Highlights
- The Ishraq is a special Islamic prayer that is recommended (but not mandatory) for all Muslims.
- The Ishraq time starts approximately twenty minutes after sunrise when the sun is above the horizon about a spear’s length. After that, the sun becomes so luminous it becomes difficult to look at directly. It ends at mid-morning (in the middle between sunrise and zenith).
- You can perform Ishraq prayer by repeating multiple rakats (cycles) of namaz, the ritual that Muslims use for their required daily prayer.
- Like the other optional prayers in Islam, you can perform Ishraq namaz in pairs.
Ishraq is a voluntary prayer that you can perform for Allah Almighty’s love other than the compulsory prayers. You can perform the Ishraq prayer to make up for sins, but many people want to pray Ishraq because of the good feats that it’s said to stand for.
Here is how to perform Ishraq prayer or namaz for seeking Allah’s love and spiritual wellbeing.
Ishraq Time
The Ishraq time starts after the Fajr prayers, just as the sunrise.
Ishraq Prayer Start Time
The time of Ishraq prayer begins around twenty minutes after sunrise when the sun is about a spear’s length above the horizon. After that, the sun becomes so luminous it becomes difficult to look at directly.
Ishraq Prayer End Time
Ishraq time ends at mid-morning (in the middle between sunrise and zenith).
How To Perform Ishraq Prayer
You can perform Ishraq namaz in sets of 2 raqats; that’s how most non-faridah prayers are performed.
Before offering Ishraq prayer, you need to do the following things.
Set alarm to Wake up for Prayer
If you are a late riser, you need to set the alarm for waking up for fajr prayer. After performing fajr prayer, to remain awake, recite Quran or Dhikr until Ishraq time.
Pro Tip: If you lose track of time, look at the sun’s position over the horizon. If the sun completely rises and no parts of it appear to be touching the horizon, you can start your prayer.
Perform Wudu

If you offered fajr prayer, there are maximum chances that you have wudu. But if you are not sure about it, then do wudu again. Wudu includes washing your hands, mouth, face, arms, hair, and feet three times each.
Face Qibla
For every prayer in Islam, Muslims need to turn their bodies to face Qibla. Qibla is the Holy Mosque in Mecca which is a very special place for all Muslims.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what direction to face, try downloading a “Qibla compass” app on your phone. This is a modified compass that points in the direction of the Holy Mosque.
Now when all the above is done, you are ready to offer Ishraq prayer.
Consider your Neyat or Intentions for praying Ishraq
Before you start praying Sihraq, you need to say your Neyat or intentions. Preferably, you should say, “I pray two rak’ah Ishraq for Allah while facing toward Kaaba/ Qibla.”
Pro Tip: If you are offering Ishraq namaz to start the day on a positive note you can say “Today is a holiday, and I am performing Ishraq prayer to encourage good deeds in the world in the name of Allah.”
Pro Tip: if you did some misdeeds yesterday, your intention can be “Yesterday, I had a bad day and committed a sin. I am performing Ishraq prayer to make up for the negative actions I took.”
Start Namaz Ishraq With Surah Fatiha

Read Surah Fatiha and another surah, preferably Surah Ikhlaas. Then, bow down into ruku and then prostrate into sujood.
Pro Tip: Be sure to state the surahs in Arabic because they come from the Quran. Personal prayers can be answered in your primary language.
Perform another racquet
When you completed the first Rakat, return to the standing position, recite the Surah Fatiha again. Then, recite another surah, and then continue with the Rakat.
Offer As Many Rakats As You Want
As Ishraq prayer is not compulsory and you only perform it for Allah’s love so you can offer as many rakats as you want but in pairs.
Pro Tip: Ishraq is a very powerful prayer, so offering more rakats can help you achieve your prayer intention.