The Total Number of Rak'ahs for Jumu'ah Prayer

Written by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)

Question:​

How many total Rak'ahs are there for Jumu'ah prayer and in what order should they be performed? Please clarify in the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Answer:​

The Jumu'ah prayer consists of:

• 2 Rak'ahs Fardh (obligatory)
• Additional Sunnah and Nafl prayers may be performed before and after the Fardh, as proven by authentic Ahadith.

Details Before the Jumu'ah Khutbah (Sermon):​

There are no specific Sunnah prayers established in the name of Jumu'ah before the Khutbah. However, a person may perform any number of voluntary (Nafl) prayers as much as they can.

Evidence:​

Salmān Al-Farsi (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as possible, applies oil or perfume, leaves for the mosque, does not separate two people, performs prayer as much as is decreed for him, and remains silent when the Imam speaks, his sins between this Friday and the last Friday will be forgiven.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah, Hadith No. 883)
This Hadith indicates that one may perform voluntary prayers (Nafl) before the Khutbah, and there is no set number.

If a person arrives during the Khutbah, they should perform two Rak'ahs before sitting down.

Evidence:​

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“If any of you comes while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, let him perform two Rak'ahs and then sit down.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Tahajjud, Hadith No. 1166)

After the Jumu'ah Prayer:​

There are two narrations regarding the Sunnah prayers after the Fardh Jumu'ah:

1. Four Rak'ahs:
   
   • The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
     “Whoever wants to pray after Jumu'ah, let him perform four Rak'ahs.”
     (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumu'ah, Hadith No. 881)
2. Two Rak'ahs:
   
   • Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrates:
     “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray two Rak'ahs after Jumu'ah.”
     (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah, Hadith No. 937; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 882)

Summary:​

1. Before the Khutbah:
   
   • Perform any Nafl prayers as desired. There is no fixed number.
   • If arriving during the Khutbah, perform 2 Rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid before sitting.
2. Fardh of Jumu'ah:
   
   • 2 Rak'ahs led by the Imam.
3. After the Jumu'ah Prayer:
   
   • The most virtuous practice is to pray 4 Rak'ahs.
   • If someone prays only 2 Rak'ahs, it is also permissible.

Conclusion:​

The Jumu'ah prayer includes 2 Rak'ahs Fardh. Additional prayers can be performed before and after the Fardh:

• Before: Nafl as much as possible.
• After: 4 Rak'ahs (preferred) or 2 Rak'ahs (permissible).