Sunnah prayers in Islam follow the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and include regular rak'ahs around the obligatory prayers. This guide explains the meaning of Sunnah, the broad timings of prayers such as Tahajjud and Duha, and the basic sequence of standing, recitation, bowing and prostration.
What does Sunnah mean in relation to prayer?
Sunnah means the example and tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It encompasses his teachings, actions and approvals, passed on as a model for Muslims to follow.
In the context of prayer, the term connects worship with that example. For a wider introduction to Islamic practice, see our guide to the rules of Islam.
When are Sunnah prayers performed?
The regular Sunnah rak'ahs are associated with the obligatory prayers, while the other prayers below have different timings. This comparison gives a broad overview rather than a detailed schedule for each prayer.
| Prayer | Broad timing |
|---|---|
| The 12 regular Sunnah rak'ahs | Around the obligatory prayers |
| Tahajjud | Between Isha and Fajr |
| Duha | After sunrise and before the sun reaches its highest point |
| Awwabin | Between Maghreb and Isha |
| Taraweeh | During Ramadan, between Isha and Witr |
For more context, read our overview of prayers in Islam. If you are preparing for Ramadan prayer at home, the step-by-step Taraweeh guide focuses on that prayer in more detail.
How do you prepare for Sunnah prayer?
Prepare by performing the ritual ablution, wudu, and making your intention for the sake of Allah. Be clear in your heart about the prayer you intend to perform before beginning the salah.
The intention is called niyyah. It concerns the purpose of your prayer, rather than simply going through its movements.
What is the basic sequence of a rak'ah?
The sequence includes standing and recitation, bowing, returning to standing, and prostration with sitting between the prostrations. The outline below explains how those movements fit together.
- Begin standing with the opening takbir. Say “Allah is the greatest” (Allah -hu-Akbar). The opening takbir is required for the prayer to be valid.
- Recite while standing. Recite Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran, followed by your chosen Quran verses or chapter.
- Bow in submission to Allah. Say another takbir, bow and place your hands on your knees.
- Return to standing, then prostrate. Rise from bowing while praising Allah, then move into prostration, or sujud, with your forehead, nose and palms on the ground.
- Sit, then prostrate again. Rise into a sitting position before returning to prostration. This completes the rak'ah; continue with another rak'ah if the prayer requires it.
The movements are accompanied by praise of Allah, including the words “Glory be to Allah the Almighty”. Attention to the meaning of the praise belongs alongside attention to the movements.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught:
the closest a subject gets to their Allah is when in prostration.
How can you get help with Quran recitation for prayer?
Focus your recitation practice on Al-Fatiha and the Quran passages you choose to read while standing. Our Tajweed classes offer help with pronunciation, while Standard Arabic classes support learning the language.
For memorisation, explore the Quran memorization course. Parents looking for broader learning about worship can also explore Islamic studies for kids.
At Murouj Academy, these online courses are taught one-to-one. You can choose your teacher and book a free trial class.
Frequently asked questions
Does rak'ah mean a whole prayer?
A rak'ah is a unit of prayer, rather than necessarily the whole prayer. The sequence described above forms a unit that is repeated when the prayer requires another rak'ah.
Does the intention have to be spoken aloud?
No. Niyyah is made in the heart rather than spoken aloud: you intend to perform the prayer for the sake of Allah.
What is the difference between Sunnah and hadith?
Sunnah refers to the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Hadith are transmitted reports of his words, actions and approvals, passed down through chains of narrators, through which that example is documented.
