Salah is the second pillar of Islam, and the prayer Muslims make five times a day. Nobody starts knowing it. You may have just become Muslim, or be reading ahead to see what would be involved. Either way, every Muslim alive learned it the same way: a little at a time, from someone, over months.
Five times a day
- Fajr (dawn)2 unitsBefore sunrise
- Dhuhr (midday)4 unitsJust after midday
- Asr (afternoon)4 unitsLate afternoon
- Maghrib (sunset)3 unitsJust after sunset
- Isha (night)4 unitsNight
A unit is a rak'ah (cycle), and one cycle is the sequence set out below. Four units means you do that sequence four times, with a short sitting after the second and the closing sitting at the end. A prayer takes about five minutes.
Where the schools of Islamic law differ
Each prayer is prayed in its own time. Combining Dhuhr with Asr, or Maghrib with Isha, is for travel, illness or genuine difficulty rather than routine. The Hanafi school allows combining only on Hajj, at Arafah and Muzdalifah.
Before you pray
Each prayer is announced by the adhan (the call to prayer).
Wash first: wudu (ablution) takes two or three minutes at a tap and lasts until something breaks it, so one washing often covers several prayers. Wudu, step by step.
Face the qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). Any compass app will find it. If you genuinely cannot work out the direction, the schools agree you face where you reasonably believe it to be and the prayer stands.
You need a clean space roughly the size of a towel. A prayer mat is convention and convenience, not a requirement.
One cycle, in order
This is the sequence. It is the same for every prayer; only the number of cycles changes.
Qiyamstanding
You say Allahu akbar, Allah (﷾) is the greatest, and raise your hands to your shoulders or ears. From that moment you are in the prayer and do not speak to anyone else. Then you recite the opening chapter of the Qur'an, al-Fatiha, and, in the first two cycles, a short passage after it.
This is the part where you are addressing God (﷾) directly, in words He gave rather than words you chose.
Rukubowing
You bend at the waist with a flat back and hands on the knees, and say Subhana rabbiyal adhim, glory to my Lord the Magnificent, three times.
An acknowledgement, made with the body rather than only meant.
I'tidalstanding again
You straighten up and say Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, Allah (﷾) hears the one who praises Him, and then Rabbana lakal hamd, our Lord, to You is the praise.
A short pause. The prayer is not rushed from one position to the next.
Sujudprostration
Forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and the toes touch the ground. You say Subhana rabbiyal a'la, glory to my Lord the Most High, three times. You sit briefly, then prostrate a second time.
The lowest position a body can take. The hadith describe it as the point at which a person is closest to God (﷾).
Tashahhudthe testimony, sitting
After the second cycle, and again at the end, you sit and say the testimony, which includes the same words as the shahada. In the final sitting you also ask Allah (﷾) to bless the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family, as He blessed Abraham and his family.
The prayer closes by restating what you believe, not by simply stopping.
Salamthe closing greeting
At the very end of the prayer, you turn your head to the right and say As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah (﷾), then to the left and say it again.
The greeting is to those beside you. You are back in ordinary time.
Al-Fatiha (the Opening)
The first chapter of the Qur’an, recited standing in every cycle of every prayer. It is recited in Arabic; the English is there so you know what you are saying.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
2 Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
4 Master of the Day of Judgment.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
5 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
6 Show us the straight way,
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
7 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
English: Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Read it in the Qur’an
The prayer, step by step
Small details differ a little between scholars, and a local imam can show you in person. What follows is the way most Muslims pray.
Follow the drawings from 1 to 11. Step 1, the opening takbir (saying Allahu akbar), is said once, at the start. One unit (rak'ah) of prayer is steps 2 to 7. Fajr has two units, so after the opening takbir you do steps 2 to 7 twice, then finish with steps 8 to 11.
Say the opening takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest.
Stand facing the qibla and raise your hands to your shoulders or your ears as you say it. From this moment you are in the prayer.
Stand and recite
Place your right hand over your left. Recite al-Fatiha and say Amin, then a short surah (chapter of the Qur'an), such as al-Ikhlas (its words are in the Fajr example below). Al-Fatiha and al-Ikhlas are all you need to start; you can learn other surahs later, little by little.
Before al-Fatiha: in the first unit, many people say a short opening supplication and seek refuge in Allah (﷾); in every unit, say Bismillah (see Fajr, steps 3 to 5).
Al-Fatiha is on this page, with its Arabic and English: read it above.
How many times: Al-Fatiha in every unit; the short surah in the first two unitsSahih al-Bukhari 740Sahih al-Bukhari 756Sahih al-Bukhari 780Bow
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana rabbiyal-'azim
Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Say Allahu akbar as you go down. Keep your back flat and rest your hands on your knees.
How many times: At least once; three times is commonSahih Muslim 772Sahih al-Bukhari 790Sahih al-Bukhari 828Stand up again
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
Allah hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, all praise is Yours.
Stand fully upright and be still for a moment before the next step.
Go down to the ground (prostration)
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana rabbiyal-a'la
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
Say Allahu akbar as you go down. Seven parts touch the ground: forehead with the nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet.
Sit up between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me.
Say Allahu akbar as you rise. Sit calmly on your left foot with the right foot upright, and rest your hands on your thighs.
Prostrate a second time
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana rabbiyal-a'la
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
Say Allahu akbar as you go down. This finishes one unit of prayer.
You have just completed 1 unit of prayer.
If you have just finished the 2nd unit or the last unit, sit up saying Allahu akbar and carry on to step 8. Otherwise, rise saying Allahu akbar for the next unit and go back to step 2 (you do not repeat the opening takbir or the opening supplication). The tracker below shows which.
Which unit are you on?
Find your prayer and the unit you have just finished, then see where to go next.
Sit after this unit
- Dhuhr, 2nd unit
- Asr, 2nd unit
- Maghrib, 2nd unit
- Isha, 2nd unit
Sit and say the tashahhud (step 8). Then stand up saying Allahu akbar for the 3rd unit. The blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ), the supplication and the salam wait until the last unit.
In the 3rd and 4th units
Recite al-Fatiha only (no short surah after it), then bow, rise and prostrate twice as before. Sahih al-Bukhari 776
Finish the prayer after this unit
- Fajr, 2nd unit
- Dhuhr, 4th unit
- Asr, 4th unit
- Maghrib, 3rd unit
- Isha, 4th unit
Sit and finish the prayer: steps 8 to 11, the tashahhud, the blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ), a short supplication, and the salam to the right and left.
Sit and say the tashahhud (the testimony)
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-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.
All greetings, prayers and good things belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet (ﷺ), 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 (ﷺ) is His servant and His messenger.
Sit as between the prostrations. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught this to his companions so that they would say it, instead of greeting by name each angel or person they thought of.
Ask Allah to bless the Prophet (ﷺ)
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
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid.
O Allah, send Your mercy upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and upon the family of Muhammad (ﷺ), as You sent it upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad (ﷺ) and the family of Muhammad (ﷺ), as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
Said in the last sitting of every prayer, straight after the tashahhud, without standing or moving.
How many times: OnceSahih al-Bukhari 3370A supplication for yourself and your parents
رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ ﴿٤٠﴾ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ ﴿٤١﴾
Rabbij'alni muqimas-salati wa min dhurriyyati, rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'. Rabbanaghfir li wa li-walidayya wa lil-mu'minina yawma yaqumul-hisab.
40 O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! and accept Thou my Prayer.41 O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!
These are the words of the Prophet Ibrahim's prayer in the Qur'an. After the tashahhud, the Prophet (ﷺ) said to choose whichever supplication you like best. Many Muslims end with this prayer, for themselves, their parents and all the believers.
Say the salam (the greeting of peace), right then left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
The prayer is now finished.
How many times: Twice: once turning your head to the right, once to the leftSunan an-Nasa'i 1319Sahih Muslim 582
Fajr from start to finish
Fajr is the dawn prayer, two units, prayed before sunrise. Here is all of it in order, with what you say and what it means. In Fajr, the imam recites al-Fatiha and the short surah aloud; praying alone, you may recite them aloud or quietly. Sahih al-Bukhari 773
First unit
Intention
In your heart, you mean to pray the two units of Fajr for Allah. There are no set words to say aloud.
Stand on your mat facing the qibla.
How many times: Once, in the heartSahih al-Bukhari 1Opening takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest.
Raise your hands to your shoulders or your ears as you say it, then place the right hand over the left.
Opening supplication
اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
Allahumma ba'id bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama ba'adta baynal-mashriqi wal-maghrib. Allahumma naqqini minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Allahummaghsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad.
O Allah, set me as far from my sins as You have set the east from the west. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah, wash my sins away with water, snow and hail.
Said quietly, between the takbir and the recitation. It is one of several opening supplications the Prophet (ﷺ) used.
How many times: Once, in the first unit onlySahih al-Bukhari 744Seeking refuge
أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected.
The Qur'an tells the reader to say this before reciting.
How many times: Once, before you begin recitingQur’an 16:98In the name of Allah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
It is said at the start of al-Fatiha.
How many times: OnceQur’an 1:1Al-Fatiha
The opening chapter of the Qur'an, seven verses, recited in every unit of every prayer. At its end, say Amin (O Allah, answer our prayer).
Al-Fatiha is on this page, with its Arabic and English: read it above.
A short surah: al-Ikhlas
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿١﴾ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ﴿٢﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ﴿٤﴾
Qul huwallahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yulad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.
1 Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;2 Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;3 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;4 And there is none like unto Him.
It is short and easy to learn. Any other short passage you know is just as good, and you can learn other surahs later, little by little. The English is Yusuf Ali's translation, as on the rest of the site.
How many times: OnceQur’an 112:1–4Bow
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana rabbiyal-'azim
Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Say Allahu akbar as you bow, with your back flat and your hands on your knees.
How many times: At least once; three times is commonSahih Muslim 772Sahih al-Bukhari 795Sahih al-Bukhari 790Rise from the bow
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
Allah hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, all praise is Yours.
Stand fully upright, then say Allahu akbar as you go down.
First prostration
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana rabbiyal-a'la
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
Forehead with nose, both palms, both knees and the toes of both feet are on the ground.
Sit between the prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me.
Say Allahu akbar as you sit up, and again as you go down.
Second prostration
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana rabbiyal-a'la
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
This finishes the first unit.
How many times: At least once; three times is commonSahih Muslim 772
Second unit
Stand for the second unit
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest.
You do not say the opening supplication again.
Recite again
Say Bismillah, recite al-Fatiha and say Amin, then a short surah: al-Ikhlas again, or any other you know.
Al-Fatiha is on this page, with its Arabic and English: read it above.
Bow, rise, and prostrate twice
Do steps 8 to 12 again, with the same words: Subhana rabbiyal-'azim, then Sami'allahu liman hamidah and Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, then Subhana rabbiyal-a'la, Rabbighfir li, and Subhana rabbiyal-a'la.
The final sitting
Sit for the tashahhud (the testimony)
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-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.
All greetings, prayers and good things belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet (ﷺ), 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 (ﷺ) is His servant and His messenger.
Say Allahu akbar as you sit. The second unit is the last in Fajr, so do not stand up again: stay seated until the salam at the end.
How many times: OnceSahih al-Bukhari 831Blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ)
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
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid.
O Allah, send Your mercy upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and upon the family of Muhammad (ﷺ), as You sent it upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad (ﷺ) and the family of Muhammad (ﷺ), as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
The companions asked how to bless the Prophet (ﷺ), and this is what he taught them.
How many times: OnceSahih al-Bukhari 3370A supplication for yourself and your parents
رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ ﴿٤٠﴾ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ ﴿٤١﴾
Rabbij'alni muqimas-salati wa min dhurriyyati, rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'. Rabbanaghfir li wa li-walidayya wa lil-mu'minina yawma yaqumul-hisab.
40 O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! and accept Thou my Prayer.41 O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!
These are the words of the Prophet Ibrahim's prayer in the Qur'an. After the tashahhud, the Prophet (ﷺ) said to choose whichever supplication you like best. Many Muslims end with this prayer, for themselves, their parents and all the believers.
The salam to the right
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
Turn your head to the right.
The salam to the left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
Turn your head to the left. Your Fajr prayer is complete.
If you have just started
Learn al-Fatiha first. It is short, it is in every cycle of every prayer, and until you have it you can read it from a page. Learning the positions in order comes next, and the shorter phrases after that. The schools differ on the minimum that makes a prayer valid, which is a question worth asking a person rather than a website.
Missed prayers are made up later rather than written off. Praying late is better than not praying. On a journey, the four-unit prayers may be shortened to two.
Women do not pray during menstruation, and those prayers are not made up afterwards. This differs from fasting, which is. It is one of the few places where a rule is easier than people expect rather than harder.
Praying where you are
Most of the world’s Muslims pray at home, at work, or in a quiet corner somewhere. A mosque is better for the congregational prayers and is not required for the rest. At work or away from home, the prayer is just as valid done quietly and briefly in any clean corner, within its time.