Isha is the nighttime prayer said by observant Muslims when the sun has completely set; it may be prayed on time until sunrise, but is preferably prayed before midnight. It is the fifth of the five daily prayers (salah) that collectively are one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a 4 rak'ah prayer, and is prayed out loud. When travelling, according to some madhhabs, it may be cut to two rak'ahs .
The prayer before it is Maghrib, at sunset. Optional prayers following it are Shaf' , Witr, and Nafilat ul-Layl (together termed tahajjud ), as well as tarawih in Ramadan.
See Also
- Salat (Prayer)
- Fajr (Dawn prayer)
- Dhuhr (Mid-day prayer)
- Asr (Afternoon prayer)
- Maghrib (Sunset prayer)
- Isha'a (Night prayer)
