Jummah (Friday) prayer is a special congregational prayer in Islam that replaces the regular Dhuhr (noon) prayer on Fridays. One of the most common questions about Jummah prayer is: How many rakats are in Jummah prayer? This article focuses exclusively on the rakats of Jummah prayer, their structure, and related details.
Number of Rakats in Jummah Prayer
The Jummah prayer consists of two obligatory (Fard) Rakats, performed in congregation after the Khutbah (sermon). In addition, it is recommended to pray four Sunnah Rakats before Jummah and four Sunnah Rakats after it, with some scholars suggesting an extra two Rakats after the obligatory prayer.
| Prayer | Rakats | Details |
| Jummah Prayer | 2 Rakats | Obligatory (Fard). Performed in congregation after the Khutbah (sermon). |
| Sunnah Before Jummah | 4 Rakats | Recommended but not obligatory. |
| Sunnah After Jummah | 4 Rakats | Recommended but not obligatory. Some scholars recommend an additional 2 Rakats. |
Evidence from the Quran and Hadith
- Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jummah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.” (Quran 62:9) - The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“The prayer of the traveler is two rakats, the prayer of Jummah is two rakats, and the prayer of Eid is two rakats. They are complete and not shortened, as stated by the tongue of Muhammad (ﷺ).” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Consensus of Scholars
- All Islamic scholars agree that Jummah prayer consists of two rakats. Performing it as four rakats invalidates the prayer if done intentionally.
Structure of Jummah Prayer Rakats
The two rakats of Jummah prayer are performed in congregation and follow a specific structure:
A. First Rakat
- Takbiratul Ihram:
- Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer.
- Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran).
- Recitation of Another Surah:
- It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Jummah (Surah 62) after Surah Al-Fatihah.
- Ruku (Bowing):
- Bow down and say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory to my Lord, the Most Great).
- Sujood (Prostration):
- Prostrate and say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory to my Lord, the Most High).
B. Second Rakat
- Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah again.
- Recitation of Another Surah:
- It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Munafiqun (Surah 63) after Surah Al-Fatihah.
- Ruku (Bowing):
- Perform Ruku as in the first Rakat.
- Sujood (Prostration):
- Perform Sujood as in the first Rakat.
- Tashahhud and Salam:
- Sit for Tashahhud (testimony of faith) and end the prayer with Salam (turning your head to the right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”).
Read a full guide on how to perform Jummah prayer.
When is Jumaah Performed 4 Rakats?
If a person misses the Jummah prayer, they must perform the Dhuhr prayer instead. The Dhuhr prayer consists of four rakats and is performed individually or in congregation.
A. Can Jummah Prayer Be Performed Individually?
No, Jummah prayer must be performed in congregation. It cannot be performed individually.
B. What Happens If Someone Joins Late?
If someone joins the Jummah prayer late and misses one rakat, they should complete the prayer as two rakats. If they miss both rakats, they must perform the Dhuhr prayer instead.
C. Are There Additional Rakats Before or After Jummah Prayer?
- Before Jummah Prayer: It is recommended to perform four rakats of Sunnah prayer before the Jummah prayer. These are not obligatory but are highly encouraged.
- After Jummah Prayer: It is recommended to perform four rakats of Sunnah prayer after the Jummah prayer. Some scholars also recommend performing an additional two rakats of Sunnah prayer.
Jummah prayer rakats for ladies?
While Jummah prayer is obligatory (Fard) for men, the ruling for women is different. Jummah prayer is not obligatory for women. Women have the choice to attend Jummah prayer in the mosque and perform two rakats in congregation or to perform the regular Dhuhr prayer at home, which consists of four rakats. Both options are valid, and women should choose the one that best suits their circumstances.
| Situation | Rakats | Details |
| Attending Jummah Prayer | 2 Rakats | Women can attend Jummah prayer in the mosque and perform 2 rakats in congregation. |
| Not Attending Jummah Prayer | 4 Rakats | Women who do not attend Jummah prayer should perform Dhuhr prayer at home (4 rakats). |
Can Women Attend Jummah Prayer?
- Yes, women are allowed to attend Jummah prayer in the mosque if they wish. However, it is not obligatory for them.
- If a woman attends Jummah prayer, she should follow the same structure as men:
- Perform two rakats of Jummah prayer in congregation.
- Listen to the Khutbah (sermon) before the prayer.
What Should Women Do If They Do Not Attend Jummah Prayer?
If a woman does not attend Jummah prayer, she should perform the Dhuhr prayer at home. The Dhuhr prayer consists of four rakats and is performed individually.
Conclusion
Jummah prayer consists of two rakats and is a weekly obligation for Muslim men. It is performed in congregation and is preceded by a Khutbah (sermon). By understanding the structure and significance of Jummah prayer rakats, Muslims can fulfill this important act of worship with sincerity and devotion.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to perform Jummah prayer regularly and with attentiveness. Ameen.
