🤲 Prayer guide
How to Pray Salah
A step-by-step guide to performing the five daily Islamic prayers (Salah / Namaz / Salat). Covering Wudu, Niyyah, the prayer positions, and the duas for each part.
The Five Daily Prayers
| Prayer | Fard Rak'ahs |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Fajr | 2 Fard |
| ☀️ Dhuhr | 4 Fard |
| 🌤️ Asr | 4 Fard |
| 🌇 Maghrib | 3 Fard + 3 Witr |
| 🌙 Isha | 4 Fard |
Step-by-Step Guide
Perform Wudu (Ablution)
Before praying, you must be in a state of ritual purity. Perform Wudu unless you already have it.
See full Wudu guide →Face the Qibla
Stand facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Use a Qibla compass to find the direction from your location.
Use Qibla compass →Make Niyyah (Intention)
Make the sincere intention in your heart to perform the specific prayer (e.g., '4 Rak'ahs Fard Dhuhr for the sake of Allah'). Niyyah is in the heart — it does not need to be spoken aloud.
Takbir al-Ihram — Opening Takbeer
Raise both hands to your earlobes (Hanafi) or shoulders (other schools) and say 'Allahu Akbar' (God is the Greatest). This officially opens the prayer.
Qiyam — Standing
Place your right hand over your left on your chest (or navel — Hanafi). Recite Thana (Du'a al-Istiftah), then Surah al-Fatihah, then another Surah or verses. In Fard prayers, recite additional Surah only in the first 2 rak'ahs.
Ruku — Bowing
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow with back straight and horizontal, hands on knees, fingers spread. Say 'Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem' (Glory to my Lord, the Mighty) at least 3 times. Rise saying 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd'.
First Sujud — Prostration
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and prostrate. Seven parts must touch the ground: forehead (with nose), both palms, both knees, and bottom of all toes. Say 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la' (Glory to my Lord, the Most High) at least 3 times.
Jalsa — Sitting Between Prostrations
Rise from prostration saying 'Allahu Akbar' and sit briefly in Jalsa position. Say 'Rabbighfirli' (O Lord, forgive me). Then prostrate a second time with the same words as the first.
Repeat for Remaining Rak'ahs
Rise for the next rak'ah. After 2 rak'ahs, sit for the first Tashahhud (recite At-Tahiyyat). In the final rak'ah, sit for the final Tashahhud, then add Durood Ibrahim and a Du'a.
Tashahhud — Sitting
Sit on your left foot (right foot upright). Recite At-Tahiyyat, pointing the index finger on 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah'. In the final sitting, also recite Durood Ibrahim, then a personal Du'a.
Tasleem — Ending the Prayer
Turn your head to the right and say 'Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah', then turn to the left and repeat. This closes the prayer and returns you to the world.
Key Recitations in Salah
Thana (Du'a al-Istiftah)
Opening (after Takbir al-Ihram)
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika...
Qira'ah
Standing (every rak'ah)
Al-Fatihah + additional Surah/verses (first 2 fard rak'ahs)
Tasbeeh of Ruku
Bowing (Ruku)
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (×3 min)
Tahmeed
Rising from Ruku
Sami Allahu liman hamidah / Rabbana lakal hamd
Tasbeeh of Sujud
Prostration (Sujud)
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la (×3 min)
At-Tahiyyat
Sitting (Tashahhud)
At-Tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu...
Durood Ibrahim
Final sitting — after At-Tahiyyat
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad...
Tasleem
Closing
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah (right, then left)
Salah FAQ
How many rak'ahs is each prayer?
What if I don't know Arabic?
Can I pray sitting down?
What breaks Salah?
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