How many rakat in Maghrib?

Maghrib prayer is one of the five obligatory prayers. But many people do not know – How Many Rakat are in Maghrib?

Maghrib prayer is to be performed like all other prayers – standing, Ruku, prostration, Qirat, and supplication. However, there are some rules regarding the Rakat and the performance of the Maghrib prayer.

We are discussing the number of Rakats of Maghrib prayer based on detailed evidence. I hope this will be useful for everyone – Inshallah.

Importance of Maghrib in Islam

Maghrib prayer is obligatory for every adult Muslim man and woman. The Holy Qur’an and Hadith have given particular importance to Maghrib prayer.

As Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’an –

Translation: So glorify Allah when you reach the evening (by Maghrib and Isha prayers) and when you rise in the morning (by Fajr prayers).

And in the afternoon (by Asr prayer) and at the time of Zohr. And all praise in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him alone.’ (Surah Rum: Verses 17-18)

A good life is promised to those who perform this prayer properly. Since this prayer is performed at the end of the day and the beginning of the night, the hearts of the believers are very soft.

Calling Allah Ta’ala with this soft heart awakens a special feeling. Therefore, by performing the prayers of this time, believers can take the path of a holy and beautiful life.

Overview of the Rakats in Maghrib

How Many Rakat in Maghrib? Overview of this answer: The Maghrib prayer is three Rakat fard. Islamic scholars consider these three rak’ahs as the central Maghrib prayer.

Two Rakat Sunnah can be read before the obligatory three Rakat. However, there is disagreement regarding the Sunnah of these two Rakats. Hanafi scholars do not consider it Sunnah. So they do not pray these two Rakats.

Two Rakat sunnah must be recited after Fard. All the imams have agreed on these two Rakats. Then two Rakats, two Rakats, and four Rakats of Nafal can be repeated.

These are a summary of Maghrib prayers. Of these Rakats, only three Rakats are obligatory. It is compulsory for every Muslim man and woman.

Men will pray together with the mosque congregation, and women will pray alone. However, if the way to go to the mosque and the mosque is suitable for women to pray, then any woman can go there and pray.

Below is the list of Rakats of Maghrib prayer. It will help to understand how many Rakats of Maghrib pray.

The collective answer is –

The Sunnah Rakat in Maghrib

The Sunnah of Maghrib is essentially those Rakats of prayer that the Messenger of Allah – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – used to perform daily but occasionally did not perform them.

As such, Sunnah is four Rakat. Two before the obligatory prayer. And two rakat after fard. However, many Islamic scholars have thought that two Rakat before the obligatory prayer is not Sunnah. They call it Mustahab.

That is why in most cases, Muslims do not pay it. However, after the two Rakats of obligatory prayers, Sunnah must be performed because it is Muakkadah in the Sunnah.

However, it will not be a sin if it is not performed according to pure belief.

And according to some, if you do not perform the Sunnah consistently, it will be multiplied. So the Sunnah Rakats should be performed carefully.

The Fard Rakats in Maghrib

Maghrib prayer is three Rakat. The obligatory three Rakats are mandatory for every Muslim boy or girl. As the Messenger of Allah – may peace be upon him – said,

There is a beginning and an end to the time of prayer. The Zuhr prayer starts when the sun starts to set (in the west), and the last time is when Asr’s time begins.

The first time of Asr is when the time of Asr enters (the last time of Zuhr), and the last time is when the sunlight assumes a yellow color. And The first time of Maghrib is after the sun has set, and the last time is when Shafaq is gone.

The first time of Isha is when Shafaq disappears, and its last time is when half the night has passed. The first time of Fajr prayer is when dawn begins, and its time ends when the sun starts to rise.
(Sahih, As-Sahihah- 1696)

And these three Rakats are the main Maghrib. Whoever performs it three times will essentially be counted as performing the Maghrib prayer, and he will be freed from facing punishment in the Hereafter. But if the Sunnahs are recited along with it, the benefits of Fard are better obtained.

Complete chart of the number of Rakats of Maghrib prayer

The Optional Rakat in Maghrib

We here mean the number of Rakats of the optional, Nafal prayers—so Sunnah and then Nafal prayers after every obligatory prayer.

Except for Asr and Fajr only. Because after performing the obligatory prayers of Asr and Farj, the Messenger of Allah – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – did not perform any nafl prayers.

That’s why we can perform Nafal prayers other than these two times. So Nafal Namaz can be pray after Maghrib Namaz.

At this time, a worshiper can offer four or more duplicative prayers by doing two Rakats.

The Total Number of Rakat in Maghrib

The Maghrib prayer consists of three Fard Rakats, Four Sunnah Rakats, and four optional Rakats. This means that the minimum number of Rakats in Maghrib is three, while the maximum is eleven.

In conclusion, Maghrib is a powerful prayer in Islam and is greatly important for Muslims.

Understanding the different types of Rakats in Maghrib and the number of Rakats performed can help Muslims fulfill their religious obligations and deepen their spiritual connection with Allah.

Maghrib prayer Rakat in Quran

We pray five times a day, and these five daily prayers are to be offered at specific times.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

Indeed, believers are required to pray at certain times. (Surah Nisa – 103)

Therefore, every prayer should be performed at a specified time according to the rules.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

Translation: And pray at both ends of the day and part of the night. Indeed good deeds remove evil deeds. (Surah Hud – 114)

In this verse, both ends of the day are Fajr and Maghrib. According to others, the first part means Fajr and the second part of Zuhr means Asr and Maghrib.

And by part of the night is meant the Isha prayer. Therefore, the five daily prayers and the time of their performance are evident in the Holy Quran.

Of these nine Rakat, performing only the obligatory three Rakat and then the two Rakat of the Sunnah is sufficient.

However, if someone wants, he can recite two Rakat of Sunnah before the Fard and two Rakat of naval after it or two Rakat as much as he wants.

How many nafal rakat in Maghrib?

Allah Ta’ala has made prayer obligatory for every believer, and he made prayer the second of the five foundations of Islam.

Prayer is the medium of communication between Allah Ta’ala and His servant, and prayer is an expression of the servant’s love for Allah Ta’ala.

Through prayer, we express our thanks and gratitude for the many blessings of Allah Ta’ala.

And praying five times regularly is another way to forgive our sins.

Rasulullah – may Allah bless him and grant him peace-said:

Translation: If one of you has a river in front of his house and bathes in this river five times a day, will his body be dirty?

The Companions said no, no dirt would remain on his body.

Then he said that it is like five times prayer. Through this, Allah Almighty forgives the sins of the servant. (Sahih Muslim – 667)

In other words, if you take a bath five times a day, there is no dirt in your body, so if you pray five times daily, there is no sin in your deeds.

Since Maghrib is also included in the five daily prayers, performing the Maghrib prayers properly is essential to get the full benefits of that hadith.