Learn to pray
How to Pray Salah
A beginner-friendly guide to the five daily prayers, what to do beforehand, and the general sequence of a rak'ah.
Salah is the five-times-daily prayer and one of the core acts of worship in Islam. This guide is written for someone learning it for the first time, or relearning it — it covers the five prayers and roughly when to pray them, what to do beforehand, and the general sequence of movements and recitations within a rak’ah (unit of prayer).
The five daily prayers
These are general, non-GPS time-of-day windows. For exact times based on your location, use our Prayer Times tool.
Fajr
Dawn — from first light until just before sunrise
Dhuhr
Midday — after the sun passes its peak, into the afternoon
Asr
Afternoon — from mid-afternoon until shortly before sunset
Maghrib
Evening — starting just after sunset
Isha
Night — from nightfall until before dawn
Before you begin
- Perform Wudu (ablution) first — see our Wudu Guide if you need a refresher.
- Wear clean clothing and pray in a clean space.
- Face the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba) — use our Qibla Finder to get the exact direction from wherever you are.
- Dress modestly, covering the body appropriately.
The general sequence of a rak’ah
Each prayer is made up of a number of rak’ahs (units) — Fajr has 2, Dhuhr and Asr and Isha have 4, and Maghrib has 3. Each rak’ah broadly follows the sequence below.
1. Stand facing the Qibla and make your intention
Stand facing the direction of the Kaaba (Qibla) and intend in your heart which prayer you are about to perform.
2. Takbiratul Ihram — opening the prayer
Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) to formally begin the prayer, then fold your hands and stand quietly.
3. Qiyam — standing recitation
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, followed by another short surah or passage from the Qur'an (in the first two rak'ahs of a prayer).
4. Ruku — bowing
Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow forward from the waist, placing your hands on your knees, and recite the tasbih of Ruku.
5. Rising from Ruku
Stand back up straight, saying the prescribed words of praise, before moving into prostration.
6. Sujood — prostration (performed twice)
Say "Allahu Akbar" and place your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground, reciting the tasbih of Sujood. Sit briefly between the two prostrations, then prostrate a second time.
7. Repeat for each rak'ah
Stand back up for the next rak'ah and repeat the recitation, Ruku, and Sujood — the number of rak'ahs depends on which prayer you're performing.
8. Tashahhud — sitting recitation
Sit after the second rak'ah (and again at the end of the prayer) to recite the Tashahhud, including sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ in the final sitting.
9. Salam — ending the prayer
Turn your head to the right and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah," then repeat it turning to the left, which formally ends the prayer.
This is a general overview to help you learn the shape of the prayer — the exact wording of recitations, and small differences in hand position or timing between schools of thought, are best learned from a teacher, class, or your Maulavi alongside this guide. Once you’re comfortable with the sequence, our Daily Prayer Tracker can help you stay consistent with all five prayers each day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to memorize the recitations in Arabic?
Salah is prayed in Arabic, so learning at least Surah Al-Fatiha and a short additional surah is the usual starting point. It's completely normal to start small — many beginners learn one short surah at a time and build up gradually, sometimes with the help of a teacher or a class.
What if I miss a prayer's time window?
If a prayer's window has passed, it's generally recommended to pray it as soon as you remember rather than skip it, since making up a missed prayer is treated differently from deliberately not praying at all. If this happens often, it may help to set reminders around each prayer's window.
Can I pray sitting down if I have difficulty standing?
Yes — Islamic teaching makes clear allowances for illness, injury, or difficulty standing, including praying seated or, where needed, with reduced movements. If this applies to you, it's worth asking your Maulavi how best to adapt the positions to your situation.
How do I know the exact prayer times for my location?
This guide gives general time-of-day windows only. For exact times based on your city or current location, use our Prayer Times tool.
Which direction do I face?
You face the Qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. Use our Qibla Finder to get the exact direction from wherever you are.
More Islamic tools
This tool and its guidance are presented in general terms and are not affiliated with, or speaking on behalf of, any particular school of thought, sect, or organization. For a ruling specific to your own situation, please consult your Maulavi or a qualified religious scholar you trust.