View source for Rak'a

{{short description|Unit of prayer in Islam equal to one iteration of a specific series of movements}}
{{for|places in Iran|Rakat, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Rakat, Iran}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2016}}
{{Fiqh |theological}}
A '''Rak'a''' ({{langx|ar|ركعة}} ''{{transliteration|sem|rakʿah}}'', {{IPA|ar|ˈrakʕah|pron}} lit. "bow"; plural: {{lang|ar|ركعات}} ''{{transliteration|sem|rakaʿāt}}'') is a single iteration of prescribed movements and [[Dua|supplications]] performed by [[Muslims]] as part of the prescribed obligatory prayer known as [[salah]].<ref name=:1>{{Cite web|title=Rakat - The nature of God - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zcss7p3/revision/4|access-date=2021-12-07|website=BBC Bitesize|language=en-GB}}</ref> Each of the five daily [[prayers]] observed by Muslims consists of a number of raka'at.<ref name=:1/>

==Procedure==
After washing for prayer by performing the [[Wudu|ritual ablution]], a believer must renew their innermost [[Niyyah|intention]], thus purifying their prayer for the sake of [[Allah]]. An intention [[Niyyah]] is not to be said verbally but rather it is made in the heart; but can also be said verbally alongside the intention in the heart. Example: you intended in your heart to pray four units (Rakahs) before you start your prayer.<ref name=:1/>

The raka'ah begins when the worshipper initiates the [[salah]] with the words "Allah is Greater" (Allah-Hu-Akbar), this is known in Arabic as the [[Takbir]] ({{Lit|the Glorification of God}}).<ref name=:1/> [[Takbir]] must be said at the start of the [[Salah]] or the prayer is invalidated.<ref name=:1/> The individual will observe the [[Qiyam|standing]] position while reciting the "Dua al istiftah" followed by the opening chapter of the [[Quran|Qur'an]] ([[Al-Fatiha]]) (Note: reciting the Al-Fatiha is a pillar of prayer.<ref name=:1/> If one forgets to say the Al-Fatiha or makes a major mistake in its [[Tajweed]], then they must redo the prayer from the start) followed by a personal selection of chosen verses or chapters which the worshippers are free to choose to recite for themselves.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The second part of the raka'ah involves the worshipper making another [[Takbir]] then [[Ruku|bowing]] to a 90-degree angle, placing their hands on their knees with their feet kept shoulder-width apart, eyes are meant to be focused in between your feet or around the area and [[Ruku|bowing]] in humble submission as if awaiting God's command. During this position the words, "Glory be to Allah the most Magnificent" are uttered silently as a form of ritual praise.<ref name=:1/>

The third movement of the raka'ah is to return from bowing to the standing position before, with the praise of Allah on your tongue, descending into full [[Sujud|prostration]] on the ground.<ref name=:1/>

In prostration, the worshipper's forehead and nose is flatly placed on the floor with the palm of their hands placed shoulder-width apart to the right and left of their ears.<ref name=:1/>

During this position the words, "Glory be to Allah the Almighty" are repeated with contemplation as a form of ritual praise. The Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] taught his disciples that "the closest a subject gets to God is when in prostration".<ref name=:1/>

The fourth movement is for the worshipper to return from prostration into a sitting position with their legs folded flatly under their body.<ref name=:1/>

This concludes one unit of prayer known in Arabic as a raka'ah and would be followed by either standing up for a second raka'ah if the prayer requires it or by proceeding to end the salah with [[taslim]].<ref name=:1/>

Although not part of a single raka'ah, the conclusion of the salah takes place in the sitting position.<ref>[[Taslim]]</ref><ref name=:1/>

===Components===
* ''[[Takbir]]''
* [[Standing in salah]]
* Supplications or ''iftitah'' <ref group=note>Only performed in the first rakat of the prayer and only performed by some [[madhab|schools]].</ref>
* Recitation of ''[[Sura]] [[Al-Fatiha]]''
* Recitation of another sura
* ''[[Ruku]]'' (bowing)
* Straightening up from ''ruku''
* ''[[Sujud]]'' (prostration)
* Rising from ''sujud''
* The second ''sujud''
* [[Sitting in prayers]]<ref group=note>Only first half of the [[Tashahhud]] is recited in the second rakat in a 4- or 3-rakat prayer, e.g. the afternoon prayer or the evening prayer, but all of it is recited in the last rakat of any prayer.</ref>
* ''[[Taslim|Salam]]'' (salutation)<ref group=note>Only performed in the last rakat of a prayer.</ref>

==Daily prayers==
The five daily prayers for Sunnites are each performed with a number of obligatory Rak'at (called [[fard]]).

* The [[Fajr prayer]] (dawn prayer) has 2 Rak'at.
* The [[Zuhr prayer]] (midday or early afternoon prayer) has 4 Rak'at.
* The [[Asr prayer]] (late afternoon prayer) has 4 Rak'at.
* The [[Maghrib prayer]] (dusk prayer) has 3 Rak'at.
* The [[Isha prayer]] (night prayer) has 4 Rak'at.

There is a slight variation of the midday prayer on Fridays, Friday prayer has 2 Rak’at instead of the normal 4 of the Zuhr prayer, if it is read as part of a congregational prayer called the [[Friday prayer]] (Jummah prayer).{{efn|Attendance at a mosque is optional for women and they can choose to pray the midday prayer at home.}} The Friday prayer is preceded by a sermon, usually delivered by the imam. The prayer units remain the same.

== See also ==
*[[Dhikr]]
*[[Tasbih]]
*[[Sign prayer]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Endnotes===
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Islamic prayer}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Salah]]
[[Category:Arabic words and phrases]]
[[Category:Salah terminology]]