Number of Rakats:
Fardh (obligatory) rakats of Isha is 4. Isha prayer consists of a total of 17 rakats:
- 4 Sunnat Ghair Muakkadah (Less Emphatic Sunnah)
- 4 Fardh (obligatory)
- 2 Sunnat Muakkadah
- 2 Nafl (optional)
- 3 Witr (optional, but highly recommended)
- 2 Nafl (optional)
Time for Isha Prayer:
The time for Isha starts after Maghrib and lasts until Fajr begins.
Mandatory Components:
- The Fardh (obligatory) rakats are 4 in number.
- Ignoring Fardh intentionally, knowing it is an obligation, may lead to being labeled a disbeliever according to the opinion of most scholars.
Witr Prayer:
- Witr is a highly recommended component of Isha prayer.
- It is recommended to pray Witr separately and preferably at the end of the night, as indicated by a hadith.
Witr Timing:
- The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recommended praying Witr at the beginning of the night for those who fear they won't get up at the end of the night. For those confident in getting up at the end of the night, it is better to pray Witr then.
Number of Witr Rakats:
- Witr is generally one rak’ah at the end of the night.
- If someone fears dawn is about to break, they can pray one rak’ah to make what they have prayed odd-numbered.
Night Prayer Practices:
- The night prayers are generally prayed in sets of two rak’ahs.
- The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed thirteen rak’ahs at night, including five rak’ahs of Witr, sitting only in the last rak’ah.
Differentiating Between Sunnahs:
- Sunnat Muakkadah is regularly practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and leaving it out without a valid reason is considered a sin.
- Sunnat Ghair Muakkadah, not practiced regularly, is optional, and leaving it out does not necessarily constitute a sin.
And Allah knows best