Learn to pray
How to Pray Salah, Step by Step
A clear, beginner-friendly guide to the daily Muslim prayer — from getting ready to the closing words. Each step shows what to do, what to say, and what it means, so anyone can follow along.
This is a simple, general guide to the daily prayer as commonly taught in the Sunni tradition. Small details differ between the schools of thought. For anything you are unsure about, learn directly from a knowledgeable local teacher.
Get ready
Salah is a short, structured act of worship that Muslims perform five times a day. Three simple things prepare you to begin.
Purify yourself with wudūʾ
Before praying, perform wudūʾ (ablution): wash your hands, rinse your mouth and nose, wash your face, wash your arms to the elbows, wipe your head, and wash your feet to the ankles. If you are already in a state of purity, you may pray straight away.
Dress modestly and find a clean spot
Cover your body appropriately and choose a clean, quiet place to pray. A prayer mat is helpful but not required — any clean surface will do.
Face the Qibla
Turn to face the Qibla — the direction of the Kaʿbah in Mecca. If you are unsure, use a compass or a Qibla app to find it.
The prayer, step by step
Begin with the opening takbīr
Stand upright and face the Qibla. Make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are about to perform — this is silent, not spoken aloud. Raise your hands to your ears or shoulders and say the opening takbīr. Then rest your right hand over your left on your chest.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
“Allah is the Greatest.”
Open with words of praise (Istiftāḥ)
Before you begin reciting, praise Allah quietly with the opening supplication (duʿāʾ al-istiftāḥ). This is said once, at the very start of the prayer:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subḥānaka-llāhumma wa biḥamdik, wa tabāraka-smuk, wa taʿālā jadduk, wa lā ilāha ghayruk
“Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.”
Recite while standing (Qiyām)
Standing with your hands folded, first seek refuge in Allah (the words below). Then, beginning with the Basmalah, recite Surah Al-Fātiḥah — the opening chapter, read in every unit of every prayer — and say “Āmīn” at its end. In the first two units only, follow Al-Fātiḥah with another short passage from the Quran.
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Aʿūdhu billāhi mina-sh-shayṭāni-r-rajīm
“I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.”
Bow down (Rukūʿ)
Say “Allāhu akbar” and bow forward, resting your hands on your knees with your back level and your eyes toward the place of prostration. While bowing, repeat these words three times:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subḥāna Rabbiya-l-ʿAẓīm
“Glory to my Lord, the Most Great.”
Rise and stand up straight (Iʿtidāl)
Rise from bowing until you are standing straight and completely still. As you rise, say the first phrase; once upright, say the second:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Samiʿa-llāhu liman ḥamidah, Rabbanā wa laka-l-ḥamd
“Allah hears whoever praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”
Prostrate (Sujūd)
Say “Allāhu akbar” and lower yourself into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: your forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. While prostrating, repeat these words three times:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subḥāna Rabbiya-l-Aʿlā
“Glory to my Lord, the Most High.”
Sit briefly between prostrations (Jalsa)
Say “Allāhu akbar,” rise from prostration, and sit calmly and upright for a moment, saying:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbi-ghfir lī
“My Lord, forgive me.”
Prostrate again and complete the unit
Say “Allāhu akbar” and prostrate a second time, exactly as you did before, repeating the same words of glorification. When you rise, you have completed one full unit (rakʿah) of prayer — now stand again to begin the next.
The opening takbīr (Step 1) and opening supplication (Step 2) are said once, at the very start. From standing to recite (Step 3) through the second prostration (Step 8), these movements form one rakʿah — a single unit of prayer — which you repeat two, three, or four times depending on the prayer. See the table further down for how many units each prayer needs.
In prayers of three or four rakʿāt, you also sit briefly after the second rakʿah for a first (middle) Tashahhud. At this middle sitting you recite only the Tashahhud (At-taḥiyyāt, shown below), then stand up saying “Allāhu akbar” to pray the remaining rakʿah(s). The blessings on the Prophet ﷺ and the closing greeting are added only in the final sitting.
Completing the prayer
After the last prostration of the final rakʿah, stay seated and complete these closing steps in order — the Tashahhud, the blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, a closing supplication, and finally the greeting of peace that ends the prayer.
Sit for the Tashahhud
Sitting after the second prostration, recite the Tashahhud — the testimony of faith. When you reach the words “illa-llāh,” it is customary to raise your right index finger. You recite this Tashahhud at every sitting, including the middle sitting of longer prayers.
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi wa-ṣ-ṣalawātu wa-ṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuha-n-nabiyyu wa raḥmatu-llāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ʿibādi-llāhi-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ashhadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh.
“All greetings, prayers, and good things 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 but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
Send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ
Still seated, send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This prayer is known as the Ṣalāt Ibrāhīmiyyah:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīm wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd.
“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 and Glorious.”
Make a closing supplication (Duʿāʾ)
Before the closing greeting, it is recommended to seek refuge in Allah and then to make personal supplication (duʿāʾ) for whatever you wish, in any language. A supplication the Prophet ﷺ taught for this moment is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika min ʿadhābi-l-qabr, wa min ʿadhābi jahannam, wa min fitnati-l-maḥyā wa-l-mamāt, wa min sharri fitnati-l-masīḥi-d-dajjāl
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the punishment of Hell, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (the Dajjāl).”
End with the greeting of peace (Taslīm)
To end the prayer, turn your face to the right and say the words of peace, then turn to the left and repeat them. This greeting closes your prayer.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatu-llāh
“Peace and the mercy of Allah be upon you.”
How many rakat in each prayer?
Each of the five daily prayers has a set number of obligatory units (rakaʿāt). Here is how many to perform in each.
- FajrDawn2rakat
- DhuhrMidday4rakat
- AsrAfternoon4rakat
- MaghribSunset3rakat
- IshaNight4rakat
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Muslim prayer — from prayer times and wudūʾ to praying while traveling, sick, or still learning the Arabic words.
- How many times a day do Muslims pray?
- Muslims perform five obligatory prayers each day: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). Each has a set time window and a fixed number of units (rakʿāt), and together they form one of the five pillars of Islam.
- What time are the five daily prayers?
- Prayer times follow the sun: Fajr from true dawn until sunrise, Dhuhr after the sun passes its peak, Asr in the late afternoon, Maghrib just after sunset, and Isha after twilight disappears. Exact clock times change daily by location, so use a local timetable or prayer-times app.
- Can I pray salah in English if I don't know Arabic?
- The core recitations of salah — especially Surah Al-Fātiḥah — are performed in Arabic. While you are learning, use transliteration and study the meanings, and recite what you can to the best of your ability. Personal duʿāʾ outside the formal recitations may be made in any language.
- What breaks wudu?
- Wudūʾ is broken by using the toilet, passing wind, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness (some details vary between schools). Ordinary activities like eating, talking, or walking do not break it — you only renew wudūʾ when something invalidates it.
- Do I need to do wudu before every prayer?
- No. One wudūʾ stays valid until something breaks it, so you can pray several prayers with the same wudūʾ. You only repeat it if it has been invalidated.
- What should I do if I miss a prayer?
- If you miss an obligatory prayer unintentionally, pray it as soon as you remember or are able — this make-up prayer (qaḍāʾ) is performed exactly like the original, with the same number of rakʿāt. If several are owed, pray them in order when possible. Deliberately delaying prayer without excuse is a serious matter in Islam, so building a consistent daily routine helps.
- Can women pray during their period?
- No — women do not perform the five daily salah during menstruation or postnatal bleeding. They are not required to make those prayers up afterward. Prayer resumes once the bleeding ends and ghusl (a full bath) has been performed.
- Do women pray differently from men?
- The words, movements, and number of rakʿāt are the same for women and men. The main practical difference is dress — a woman covers everything except the face and hands — and some schools recommend slightly more compact postures. Follow the method taught by your school or a trusted local teacher.
- Can I pray sitting down or in a chair?
- Yes. If standing causes hardship due to illness, injury, or age, pray sitting; if that is not possible, pray lying down, indicating the bow and prostration with head movements. Islam only requires what you are physically able to do — the reward is not reduced when there is a genuine need.
- What is the difference between fard, sunnah, and nafl rakʿāt?
- Farḍ rakʿāt are the obligatory units required for the prayer to count — the counts shown in the table above (2 for Fajr, 4 for Dhuhr, and so on). Sunnah rakʿāt are extra units the Prophet ﷺ regularly prayed alongside them, and nafl are additional voluntary prayers. Beginners should focus on learning the farḍ prayer correctly first, then add sunnah units as they grow comfortable.
- How do I pray when traveling?
- On a qualifying journey, the four-unit prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) may be shortened to two units (qaṣr). Many scholars also allow combining Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha, within the allowed windows. Fajr and Maghrib keep their usual length. Confirm the distance and combining rules with your school or a local teacher.
- What do I do if I make a mistake during salah?
- Minor slips do not invalidate the prayer — correct them and continue. If you forget a step or lose count of rakʿāt, complete the prayer and perform two extra prostrations (sujūd as-sahw) to make up for the error. Allah is merciful, and honest mistakes do not invalidate your effort while you are learning.
- What if I prayed facing the wrong direction?
- If you made a sincere effort to find the Qibla using a compass or app but later learned you were off, your prayer is generally still valid. If you realize the mistake during the prayer, turn to face the correct direction and continue. Use a reliable Qibla tool next time to reduce uncertainty.
- Do I need a prayer mat to pray?
- No. Any clean surface is enough — a floor, carpet, grass, or outdoors. A prayer mat is simply a convenient way to ensure the area you are praying on is clean and comfortable, but it is not required.
- Can you pray with nail polish on?
- Standard nail polish forms a waterproof barrier, so it must be removed before wudūʾ for the wudūʾ to be valid — water must reach the nails. Applying polish after a valid wudūʾ does not break that wudūʾ, so you may pray until the wudūʾ is invalidated. Water-permeable halal nail polishes exist as an alternative for those who prefer them.
- How long does it take to pray?
- A single obligatory prayer usually takes about five to ten minutes once you know the steps — Fajr is the shortest, while the four-unit prayers take a little longer. Beginners reading transliteration may take a bit more time. Adding optional sunnah units or longer Quranic passages extends the time.
- Do I have to memorize everything before I can start praying?
- No — you can begin learning salah while still memorizing the essential recitations. Start with "Allāhu akbar" and Surah Al-Fātiḥah, then add the basic phrases for bowing, prostration, and sitting. Reading from transliteration on a card or phone is widely used while you build memory. It is better to pray imperfectly and improve than to wait until everything is memorized.
- How do I make the intention (niyyah) for prayer?
- The intention is made silently in your heart before you say the opening takbīr — you simply know which prayer you are about to perform (for example, the farḍ of ʿIshāʾ). It is not spoken aloud and does not need a specific formula in Arabic. A clear, sincere intention in your mind is sufficient.
- Is Friday prayer (Jumuʿah) different from Dhuhr?
- Yes. On Fridays, Muslim men who are able to attend replace the Dhuhr prayer with Jumuʿah, which includes a sermon (khuṭbah) and a congregational prayer, usually two rakʿāt. Women, travelers, and those unable to attend may pray Dhuhr as normal at home. Jumuʿah is a weekly community obligation for eligible men, not a separate fifth daily prayer.
- What is tayammum and when do I use it?
- Tayammum is dry purification performed by striking clean earth (or dust) and wiping the face and hands when water is unavailable, unsafe to use, or would cause harm. It takes the place of wudūʾ (or ghusl) for that prayer time. Once water becomes available again, normal wudūʾ should be performed for subsequent prayers.
- Which prayers are recited aloud and which silently?
- In congregation, the imam recites aloud in Fajr and in the first two units of Maghrib and Isha; Dhuhr and Asr are recited quietly. When praying alone, the same pattern is commonly followed, though schools differ on how strictly a person praying alone must raise their voice.
- How do I pray at work or school?
- You can pray in any clean, quiet space at work or school — an empty office, an interfaith room, or a quiet corner. A single prayer usually takes only five to ten minutes. Many employers and schools will accommodate a brief prayer break if you ask.