Isha (prayer)

Isha (Arabic: عِشَاء‎, pronounced [ʕiˈʃaːʔ]) is the night prayer in Islam and one of the five obligatory daily prayers (salat). It is performed after complete darkness has fallen and before dawn.

As an Islamic religious observance, Isha consists of four rakats (units) in Sunni Islam. Shia Muslims generally pray Isha with four rakats. However, it can be shortened to two rakats when traveling.

The time for Isha prayer begins after the red twilight in the sky has disappeared and lasts until the Fajr prayer begins. However, it is generally considered desirable to pray Isha before the last third of the night.