Fajr Namaz rakat is the first and most important prayer of the day, performed at dawn as commanded in the Qur’an. It consists of Sunnah and Fard rakats, each with deep spiritual value and strong evidence from authentic Hadith. In this complete guide, you’ll learn the exact Fajr rakat details, Sunnah and Fard explanation, proper niyat, step-by-step method, and correct time according to Quran and Sunnah. This article helps beginners and practicing Muslims understand Fajr Namaz clearly and correctly.
What Is Fajr Namaz rakat?
Fajr Namaz is the first of the five daily prayers in Islam performed each morning between true dawn (Subh e sadiq) and sunrise. It marks the beginning of a Muslim’s day with worship, gratitude, and remembrance of Allah paak. The prayer is mentioned by its name in the Qur’an and holds a special place in Islamic worship.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
Surah “Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times.”
— Quran 4:103
Fajr is one of these obligatory prayers and must be offered within its prescribed time.
Fajr Namaz Rakat (Sunni & Hanafi Overview)
Fajr Namaz consists of 4 rakats in total:
- 2 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah (highly recommended before the obligatory prayer)
- 2 rakats Fardh (obligatory) required for the prayer to be valid.
The Sunnah rakats are strongly emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, while the two Fard rakats complete the obligatory prayer. According to Sahih hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said regarding the two Sunnah rakats before Fajr:
“The two rakats of Fajr are better than this world and all it contains.”
— Sahih Muslim
Both Sunni and Hanafi schools agree on this setup, so you do not need to worry about different numbers for different madhhabs here — the Fajr prayer remains the same..
Farz Namaz rakat Explanation
The Fard (obligatory) part of Fajr has 2 rakats. These rakats are compulsory, and the prayer is not valid unless these are performed within the correct time. The Fard rakats include:
- Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha in each rakat
- A second surah or portion of the Qur’an after Al-Fatiha in each rakat
- Actions like Ruku (bowing) and Sujood (prostration) as part of proper prayer structure.
This structure follows the Prophet’s ﷺ practice and is agreed upon by Islamic scholars.
Niyat (Intention) for Fajr Namaz rakat
Before starting any prayer, including Fajr, you must make a clear intention (niyat) in your heart — stating silently that you are offering Fajr prayer for Allah’s sake. A typical niyat format for Fajr Namaz is:
“I intend to pray two Sunnah rakats of Fajr prayer for the sake of Allah.”
and then
“I intend to pray two Fardh rakats of Fajr prayer for the sake of Allah.”
Intention does not have to be spoken aloud — it is an internal resolve to worship Allah correctly. This niyat is essential for the validity of the namaz.
Step-by-Step Method to Pray Fajr
Here is a step-by-step guide to performing Fajr Namaz:
- Perform Wudu (Ablution) — cleanse yourself before prayer.
- Stand facing the Qibla with the niyat in your heart.
- Say “Allahu Akbar” to start the prayer.
- In each rakat:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
- Recite another surah or verses from the Qur’an
- Perform Ruku (bow) and Sujood (prostration) correctly.
- Complete the two Sunnah rakats first, then the two Fardh rakats.
- After completing the Fardh, end the prayer with Taslim (turning head right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”).
This structure follows the prophetic method (Sunnah) and ensures your namaz is accepted.
Time of Fajr namaz rakat
The time for Fajr begins at true dawn (Subh Sadiq) when the first light appears horizontally across the sky. It continues until just before sunrise.
Praying within this time is obligatory for the prayer to count. If you miss this time, you must pray Qaza (make-up) as soon as possible.
Table Fajr Namaz Rakat
FAQs – Fajr Namaz Rakat
- Can I pray Fajr after sunrise if I missed it?
If you miss the Fajr prayer before sunrise, you should perform Qaza (make-up prayer) as soon as possible after realizing the miss.
- Are the Sunnah rakats before Fajr compulsory?
They are Sunnah Mu’akkadah — highly recommended but not obligatory. Neglecting them regularly is discouraged.
- Do I recite a surah in each rakat?
Yes, after Surah Al-Fatiha, you should recite another surah or part of the Qur’an in each rakat.
- How many rakats is Fajr namaz rakat?
Fajr has 4 rakats total: 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz.
- How do you pray Fajr namaz rakat?
First pray 2 Sunnah, then pray 2 Farz following the normal salah method.
- Why is Fajr only 2 rakat?
Because the Prophet ﷺ prescribed 2 Farz for Fajr; this is fixed and cannot be increased.
- Is Fajr 2 Sunnah 2 Farz?
Yes, Fajr is 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz.
- Is Fajr 3 rakat?
No, Fajr is never 3 rakats.
- Can you pray Fajr 4 rakat?
No, Fajr Farz is only 2 rakats.
- How to pray Fajr Rakats?
Pray 2 Sunnah, then pray 2 Farz with proper recitation and intention.
- What is 1 rakat?
One rakat includes: qiyam, ruku, two sajdahs, and standing again.
- How to pray 3 rakat farz namaz?
3 Farz rakats apply to Maghrib, not Fajr.
- How many Sunnah in Fajr namaz rakat?
Only 2 Sunnah before the Farz.
- Is Tahajjud 2 Rakat before Fajr?
Yes, Tahajjud is prayed before Fajr, minimum 2 rakats.
- How to pray 4 Rakat farz?
4 Farz applies to Zuhr, Asr, and Isha, not Fajr.
- Can you pray Fajr at 4:30?
Only if 4:30 is after true dawn (Subh-Sadiq) in your area.
- How long do 4 Rakats take?
Normally 3–5 minutes, depending on recitation speed.
- What is the proper way to pray Fajr namaz rakat?
Pray 2 Sunnah, then 2 Farz, reciting Qur’an clearly and calmly.
- How many Rakats are in Fajr today?
Always 4 total (2 Sunnah + 2 Farz).
- Why is Fajr 2 rakat?
Because Allah and His Messenger ﷺ fixed its Farz as two units.
- How many rakats if I miss Fajr?
Pray 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz as qaza after sunrise (when makruh time ends).
- How do Sunnis pray Fajr?
Sunnis pray Fajr as 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz.
- Can I pray 4 rakats for Fajr?
No, Fajr cannot be increased beyond 2 Farz.
- How many rakats are in Fajr in order?
2 Sunnah
2 Farz
- How many rakats to pray now?
If praying on time: 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz.
If praying late as qaza: 2 Sunnah + 2 Farz.