How to Pray Salah: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

What Are the 5 Daily Prayers in Islam?

Muslims perform 5 obligatory prayers each day at specific times: Fajr (dawn, 2 rakats), Dhuhr (midday, 4 rakats), Asr (afternoon, 4 rakats), Maghrib (sunset, 3 rakats), and Isha (night, 4 rakats). Each prayer has a fixed number of units called rakats and must be prayed facing the Qibla direction toward Makkah.

Use our prayer times calculator to find the exact start and end times for each prayer in your location.

What Do I Need Before Praying?

Before salah, you must perform wudu (ablution) to achieve ritual purity. You also need clean clothing, a clean prayer surface, and to face the Qibla direction. If wudu is broken by using the bathroom, passing gas, or sleeping, you must renew it. If you are in a state of major impurity (janabah), ghusl is required instead of wudu.

How Do I Perform Each Rakat?

Each rakat (prayer unit) follows the same sequence of standing, bowing, and prostrating. Here are the core steps:

1. Stand facing Qibla — Raise hands to ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (takbir al-ihram)
2. Recite Al-Fatiha — The opening chapter of the Quran (required in every rakat)
3. Recite additional Quran — Any short surah (in the first 2 rakats only)
4. Bow (ruku) — Say “Allahu Akbar,” bend at the waist, say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” 3 times
5. Stand from bowing — Say “Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd”
6. Prostrate (sujud) — Say “Allahu Akbar,” place forehead on ground, say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” 3 times
7. Sit briefly — Rise from first sujud, sit, then perform second sujud
8. Stand for next rakat — Or sit for tashahhud if it’s the 2nd or final rakat

When Do I Recite the Tashahhud?

The tashahhud (testimony of faith) is recited while sitting after the 2nd rakat and after the final rakat of every prayer. In the final sitting, you add salawat (blessings on the Prophet) and then end the prayer with tasleem — turning your head right saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,” then left.

What If I Miss a Prayer?

If you miss a prayer, you must make it up (qada) as soon as you remember. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever forgets a prayer, let him pray it when he remembers it.” There is no expiation other than performing the missed prayer. If you are new to Islam and learning, start with the basics and build gradually.

Related Guides

• Prayer Times Calculator — Find accurate salah times for your city
• How to Find Qibla Direction — 5 methods that work anywhere
• Ghusl vs Wudu: When Do You Need Each? — Know which purification you need
• Mosque Finder — Find a nearby mosque for congregational prayer

Last updated: February 10, 2026