How to Pray in Islam: Salah Step by Step

Salah — the formal Islamic prayer — is performed five times a day and is the second pillar of Islam. For anyone learning to pray, the movements and words can seem complicated at first, but they follow a clear, repeating pattern. This guide walks through how to pray step by step, using the basic two-rak'ah (unit) prayer as the model. Once you know one rak'ah, every prayer is simply a repetition of the same steps.

Before You Pray: Preparation

A few conditions should be met before you begin:

Purity: perform wudu (ablution) if you are not already in a state of purity.
Clean body, clothes and place: pray somewhere clean, in clean clothing.
Cover the body: men cover at least from the navel to the knees; women cover the whole body except the face and hands.
Face the Qibla: the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
The correct time: each prayer has its own time window, so check a local prayer timetable.
Intention (niyyah): intend in your heart which prayer you are about to perform.

Wudu in Brief: Getting Ready to Pray

If you are not already in a state of purity, perform wudu first. In short, you wash the hands, rinse the mouth and nose, wash the face, wash the arms up to the elbows, wipe the head (and ears), and wash the feet up to the ankles — each washing usually done three times. Wudu remains valid until it is broken, for example by using the toilet or sleeping, after which it is simply repeated before the next prayer.

How Many Rak'ahs Is Each Prayer?

The five daily prayers differ in the number of obligatory (fard) units:

Fajr (dawn) — 2 rak'ahs
Dhuhr (midday) — 4 rak'ahs
Asr (afternoon) — 4 rak'ahs
Maghrib (sunset) — 3 rak'ahs
Isha (night) — 4 rak'ahs

The steps below describe a two-rak'ah prayer such as Fajr. Longer prayers simply repeat the same units.

Step by Step: How to Pray Two Rak'ahs

Begin (Takbir): Stand facing the Qibla, raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar ("God is the Greatest"). You have now entered the prayer, and worldly talk and movement stop.
Standing (Qiyam): Place your right hand over your left on the chest or below the navel. Recite Surah al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran, followed by another short passage such as Surah al-Ikhlas.
Bowing (Ruku): Say Allahu Akbar and bow, placing your hands on your knees with your back straight. Say three times: Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem ("Glory to my Lord, the Most Great").
Rising: Stand up straight, saying Sami Allahu liman hamidah ("God hears those who praise Him"), then Rabbana wa lakal hamd ("Our Lord, to You is all praise").
Prostration (Sujud): Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate so that your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and toes touch the ground. Say three times: Subhana Rabbiyal A'la ("Glory to my Lord, the Most High").
Sitting: Say Allahu Akbar, sit back briefly, and say Rabbighfir li ("My Lord, forgive me").
Second prostration: Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate again, repeating the same words. This completes one rak'ah.

To pray the second rak'ah, stand up saying Allahu Akbar and repeat steps 2 to 7.

The Final Sitting and Ending the Prayer

After the second prostration of the last rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud (at-Tahiyyat), the testimony of faith and greetings, followed by the Salawat — asking God to bless the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as He blessed Abraham before him. You may then make a short personal supplication. To finish, turn your head to the right and say As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah ("Peace and the mercy of God be upon you"), then turn to the left and repeat it. The prayer is now complete.

After the Prayer

Many Muslims stay seated for a few moments of remembrance (dhikr) after the prayer — for example glorifying and praising God and making personal dua. This is recommended and beloved, though it is not part of the obligatory prayer itself.

Why Muslims Pray Five Times a Day

Salah is not only a set of movements; it is the believer's regular, direct connection with God. Praying five times — spread from dawn to night — breaks the day into moments of pause, gratitude and remembrance, keeping faith present amid daily life. It is the second pillar of Islam and, after belief itself, the act Muslims regard as most central to their religion. For many, the prayer is also a source of calm and discipline: a few minutes, five times a day, to step back from the world and stand before God.

A Note on Differences Between Schools

The core of the prayer is the same for all Muslims, but small details — such as exactly where the hands are placed, or which optional supplications are added — can vary between the schools of Islamic law and between individuals. These differences are well accepted, and a beginner should simply follow the way taught by a trusted teacher or local mosque.

What You Recite in the Prayer

The one recitation required in every single rak'ah is Surah al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran; a prayer is not complete without it. In the first two rak'ahs a second, shorter passage of the Quran is usually added after it. Many worshippers also begin with a quiet opening supplication (dua al-istiftah) and seek refuge in God before reciting. In the Fajr, Maghrib and Isha prayers the Fatiha and the second passage are recited aloud, while in Dhuhr and Asr they are recited silently.

Beyond the Obligatory Prayers

The steps above cover the obligatory (fard) prayers. Alongside them, the Prophet ﷺ regularly prayed additional Sunnah prayers before or after certain obligatory ones, and Muslims may also offer voluntary (nafl) prayers at other times — such as Witr after Isha, or the night prayer (Tahajjud). These extra prayers follow the same movements described here and are a way to draw nearer to God beyond the five daily obligations.

Tips for Beginners

Learn Surah al-Fatiha first, since it is recited in every rak'ah.
Take your time — calm focus (khushu) matters more than speed.
If you cannot yet recite in Arabic, keep learning while praying what you can; sincerity comes first.
If illness makes standing difficult, you may pray sitting, or lying down if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times a day do Muslims pray?

Five times: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (night). Each has its own time window, which shifts with the sun, so Muslims rely on a local prayer timetable.

Do I need wudu to pray?

Yes. A valid prayer requires being in a state of ritual purity, achieved through wudu (or ghusl when needed).

What if I don't know Arabic?

The prayer is performed in Arabic, but beginners can learn gradually. Start with Surah al-Fatiha and the short phrases, and keep praying as you learn.

Can I pray sitting down?

Those who are able should pray standing. If illness or injury makes standing difficult, it is permitted to pray sitting, or lying down if necessary.