Zohar Namaz is the second obligatory prayer in Islam, performed after midday as prescribed in the Qur’an and explained through authentic Hadith. Understanding the correct Zohar Namaz rakats, including Sunnah, Farz, and Nafl, is essential for praying it properly and on time. In this complete guide, you will learn the exact rakat structure, intention (niyat), step-by-step method, correct prayer time, and common questions answered according to the Quran and Sunnah.
1. What Is Zohar Namaz Rakat
Zohar Namaz is the second obligatory (Farz) daily prayer in Islam, offered after the sun passes its zenith (midday) until the time of Asr begins. It reminds believers to pause worldly activities and return to the remembrance of Allah.
Qur’an reference:
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night…”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:78)
This verse includes Zohar, showing that prayers have fixed times ordained by Allah.
2. Zohar Namaz Rakat (Sunni / Hanafi)
Across Sunni schools (Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali), the rakat structure of Zohar is the same:
- 4 Sunnah (before Farz)
- 4 Farz (obligatory)
- 2 Sunnah (after Farz)
- 2 Nafl (optional, after Sunnah)
Total: 12 rakats (10 Sunnah/Nafl + 4 Farz counted separately)
Hadith reference:
Aisha (RA) reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to pray four rakats before Zohar and two after it.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
3. Zohar Namaz Rakat Sunnah, Farz, Nafl – Clear Explanation
Sunnah (Mu’akkadah)
- 4 Sunnah before Zohar are highly emphasized
- 2 Sunnah after Farz are also strongly recommended
Neglecting them regularly is discouraged.
Hadith:
“Whoever prays four rakats before Zohar and four after it, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.”
(Tirmidhi)
Zohar Namaz Rakat Farz (Obligatory)
- 4 Farz rakats are compulsory
- Missing them intentionally is a major sin
Qur’an:
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:103)
Zohar Namaz Rakat Nafl (Optional)
- 2 Nafl after Sunnah
- Extra reward, but not obligatory
4. Zohar namaz rakat Niyat (Intention) sunnat and farz
Niyat is made in the heart; saying it aloud is not required.
Zohar namaz rakat-sunnat niyyat
I intend to perform four rakats of the Sunnah prayer of Dhuhr, for the sake of Allah, following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, with my face towards the Kaaba. Allahu Akbar.
Note: Similarly, you need to make the intention for two rakats, meaning you only say “two rakats of Sunnah” instead of four.
Note: If it is a confirmed Sunnah, then it should be called a confirmed Sunnah of the Sunnah.
zohar namaz rakat-Farz niyyat
I intend to perform four rakats of the obligatory Zuhr prayer (the follower should add: “behind this Imam”) for the sake of Allah, with my face towards the Kaaba. Allahu Akbar.
Sincerity is more important than words.
5. Zohar Namaz rakat method (Farz Rakats)
✅ Step 1: Intention (Niyyah)
Make the intention in your heart:
“I intend to perform 4 Rakats of Farz Zohar prayer for Allah.”
(Intention does not need to be spoken aloud.)
🟢 Step 2: Opening Takbeer
Raise both hands up to the ears and say:
Allahu Akbar/اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Fold your hands on the chest and stand calmly.
🟢 Step 3: Standing (Qiyam)
1st Rakat
- Recite Sana/سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ—-وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
- Recite Ta‘awwuz
A‘oodhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem/أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ - Recite Tasmiyah
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem/بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ - Recite Surah Al-Fatiha(all)/الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ—-وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
- Recite any short Surah(all)/قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ—-لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
note: If you are praying behind the Imam, you only need to stand, but if the prayer involves recitation (out loud), then you should remain silent and listen to the recitation (this is according to the Hanafi school of thought).
🟢 Step 4: Bowing (Ruku)
Bow down and say:
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem (3 times)/سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
🟢 Step 5: Standing after Ruku (Qaumah)
Stand up straight and say:
Sami‘allahu liman hamidah/سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Then say:
Rabbana lakal hamd/رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
🟢 Step 6: Prostration (Sajdah – twice)
Go into prostration and say:
Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la (3 times)/سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Sit briefly, then perform the second sajdah.
👉 First Rakat completed
🟢 Step 7: Second Rakat
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha/الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ—-وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
- Recite any short second Surah/قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ—-كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
- Perform Ruku → Qaumah → Two Sajdahs
- Sit and recite At-Tahiyyat( tashahhud) only/التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَات—–وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
🟢 Step 8: Third Rakat
- Stand and recite Surah Al-Fatiha only
- Perform Ruku → Qaumah → Two Sajdahs
🟢 Step 9: Fourth Rakat
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha only
- Perform Ruku → Qaumah → Two Sajdahs
- Sit for the final sitting and recite:
- At-Tahiyyat(tashahhud)
- Durood-e-Ibrahim/للّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ—إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
- Dua-e-Masura/رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا—وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
🔚 Step 10: Ending with Salam
Turn your head to the right and say:
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah / السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ
Then to the left:
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah / السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ
⚠️ Important Points to Remember
✔ Zohar Farz prayer is recited silently
✔ First two rakats → Surah Al-Fatiha + another Surah
✔ Last two rakats → Surah Al-Fatiha only
6. Zohar namaz rakat Time
- Starts: After the sun passes its highest point (midday)
- Ends: When Asr time begins
Exact timing depends on location, so prayer timetables should be followed.
note: If you find any mistakes in this entire article, please correct them immediately. God willing, this person will accept his mistakes.
FAQs Zohar Namaz Rakat
- How many rakats are in Zohar?
Zohar has 4 Farz, with Sunnah and Nafl making the total 12 rakats.
- Is Zohar Sunnah compulsory?
No, but they are strongly recommended.
- Can I pray Zohar late?
Yes, within its time; otherwise pray Qaza.
- Is Zohar same in Hanafi and Shafi?
Yes, the rakat count is the same.
- Can women pray Zohar at home?
Yes, praying at home is permissible and rewarded.
- How many rakats are in zohar namaz rakat?
Zuhr has 12 rakats total: 4 Sunnah + 4 Farz + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl.
- What are the 12 rakats of Zuhr?
4 Sunnah before Farz, 4 Farz, 2 Sunnah after Farz, 2 Nafl.
- How many Rakats are there in Zohar?
Zohar has 12 rakats in total.
- Is Zuhr 4 4 2 2?
Yes, Zuhr rakats are 4 Sunnah, 4 Farz, 2 Sunnah, 2 Nafl.
- Is Zuhr 4 rakat sunnah compulsory?
No, Sunnah is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended.
- How to pray zohar namaz rakat?
First pray 4 Sunnah, then 4 Farz, then 2 Sunnah, then optional 2 Nafl.
- How many sunnat are in zohar namaz rakat?
Zuhr has 6 Sunnah (4 before Farz, 2 after Farz).
- Can I pray Zuhr at home?
Yes, Zuhr can be prayed at home or in the mosque.
- How many rakats are in zohar namaz rakat Hanafi?
Same as others: 12 rakats total, with 4 Farz compulsory.
- Is ASR 3 or 4 rakat?
Asr has 4 Farz rakats.
- How to do zohar namaz?
Pray in this order: Sunnah → Farz → Sunnah → Nafl.
- How to pray Zuhr Sunnah?
Pray like normal salah, with Surah Al-Fatiha and another surah in each rakat.
- How many rakats is Dhuhr sunni?
Dhuhr Sunni rakats are 12 total, Farz are 4.
- How many rakats are in Zuhar?
Zuhar has 4 Farz, total 12 rakats.
- Can I just read 4 Farz for Zuhr?
Yes, Farz alone is valid, but Sunnah gives extra reward.
- What are the common mistakes in Zohar prayer?
Rushing, missing Sunnah regularly, wrong time, lack of focus.
- Can I make salah without wudu?
No, wudu is mandatory for salah.
- Can I pray Zuhr 4pm?
Only if Zuhr time has not ended and Asr has not started.
- Are Dhuhr and Zuhr the same?
Yes, both names refer to the same prayer.
- Is witr only 1 rakat?
No, Witr is 3 rakats in Hanafi fiqh.
- Is Dhuhr sunnah 2 or 4?
Both: 4 Sunnah before and 2 Sunnah after Farz.
- What is mandatory for Zuhr namaz?
Wudu, correct time, niyat, and 4 Farz rakats.
- How to pray Zuhr correctly?
Pray calmly, follow rakat order, maintain focus and cleanliness.
- Is 2 Sunnah in Zuhr compulsory?
No, they are recommended, not compulsory.
- Can I combine Zuhr and Asr prayers?
Normally no, except during travel (safar) in some cases.
- Can I just read 4 fard for Zuhr?
Yes, 4 Farz alone is valid.
- How many rakat farz are in Zuhr?
Zuhr has 4 Farz rakats.
- How to pray 4 sunnahs of Zuhr?
Pray 4 rakats like normal salah, sitting for tashahhud only in the last rakat.
Dear brothers, rise up! To please Allah Almighty and to achieve success in this world and the hereafter, let us rise and perform the Dhuhr prayer. Amen.
It is time for Zohar prayer — offer your Salah now.
- Pause your work and stand for Zohar Namaz.
- Allah has given you another chance — perform Zohar prayer.
- Step away from worldly tasks and connect with your Lord.
- Zohar prayer time has begun — pray now.
- Reminder: Do not miss your Zohar Farz prayer.
- Farz prayer is an obligation — perform Zohar Namaz.
- True success lies in Salah — offer Zohar prayer.
- Pray Zohar Now
- Zohar Prayer Time
- Offer Namaz
- If this guide helped you, perform your Zohar prayer on time today.
- Before the Zohar time ends — offer your prayer.