How to Pray in Islam: A Beginner's Guide to Salah

The Five Daily Prayers

The five daily prayers are spread across the day, creating a rhythm of remembrance from dawn until night.

Many Muslims also pray voluntary sunnah prayers before or after the obligatory (fard) ones. The table below shows one common count; schools of law count them slightly differently.

The Call to Prayer (Adhan)

The adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, is announced before each of the five daily prayers to invite people to pray. It is usually given by a muezzin, the person who makes the call at a mosque, and it tells people that the time for that prayer has begun. The iqamah is a second, shorter call made just before a congregational prayer begins. The wording and melody of both calls differ slightly between communities. For the full words of the adhan with English translation, see our guide to the adhan.

How to Perform Wudu

Before praying, Muslims perform wudu (ablution), a ritual washing that purifies both body and mind.

1. 1Intention (niyyah): Silently intend to purify yourself for prayer
2. 2Wash hands: Three times, starting with the right
3. 3Rinse mouth: Three times, swishing water thoroughly
4. 4Rinse nose: Three times, sniffing water gently and blowing out
5. 5Wash face: Three times, from hairline to chin, ear to ear
6. 6Wash arms: Three times each, fingertips to elbows, right first
7. 7Wipe head: Once, with wet hands from front to back
8. 8Wash feet: Three times each, including between the toes, right first

How to Pray Salah Step by Step

This guide walks through one full rak'ah (unit) of salah, with the words to say in Arabic, a transliteration and the meaning. A 2-rak'ah prayer, such as Fajr, repeats the cycle twice and ends with the tashahhud and salam.

1. 1. Stand Facing the Qibla (Qiyam)

   Stand upright, facing the direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah, and make your intention (niyyah) in your heart for the prayer you are about to perform. Many people keep their gaze on the place where they will prostrate.

2. 2. Opening Takbir (Takbiratul Ihram)

   اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

   “Allahu Akbar”

   Translation: God is the Greatest

   Raise both hands to ear or shoulder level, palms facing forward, and say Allahu Akbar. Then place your right hand over your left. Where the hands rest differs between schools of law.

3. 3. Opening Supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah)

   سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

   “Subhanakal-lahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakas-muka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk”

   Translation: Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.

   Many people recite this silently in the first rak'ah only. It is recommended rather than required, and practice varies between schools.

4. 4. Seeking Refuge (Ta'awwudh)

   أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

   “A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim”

   Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan

   Recited silently before Al-Fatiha in the first rak'ah.

5. 5. Basmala

   بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

   “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim”

   Translation: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (Qur'an 1:1)

6. 6. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening)

   الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ۝ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۝ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ۝ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ۝ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۝ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۝ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

   “Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin. Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim. Maliki yawmid-din. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim. Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin.”

   Translation: All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray. (Qur'an 1:2-7)

   Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Qur'an, is recited in every rak'ah. After finishing, say Ameen (O Allah, answer our prayer). In congregation, the imam recites aloud in Fajr and in the first two rak'ahs of Maghrib and Isha, and silently in Dhuhr and Asr.

7. 7. Recite Another Surah (for example, Surah Al-Ikhlas)

   قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ۝ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ ۝ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۝ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

   “Qul Huw-Allahu Ahad. Allahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yulad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.”

   Translation: Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. And there is none comparable to Him. (Qur'an 112:1-4)

   In the first two rak'ahs, a further surah or a few verses are usually recited after Al-Fatiha. You can recite any surah you know, such as Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas or Al-Kawthar.

8. 8. Bowing (Ruku)

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

   “Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adhim”

   Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty

   Say Allahu Akbar and bow, with your hands on your knees and your back straight and level. Say the words above, commonly three times.

9. 9. Rising From Ruku

   سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ۝ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

   “Sami'Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.”

   Translation: Allah hears whoever praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.

   Rise to a fully upright position while saying Sami'Allahu liman hamidah. Once standing straight, say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, and stand still for a moment (this is called i'tidal).

10. 10. First Prostration (Sujud)

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ

    “Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la”

    Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

    Say Allahu Akbar and go down into prostration, with your forehead and nose, both palms, both knees and the toes of both feet touching the ground. Keep your elbows off the ground and away from your sides. Say the words above, commonly three times. Many Muslims also make personal du'a in this position.

11. 11. Sitting Between the Prostrations (Jalsah)

    رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

    “Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li”

    Translation: My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

    Say Allahu Akbar and sit up, resting on your left foot with your right foot upright and its toes pointing towards the qibla. Place your hands on your thighs and pause for a moment.

12. 12. Second Prostration (Sujud)

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ

    “Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la”

    Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High

    Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate again as before, saying the words above, commonly three times. This completes one rak'ah.

13. Repeating Rak'ahs

    After the second prostration, say Allahu Akbar and stand for the next rak'ah. From the 2nd rak'ah onward, the opening supplication and ta'awwudh are not repeated: begin with the basmala and Al-Fatiha. In the 3rd and 4th rak'ahs, Al-Fatiha is usually recited on its own, without a further surah.

14. 13. Tashahhud (After the 2nd and Final Rak'ah)

    التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

    “At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.”

    Translation: 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.

    Sit with your left foot under you and your right foot upright. Many people point the right index finger during the testimony of faith. In a 3 or 4 rak'ah prayer, this first tashahhud comes after the 2nd rak'ah, and you then stand for the 3rd.

15. 14. Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ (Final Tashahhud Only)

    اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

    “Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.”

    Translation: O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your grace upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.

    This is known as the Ibrahimi salawat and is recited in the final sitting of the prayer.

16. 15. Du'a Before the Salam

    اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

    “Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi jahannam, wa min 'adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.”

    Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hellfire, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah.

    Many Muslims recite this du'a before ending the prayer, and you can also add your own personal du'a here.

17. 16. Taslim (Ending the Prayer)

    السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

    “As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah”

    Translation: Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you

    Turn your head to the right and say the salam, then to the left and repeat. This ends the prayer. Afterwards, many Muslims say Astaghfirullah three times, then “Allahumma antas-salam wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram.”

Conditions and Pillars of Prayer

Scholars describe certain conditions that need to be in place before prayer, and pillars, the essential actions within it. Schools of law list these slightly differently.

Conditions (Before Prayer)

• Being Muslim and of sound mindPrayer is performed by a Muslim of sound mind.
• PurityWudu (or tayammum) is performed first, and the body, clothes and place of prayer are clean.
• Covering the body ('awrah)Men and women cover the body as taught in their school of law, commonly from the navel to the knees for men, and everything except the face and hands for women.
• Facing the qiblaMuslims face the direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah. Our qibla finder shows that direction from wherever you are.
• The prayer timeEach prayer has its own time window, and a prayer is offered once its time has begun.
• Intention (niyyah)A sincere intention in the heart for the specific prayer.

Pillars (During Prayer)

1. 1Standing (qiyam): Standing upright if physically able
2. 2Takbiratul ihram: The opening Allahu Akbar
3. 3Reciting Al-Fatiha: Recited in every rak'ah
4. 4Ruku (bowing): Bowing with the back straight
5. 5Rising from ruku: Standing upright after bowing
6. 6Sujud (prostration): Two prostrations in each rak'ah
7. 7Sitting between the prostrations: A brief pause between the two prostrations
8. 8Final tashahhud: Sitting and reciting the testimony
9. 9Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ: In the final tashahhud
10. 10Taslim: Saying As-salamu alaykum to both sides
11. 11Stillness (tuma'ninah): Pausing briefly in each position
12. 12Order (tartib): Performing the pillars in the correct sequence

Ghusl: The Ritual Bath

Ghusl (غُسْل) is a full-body ritual washing. Muslims perform it in certain situations, such as after sexual intercourse, before praying again. It goes further than wudu by washing the whole body.

When Muslims Perform Ghusl

• After sexual intercourse or ejaculation (ghusl al-janabah)Muslims perform ghusl after sexual intercourse or ejaculation, before praying again. Scholars explain related details, such as touching the Qur'an, in different ways.
• After menstruation (ghusl al-hayd)Performed once menstrual bleeding has ended, before praying again. Scholars explain the details, such as how to tell that bleeding has ended, in different ways.
• After bleeding following childbirth (ghusl al-nifas)Performed once bleeding after childbirth has ended. Scholars differ on details such as the longest time this bleeding can last.
• Before the Friday prayer (ghusl al-jumu'ah)Most scholars consider a bath before the Friday prayer strongly recommended, and some consider it required.
• Before the Eid prayersMany Muslims bathe before the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers, wear perfume and put on their best clothes. Scholars describe this as recommended.
• Before ihram for Hajj or UmrahMany pilgrims bathe before entering ihram for Hajj or Umrah. Scholars describe this as recommended.
• Washing someone who has died (ghusl al-mayyit)Washing a Muslim who has died is a duty on the community as a whole. It is usually carried out by family members or trained volunteers, guided by the local mosque.
• On becoming MuslimMany new Muslims take a ghusl after saying the shahada. Scholars differ on whether it is required or recommended.

How to Perform Ghusl Step by Step

This method is based on the practice of the Prophet ﷺ as described by his wife Aisha (رضي الله عنها), reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

1. 1. Make the Intention (Niyyah)

   Make the intention in your heart to perform ghusl. It does not need to be spoken aloud. Many people say Bismillah (in the name of Allah) before beginning.

2. 2. Wash Both Hands

   Wash your hands three times, letting water run between your fingers.

3. 3. Wash the Private Parts

   Wash the private parts with your left hand to remove any impurity (najasah).

4. 4. Perform Wudu

   Perform wudu as you would for prayer. Some scholars say you may leave washing the feet until the end of ghusl.

5. 5. Pour Water Over the Head Three Times

   Pour water over your head three times, making sure it reaches the roots of the hair. Run your fingers through your hair, and through the beard for men.

6. 6. Wash the Right Side

   Pour water over the right side of the body from shoulder to foot, making sure it reaches every part, including behind the ears, under the arms, the navel, between the toes and the folds of the skin.

7. 7. Wash the Left Side

   Do the same for the left side, so that water reaches the whole body.

8. 8. Completion

   أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

   “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh”

   Translation: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

   After finishing, many Muslims say this du'a, the same one often said after wudu. You can then pray, read the Qur'an and take part in other acts of worship.

Good to Know

• No set du'a during ghuslThere is no set supplication during the washing itself, only the intention before it and the du'a after.
• Ghusl and wuduMany scholars explain that a complete ghusl also counts as wudu, so you can pray afterwards as long as you have not done anything since that breaks wudu.
• TayammumIf water is not available, or using it would cause harm, tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) takes the place of both wudu and ghusl until water can be used.
• PrivacyGhusl is done in private.

Other Types of Prayer

Beyond the five daily prayers, there are other prayers for different times and occasions. Tarawih is prayed each night of Ramadan; see the Ramadan 2027 dates for when it begins.

• Sunnah rawatibVoluntary prayers before or after the obligatory ones. A common count is 12 rak'ahs a day: 2 before Fajr, 4 before and 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib and 2 after Isha.
• TarawihNight prayers during Ramadan, usually 8 to 20 rak'ahs prayed in sets of 2, followed by Witr.
• Jumu'ahThe congregational Friday prayer, which takes the place of Dhuhr. It has 2 rak'ahs and is preceded by a sermon (khutbah).
• JanazahThe funeral prayer for someone who has died. It has 4 takbirs and no bowing or prostration.
• IstikharahA 2-rak'ah prayer asking God for guidance when facing a decision, followed by a specific du'a.
• Duha (forenoon)Prayed after sunrise and before Dhuhr, usually as 2 or more rak'ahs.
• WitrAn odd-numbered prayer (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 rak'ahs) prayed after Isha. Many include the qunut supplication in the last rak'ah.

Tahajjud (Qiyam al-Layl): The Night Prayer

Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer at night, usually prayed after sleeping and waking up, between Isha and Fajr. Many Muslims aim for the last third of the night.

• What is Tahajjud?Tahajjud, also called qiyam al-layl, is a voluntary prayer between Isha and Fajr. The Qur'an praises those who pray at night: “They forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and hope” (Qur'an 32:16).
• Is it required?No. It is not one of the five obligatory prayers. Many scholars describe it as strongly recommended.
• When to prayMany aim for the last third of the night: divide the time between Isha and Fajr into three parts and pray in the final part. If waking is hard, some people pray their night prayer before sleeping, after Isha.

How to Pray Tahajjud

1. 1. Wake Up and Make Wudu

   Set an alarm for the last part of the night. When you wake, perform wudu and make your intention.

2. 2. Start With 2 Short Rak'ahs

   Many begin with two short rak'ahs, reciting short surahs.

3. 3. Pray in Sets of 2 Rak'ahs

   Pray 2 rak'ahs at a time, ending each pair with the salam. There is no fixed maximum; many people pray 8 rak'ahs followed by Witr. Take your time in recitation, bowing and prostration.

4. 4. Recite With Reflection

   Tahajjud is often slower and more reflective than the daily prayers. Recite whatever you have memorised. Many people pause at verses of mercy to ask Allah for it, and at verses of warning to seek His protection.

5. 5. Make Du'a in Sujud

   Many Muslims make long personal du'a in prostration, asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance, health and anything else on their mind.

6. 6. End With Witr

   End the night prayer with Witr, an odd number of rak'ahs: 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9. If praying 3, some pray 2 rak'ahs with the salam and then 1 more, and others pray all 3 together. Many recite the qunut du'a in the last rak'ah.

7. Qunut Du'a (for Witr)

   اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْكَ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

   “Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa 'afini fiman 'afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a'tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt. Fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda 'alayk. Innahu la yadhillu man walayt. Tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alayt.”

   Translation: O Allah, guide me among those You have guided. Grant me health among those You have granted health. Take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care. Bless me in what You have given. Protect me from the evil You have decreed. You decree and none can decree over You. No one is humiliated whom You have befriended. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.

The Inner Side of Prayer

Prayer is more than physical movements. Some scholars describe three levels of prayer:

• The body's prayerGetting the outward actions right: standing, reciting, bowing and prostrating.
• The mind's prayerUnderstanding what you recite and reflecting on the meaning of the verses.
• The heart's prayerBeing fully present and aware of standing before God, a state called khushu' (humility and focus).

Prayer FAQ