❖ Why Are the Rak‘ahs of the Five Daily Prayers Not Equal? Wisdom and Reason
Source: Fatāwā Muhammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 391
Why are the rak‘ahs (units) of the five daily prayers not equal in number? What is the wisdom or reason behind the variation?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa as-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
Shaykh al-Islām Maulānā Thanā’ullāh Amritsarī (رحمه الله) addressed this question with the following explanation:
The morning prayer consists of two rak‘ahs only.
The reason is that, considering the time of day and the state of the human body, two rak‘ahs are neither too many nor too few — they are perfectly appropriate for that moment.
The Maghrib prayer was assigned three rak‘ahs because of the engagements and busyness that typically occur during this time. Hence, one rak‘ah was reduced to accommodate that.
People, after waking up in the morning, tend to remain busy with personal affairs for some time.
In today's context, this period extends until around 10 a.m., after which the times for other prayers follow in their complete durations.
If one analyzes this, a logical sequence and balance in rak‘ah distribution becomes evident.
Prayers were also obligated upon previous prophets at various times of the day — not all at once.
This reality is also evident in the practices of Jews today, who still observe prayer at distinct times, affirming the historical continuity of this system.
fakadhā fī al-fatāwā al-thanā’iyyah (Vol. 1, p. 448)
The variation in rak‘ahs among the five daily prayers reflects a divine wisdom that aligns with:
✔ The natural routine and capabilities of human beings
✔ The context and time of each prayer
✔ And the ease intended in Islamic obligations
Each prayer has been assigned its number of rak‘ahs based on mercy, convenience, and spiritual balance.
Source: Fatāwā Muhammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 391
❀ Question
Why are the rak‘ahs (units) of the five daily prayers not equal in number? What is the wisdom or reason behind the variation?
✔ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa as-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
Shaykh al-Islām Maulānā Thanā’ullāh Amritsarī (رحمه الله) addressed this question with the following explanation:
✿ Fajr Prayer (Morning – 2 Rak‘ahs)
The morning prayer consists of two rak‘ahs only.
The reason is that, considering the time of day and the state of the human body, two rak‘ahs are neither too many nor too few — they are perfectly appropriate for that moment.
✿ Maghrib Prayer (Evening – 3 Rak‘ahs)
The Maghrib prayer was assigned three rak‘ahs because of the engagements and busyness that typically occur during this time. Hence, one rak‘ah was reduced to accommodate that.
✿ General Daily Routine
People, after waking up in the morning, tend to remain busy with personal affairs for some time.
In today's context, this period extends until around 10 a.m., after which the times for other prayers follow in their complete durations.
If one analyzes this, a logical sequence and balance in rak‘ah distribution becomes evident.
✿ Prayer in the Times of Previous Prophets
Prayers were also obligated upon previous prophets at various times of the day — not all at once.
This reality is also evident in the practices of Jews today, who still observe prayer at distinct times, affirming the historical continuity of this system.
fakadhā fī al-fatāwā al-thanā’iyyah (Vol. 1, p. 448)
❖ Conclusion
The variation in rak‘ahs among the five daily prayers reflects a divine wisdom that aligns with:
✔ The natural routine and capabilities of human beings
✔ The context and time of each prayer
✔ And the ease intended in Islamic obligations
Each prayer has been assigned its number of rak‘ahs based on mercy, convenience, and spiritual balance.
