Maghrib and Isha?
Yes, combining is permitted when travelling, in heavy rain, or genuine hardship. A traveller may shorten and combine Maghrib with Isha.