How to Perform the Prayer (Salat)

Fajr Prayer (Dawn Prayer — 2 Rak'ats)

Fajr is two rak'ats. Below is the full sequence for one rak'ah; repeat it for the second, then finish with the closing sitting and the salam. (Methods vary slightly between schools.)

1. Opening Takbīr (Takbīrat al-Iḥrām)

Face the qiblah and make your intention. Raise your hands and say: Allāhu Akbar — "God is the Greatest" — then fold your hands over your chest.

2. Standing (Qiyām)

Recite the opening supplication, then Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, followed by another short passage of the Qur'an (for example, Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ).

3. Bowing (Rukūʿ)

Saying Allāhu Akbar, bow with your back straight and hands on your knees. Say three times: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm — "Glory to my Lord, the Most Great."

4. Rising (Iʿtidāl)

Rise to standing, saying Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah — "God hears the one who praises Him" — then, once upright: Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd — "Our Lord, to You is all praise."

5. Prostration (Sujūd)

Saying Allāhu Akbar, prostrate with forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes touching the ground. Say three times: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā — "Glory to my Lord, the Most High."

6. Sitting (Julūs)

Saying Allāhu Akbar, sit up briefly between the two prostrations and say: Rabbi-ghfir lī — "My Lord, forgive me."

7. Second Prostration (Sujūd)

Say Allāhu Akbar and prostrate a second time, again saying Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā three times. This completes one rak'ah.

Stand up saying Allāhu Akbar to begin the second rak'ah, repeating steps 2–7 (without the opening supplication). After the final rak'ah, remain seated:

8. Final Sitting & Closing (Tashahhud & Taslīm)

Seated, recite the Tashahhud (At-taḥiyyātu lillāh…) and send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. To finish, turn your head to the right, then the left, saying each time: As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh — "Peace and mercy of God be upon you."

Zuhr Prayer (Noon Prayer — 4 Rak'ats)

Four Rak'ats, performed silently, with slight variations from the Fajr prayer.

Asr Prayer (Afternoon Prayer — 4 Rak'ats)

Four Rak'ats, performed in the same manner as the Zuhr prayer.

Maghrib Prayer (Sunset Prayer — 3 Rak'ats)

Three Rak'ats. The first two are performed like Fajr, and the third like a Rak'at of Zuhr.

Ishaa' Prayer (Night Prayer — 4 Rak'ats)

The last of the daily prayers, performed roughly 1–2 hours after Maghrib.

Four Rak'ats, performed like Zuhr — except the first two Rak'ats are recited audibly.

Witr Prayer (Odd-numbered Night Prayer)

A highly recommended prayer offered after Isha, consisting of an odd number of Rak'ats (commonly one or three), concluding the night's worship.