How Many Rakats in Dhuhr (Zuhr) Prayer?
Dhuhr has 4 fard rakats. The widely taught confirmed sunnah is 4 before and 2 after, so 10 rakats in total.
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Dhuhr Rakats at a Glance
| Part | Rakats | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnah before Dhuhr | 4 | Confirmed in the Hanafi view. Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars count 2 as confirmed and the other 2 as recommended. |
| Dhuhr fard | 4 | Obligatory. The recitation is silent. |
| Sunnah after Dhuhr | 2 | Confirmed. A further 2 rakats after it are recommended in the Shafi’i view. |
| Total | 10 | 4 + 4 + 2 |
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah forbids the Fire to whoever keeps four rakats before Dhuhr and four after (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
How the Dhuhr Rakats Are Prayed
Dhuhr is four rakats prayed silently with two tashahhuds: the first sitting after the second rakah, the second after the fourth, then the salam. In the first two rakats you recite Al-Fatiha and a surah; in the third and fourth, the usual practice is Al-Fatiha alone.
On Fridays, Jumu’ah (2 rakats with the khutbah) takes the place of Dhuhr.
When Is Dhuhr Prayed?
Dhuhr begins when the sun passes its highest point and lasts until Asr begins. In the heat of summer the Prophet ﷺ advised delaying it slightly until it cools (Bukhari, Muslim).
Praying While Travelling
A traveller shortens Dhuhr to 2 rakats. The Hanafi school makes shortening obligatory; the other schools make it permitted and preferred. While travelling the Prophet ﷺ generally left the sunnah rakats before and after Dhuhr, keeping only the Fajr sunnah and Witr.
Where the Madhhabs Differ
The schools differ on how many of the rakats before Dhuhr are confirmed: the Hanafi school counts 4, while the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools count 2 as confirmed and add 2 more as recommended. Both counts are well established; follow the practice of your school or your mosque.
Keep Count in Dhuhr
If you lose count mid-prayer, build on the number you are sure of and finish with sajdah sahw; the forgetting during prayer guide covers each case. Prayer Memory can keep the count for you: a silent haptic tap on Apple Watch, or a manual counter on iPhone and Android. Get it on the App Store or Google Play. All the counts side by side: rakat guide.
Sources
- General guidance from widely cited hadith; where the schools differ, follow a scholar you trust.
- Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi: four before Dhuhr and four after.
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: delaying Dhuhr in intense heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dhuhr is 4 fard rakats. With the commonly taught sunnah of 4 before and 2 after, the total is 10 rakats.
No. Dhuhr is prayed silently, as are Asr and the last rakats of Maghrib and Isha.
The Hanafi school counts 4 as confirmed. The Shafi’i and Hanbali schools count 2 as confirmed and 2 more as recommended, so both 2 and 4 are practised.
On Friday you pray Jumu’ah instead, which is 2 fard rakats after the khutbah, which has sunnah rakats before and after that vary by school.
Never lose count in salah again
Prayer Memory keeps the count for you, silently, so you can give your attention to the prayer. Free to download, with an optional Pro upgrade inside the app.
