What Is Isha prayer? | Quran oasis

The isha prayer (Arabic: صلاة العشاء,” night prayer”) is one of the five salah that Allah has imposed on us in Islam. The isha prayers have great virtue,

and Islam urges us not to miss it.

Our day in Islam begins with the moment of sunset, so the isha prayer is considered the second prayer of the day,

and it is the fifth prayer in case you counted from the mid of the night.

Uthman reported that he heard Muhammad saying: “The one of who offered Isha salat in a congregation,

it was as if he remained in salat up to midnight, and he who offered the Fajr salah in a congregation, it was as if he remained in salah the whole night.

” روى أنه سمع محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:”كأن من صلى العشاء في جماعة كأنه بقي في صلاة حتى منتصف الليل، ومن صلى صلاة الفجر كأنه بقي في الصلاة الليل بأكمله.”

There is hadith about isha prayer, Abu Hurairah reported that he heard Muhammad say:” The most difficult salat for Munafiqeen is Isha and Fajr. If they had known their rewards, they wouldn’t have missed them even if they had to crawl on their knees.” Bukhari.

عن أبي هريرة عن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال:”أثقل الصلاة على المنافقين صلاةُ العشاء وصلاة الفجر، ولو يعلمون ما فيهما لأَتَوْهما ولو حَبْوًا”؛ متفق عليه.

What time is Isha prayer?

Islam has set the dates for the five daily prayers according to the time of sunrise and sunset during the day.

But due to the different dates of sunrise and sunset from one day to another during the seasons of the year, the dates of the prayers change. In general, the isha prayer time starts after the Maghrib prayer and before midnight.

In the past, Astronomers or the muwaqqits were responsible for regulating the time of the prayers by using mathematical astronomy.

What is the last time of isha prayer?

Opinions differed about the last time for performing the isha prayer. Some have expressed their opinion of its prayer on time, others prefer delaying it to combine it with the Tahajjud, and others believe that the time for its end is before the dawn call to prayer. 

Can I pray Isha after midnight?

Yes, there is no problem. The best way to pray isha salah ( Arabic: العشاء ) is in the first third of the night. The Messenger preferred to delay isha salah. 

Can I pray Isha before Fajr?

Yes, It is available to pray isha before fajr; because the time for Fajr prayer has not yet come.If you prefer to perform the Tahajjud prayer and pray the isha prayer, There is no problem with delaying the Isha Salah, as the companions of the Messenger did before.

How many rakats are in Isha prayer?

Islam taught us that any action the Messenger did is called a Sunnah and we are rewarded for it. The isha salah, as the Prophet did, 

Isha prayers were divided into three parts(ten raka’at)

 

prayer	Time	1st sunnah Rakat (before isha) Unit	Fard Rakat Unit	last sunnah Rakat (after isha) Unit	witr
Isha (Night prayer)	from night to fajr	4	4	2	3

 

The first part(four rakat sunnah prayer) 

It was before isha a prayer, It is optional but recommended.

It is Ghair Muakkadah, our prophet didn’t perform it regularly. They are proved from Hadith.

There is no confirmed Sunnah (Muakkadah)before isha, but it is mustahabb to pray two rak’ahs before it. As the Prophet said:

“Between each call to prayer, there is a prayer, between each call to prayer is a prayer.” Then he said for the third time: “For whoever he wants.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari (627).

قول النبي ﷺ: بين كل أذانين صلاة، بين كل أذانين صلاة، ثم قال في الثالثة: لمن شاء”.

 

Imam	Al-Maliki	Hanbali	Shafi’i	Hanafi
sunnah rakat before isha	2	2	2	4 rakat (Taslima wahida)

 

The second part (four Rakat fard)

It is obligatory, and it is one of the five salah.

The third part after the isha prayer (two Rakat sunnah prayers) 

It is also optional but recommended.

As for the Witr prayer, it is a prayer that follows the obligatory and Sunnah prayers,

and the Muslim prays it two by two and ends it with one rak’ah, and the minimum number is three rak’ahs with two Taslima.

How to pray isha?

(Night prayer)

Muslim performs isha prayer As the Messenger taught us, he urged us to the perform fard part of isha salah. 

Here is the guide according to the Qur’an and Sunnah to perform the obligatory isha prayer in a correct Islamic way as follows:

1-Rakat

• At the beginning of the prayer, Make the intention to pray four rak’ahs the obligatory Isha prayer.
• The prayer begins with the takbeer saying: “Allahu Arabic (Arabic, الله أكبر)
• We seek refuge in Allah from the shaytan saying” Audhu billah min-ash-shayta-nir-rageem (Arabic, أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم),

bismillah-ir-rahman-ir-raheem”(Arabic, بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)

• We read Surat Al-Fatihah, followed by a short Surah from the Qur’an.
• We praise God in Ruku by saying”subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان ربي العظيم)
•  Lift your body upright and say”Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah”, (Arabic, سمع الله لمن حمده), and say in a low voice: “Rabbana laka-al-Hamd”, (Arabic, ربنا ولك الحمد).
• kneel in the 1st sajdah,  and say: “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”, (Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).

Sit-up from the first prostration(Sajdah), Then kneel again and  repeat: “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”, (Arabic,سبحان ربي الأعلى)

2-Rakat

• Stand up and go to the second rak’ah.
• Say: “bismillah-ir-rahman-ir-raheem”(Arabic, بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)
• Read another surah from the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku by saying”subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان ربي العظيم.
• Lift your body upright and say”Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah”, (Arabic, سمع الله لمن حمده), and say in a low voice: “Rabbana laka-al-Hamd”, (Arabic, ربنا ولك الحمد.
• kneel in the 1st sajdah,  and say: “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”, (Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Sit-up from the first Sajdah, Then kneel again and repeat: “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”, (Arabic,سبحان ربي الأعلى.
• After that, you have to sit to say Tashshahud and say At-tahiyyat.

3-Rakat

• Stand and enter the third rakaa, and start with saying basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم”.
• Start reciting Surah Al-Fatiha.
• Go into Ruku and say: “subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان ربي العظيم.
• Stand again, and say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”, and so ay with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”.
• Go into the first sajdah,  and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”.
• Sit in a sitting position between the two prostrations.
• Go again to the second Sajdah, and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”.

4-Rakat

• Go into the fourth Rakat,  and say: “basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم”.
• Recite Surat Al-Fatiha with a short surah from the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku, and say: “subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان (ربي العظيم.
• Stand up and say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”, and say with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”.
• Go into the 1st Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”.
• Put yourself in a sitting position between the two prostrations.
• Go into 2nd Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”.
• Read the complete tashahhud.
• Finally, Turn your face to the right  and say: “As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatu”, (Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته)
• Turn your face to the left and say: “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah,(Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله).

How to pray isha sunnah?

You can perform prayer isha rakats sunnah With the differing opinions of the imams in their number

Isha prayer sunnah is two or four rakaat mustahabba before isha salat, which is also called Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah or Nafl.

Sunnah rakat before isha prayer

1. Rak’ah

• Begin with the intention of praying the two rak’ahs of the Sunnah Isha prayer.
• Say: “Allahu-Akbar”,(Arabic, الله أكبر).
• Say: “Audhu billahi min-ash-shaytan ir-rajim (Arabic, أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم”.
•  Say basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم
• Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
• Recite another short surah from the Quran.
• Go into Ruku and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان (ربي العظيم.
• Stand again and say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”( سمع الله لمن حمده), and say with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”,(Arabic,ربنا ولك الحمد).
• Go into the first Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Take a sitting position between the two prostrations and go into the second Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).

2. Rakat

• Go into the second rakaa, and say: “basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم.
• Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and short Surah of the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان (ربي العظيم.
• Stand up to say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”( سمع الله لمن حمده), and say with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”,(Arabic,ربنا ولك الحمد).
• Go into 1st Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Take a sitting position between the two Sajdahs
• Go into 2nd sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Read the complete tashahhud, say the greeting, and do not forget to pray for the Prophet.
• Turn your face to the right and say: “As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatu”, (Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته)
• Turn your face to the left and say: “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah,(Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله).

Sunnah Rakat after isha prayer

Isha prayer sunnah the two rak’ahs of the Sunnah that follow the isha prayer, which our Messenger never missed them (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) 

Aisha (ra) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never came to me after having prayed Isha except that he performed four rak’ahs or six rak’ahs. (this includes the sunnah mu’akkadah. Excluding them it is two or four) (Abu Dawud).

قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها: لم يأتني رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) قط بعد أن صلى العشاء إلا أنه صلى أربع ركعات أو ست ركعات.  (وهذا يشمل السنة الموكدة ، باستثناءهم اثنان أو أربعة) (أبو داود).

1. Rak’ah

• Begin with the intention of praying the two rak’ahs of the Sunnah Isha prayer.
• Say: “Allahu-Akbar”,(Arabic, الله أكبر).
• Say: “Audhu billahi min-ash-shaytan ir-rajim (Arabic, أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم”.
•  Say basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم
• Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
• Recite another short surah from the Quran.
• Go into Ruku and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان (ربي العظيم.
• Stand again and say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”( سمع الله لمن حمده), and say with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”,(Arabic,ربنا ولك الحمد).
• Go into the first Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Take a sitting position between the two prostrations and go into the second Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).

 

2. Rakat

• Go into the second rakaa, and say: “basmalah,(Arabic, بسم -الله-إير-الرحمن-إر-رحيم.
• Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and short Surah of the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem”, (Arabic, سبحان (ربي العظيم.
• Stand up to say: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”( سمع الله لمن حمده), and say with a low voice: “Rabbana lakal Hamd”,(Arabic,ربنا ولك الحمد).
• Go into 1st Sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Take a sitting position between the two Sajdahs
• Go into 2nd sajdah and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aa’la”,(Arabic, سبحان ربي الأعلى).
• Read the complete tashahhud, say the greeting, and do not forget to pray for the Prophet.
• Turn your face to the right and say: “As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatu”, (Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته)
• Turn your face to the left and say: “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah,(Arabic, السلام عليكم ورحمة الله).

What is the short prayer for isha?

 It is not obligatory for you for your prayers to be valid to adhere to the Sunnah and the Nafl, and there is nothing wrong with shortening the evening prayer to suffice with the initiation of four rak’ahs.  

Our Islamic religion is the religion of ease and facilitation for Muslims. And what preoccupies the mind of a Muslim traveling long distances about how to make up and perform prayers without letting go of them.

Don’t miss the opportunity to start your day right. Wake up before the world does and connect with your Creator. The reward for Fajr prayer is immense.

Can you pray maghrib and isha together when traveling?

 Yes, There’s nothing wrong with that. Our Islam has limited legal rulings regarding travel such as Combining Maghrib and Isha and shortening the prayer, whether earlier or later, is permissible to wipe over the socks for 3 days.

A traveler Muslim can combine Maghrib and Isha while shortening the rak’ah or completing it without shortening, and he must make the intention before the time for the first prayer ends to combine it with the next prayer.

Al-Bukhari narrated it on the authority of Anas, may God be pleased with him, who said: If the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, set out before the sun had set, he would delay the noon until the time of the afternoon prayer, then descend and gather them together.

If you forgot any prayer and the time for the next prayer came, it is preferable to perform the current prayer and then perform the prayer that you missed.

Can I pray tahajjud without praying Isha?

It is preferable to perform the Tahajjud prayer at any time before the dawn prayer, and it is better to pray it in the last third of the dawn.

The Tahajjud prayer is also called Qiyaam al-Layl, and its number of rak’ahs ranges from 2-8 rak’ahs after sleeping a little.

The Tahajjud prayer is a prayer that can be performed in the first third of the night, the second third, or the last third of the night, and the most important is its prayer after the obligatory Isha prayer.

Conclusion

Isha prayer is one of the prayers that Allah has imposed upon us, and the Messenger urged us to pray it before going to sleep, for it has great merit.

The imams differed as to the number of sunnah Rakat before isha salah, but it is recommended to pray two Rakat before it between the adhan and the iqamah.

Islam has made many things easy for Muslims and has specified legal rulings for prayer while traveling, and allowed combining prayers and shortening.

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Teaching children to perform Islamic prayer (Salah) is a beautiful journey of nurturing faith and discipline. Here’s how you can guide them:

1. Lead by Example: Let your children see you pray regularly. Your dedication inspires them to follow your lead.
2. Start Early: Begin with simple steps, like teaching them how to say Bismillah before eating or showing them how to make dua. Gradually introduce the actions of Salah.
3. Make It Fun: Use colorful prayer mats, teach through stories about Salah, or play educational games that help them learn the steps.
4. Celebrate Progress: Praise and reward them for learning new steps or joining you in prayer, fostering a sense of achievement.
5. Be Patient and Gentle: Every child learns at their own pace. Offer gentle corrections and encouragement without pressure.
6. Teach the Meaning: Help them understand what they are saying in Salah to foster a connection with Allah and make the practice meaningful.
7. Create a Routine: Include Salah in their daily schedule, so it becomes a natural and enjoyable part of their life.

✨ What’s your favorite way to engage children in prayer? Share your experience and let’s inspire each other! ✨