How Many Rakats In Isha Salah?

Whether you’re a parent teaching your child to pray, a new Muslim building your routine, or simply someone looking to refresh your understanding — one question comes up a lot: “How many salah is Isha?” or more accurately, “How many rakats are in Isha salah?”

At My Salah Mat, we know how important it is to make learning salah simple, clear, and meaningful — especially for children. Our interactive prayer mats are designed to guide Muslims step-by-step through each prayer, including Isha, in a way that’s fun and easy to follow. But even with the help of tools, it’s good to understand the structure and purpose behind each part of the prayer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the full breakdown of Isha prayer rakats, what’s obligatory and what’s optional, and why each part matters.

What is Isha Salah?

Isha is the fifth and final obligatory prayer of the day. It is performed after the twilight disappears and night fully sets in. Spiritually, it serves as a closing of your day — a peaceful, quiet moment to connect with Allah ﷻ before sleep.

The Prophet ﷺ placed a lot of emphasis on Isha, especially in congregation. He said:
“Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he has spent half the night in prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)

That’s a powerful reminder of how much reward there is in this prayer — even when we’re tired at the end of the day.

How Many Rakats Are in Isha Salah?

The full Isha prayer can consist of 9 or 11 rakats, depending on how many optional units you pray. Here’s a clear breakdown:

• 4 Rakats Fard (Obligatory)

• 2 Rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Highly Recommended)

• 2 Rakats Nafl (Optional)

• 1 or 3 Rakats Witr (Wajib or Strongly Recommended)

Let’s go through each part:

1. Fard – 4 Rakats (Mandatory)

This is the core of Isha prayer. Every Muslim must perform these four units. Skipping them without a valid reason invalidates the Isha salah.

Each rakat includes all the essential movements: standing (Qiyam), bowing (Ruku), and prostration (Sujood). This portion of the prayer fulfils your daily obligation to Allah.

🟢 Minimum requirement for Isha: These 4 fard rakats

2. Sunnah Mu’akkadah – 2 Rakats (Highly Recommended)

These are not obligatory but were regularly performed by the Prophet ﷺ, making them highly encouraged. The reward for performing these is great, and skipping them regularly without reason is discouraged.

Think of them as an act of love and respect for the Prophet’s example.

3. Nafl – 2 Rakats (Optional)

These two optional rakats come after the Sunnah and are a way to increase closeness to Allah. They’re not compulsory — but they allow you to spend a bit more time in reflection and spiritual connection before the day ends.

4. Witr – 1 or 3 Rakats (Wajib/Strongly Recommended)

Witr is unique. It’s an odd-numbered prayer that the Prophet ﷺ said we should end our night with:
“Make Witr your last prayer at night.” (Sahih Bukhari)

You can pray:

• 1 Rakat Witr — quick and simple, or

• 3 Rakats Witr — commonly prayed as 2 + 1, with Tashahhud in the last.

Many scholars consider Witr to be wajib (necessary) — meaning you shouldn't miss it without good reason.

Why Isha Salah Matters

Isha isn't just about fulfilling an obligation — it's a chance to end the day in worship, gratitude, and peace. It trains your soul to stay connected to Allah even when you're tired. Teaching children to value this prayer (perhaps using My Salah Mat Educational Kids Prayer Mat) helps them build lifelong habits of faith and reflection.

And for adults, incorporating the Sunnah and Witr rakats adds depth and reward to your prayer routine.

Final Thoughts

So, how many salah is Isha? The essential answer is 4 fard rakats — but you can make it 9 or even 11 by adding the Sunnah, Nafl, and Witr rakats, just as the Prophet ﷺ used to do.

Let’s aim not just to complete our prayers, but to perfect them — step by step, day by day.

🤲 May Allah accept our Isha prayers, grant us khushu (focus), and help us to end each day in His remembrance. Ameen.