A Rak'a ( ', lit. "bow"; plural: ') is a single iteration of prescribed movements and supplications performed by Muslims as part of the prescribed obligatory prayer known as salah. Each of the five daily prayers observed by Muslims consists of a number of raka'at.
Procedure
After performing the ritual ablution for prayer, a believer must renew their innermost niyyah (intention), to ensure that their prayer is offered solely for the sake of God. The niyyah for the salah is not announced, as it is private. For example, before beginning the prayer, one may intend in their heart to pray a specific number of units, such as four, as part of their prayer (raka'at before you start your prayer.
- Recitation of al-Fatiha
- Recitation of another surah
- Ruku
- Straightening up from ruku
- Sujud (prostration)
- Rising from sujud
- The second sujud
- Sitting in prayers
- Taslim (salutation)
Daily prayers
The five daily prayers for Sunnites are each performed with a number of obligatory Rak'at (called fard).
- The Fajr prayer (dawn prayer) has 2 Rak'at.
- The Zuhr prayer (midday or early afternoon prayer) has 4 Rak'at.
- The Asr prayer (late afternoon prayer) has 4 Rak'at.
- The Maghrib prayer (dusk prayer) has 3 Rak'at.
- The Isha prayer (night prayer) has 4 Rak'at.
There is a slight variation of the midday prayer on Fridays; Friday prayer has two Rak'at instead of the normal four of the Zuhr prayer, if it is read as part of a congregational prayer called the Friday prayer (Jummah prayer). The Friday prayer is preceded by a sermon, usually delivered by the imam. The prayer units remain the same.
See also
- Dhikr
- Tasbih
- Sign prayer