What is Salah?
Salah (also called Salat or Namaz) is the Islamic ritual prayer performed five times every day. It is the second pillar of Islam and the most regular act of worship in a Muslim's life. Do not worry about being perfect — start with what you can, and improve a little each day.
Before You Begin
1. Make Wudu
Prayer requires ritual purification. Wash the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, wipe the head, and wash the feet in order. Learn wudu →
2. Face the Qiblah
Face the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. A free qibla-finder or prayer app on your phone will show you the exact direction from where you are.
3. Be Ready
Wear clean, modest clothing, find a clean place, and check the prayer time. Then make your intention quietly in your heart.
Pray With Me — Full Walkthrough
Step through a complete 2-rak'ah prayer (like Fajr) one position at a time.
Intention (Niyyah)
Stand upright facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). Make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are about to perform — for example, "I intend to pray Fajr." The intention is in the heart and is not spoken aloud.
Opening Takbir (Takbiratul-Ihram)
Raise both hands up to your ears (men) or shoulders (women), palms facing forward, and say the takbir. This opens the prayer — from this moment you focus only on Allah and do not speak to anyone.
Standing (Qiyam)
Place your right hand over your left on your chest and look toward the place of prostration. Begin by quietly reciting the opening supplication (Thana).
Standing (Qiyam)
Still standing, seek refuge in Allah and say the Basmala, then recite Surah Al-Fatiha — the heart of the prayer, recited in every rak'ah.
Standing (Qiyam)
Still standing, recite another short passage of the Qur'an, such as Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Bowing (Ruku)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", bow forward until your back is flat and parallel to the ground, resting your hands on your knees. Keep your head level with your back. Recite the glorification three times.
Rising from Bowing (I'tidal)
Rise back up to a full standing position. As you rise say "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah", and once standing upright say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
Prostration (Sujood)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", go down into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite the glorification three times. This is the position closest to Allah.
Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (Jalsa)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", rise from the first prostration and sit calmly for a moment, then prostrate a second time exactly as before. While sitting, ask Allah for forgiveness.
Prostration (Sujood)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", go down into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite the glorification three times. This is the position closest to Allah.
Standing (Qiyam)
Stand again with your right hand over your left. In the second rak'ah you begin directly with Al-Fatiha — there is no opening supplication.
Standing (Qiyam)
Still standing, recite another short passage of the Qur'an, such as Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Bowing (Ruku)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", bow forward until your back is flat and parallel to the ground, resting your hands on your knees. Keep your head level with your back. Recite the glorification three times.
Rising from Bowing (I'tidal)
Rise back up to a full standing position. As you rise say "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah", and once standing upright say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
Prostration (Sujood)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", go down into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite the glorification three times. This is the position closest to Allah.
Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (Jalsa)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", rise from the first prostration and sit calmly for a moment, then prostrate a second time exactly as before. While sitting, ask Allah for forgiveness.
Prostration (Sujood)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", go down into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite the glorification three times. This is the position closest to Allah.
Sitting for Testimony (Tashahhud)
After the second prostration of every second rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud. Rest your hands on your thighs and raise your right index finger when you reach the testimony of faith.
Blessings on the Prophet (Salawat)
In the final sitting, after the Tashahhud, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ before completing the prayer.
Concluding Salutations (Tasleem)
To end the prayer, turn your head to the right and give the greeting of peace, then turn to the left and repeat it. Your prayer is now complete.
Illustrated Reference
Every position of the prayer, with its words and meaning. Use this as a quick reference any time.
Intention (Niyyah)
Stand upright facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). Make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are about to perform — for example, "I intend to pray Fajr." The intention is in the heart and is not spoken aloud.
Opening Takbir (Takbiratul-Ihram)
Raise both hands up to your ears (men) or shoulders (women), palms facing forward, and say the takbir. This opens the prayer — from this moment you focus only on Allah and do not speak to anyone.
Standing (Qiyam) — Opening Supplication (Thana)
Standing with your right hand over your left on your chest, quietly recite the opening supplication.
Standing (Qiyam) — Al-Fatiha
Seek refuge in Allah and say the Basmala, then recite Surah Al-Fatiha — the heart of the prayer, recited in every rak'ah.
Standing (Qiyam) — A Short Surah
Then recite another short passage of the Qur'an, such as Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Bowing (Ruku)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", bow forward until your back is flat and parallel to the ground, resting your hands on your knees. Keep your head level with your back. Recite the glorification three times.
Rising from Bowing (I'tidal)
Rise back up to a full standing position. As you rise say "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah", and once standing upright say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
Prostration (Sujood)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", go down into prostration so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite the glorification three times. This is the position closest to Allah.
Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (Jalsa)
Saying "Allahu Akbar", rise from the first prostration and sit calmly for a moment, then prostrate a second time exactly as before. While sitting, ask Allah for forgiveness.
Sitting for Testimony (Tashahhud)
After the second prostration of every second rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud. Rest your hands on your thighs and raise your right index finger when you reach the testimony of faith.
Blessings on the Prophet (Salawat)
In the final sitting, after the Tashahhud, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ before completing the prayer.
Concluding Salutations (Tasleem)
To end the prayer, turn your head to the right and give the greeting of peace, then turn to the left and repeat it. Your prayer is now complete.
How the Prayers Are Built
Each prayer is made of repeating units called rak'ah. Once you know one rak'ah, you know them all — you simply repeat it.
A single rak'ah is: Stand & recite → Bow (Ruku) → Stand up → Prostrate (Sujood) → Sit → Prostrate again. You sit for the Tashahhud after every 2nd rak'ah, and end with Tasleem in the final sitting.
Fajr
2 rak'ahDhuhr
4 rak'ahAsr
4 rak'ahMaghrib
3 rak'ahIsha
4 rak'ahIn 3 and 4 rak'ah prayers, you sit for the (first) Tashahhud after the 2nd rak'ah, then stand to complete the remaining rak'ah(s) reciting only Al-Fatiha, before the final Tashahhud and Tasleem.