Learn Namaz (Salah) Step-by-Step
A complete beginner-friendly guide to performing Salah (Daily Prayers) with correct postures, Arabic text, transliteration, and translation.
1. Preparation & Ablution (Wudu)
How to prepare your body and soul for standing before Allah
Before beginning your prayer, you must ensure that your body, clothes, and the place of prayer are clean. Performing Wudu (Ablution) is a necessary step of purification before every Salah.
Niyyah & Hands
Make intention, say Bismillah, and wash hands to the wrists three times.
Mouth & Nose
Rinse the mouth three times, then sniff water into the nostrils three times.
Face & Arms
Wash the entire face three times, then wash both arms up to the elbows three times.
Hair & Feet
Wipe wet hands over the head (Masah), clean ears, and wash both feet up to the ankles.
2. The Postures and Recitations
Detailed breakdown of a single Rak'ah (Unit of Prayer)
Takbeer-e-Tahreema & Qiyam (Standing)
Starting the prayer facing Qibla
Stand upright facing the Qibla (direction of Kaabah), raise both hands up to your ears (for men) or shoulders (for women) and recite the opening Takbeer:
*After this, place your right hand over your left hand on your chest (for women) or below the navel (for men) and lower your gaze to the place of prostration.
Sana, Surah Al-Fatiha & Quran Recitation
Praises and recitation of the Holy Quran
Recite the opening praise (Sana), then seek protection with Ta'awwudh & Tasmiyah. Next, recite the core pillar of prayer, **Surah Al-Fatiha**, followed by any other short passage of the Quran (e.g. Surah Al-Ikhlas).
"Subhanakal-lahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakas-muka wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruka"
"Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You."
"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-maghbudi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin. (Ameen)"
"Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, not the path of those who earn Your anger, nor of those who go astray. (Ameen)"
Ruku (Bowing Position)
Bowing down in humility before Allah
Say "Allahu Akbar", bow down keeping your back straight and parallel to the floor, grasp your knees with your fingers spread, and recite three times:
"Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azeem" (3x)
"Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty."
Stand upright again (Qawmah) while raising hands to ears and saying:
"Sami'Allahu liman hamidah"
"Allah hears those who praise Him."
Followed by: رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ ("Rabbana wa lakal hamd") — "Our Lord, to You belongs all praise."
Sujud (Prostration) & Jalsah (Sitting)
The closest a servant gets to their Lord
Say "Allahu Akbar" and go down into prostration. Ensure 7 parts of the body touch the ground: forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Recite three times:
"Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (3x)
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High."
Rise up to a sitting position (Jalsah) while saying "Allahu Akbar". Sit calmly on your left foot with the right foot upright. Then, make a **second prostration** (Sujud) exactly like the first one.
Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim & Salam
Concluding the prayer sitting
After completing the final Rak'ah, sit down and recite the Tashahhud (Attahiyyaat), followed by Salawat (Durood-e-Ibrahim), and a final Dua, then perform Salam to end your prayer:
"At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluh."
"All compliments, prayers, and pure deeds 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 deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."
"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid."
Turn your head to the right and say:
"As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah"
"Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you."
Then turn your head to the left and repeat the same.
Daily Prayers Breakdown
Every prayer has a set number of units (Rak'ahs) that are Sunnah (prophetic custom) or Fard (obligatory).
| Prayer | Sunnah | Fard | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr (Dawn) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Dhuhr (Noon) | 4 + 2 | 4 | 12 |
| Asr (Afternoon) | — | 4 | 8 |
| Maghrib (Sunset) | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Isha (Night) | 2 + 3 Witr | 4 | 17 |
Tips for Khushu' (Focus)
- Understand the meanings of the Arabic words you recite.
- Keep your eyes fixed on the spot where your forehead touches the ground.
- Pray slowly and deliberately, pausing after every verse of Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Clear your mind of worldly thoughts before saying the opening Takbeer.
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