How Many Rakats Are in Fajr Namaz?

Fajr Namaz has two obligatory (Fard) rakats. Two Sunnah rakats are also highly recommended before the Fard prayer. The two Fard rakats are the most important part and must be prayed every morning by every Muslim.

Jump into Content:

Quick Facts About Fajr Namaz

Detail	Answer
Prayer name	Fajr (also called Subh)
Fard rakats	2
Sunnah before Fard	2 (highly recommended)
Total rakats	4
Prayer type	Obligatory daily Salah
Recitation style	Loud (for men in Fard), Silent (for women)

How Many Total Rakats Are in Fajr Namaz?

In total, the Fajr prayer has 4 rakats, but they are not all mandatory:

2 Rakats are Sunnah: These are prayed first. They are highly recommended and bring great reward.
2 Rakats are Fard: These are strictly mandatory. You must pray them every morning.

While the 2 Fard rakats are the absolute requirement, adding the 2 Sunnah rakats before them completes the morning prayer perfectly, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never missed them.

What Is the Difference Between Fard and Sunnah Rakats?

Fard (Obligatory): This is a strict duty from Allah. If you miss a Fard rakat, your prayer is not complete, and you must make it up later.
Sunnah (Recommended): This is the regular practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is not a strict duty, but it is highly rewarded. Praying Sunnah rakats shows extra love and dedication to Allah.

How to Pray the 2 Fard Rakats of Fajr

The 2 Fard rakats of Fajr are simple to follow:

First Rakat: Make your intention, say “Allahu Akbar”, read Surah Al-Fatihah and a short Surah, bow (Ruku), and prostrate (Sujood) twice.
Second Rakat: Stand up again. Read Surah Al-Fatihah and a short Surah. Complete the Ruku and both Sujoods.
Final Sitting: After the last Sujood, sit down, read the Attahiyat and Durood-e-Ibrahim, and end the prayer by turning your head to the right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”.

For a full, detailed guide with exact movements and recitations, please read our complete guides:

Is Fajr Namaz Prayed Loudly or Silently?

For Men: The two Fard rakats are recited out loud (audible). This is a special feature of the Fajr prayer.
For Women: All rakats (both Sunnah and Fard) are always recited silently, regardless of whether they are praying alone or in a group.

Common Questions About Fajr Namaz

Can I pray only the two Fard rakats of Fajr?
Yes. The 2 Fard rakats are the only strictly mandatory part. Your prayer is valid if you only pray these. However, it is highly recommended to also pray the 2 Sunnah rakats beforehand.

What happens if I miss Fajr Namaz?
If you fall asleep and miss the time for Fajr, you must pray it as soon as you wake up. This is called Qada (making up a missed prayer). Do not delay it until the next day.

When does the time for Fajr prayer end?
Fajr time begins at true dawn (when the first light appears in the sky). It ends exactly at sunrise. It is best to pray it early in its time, before the sky starts to turn bright. You can check the exact time for your city on our Fajr Time Today page.

If you want to learn more about daily prayers and Islamic tools, check out these helpful guides:

How to Pray Fajr Prayer (Complete Guide)
How to Pray Fajr Namaz for Men
How to Pray Fajr for Females
Fajr Time Today
Muslim Prayer Times Today
How Many Rakats Are in Isha Namaz? (Note: Update slug if different)
Find the Qibla Direction From Your Location

To summarize, Fajr Namaz has 2 Fard rakats, which are mandatory, and 2 highly recommended Sunnah rakats before them, making a total of 4 rakats.

If you are new to praying or want to make sure your movements and recitations are correct, please visit our detailed step-by-step guide: How to Pray Fajr Namaz.