The Second Pillar of Islam
How to Pray
A complete beginner's guide to the five daily salaah — when each one falls, how to prepare with wudu, and exactly what to say in every position.
5 prayers a day · 17 fard rak'ahs · 1 guided walkthrough
The daily rhythm
The Five Daily Salaah
Fajr
Dawn
From the first light of dawn until just before sunrise
Dhuhr
Midday
From just past midday, once the sun has left its highest point, until Asr begins
Asr
Late afternoon
Mid-to-late afternoon, until sunset
Four rak'ahs before Asr are encouraged, but not emphasized sunnah.
Maghrib
Sunset
Immediately after the sun has fully set, before the twilight fades
Isha
Night
Once the twilight has fully gone, ideally before midnight
Followed by Witr (3 rak'ahs) — necessary in the Hanafi school, a strongly emphasized sunnah in the others.
Across the day the five fard salaah total 17 rak'ahs; the emphasized sunnahs add 12. Two details vary between schools of law — the exact start of Asr and the ruling on Witr — so follow your local masjid's timetable, and ask its imam when in doubt. Times shift daily with the sun, so a timetable or app is essential.
Before you pray
Wudu, the Washing
A state of cleanliness is required before every salaah (Quran 5:6). Ten steps — about a minute once you know them.
- 01
Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for prayer.
- 02
Say Bismillah — 'In the name of Allah'.
- 03
Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times.
- 04
Rinse your mouth thoroughly, three times.
- 05
Sniff water into the nostrils and blow it out, three times.
- 06
Wash the whole face — hairline to chin, ear to ear — three times.
- 07
Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow, three times, then the left.
- 08
Wipe the head once with wet hands, front to back.
- 09
Wipe the inside and back of the ears with the same wet fingers.
- 10
Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle, three times, then the left.
Washing three times is the sunnah — once is enough for validity. Wudu is broken by using the toilet, passing wind, or deep sleep; when in doubt, simply repeat it. If no water is available or you are ill, the Quran itself allows tayammum — a dry ablution with clean earth (5:6).
What to say
Every Recitation, in Order
Eleven short pieces carry the whole prayer. Learn them one at a time — only Al-Fatihah is needed in every rak'ah.
Surah Al-Fatihah — The Opening
Required in every rak'ah- 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bis-mil-lah ir-Rah-man ir-Ra-him
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
- 2
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Al-ham-du lil-lahi Rab-bil 'a-la-meen
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
- 3
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Ar-Rah-man ir-Ra-him
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
- 4
مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
Ma-li-ki yaw-mid-deen
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
- 5
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Iy-ya-ka na'budu wa iy-ya-ka nas-ta'een
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
- 6
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Ih-di-nas si-ra-tal mus-ta-qeem
Guide us to the straight path.
- 7
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Si-ra-tal la-dhee-na an'amta 'a-lay-him, ghay-ril magh-doo-bi 'a-lay-him wa lad-dal-leen
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who are astray.
End with a quiet “Ameen” after the final verse.
Takbir
Said to open the prayer and again at every change of position
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Al-lahu Ak-bar
Allah is the Greatest.
Opening supplication
First rak'ah only, quietly, straight after the opening takbir
Optional while learningسُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Sub-ha-nakal-la-hum-ma wa bi-ham-dik, wa ta-ba-rak is-muk, wa ta-'a-la jad-duk, wa la i-la-ha ghay-ruk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god worthy of worship except You.
In ruku (bowing)
While bowing, three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Sub-ha-na Rab-biyal 'A-zim
Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great.
Rising from ruku
Standing upright again after the bow
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sam-i'al-la-hu li-man ha-mi-dah, Rab-ba-na la-kal hamd
Allah hears whoever praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
In sujud (prostration)
In each prostration, three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Sub-ha-na Rab-biyal A'-la
Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.
Between the two prostrations
Sitting calmly between the two sujuds
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rab-bigh-fir li
My Lord, forgive me.
Tashahhud
Sitting after every two rak'ahs, and again in the final sitting
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-ta-hiy-ya-tu lil-la-hi was-sa-la-watu wat-tay-yi-bat. As-sa-la-mu 'a-lay-ka ay-yu-han-na-biy-yu wa rah-ma-tul-la-hi wa ba-ra-ka-tuh. As-sa-la-mu 'a-lay-na wa 'a-la 'i-badil-la-his-sa-li-heen. Ash-ha-du an la i-la-ha il-lal-lah, wa ash-ha-du an-na Mu-ham-ma-dan 'ab-du-hu wa ra-su-luh
All greetings of humility, all worship, and all good words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.
Raise the right index finger as you say 'ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah'.
Salawat Ibrahimiyya
In the final sitting only, after the tashahhud
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Al-la-hum-ma sal-li 'a-la Mu-ham-mad, wa 'a-la a-li Mu-ham-mad, ka-ma sal-lay-ta 'a-la I-bra-hee-ma wa 'a-la a-li I-bra-hee-m, in-na-ka Ha-mee-dum Ma-jeed. Al-la-hum-ma ba-rik 'a-la Mu-ham-mad, wa 'a-la a-li Mu-ham-mad, ka-ma ba-rak-ta 'a-la I-bra-hee-ma wa 'a-la a-li I-bra-hee-m, in-na-ka Ha-mee-dum Ma-jeed
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, send grace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent grace upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
Closing dua
In the final sitting, after the salawat — or any dua in your own words
Optional while learningاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Al-la-hum-ma in-ni a'-u-zu bi-ka min 'a-dha-bi ja-han-nam, wa min 'a-dha-bil qabr, wa min fit-natil mah-ya wal ma-mat, wa min shar-ri fit-natil Ma-si-hid Da-j-jal
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil affliction of the False Messiah.
Salam
To close the prayer — turning right, then left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-sa-la-mu 'a-lay-kum wa rah-ma-tul-lah
May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.
Said twice: once turned to the right, once to the left.
Short surahs to learn first
Al-Kawthar
Quran 108إِنَّآ أَعْطَيْنَـٰكَ ٱلْكَوْثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنْحَرْ إِنَّ شَانِئِكَ هُوَ ٱلْأَبْتَرُ
In-na a'-tay-na-kal kaw-thar. Fa-sal-li li-Rab-bik wan-har. In-na sha-ni-aka hu-wal ab-tar
Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar (abundance). So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice to Him alone. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.
The shortest surah in the Quran — the easiest first memorization.
Al-Ikhlas
Quran 112قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
Qul hu-wal-la-hu a-had. Al-la-hus-sa-mad. Lam ya-lid wa lam yu-lad. Wa lam ya-kul-la-hu ku-fu-wan a-had
Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.
The Prophet ﷺ said it equals a third of the Quran in reward.
Al-Asr
Quran 103وَٱلْعَصْرِ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ
Wal-'asr. In-nal in-sa-na la-fee khu-sr. Il-lal-la-dhee-na a-ma-nu wa 'a-mi-lus-sa-li-hat, wa ta-wa-saw bil-haq-qi wa ta-wa-saw bis-sabr
By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised one another to truth and advised one another to patience.
A surah the Prophet's companions would recite to each other when they parted.
Step by step
One Prayer, Start to Finish
Written for a four-rak'ah prayer like Dhuhr — the same pattern shortens for Fajr (2 rak'ahs) and Maghrib (3).
- Wudu — see the steps above
- Clean, modest clothing (men: navel to knees covered; women: everything except face and hands)
- Facing the qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah; any masjid, app or compass can find it
- A clean place to stand — a prayer mat takes care of this
- 01
Intention (niyyah)
Stand facing the qibla, resolved in your heart to pray — for example: 'I intend to pray 4 rak'ahs of Dhuhr, fard, for Allah.' Nothing is spoken.
- 02
Takbir al-ihram
Raise both hands to ear level (women: shoulders), then fold the right hand over the left on the chest. The prayer has now begun — no talking or turning away until it ends.
Say: Allahu Akbar
- 03
Opening supplication (optional)
Recited quietly, in the first rak'ah only. Skip it while you are learning — it is not required.
Say: Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika...
- 04
Al-Fatihah
Quietly seek refuge, then recite Surah Al-Fatihah in full (verse by verse below), ending with a quiet 'Ameen.'
Say: A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim, then Al-Fatihah
- 05
A short surah
In the first two rak'ahs only, add any short passage you know — Al-Kawthar and Al-Ikhlas are the usual first ones.
- 06
Ruku (bow)
Take the takbir as you bow. Grip the knees with the back and head level, and Glorify three times.
Say: Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim ×3
- 07
Qawmah (rise)
Stand upright again, calm and still.
Say: Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah — Rabbana lakal-hamd
- 08
First sujud
Take the takbir and prostrate: forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes on the floor.
Say: Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la ×3
- 09
Jalsa (sit)
Take the takbir and sit on the left foot, right foot upright, hands resting on the thighs.
Say: Rabbighfir li
- 10
Second sujud
Prostrate again exactly as before, then take the takbir and stand for the next rak'ah. Do not repeat the opening supplication in later rak'ahs.
Say: Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la ×3
- 11
Second rak'ah
Al-Fatihah and a short surah, then ruku, qawmah and both sujuds as before — then remain seated for the first tashahhud, raising the right index finger as you testify.
Say: At-tahiyyatu... (full text below)
- 12
Third rak'ah
Stand with the takbir. Recite Al-Fatihah only — no extra surah — then ruku, qawmah and both sujuds.
- 13
Fourth rak'ah
Same as the third: Al-Fatihah only, then the full cycle of movements — then remain seated for the final sitting.
- 14
Final sitting
Recite the tashahhud again, then the Salawat Ibrahimiyya, then any short dua — your own words, in your own language, are fine here.
- 15
Salam
Turn your head to the right shoulder, then the left, greeting each side. The salaah is complete.
Say: As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah ×2
Fajr is recited aloud; Dhuhr and Asr quietly; Maghrib and Isha aloud in their first two rak'ahs. Praying behind an imam, listen to his recitation instead of reciting yourself, and follow him in every movement. In a 2-rak'ah prayer like Fajr the first sitting is the final one; in Maghrib the final sitting comes after the third rak'ah.
Guided walkthrough
Pray Along
Choose a prayer and step through every position at your own pace — with the exact words for each one.
Rak'ah 1 of 2 · Step 1 of 21
Fajr — 2 rak'ahs
Rak'ah 1 · Standing
Takbir al-ihram
Raise both hands to ear level (women: shoulders), then fold the right hand over the left on the chest. The prayer has now begun.
You say
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Al-lahu Ak-bar
Allah is the Greatest.
Starting out
Six Things Every Beginner Should Know
Learn Al-Fatihah first, one line at a time
It is the only recitation required in every rak'ah. Praying slowly while reading a transliteration is far better than not praying at all.
Pray the fard first, add the sunnahs later
The five fard prayers — 17 rak'ahs across the day — are the obligation. The emphasized sunnahs are a beloved addition once the essentials are solid.
Don't rush
The prayer is a meeting with your Lord, not a checklist. Pause at each position — the Prophet ﷺ taught calm deliberateness and warned against hurrying.
Repeat after an app or a teacher
Practicing pronunciation along with a recording is time-honored and effective. A learner's mistakes do not invalidate the prayer.
Missed a prayer? Pray it when you remember
Making up a missed prayer (qada) is obligatory by consensus — but if you forgot or overslept, there is no sin. Pray it as soon as you remember, then carry on.
Pray however you are able
Cannot stand? Pray sitting in a chair. Cannot bow? Gesture the movements. Islam only asks for what your body can do.
When you are ready
Pray It in Congregation
Praying behind an imam is how most people first learn — you simply follow along. Every masjid in our guide welcomes beginners, and none of them minds a beginner's pace.
Arabic checked letter-for-letter against Quran.com ; the tashahhud, salawat and closing dua against Sahih al-Bukhari 831 & 3370 and Sahih Muslim 588 on Sunnah.com. This page follows standard Sunni practice and notes where the schools differ — for anything beyond it, ask your local imam.