Isha'a

The Isha prayer is the night-time prayer recited by practising Muslims. It is the fifth of the five daily prayers (salah). The five daily prayers collectively are one of the Five Pillars of Islam of Sunni Islam and one of the ten Furoo-ul-deen of Shia Islam. It is a 4 rak'ah prayer and is prayed aloud. When travelling, according to some madhhabs, it may be reduced to two rak'ahs.

The prayer that preceds the Isha prayer is the Maghrib prayer (sunset prayer). There are a few optional prayers that can be recited after the Isha prayer, inlcuding the Shaf', Witr, and Nafilat ul-Layl prayers (together termed tahajjud), as well as tarawih in Ramadan.

Shia Islam

The time period within which the Isha prayer must be recited is the following:

• Time begins: once the Maghrib prayer (sunset prayer) has been recited.
• Time ends: at the beginning of dawn.

However, it is very important to recite the prayer as soon as the time begins.

Sunni Islam

The time period within which the Isha prayer must be recited is the following:

• Time begins: one and a half hours after the sun has begun to set.
• Time ends: at the beginning of dawn.

However, it is very important to recite the prayer as soon as the time begins.

See Also

Salat (Prayer)

• Fajr (Dawn prayer)
• Dhuhr (Mid-day prayer)
• Asr (Afternoon prayer)
• Maghrib (Sunset prayer)
• Isha'a (Night prayer)