Sunnah Prayers Before and After Fard - Complete List
The confirmed sunnah prayers attached to each of the five daily prayers.
Along with the five fard prayers, the Prophet ﷺ prayed regular voluntary prayers, known as sunnah prayers. This guide lists the number of rak'ahs, the reward reported for keeping them, and where the schools of thought differ.
Quick answer
The sunnah mu'akkadah, the emphasised sunnah prayers, are 12 rak'ahs a day in the widely cited report: two before Fajr, four before Dhuhr, two after Dhuhr, two after Maghrib and two after Isha. Witr, sunnah or wajib depending on the school, completes the night.
The reported reward
Umm Habibah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays twelve rak'ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise." It is in Sahih Muslim, and the report lists them as four before Dhuhr, two after it, two after Maghrib, two after Isha and two before Fajr.
The sunnah prayers, prayer by prayer
| Prayer | Before the fard | After the fard |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 sunnah mu'akkadah | none |
| Dhuhr | 4 sunnah mu'akkadah | 2 sunnah mu'akkadah (then 2 nafl) |
| Asr | 4 sunnah ghayr mu'akkadah | none |
| Maghrib | none | 2 sunnah mu'akkadah (then 2 nafl) |
| Isha | 4 sunnah ghayr mu'akkadah | 2 sunnah mu'akkadah (then 2 nafl), then Witr |
This table follows Hanafi practice. Other schools differ. For example, the Shafi'i school counts 10 or 12 rak'ahs as emphasised depending on the version, and gives different counts for Dhuhr's before and after sunnah.
What mu'akkadah means
- Sunnah mu'akkadah: emphasised, which the Prophet ﷺ rarely left. In the Hanafi school, leaving them without reason is blameworthy.
- Sunnah ghayr mu'akkadah: recommended but not emphasised, such as the four before Asr and Isha.
- Nafl: purely voluntary prayers.
Witr
Witr is prayed after Isha and before Fajr. In the Hanafi school it is wajib (just below fard) and has three rak'ahs with the qunut supplication in the third. The majority of other schools treat Witr as a strongly emphasised sunnah, and they allow one, three or more rak'ahs. This is a recognised difference, so follow your school or ask your scholar.
Other voluntary prayers
- Tahajjud, the night prayer. See our Tahajjud guide.
- Duha, the forenoon prayer, prayed after sunrise has risen and before noon.
- Tahiyyat al-masjid, two rak'ahs when entering a mosque before sitting (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Tarawih, prayed in Ramadan after Isha. See our Ramadan guide.
How to keep them
- Start with the two rak'ahs of Fajr and the two after Maghrib, then add others.
- Pray them at home if you can. The Prophet ﷺ said the best prayer of a person is in his house, except the obligatory prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Track your progress with our salah tracker.
- Do not delay the fard to pray the sunnah. The sunnah never replaces the obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sunnah rak'ahs are there in a day?
Twelve mu'akkadah rak'ahs in the widely cited report: 2 before Fajr, 4 before Dhuhr, 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib and 2 after Isha.
Is Witr compulsory?
In the Hanafi school it is wajib. Most other schools consider it a strongly emphasised sunnah. Follow your school's ruling.
Can I skip the sunnah if I am short on time?
The fard comes first. Leaving the emphasised sunnah without reason is disliked in the Hanafi school, but it does not invalidate the fard.
Do I pray sunnah in the mosque or at home?
Either is valid. The best place for voluntary prayers is your home, as the Prophet ﷺ taught.
What is the sunnah of Jumu'ah?
Hanafi practice includes four before the khutbah, the fard, then four and two after. Other schools differ on the counts, so ask your scholar.