Fajr consists of two Sunnah rak‘ahs (units of prayer) followed by two obligatory rak‘ahs. The steps below explain the obligatory prayer from its opening takbir (the phrase “Allāhu akbar”) to the final salām (the closing greeting). Before starting, make sure you have performed wudu (ritual ablution), are facing the qiblah (direction of prayer), and are praying before sunrise.
Know the difference between Fajr’s Sunnah and obligatory rak‘ahs
The Fajr prayer commonly refers to the two obligatory rak‘ahs, but the regular practice before them is to pray two separate Sunnah rak‘ahs. The Prophet ﷺ prayed two light rak‘ahs before Fajr, as reported by ‘Ā’ishah: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray two light Rak‘ahs before the Fajr prayer, after the Muezzin would finish calling the Adhān and after the break of dawn. Then, he used to lie on his right side until the Muezzin would come to him for the Iqāmah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
These Sunnah rak‘ahs are not the first two parts of the obligatory prayer: they are a distinct voluntary prayer, performed before it. The Prophet ﷺ also regularly observed them: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not observe a voluntary prayer more regularly than the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) The guide below covers the two obligatory rak‘ahs only.
Prepare with purification, qiblah, intention, and the correct time
Perform wudu before praying, ensure your body and clothing are suitable for prayer, and face the qiblah. If you need a practical refresher, follow our step-by-step guide to wudu and prayer. Form the intention in your heart to pray the two obligatory rak‘ahs of Fajr; a spoken formula is not required to establish that intention.
Fajr begins at true dawn and its time ends at sunrise. The Qur’an names “the morning prayer” among the appointed prayers: “Establish regular prayers – at the sun’s decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony.” (Qur’an 17:78) For a closer explanation of the time window, see when the time for Fajr begins and ends. The verse is also available as Qur’an 17:78 on the morning prayer.
Perform the two obligatory rak‘ahs in order
Stand facing the qiblah and begin with the opening takbir, saying “Allāhu akbar.” Place your hands as you have been taught, then recite al-Fātiḥah. In each rak‘ah, follow it with another passage from the Qur’an. In the first rak‘ah, bow and say “Subḥāna rabbiyal-‘aẓīm” (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent); rise upright, then go down into prostration and say “Subḥāna rabbiyal-a‘lā” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High). Sit briefly between the two prostrations, then prostrate a second time.
Stand for the second rak‘ah and repeat the recitation, bowing, rising, and two prostrations. After the second prostration, sit for the final tashahhud (testimony of faith and prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ), then end the prayer with salām, turning your head to the right and then the left while saying “As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh” (Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you).
Keep the shared sequence; learn school-specific details
The basic order—standing recitation, bowing, standing again, two prostrations, and the final sitting—gives you a reliable framework. Some details, such as hand placement, the wording or timing of certain supplications, and how the hands are raised, differ among Sunni schools. Follow the method you have learned from a trusted teacher rather than assuming every detail is identical for all Muslims.
Recite at a measured pace
Do not rush through the movements: pause in each position long enough to settle before moving on. The Prophet ﷺ recited al-Ikhlāṣ and al-Kāfirūn in the two Sunnah rak‘ahs of Fajr, but that report concerns the Sunnah prayer, not a required choice of passages for the obligatory prayer. You may recite passages you know after al-Fātiḥah.
If you miss Fajr or arrive after the congregation starts
If you wake after sunrise or otherwise miss the prayer, do not assume that every circumstance has the same ruling or make-up sequence. Schools discuss details such as when to make up a missed prayer and how to handle its Sunnah rak‘ahs. For a practical overview, read how to make up a missed Fajr prayer; for a personal case, ask a trusted scholar from the school you follow.
If you arrive while the congregation is praying, join the imam in the position he is in rather than waiting for a new prayer to begin. The rules for which rak‘ah you have caught and what to complete after the imam’s salām have school-specific details, so learn the method followed in your community. A hadith states that whoever catches one rak‘ah before sunrise has caught Fajr, but applying that report to a particular late-arrival situation can require further guidance.
Frequently asked questions about Fajr prayer
How many rak‘ahs are in Fajr prayer?
The obligatory Fajr prayer is two rak‘ahs. It is preceded by two separate Sunnah rak‘ahs, which are voluntary and not part of the obligatory prayer.
Do I pray the two Sunnah rak‘ahs before the obligatory Fajr prayer?
Yes, the regular practice is to pray two light Sunnah rak‘ahs before the two obligatory rak‘ahs, within Fajr time. If you are joining a congregation or have limited time, follow the guidance of your school or a trusted teacher.
What should I do if I miss Fajr?
Pray the missed prayer when you are able, while recognizing that schools differ on some details of making it up. Use a reliable guide for the general method and ask a trusted scholar if your circumstances are specific.
Remember the distinction: two Sunnah rak‘ahs come before the two obligatory rak‘ahs. For the obligatory prayer, follow the sequence from takbir through the final salām, and pray within the time before sunrise. If you miss it or join late, check the details according to the school you follow.
Sources quoted
Every quotation was checked word for word against the Quran and hadith texts in our database.
- Surah Al-Isra, verse 78
- Hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim — authentic
- Hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim — authentic
The Al Muslim Plus editorial team · tested on October 1, 2026