How many times a day do Muslims pray?
Yes, there's a fixed number: Muslims pray five times a day. The five daily prayers (salah) are Fajr at dawn, Dhuhr at midday, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib at sunset and Isha at night. Each one takes about five to ten minutes. Extra voluntary prayers are encouraged, but only these five are required.
The five prayers and their times
- Fajr: from dawn until sunrise. 2 rakat (units).
- Dhuhr: just after the sun passes its highest point. 4 rakat.
- Asr: mid-to-late afternoon. 4 rakat.
- Maghrib: right after sunset. 3 rakat.
- Isha: once the evening twilight has gone. 4 rakat.
The times follow the sun, so they shift through the year. In northern Europe, summer Isha can be very late and winter Dhuhr and Asr very close together. Most people use a local mosque timetable or an app. See Can I trust prayer time apps?
Where the number five comes from
The Quran says prayer has fixed times:
When a man asked the Prophet ﷺ what Islam required of him, he answered: "You have to offer prayers perfectly five times in a day and night." The man asked if there was more, and he said no, unless he wanted to pray extra (Sahih al-Bukhari 46).
In the story of the Prophet's night journey, Allah first set fifty prayers, then reduced them to five while keeping the reward of fifty (Sahih al-Bukhari 349). So five prayers carry a big reward.
Extra and combined prayers
- Voluntary prayers: short sunnah prayers before or after some of the five, plus Witr and night prayer. They add reward but aren't required.
- Travel: travelers can shorten the four-unit prayers to two and combine some of them.
- Shia practice: Shia Muslims also pray five prayers, but often combine them into three sessions a day.
Is it hard to fit into a busy day?
Less than it sounds. Five prayers of a few minutes each add up to less than an hour, and each has a window of time, not one exact minute. Students and workers usually manage with a quiet corner and a short break. See Can I combine prayers because of my class schedule?
New Muslims often build up gradually. See Do I have to pray five times a day right after becoming Muslim?
- Muslims pray five required prayers a day.
- Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha follow the sun.
- Each prayer has a time window and takes a few minutes.
- Extra prayers are rewarded but optional.
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