A Complete Guide to Prayer
Learn the five daily prayers step by step. This guide presents a commonly taught Sunni method; recognised Sunni schools differ in some details. Pray according to your ability and ask a trusted teacher when needed. Transliteration is approximate; listen to a qualified reciter as you learn. إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا Prayer has been prescribed for believers at appointed times. — Quran 4:103
Choose who to learn with
A commonly taught Sunni method is illustrated. Details can differ between schools; pray according to your ability. Wudu remains valid until it is broken.
Preparing for prayer
Ensure the prayer time has begun; perform the required purification, remove impurity, cover the parts required for prayer, and pray in a clean place facing the Qiblah as best you can. See the Wudu Guide for ablution. Pray calmly and give each movement its due.
بازگشت به بالاIntention and opening takbir
Intend in your heart which prayer you are performing; no spoken formula is required. Stand for obligatory prayer if able. Raise your hands near your shoulders or ears and say “Allahu akbar” (Allah is greatest). Place your right hand over your left while standing and look toward the place of prostration. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ Allahu akbar — Allah is greatest.
بازگشت به بالاOpening supplication
After the opening takbir, an opening supplication is recommended. One established example begins with this excerpt: وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ. Then seek refuge in Allah from Satan: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ (Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim — I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan). The opening supplication is recommended; you do not need to combine the different forms. Transliteration: Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fataras-samawati wal-arda hanifan wa ma ana minal-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana minal-muslimin. Meaning: I turn sincerely to the Creator of the heavens and earth. My prayer, sacrifice, life and death belong to Allah, Lord of all worlds, who has no partner.
بازگشت به بالاRecite Al-Fatihah
Recite Al-Fatihah in every rakah when praying alone or leading, and say آمِينَ “Amin” (O Allah, respond) afterward. Learn it gradually with a teacher if needed. Sunni schools differ on the details of a follower reciting behind an imam; follow your trusted teacher or school without preceding the imam. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ Transliteration: Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-alamin. Ar-rahmanir-rahim. Maliki yawmid-din. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nastain. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina anamta alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi alayhim wa lad-dallin. Meaning: In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship and ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not those who incurred anger or went astray.
بازگشت به بالاRecite more Quran
In the first two rakahs it is recommended to recite another Surah or verses after Al-Fatihah. The lesson uses Al-Ikhlas in the first and Al-Falaq in the second; these Surahs are examples, not a requirement. In the teaching example, the third and fourth rakahs contain Al-Fatihah. Surah Al-Ikhlas: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ Surah Al-Falaq: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ Al-Ikhlas transliteration: Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. Qul huwallahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yulad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad. Al-Falaq transliteration: Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. Qul audhu birabbil-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffathati fil-uqad. Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad. Al-Ikhlas meaning: Say: Allah is One, the One upon whom all depend. He neither begets nor is born, and none is comparable to Him. Al-Falaq meaning: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak from the evil of what He created, darkness when it spreads, those who blow on knots, and an envier when they envy.
بازگشت به بالاBowing
Say “Allahu akbar” and bow with your hands on your knees and your back level as comfortably as you can. Pause in the position and say “Subhana rabbiyal-azim” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great), commonly three times. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ Allahu akbar. Subhana rabbiyal-azim — Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.
بازگشت به بالاRise from bowing
Rise until standing upright and settled. The imam and person praying alone say “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises Him), then “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd” (Our Lord, to You belongs praise). A follower says “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd” as they rise; follow the guidance of your Sunni school. سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ Sami Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd — Allah hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs praise.
بازگشت به بالاFirst prostration
Say “Allahu akbar” and prostrate calmly on the forehead and nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet as you are able. Say “Subhana rabbiyal-ala” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High), commonly three times. You may also supplicate to Allah. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى Allahu akbar. Subhana rabbiyal-ala — Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
بازگشت به بالاSitting between prostrations
Say “Allahu akbar” and sit up until settled. Say “Rabbi ighfir li” (My Lord, forgive me); you may repeat it. Pause before the second prostration. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي Allahu akbar. Rabbi ighfir li — My Lord, forgive me.
بازگشت به بالاSecond prostration
Say “Allahu akbar” and prostrate a second time as before, pausing and saying “Subhana rabbiyal-ala.” The movements of one rakah are now complete. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى Allahu akbar. Subhana rabbiyal-ala — Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
بازگشت به بالاRise for the next rakah
Say “Allahu akbar” and rise. In the second rakah recite Al-Fatihah and another passage, then repeat the bowing, standing and two prostrations. اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ Allahu akbar — Allah is greatest.
بازگشت به بالاFirst tashahhud
After the second prostration of the second rakah, sit for tashahhud. In Fajr this is the final sitting. In Maghrib, Dhuhr, Asr and Isha, after the first tashahhud rise with “Allahu akbar” for the third rakah. The tashahhud reads: التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. Transliteration: At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu alayna wa ala ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh. Meaning: Greetings, prayers and good words belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessings be upon the Prophet, upon us and upon righteous servants of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
بازگشت به بالاFinal tashahhud and blessings
After the final rakah, sit and recite the tashahhud above followed by blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. Transliteration: Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid. Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid. Meaning: O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and his family as You sent prayers upon Abraham and his family; You are worthy of praise and full of glory. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as You blessed Abraham and his family; You are worthy of praise and full of glory.
بازگشت به بالاSupplication before salam
After the final tashahhud and blessings, before the salam, supplicate to Allah. One established supplication seeks protection from four trials: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ. Transliteration: Allahumma inni audhu bika min adhabi-l-qabr, wa min adhabi jahannam, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal. Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave and of Hell, the trials of life and death, and the evil trial of the False Messiah.
بازگشت به بالاEnding with salam
Turn to your right and say “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you), then turn to your left and say the same. This completes the prayer. السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah — Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.
بازگشت به بالاRemembrance after prayer
Remember Allah after the salam. One established form is to say “Subhan Allah” 33 times, “Alhamdu lillah” 33 times and “Allahu akbar” 33 times, then complete one hundred with: لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah), Allahu akbar (Allah is greatest). La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadir. Meaning: There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner. To Him belong dominion and praise, and He has power over all things.
بازگشت به بالاThe five prayers and congregation
Fajr has two obligatory rakahs and a final tashahhud. Maghrib has three: the first tashahhud after two and the final after three. Dhuhr, Asr and Isha each have four: the first tashahhud after two and the final after four. These counts are for a resident; a traveler has established concessions. In congregation, follow the imam without going ahead. The imam recites aloud in Fajr and the first two rakahs of Maghrib and Isha; Dhuhr, Asr and the remaining rakahs of Maghrib and Isha are quiet. Quiet recitation is not merely reading in the heart; learn the applicable details with a trusted teacher.
بازگشت به بالاEssentials, mistakes and accessibility
Prayer has conditions and essential actions, including its time, purification, intention, opening takbir, standing for obligatory prayer when able, bowing, prostration and calmness. Sunni schools differ on the classification of some details; do not confuse recommended acts, such as the opening supplication and extra Quran after Al-Fatihah, with universally agreed obligations. If you miss an essential action or are uncertain, ask a trusted teacher about correction and prostrations of forgetfulness. If unable to stand, pray sitting; if unable, pray on your side according to your ability. Keep learning as you pray, ask a trusted teacher about what you cannot yet do, and avoid obsessive doubt.
بازگشت به بالاSources
Quran: 4:103, 5:6 and Al-Fatihah. Sahih al-Bukhari: 757 on calmness, 831 on tashahhud, 1117 on prayer when ill, and 3370 on blessings upon the Prophet. Sahih Muslim: 395 on Al-Fatihah, 771 on the opening supplication, 588 on supplication before salam, and 597 on remembrance afterward. Hadith numbering can vary by edition.
بازگشت به بالا
