How to Pray in Islam: A Step-by-Step Guide to Salah

Salah is a direct conversation with Allah. It marks the rhythm of a Muslim's day — Fajr before sunrise, Dhuhr after midday, Asr in the late afternoon, Maghrib just after sunset, and Isha at night. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Judgement is the prayer." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 465, sahih)

Before You Begin: Three Prerequisites

1. Wudu (ablution): wash hands, mouth, nose, face, arms to the elbows, wipe the head, and wash the feet to the ankles. If you have no wudu, you cannot pray.
2. Clean clothing and a clean place to pray. A small prayer mat is enough.
3. Facing the qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. The AskSakina Qibla compass shows your direction.

The Five Daily Prayers

• Fajr — 2 units (rakaat), before sunrise.
• Dhuhr — 4 units, after midday.
• Asr — 4 units, in the late afternoon.
• Maghrib — 3 units, just after sunset.
• Isha — 4 units, at night.

Each "unit" (rakah) follows the same shape: stand, recite, bow, prostrate twice, and either rise into the next unit or sit for the final part of the prayer.

Step-by-Step: One Rakah

1. Intention (niyyah)

Make the intention in your heart that you are praying — for example, "the two rakaat of Fajr." It does not need to be spoken aloud.

2. The opening: takbir

Stand facing the qibla. Raise your hands to your ears (or shoulders) and say:

3. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah

Place your hands at your chest, below the navel, or leave them resting at your sides (the schools differ — all are valid). Then recite the opening chapter of the Quran in Arabic:

Then recite a short surah or a few verses from anywhere in the Quran — for example Surah Al-Ikhlas (chapter 112), three short verses about the oneness of Allah.

4. Bowing (rukoo) and rising

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and bow with your back flat and your hands on your knees. Three times say:

Stand back up saying "Sami'a Allāhu liman ḥamidah" (Allah hears the one who praises Him), then "Rabbanā wa laka'l-ḥamd" (Our Lord, to You is all praise).

5. Prostration (sujood) — twice

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and lower yourself so seven points touch the ground: forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and both feet. Three times say:

Sit briefly between the two prostrations, saying "Rabbi-ghfir lī" (My Lord, forgive me). Then prostrate a second time with the same words. Rise with "Allāhu Akbar" — that completes one rakah.

After the Final Rakah

Sit with your right foot upright and your left foot tucked under, and recite the Tashahhud — testifying to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). End the prayer by turning your face to the right and then to the left, saying:

Where Schools Differ

The four mainstream Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) agree on the essential structure of salah but differ on details — where to place the hands, whether to raise them at every transition, whether to say "ameen" aloud or silently. None of these differences invalidates the prayer. Muslims are encouraged to pray according to the tradition they learn from a trusted teacher in their community.

Say 'Allahu Akbar' at every transition. Hanafis raise their hands only at the beginning of the prayer; Shafi'is, Malikis, and Hanbalis also raise them when bowing and rising.