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

What is salah and why it matters

Salah is the ritual prayer performed five times a day and is the second pillar of Islam. It is a direct connection between a believer and Allah, structured around fixed times, movements and recitations.

The five daily prayers are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (night). Establishing them consistently is the foundation of a Muslim's daily spiritual routine.

Step 1 — Purify yourself with wudu

Before praying you must be in a state of ritual purity. Perform wudu by washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face, the arms up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet up to the ankles.

Make sure your clothing and place of prayer are clean, and that you are facing the qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Step 2 — Make your intention (niyyah)

Stand facing the qibla and silently make the intention in your heart for the specific prayer you are about to perform. The intention does not need to be spoken aloud.

Step 3 — Perform each rak'ah

Raise your hands and say 'Allahu Akbar' to begin. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by another passage of the Quran while standing (qiyam).

Bow (ruku) saying 'Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem', then stand upright again. Prostrate (sujood) twice saying 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la', sitting briefly between the two prostrations. This complete cycle is one rak'ah.

Each prayer has a set number of rak'ahs: Fajr has 2, Dhuhr, Asr and Isha have 4, and Maghrib has 3 obligatory units.

Step 4 — Finish with tashahhud and taslim

In the final sitting, recite the tashahhud and send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Conclude by turning your head to the right and then the left, saying 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' each time.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Begin with the obligatory prayers, learn the recitations gradually, and let Tariq remind you at each prayer time so the habit becomes second nature.