Allahu Akbar
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
English: Allah is the Greatest.
اردو: اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے۔
The opening takbir that begins the prayer.Islamic Education
How to Pray Salah (Namaz): Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Salah (namaz) is the five daily prayers. It is the most regular act of worship in a Muslim’s day: standing, bowing, and prostrating before Allah. This page gives a general overview for beginners. Details of hand placement and some recitations differ among recognised schools of law; learn the method your teacher follows.
A beginner guide to Salah
Salah is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims perform the prescribed daily prayers as worship of Allah. Salah requires purification, covering the ʿawrah appropriately, facing the Qiblah, and praying within the appropriate time.
This page is an educational beginner guide: how to pray a complete two-rakʿah Salah, then how three- and four-rakʿah prayers differ. It is not a fatwa and it does not claim one school’s details are the only valid method.
Minor details may differ between schools of Islamic jurisprudence. This guide presents a commonly taught Sunni method. For personal fiqh questions, consult a qualified scholar.
What you need before Salah
- Purification: make wudu if you are not already in a state of wudu. Ghusl is required in its own cases.
- A clean body.
- Clean clothes that cover the ʿawrah appropriately.
- A clean prayer place.
- Covering the ʿawrah as required for men and women. Ask a teacher for the details that apply to you.
- Facing the Qiblah — the direction of the Kaʿbah in Makkah.
- Praying within the time of that Salah. Clock times change with location and season.
- Intention (niyyah) in the heart for the prayer you are about to pray. Intention is fundamentally in the heart. It does not require a specific Arabic sentence.
How to pray 2 rakʿahs
A rakʿah is one cycle of standing, bowing, and two prostrations. The example below is a complete two-rakʿah prayer, such as Fajr’s obligatory units, or a two-rakʿah sunnah or nafl prayer. Remain still in each posture before moving to the next.
Step 1 — Stand and intend
Stand facing the Qiblah. Make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are praying. You do not need a spoken Arabic formula for the intention to be valid.
Step 2 — Opening takbir
Raise the hands and say Allahu Akbar. A commonly taught Sunni method is then to place the right hand over the left. Schools differ on whether the hands rest below the navel or on the chest. Follow the method your teacher uses.
Step 3 — Standing recitation
After the opening takbir, a commonly taught sequence is the opening supplication (thana), seeking refuge, the basmalah, the complete Surah Al-Fatihah, then a short surah. Surah Al-Ikhlas is given here as a complete example.
Opening supplication (Thana)
A commonly taught opening dua after the first takbir. Some schools begin with a different authentic opening supplication.سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdik, wa tabārakasmuk, wa taʿālā jadduk, wa lā ilāha ghayruk
English: Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise is Yours. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god besides You.
اردو: اے اللہ! تو پاک ہے اور تیری ہی تعریف ہے۔ تیرا نام بابرکت ہے، تیری شان بلند ہے، اور تیرے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں۔
Reported in Sunan Abi Dawud, Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi, and Sunan an-Nasa’i. This is a commonly taught opening in many Sunni classrooms.Taʿawwudh
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Aʿūdhu billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm
English: I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.
اردو: میں شیطان مردود سے اللہ کی پناہ مانگتا ہوں۔
Seeking refuge before reciting the Quran is taught from the Quran (16:98) and practised in Salah.Bismillah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔
Qur'an 1:1.Surah Al-Fatihah
Recite the complete surah. Do not shorten it.بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-ʿālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Māliki yawmid-dīn. Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn. Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭalladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn.
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You have blessed, not of those who incurred wrath, nor of those who are astray.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔ تمام تعریف اللہ کے لیے ہے جو تمام جہانوں کا رب ہے، نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا، روزِ جزا کا مالک۔ ہم صرف تیری عبادت کرتے ہیں اور صرف تجھ سے مدد مانگتے ہیں۔ ہمیں سیدھا راستہ دکھا، ان لوگوں کا راستہ جن پر تو نے انعام کیا، نہ ان کا جن پر غضب ہوا، اور نہ گمراہوں کا۔
Qur'an 1:1–7.Surah Al-Ikhlas (example short surah)
After Al-Fatihah in the first two rakʿahs, a short passage of the Quran is commonly recited. Surah Al-Ikhlas is a complete example. Other short surahs may be used.بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad. Allāhuṣ-ṣamad. Lam yalid wa lam yūlad. Wa lam yakun lahū kufuwan aḥad.
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Say: He is Allah, One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔ کہہ دو: وہ اللہ ایک ہے۔ اللہ بے نیاز ہے۔ نہ اس کی کوئی اولاد ہے اور نہ وہ کسی کی اولاد، اور اس کے برابر کوئی نہیں۔
Qur'an 112:1–4.Step 4 — Rukuʿ (bowing)
Say Allahu Akbar and bow so that the back is level and the hands rest on the knees in the commonly taught posture. Stay still, then recite:
In rukuʿ
This remembrance is commonly repeated three times while remaining still in the bow.سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm
English: Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.
اردو: میرا رب عظمت والا پاک ہے۔
Reported in Sahih Muslim and the Sunan collections.Step 5 — Rise from rukuʿ (qawmah)
Rise to a standing position. Say the first phrase as you rise, then the praise once you are standing. Stay still before going down to sujood.
Rising from rukuʿ
سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
SamiʿAllāhu liman ḥamidah
English: Allah hears the one who praises Him.
اردو: اللہ نے اس کی سن لی جس نے اس کی تعریف کی۔
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.After standing from rukuʿ
A well-established wording is “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.” Slight authentic variants exist.رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd
English: Our Lord, and to You is all praise.
اردو: اے ہمارے رب! اور تمام تعریف تیرے ہی لیے ہے۔
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.Step 6 — First sujood
Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate. In a beginner-friendly posture, the forehead and nose rest on the ground, with the hands, knees, and toes also down. Stay still, then recite:
In sujood
This remembrance is commonly repeated three times while remaining still in prostration.سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā
English: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
اردو: میرا رب سب سے بلند پاک ہے۔
Reported in Sahih Muslim and the Sunan collections.Step 7 — Sitting between the two prostrations
Say Allahu Akbar, sit calmly between the two prostrations, and recite:
Sitting between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir lī
English: My Lord, forgive me.
اردو: اے میرے رب! مجھے بخش دے۔
Reported in Sunan Abi Dawud and Sunan Ibn Majah. Longer authentic wordings are also taught; this short form is suitable for beginners.Step 8 — Second sujood
Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate a second time. Recite the same sujood remembrance, remaining still.
In sujood
This remembrance is commonly repeated three times while remaining still in prostration.سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā
English: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
اردو: میرا رب سب سے بلند پاک ہے۔
Reported in Sahih Muslim and the Sunan collections.Step 9 — Stand for the second rakʿah
Say Allahu Akbar and stand. The second rakʿah begins with standing and Quran recitation. A commonly taught method does not repeat the opening thana here. Recite Bismillah, the complete Al-Fatihah, and a short surah again.
Bismillah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔
Qur'an 1:1.Surah Al-Fatihah
Recite the complete surah. Do not shorten it.بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-ʿālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Māliki yawmid-dīn. Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn. Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭalladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn.
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You have blessed, not of those who incurred wrath, nor of those who are astray.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔ تمام تعریف اللہ کے لیے ہے جو تمام جہانوں کا رب ہے، نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا، روزِ جزا کا مالک۔ ہم صرف تیری عبادت کرتے ہیں اور صرف تجھ سے مدد مانگتے ہیں۔ ہمیں سیدھا راستہ دکھا، ان لوگوں کا راستہ جن پر تو نے انعام کیا، نہ ان کا جن پر غضب ہوا، اور نہ گمراہوں کا۔
Qur'an 1:1–7.Surah Al-Ikhlas (example short surah)
After Al-Fatihah in the first two rakʿahs, a short passage of the Quran is commonly recited. Surah Al-Ikhlas is a complete example. Other short surahs may be used.بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad. Allāhuṣ-ṣamad. Lam yalid wa lam yūlad. Wa lam yakun lahū kufuwan aḥad.
English: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Say: He is Allah, One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.
اردو: اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان، رحم کرنے والا ہے۔ کہہ دو: وہ اللہ ایک ہے۔ اللہ بے نیاز ہے۔ نہ اس کی کوئی اولاد ہے اور نہ وہ کسی کی اولاد، اور اس کے برابر کوئی نہیں۔
Qur'an 112:1–4.Steps 10–14 — Complete the second rakʿah
Repeat the same body of the rakʿah: rukuʿ, standing (qawmah), first sujood, sitting, and second sujood, with the same recitations as steps 4–8.
Tashahhud, Durood, final dua, and salam
After the second sujood of the second rakʿah in a two-rakʿah prayer, remain sitting. This is the final sitting. Recite the complete tashahhud, then Durood Ibrahim in full, then a short dua, then end with salam.
Tashahhud
Sit calmly and recite the complete tashahhud. Do not abbreviate it.التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi waṣ-ṣalawātu waṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ʿibādillāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhū wa rasūluh.
English: All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
اردو: تمام ادب، نمازیں اور پاکیزہ باتیں اللہ کے لیے ہیں۔ اے نبی! آپ پر سلام ہو اور اللہ کی رحمت اور برکتیں۔ ہم پر اور اللہ کے نیک بندوں پر سلام ہو۔ میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کہ اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں، اور میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کہ محمد اللہ کے بندے اور رسول ہیں۔
Sahih al-Bukhari 831 (tashahhud of Ibn Masʿud).Durood Ibrahim
After the tashahhud in the final sitting, send this complete salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka ḥamīdun majīd. Allāhumma bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka ḥamīdun majīd.
English: O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent grace upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
اردو: اے اللہ! محمد پر اور محمد کی آل پر رحمت بھیج، جیسے تو نے ابراہیم پر اور ابراہیم کی آل پر رحمت بھیجی۔ بے شک تو تعریف کے لائق، بزرگی والا ہے۔ اے اللہ! محمد پر اور محمد کی آل پر برکت نازل فرما، جیسے تو نے ابراہیم پر اور ابراہیم کی آل پر برکت نازل فرمائی۔ بے شک تو تعریف کے لائق، بزرگی والا ہے۔
Sahih al-Bukhari 3370. Slight authentic variants exist.A well-established dua before salam
After Durood, a short dua is commonly made. This wording is from the Quran and is widely taught to beginners.رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār
English: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
اردو: اے ہمارے رب! ہمیں دنیا میں بھلائی دے اور آخرت میں بھلائی دے، اور ہمیں آگ کے عذاب سے بچا۔
Qur'an 2:201.Salam
Turn the head to the right, then to the left, saying this greeting each time in a commonly taught method.السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh
English: Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
اردو: تم پر سلام ہو اور اللہ کی رحمت۔
The closing salam of the prayer, reported in the Sunnah.After salam, you may make any further personal dua. Everyday remembrances are collected on the Daily Duas page.
How 3-rakʿah and 4-rakʿah Salah differs
Minor details may differ between schools of Islamic jurisprudence. This guide presents a commonly taught Sunni method. For personal fiqh questions, consult a qualified scholar.
3 rakʿahs (Maghrib fard)
- First rakʿah: standing recitation, rukuʿ, two sujoods.
- Second rakʿah: standing recitation, rukuʿ, two sujoods.
- First sitting: tashahhud. In a commonly taught method, Durood is not completed here in the middle sitting of a three-rakʿah fard.
- Third rakʿah: stand, recite Al-Fatihah (a following short surah is often omitted in this rakʿah in commonly taught fard practice), then rukuʿ and two sujoods.
- Final sitting: complete tashahhud, Durood, dua, then salam.
4 rakʿahs (Zuhr, Asr, and Isha fard)
- First rakʿah: standing recitation, rukuʿ, two sujoods.
- Second rakʿah: standing recitation, rukuʿ, two sujoods.
- First sitting: tashahhud, then stand.
- Third rakʿah: Al-Fatihah, rukuʿ, two sujoods. A following short surah is often omitted in the last two fard rakʿahs in commonly taught practice.
- Fourth rakʿah: Al-Fatihah, rukuʿ, two sujoods.
- Final sitting: complete tashahhud, Durood, dua, then salam.
Reciting aloud or quietly, and some details of the middle sitting, differ by prayer and by school. Learn those details with your teacher rather than treating this outline as the only correct method.
Daily prayer quick reference
The numbers below are the obligatory (fard) rakʿahs. Extra sunnah rakʿahs are also widely practised, but the exact extra counts are not identical in every teaching tradition, so they are not listed here as a single universal timetable.
| Prayer | When | Fard rakʿahs |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Before sunrise | 2 |
| Zuhr | After the sun has passed its highest point | 4 |
| Asr | Afternoon | 4 |
| Maghrib | Just after sunset | 3 |
| Isha | At night | 4 |
Common mistakes beginners should avoid
- Rushing so that the prayer never settles.
- Not completing rukuʿ — standing up before the bow is still.
- Not completing sujood — lifting the head too quickly.
- Forgetting or shortening Al-Fatihah.
- Guessing pronunciation instead of learning it with a teacher.
- Skipping the pause in each posture.
- Praying without proper purification.
- Not facing the Qiblah when you can reasonably do so.
- Letting the mind wander without gently bringing it back.
- Memorising sounds only, without learning what the recitation means.
Women and men both pray Salah. A female teacher is available at this academy for sisters who prefer one. If you miss a prayer, ask a teacher how to make it up in your situation.
Important notes
- Women and men both pray Salah. A female teacher is available at this academy for sisters who prefer one.
- If you miss a prayer, ask a teacher how to make it up in your situation rather than guessing from the internet.
- This page is provided for general Islamic education and learning. Minor details of worship may differ between schools of Islamic jurisprudence. For personal or complex religious questions, please consult a qualified scholar.
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