Namaz Guide: How to Pray Salah Step by Step
A calm, follow-along guide for new Muslims, children and parents. Each step has the Arabic, the transliteration and the meaning. You can switch the transliteration and meaning off, or print the page.
Prayer times in the UK today
Fajr, Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha and Tahajjud. These update by themselves for the city you choose. Each card tells you how many days until that prayer time changes.
- Fajrالفجر--:--Dawn prayer
- Dhuhrالظهر--:--Midday prayer
- Asrالعصر--:--Afternoon prayer
- Maghribالمغرب--:--Sunset prayer
- Ishaالعشاء--:--Night prayer
- Tahajjudالتهجد--:--Last third of the night startsNight prayer, after Isha and before Fajr
Times are calculated for London (Muslim World League angles) and shown in UK time. A local mosque timetable can differ by a few minutes, so follow your mosque. For more cities and a countdown, use the prayer times calendar.
Before you pray
Four things to have ready. They are the same for beginners and for experienced worshippers.
Wudu
Make wudu first. The prayer is not valid without it.
Clean clothes that cover you
Men cover from the navel to the knees. Women cover everything except the face, hands and feet.
A clean place
Stand on a clean prayer mat or floor.
The Qiblah
Face the direction of the Ka‘bah in Makkah. In the UK that is south-east.
How to pray, step by step
Steps 1 to 12 make the first rak‘ah. In the second rak‘ah you do not repeat the opening takbir, the Thana or the seeking of refuge. You begin with Bismillah and Fatiha, add a surah, then bow, stand and prostrate twice, and then sit for the Tashahhud. Read each step slowly and take your time.
Stand facing the Qiblah and make the intention
Stand on a clean place, feet about four fingers apart, toes towards the Qiblah. Decide in your heart which prayer you are praying, for example two rak‘ahs of Fajr. You do not need to say it aloud.
Say the opening takbir
Raise your hands to your ears (women: to the shoulders) and say the takbir. This begins the prayer.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest.
Fold your hands
Men place the right hand over the left below the navel. Women place them on the chest. Look at the place where your forehead will touch the ground.
This is the Hanafi way. Other schools place the hands differently. Follow your teacher or your school.
Recite the opening praise (Thana)
Said quietly, in the first rak‘ah only.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta‘ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk
Glory and praise to You, O Allah. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.
Seek refuge, then begin in Allah’s name
Said quietly, at the start of the first rak‘ah.
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
A‘udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim. Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind.
Recite Surah al-Fatiha
Recite the whole surah. Then say “Ameen” quietly. Fatiha is read in every rak‘ah.
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
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin. Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim. Maliki yawmid-din. Iyyaka na‘budu wa iyyaka nasta‘in. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghdubi ‘alayhim wa lad-dallin
All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Most Merciful, the Most Kind. 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 earned anger, nor of those who went astray. (Quran 1:2-7)
Recite another surah
In the first two rak‘ahs, add a short surah, or at least three short verses, after Fatiha. Here is Surah al-Ikhlas as an example.
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Qul huwal-Lahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yulad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal. He has not begotten and was not begotten. And there is none equal to Him. (Quran 112)
Bow (Ruku)
Say “Allahu akbar” and bow with your back straight and your hands on your knees. Say the tasbih at least three times.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim
Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Stand up straight
Rise fully upright. While rising say the first phrase, and once standing say the second.
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana lakal-hamd
Allah hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, all praise is Yours.
Prostrate (Sujud)
Say “Allahu akbar” and go down: knees, then hands, then nose and forehead. Keep your toes on the ground. Say the tasbih at least three times.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal-A‘la
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
Sit up briefly
Say “Allahu akbar” and sit upright for a moment, on your left foot with the right foot upright. Women sit with both feet to the right.
Prostrate a second time
Say “Allahu akbar,” go down again and repeat the tasbih. This finishes one rak‘ah. Stand with “Allahu akbar” for the next one.
Sit and recite the Tashahhud
After the second rak‘ah, sit and recite. In a prayer of three or four rak‘ahs, stand up after this and continue with Fatiha only in the remaining rak‘ahs.
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
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh
All greetings, prayers and good words 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.
Send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (Durood)
In the final sitting only, after the Tashahhud.
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
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum-Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum-Majid
O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
Make a dua
Still in the final sitting, ask Allah. Here is a dua from the Quran that many learners start with.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Quran 2:201)
End with the Salam
Turn your head to the right and say it, then turn to the left and say it again. The prayer is complete.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.
Rak‘ahs of each prayer: fard, sunnah, nafl and witr
This is the Hanafi count for the whole prayer, in the order you pray it. Total rak‘ahs: Fajr 4, Dhuhr 12, ‘Asr 8, Maghrib 7, ‘Isha 17.
| Prayer | In order | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 Sunnah muakkadah2 Fard | 4 |
| Dhuhr | 4 Sunnah muakkadah4 Fard2 Sunnah muakkadah2 Nafl | 12 |
| ‘Asr | 4 Sunnah ghair muakkadah4 Fard | 8 |
| Maghrib | 3 Fard2 Sunnah muakkadah2 Nafl | 7 |
| ‘Isha | 4 Sunnah ghair muakkadah4 Fard2 Sunnah muakkadah2 Nafl3 Witr (wajib)2 Nafl | 17 |
‘Asr: 4 sunnah (ghair muakkadah) plus 4 fard is 8 rak‘ahs. The nafl after the ‘Isha sunnah and the witr are prayed after the fard.
What does muakkadah and ghair muakkadah mean?
- Fard
- Obligatory. Leaving it without an excuse is a sin.
- Wajib
- Required, just below fard. In the Hanafi school witr is wajib.
- Sunnah muakkadah
- A confirmed sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ almost never left it. Do not leave it without a reason.
- Sunnah ghair muakkadah
- An extra sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed it and sometimes left it. You are rewarded for praying it, and not blamed for missing it.
- Nafl
- Voluntary prayer. Extra reward, no blame if left.
Fajr’s two sunnah are the most strongly emphasised of all. The ‘Asr sunnah and the four before ‘Isha are ghair muakkadah, so they can be prayed for extra reward and are not blamed if missed.
Which surahs are recited in the fard?
| Prayer | Fard rak‘ahs | What is recited |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | Both rak‘ahs include a surah after Fatiha. |
| Dhuhr | 4 | Rak‘ahs 1 and 2 include a surah. Rak‘ahs 3 and 4 are Fatiha only. |
| ‘Asr | 4 | Rak‘ahs 1 and 2 include a surah. Rak‘ahs 3 and 4 are Fatiha only. |
| Maghrib | 3 | Rak‘ahs 1 and 2 include a surah. Rak‘ah 3 is Fatiha only. |
| ‘Isha | 4 | Rak‘ahs 1 and 2 include a surah. Rak‘ahs 3 and 4 are Fatiha only. |
Where the schools of fiqh differ
This guide follows the Hanafi method. The four Sunni schools agree on the main parts of the prayer. They differ on some details, so we say which method we are describing.
Hand placement
Hanafi: men below the navel, women on the chest. Other schools place the hands in other positions. This is a known point of difference.
Men and women in the Hanafi method
Women raise the hands to the shoulders, place them on the chest and sit with both feet to the right.
Other recitations
Some schools use a different opening supplication or other details. If you follow another school, ask your teacher which to use.
Questions of validity
For clothing, travel, illness or whether a prayer counts, ask a qualified scholar you trust. A web page cannot decide for you.
How to pray Janazah (the funeral prayer)
Hanafi method. It has four takbirs and is prayed standing.
1. Before you begin
Janazah is fard kifayah: if some Muslims pray it, the duty is lifted from the rest. Have wudu, face the Qiblah and stand in rows behind the imam. The body is placed in front. There is no ruku, no sujud and no adhan or iqamah.
2. Make the intention
Intend in your heart to pray the janazah prayer for the sake of Allah, as a dua for the deceased. The imam stands level with the chest of the body.
3. First takbir, then Thana
Say Allahu akbar and raise your hands to the ears. Fold them as in normal prayer. Then recite the Thana quietly. This is the only takbir where the hands are raised.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta‘ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.
4. Second takbir, then Durood
Say Allahu akbar without raising the hands. Recite the Durood Ibrahim, the same one read in the last sitting of every prayer.
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
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum Majid
O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
5. Third takbir, then the dua
Say Allahu akbar without raising the hands. Recite the dua for the deceased. This is the one most commonly taught for an adult.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
Allahummaghfir li hayyina wa mayyitina wa shahidina wa gha’ibina wa saghirina wa kabirina wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu ‘alal-Iman
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive among us, keep alive in Islam, and whoever You take from us, take in faith.
6. Dua for a child
If the deceased is a child, the third-takbir dua is different. A teacher can show you the dua for a boy or a girl who has not reached puberty.
7. Fourth takbir, then salam
Say Allahu akbar without raising the hands. Wait a moment, then turn your face to the right and say the salam, and to the left and say it again. The prayer is complete.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
The Arabic is the commonly taught form. Ask a qualified teacher to check it with you, and to teach the dua for a child.
Teaching a child to pray
This is for Muslim children learning salah, with a parent beside them.
- Let a young child stand next to you and copy the movements first.
- Teach one thing at a time: the takbir, then ruku and sujud, then Fatiha, then a short surah.
- Keep it short and calm. A few correct movements are better than a long, rushed prayer.
- Praise effort. Children learn what they feel safe repeating.
- When your child is ready for a teacher, our online madrasa covers the basics of prayer, one-to-one.
New to Islam, or returning after a long break?
You do not need to learn everything in a day.
- Start with the movements. Learn to stand, bow and prostrate with the takbirs.
- Learn Fatiha properly. It is in every rak‘ah. A teacher can listen to you recite and correct you.
- Add one recitation a week. Thana, then a short surah, then the Tashahhud and Durood.
- Ask questions. Write them down and take them to a teacher.
Adults can learn the steps of prayer in our online Islamic course, one-to-one on Zoom or Google Meet.
Namaz questions, answered
How do I start namaz as a beginner?
Make wudu, wear clean clothes that cover you properly, stand on a clean place facing the Qiblah, and make the intention for the prayer. Then follow the steps on this page from the opening takbir. Start with a two-rak‘ah prayer such as Fajr.
What do you say at the start of namaz?
You say “Allahu akbar”, fold your hands, and then recite the Thana quietly, followed by the seeking of refuge, Bismillah and Surah al-Fatiha. The Arabic, transliteration and meaning of each are on this page.
How many rak‘ahs are in each of the five prayers?
The obligatory rak‘ahs are Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, ‘Asr 4, Maghrib 3 and ‘Isha 4. Counting the sunnah, nafl and witr, the Hanafi totals are Fajr 4, Dhuhr 12, ‘Asr 8, Maghrib 7 and ‘Isha 17. The full table is on this page. A qualified teacher should confirm it for your situation.
What is the difference between sunnah muakkadah and ghair muakkadah?
A sunnah muakkadah is a confirmed sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ almost never left, so it should not be left without a reason. A sunnah ghair muakkadah is an extra sunnah that he sometimes prayed and sometimes left. It earns reward when prayed and nothing is held against you when it is missed.
Is witr wajib?
In the Hanafi school witr is wajib, which ranks just below fard. It is three rak‘ahs prayed after the ‘Isha sunnah.
How is the funeral prayer (janazah) prayed?
It is prayed standing, with no ruku or sujud, and has four takbirs. Thana after the first, durood after the second, a dua for the deceased after the third, and salam to both sides after the fourth. The full method is on this page.
Why do prayer times change every day?
Prayer times follow the sun, so they move a little each day. In the UK the change is large because of the long summer days and short winter days. The times on this page are calculated for your city, and each card shows how soon its time will change.
Which school of fiqh does this guide follow?
It follows the Hanafi method, as published by Darul Ifta Birmingham and Muslim Hands UK. Other schools differ on some details, such as where the hands are placed. If you follow another school, ask your teacher.
Is this the same for men and women?
The steps and recitations are the same. In the Hanafi method there are small differences in posture: women raise their hands to the shoulders, place them on the chest and sit with both feet to the right.
Can I learn namaz with a teacher online?
Yes. Ayat Way’s online madrasa for children and our Islamic course for adults both cover the steps of prayer, one-to-one, live on video.
Can my child learn namaz with this guide?
Yes, with a parent beside them. Take it one step at a time. Learn the takbir and the ruku and sujud movements first, then add one recitation at a time.
Should I ask a scholar about my own situation?
Yes. This is a learning aid. For questions about clothing, timing, illness, travel or whether a prayer is valid, ask a qualified teacher or scholar you trust.
Sources and how to use this guide
The steps follow these published Hanafi guides. The Quranic recitations are from the Mushaf. This is a learning aid, not a fatwa.
- Confirmed and non-confirmed sunnas around the five prayers, SeekersGuidance (Hanafi)
- Performing salaah according to the Hanafi fiqh, Darul Ifta Birmingham (islamqa.org)
- How to Perform Salah, Muslim Hands UK
If you spot a mistake in the Arabic, the transliteration or the wording, please tell us through the contact page so we can correct it.
Want someone to listen to your prayer?
Book a free trial lesson. A teacher can hear your recitation and show you each step live, one-to-one.