rakahs

Rakahs, or rak’ahs, are the basic units of Salah, the Islamic ritual prayer. The term rak’ah comes from the Arabic root associated with bowing, and in practice denotes one complete cycle of movements and recitations performed in a prayer session.

A rak’ah typically begins with the niyyah (intention) and the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar). The worshiper then recites Surah Al-Fatiha, and usually another portion of the Qur’an. The cycle continues with the bowing position (ruku) and the declaration Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem, followed by rising to an upright position (i’tidal). Next come two prostrations (sujood), each performed with the phrase Subhana Rabbiyal A’la. The rak’ah ends with a sitting position; if more rak’ahs remain, the worshiper rises to begin the next rak’ah. If it is the final rak’ah, the sitting includes the Tashahhud and the closing salutations (tasleem) to the right and left.

In the daily obligatory prayers, there are fixed numbers of rak’ahs: Fajr has two; Dhuhr and Asr have four each; Maghrib has three; Isha has four. Optional prayers (Sunnah or Nafl) can add additional rak’ahs of varying numbers.

Practice can vary by tradition. Recitation may be audible or silent depending on the prayer and school, and congregational prayers may adapt recitation for the Imam and followers. The sequence is performed facing the Qibla, and ritual purity (wudu) is typically required beforehand. Rakahs are a fundamental structural element of Salah, and correct performance of their sequence is central to the practice.