How to pray
The prayer (salah) is performed as the Prophet ﷺ prayed; he said to pray as you have seen him praying (Sahih al-Bukhari 631). These are the positions of one rak'ah and the sittings, with what is recited in each, followed by the order of a whole prayer.
Before you pray
Before praying: be in wudu, have a clean body, clothes and place, cover the body appropriately, face the qiblah (Quran 2:144), and pray within the prayer's time (Quran 4:103).
How to make wuduThe positions
- 1
Opening takbir
تكبيرة الإحرام
Stand facing the qiblah, make the intention in your heart, raise your hands and say Allahu akbar to begin the prayer.
The prayer begins with the takbir and ends with the salam (Sunan Abi Dawud 61).
Raise the hands, palms facing the qiblah, to the level of the shoulders (Sahih al-Bukhari 735) or of the ears (Sahih Muslim 391) as you say it.
Takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest
Where the schools differ
- The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools also raise the hands when going into ruku' and rising from it (Sahih al-Bukhari 735); the Hanafi school, and the Maliki school in its best-known view, raise them only at the opening takbir.
Sunan Abi Dawud 61 Sahih al-Bukhari 735 Sahih Muslim 391 - 2
Standing and recitation
القيام والقراءة
Stand with the right hand over the left, recite an opening supplication, seek refuge, recite al-Fatiha and then, in the first two rak'ahs, another passage of the Quran.
Place the right hand over the left forearm (Sahih al-Bukhari 740) and look at the place of prostration.
Recite one of the opening supplications quietly, then seek refuge in Allah from Satan before reciting (Quran 16:98).
Recite al-Fatiha in every rak'ah (Sahih al-Bukhari 756) and say Amin at its end (Sahih al-Bukhari 780). In the first two rak'ahs add another surah or some verses (Sahih al-Bukhari 776).
Recite aloud in the first two rak'ahs of Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha' (and in Jumu'ah and Eid) when leading or praying alone, and quietly in Dhuhr, 'Asr and the remaining rak'ahs.
Opening supplication
سُبْحانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanakal-lahumma wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataʿala jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk.
How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. Blessed be Your name, and lofty is Your position and none has the right to be worshipped except You.
the four Sunan; see Sahih at-Tirmidhi 1/77; Sahih Ibn Majah 1/135Seeking refuge from Satan
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Aʿoothu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem.
I take refuge with Allah from the accursed devil.
al-Bukhari 7/99; Muslim 4/2015Al-Fatiha (every rak'ah)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ﴿٧﴾
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem Maaliki Yawmid-Deen Iyyaaka na'budu wa Iyyaaka nasta'een Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
Then a surah, e.g. al-Ikhlas (first two rak'ahs)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿١﴾ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ﴿٢﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ﴿٤﴾
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem Qul huwal laahu ahad Allahus-Samad Lam yalid wa lam yoolad Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Where the schools differ
- Hand position: the Hanafi and Hanbali schools place the hands below the navel, the Shafi'i school between the chest and the navel; in the Maliki school many leave the arms at the sides, while holding them is also reported.
- Reciting al-Fatiha is a pillar of every rak'ah for the majority; the Hanafi school regards it as obligatory (wajib) and holds that a person praying behind an imam listens rather than recites.
- Scholars differ on whether Amin is said aloud in the prayers recited aloud.
- The Maliki school does not recite an opening supplication in obligatory prayers.
- 3
Bowing (ruku')
الركوع
Say Allahu akbar and bow, with the back straight and the hands on the knees, and glorify Allah.
Bow until the back is level, with the hands on the knees (Sahih al-Bukhari 828) and the head in line with the back.
Remain until you are at rest in the position (Sahih al-Bukhari 757) and say the glorification, usually three times.
Takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest
In ruku'
×3سُبْحانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana rabbiyal-ʿatheem
How perfect my Lord is, The Supreme.
the four Sunan; Ahmad; see Sahih at-Tirmidhi 1/83Sahih al-Bukhari 828 Sahih al-Bukhari 757 - 4
Rising from bowing
الرفع من الركوع
Rise to standing, saying the words of rising, then praise Allah while standing upright.
Rise until you are standing straight and still (Sahih al-Bukhari 757). The imam and a person praying alone say the words of rising; everyone says the praise that follows.
While rising
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Samiʿal-lahu liman hamidah
May Allah answer he who praises Him.
al-Bukhari (Fath al-Bari) 2/282Once upright
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، حَمْداً كَثيراً طَيِّباً مُبارَكاً فِيهِ
Rabbana walakal-hamdu hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubarakan feeh.
Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful blessed praise.
al-Bukhari (Fath al-Bari) 2/284Sahih al-Bukhari 757 - 5
Prostration (sujud)
السجود
Say Allahu akbar and prostrate on seven parts of the body, glorify Allah, and supplicate.
Prostrate on the forehead together with the nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet (Sahih al-Bukhari 812). Keep the arms off the ground and away from the sides.
Say the glorification, usually three times. This is the closest a servant is to his Lord, so supplicate much in it (Sahih Muslim 482).
Takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest
In sujud
×3سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhana rabbiyal-aʿla.
How perfect my Lord is, The Most High.
the four Sunan; Ahmad; see Sahih at-Tirmidhi 1/83Sahih al-Bukhari 812 Sahih Muslim 482 - 6
Sitting between the two prostrations
الجلوس بين السجدتين
Say Allahu akbar, sit up until at rest, ask for forgiveness, then make the second prostration.
Sit on the left foot with the right foot upright (Sahih al-Bukhari 828), until you are at rest (Sahih al-Bukhari 757).
Then say Allahu akbar and make the second prostration exactly like the first. This completes the rak'ah; say Allahu akbar and stand for the next one.
Takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu akbar
Allah is the greatest
While sitting
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbigh-fir lee, rabbigh-fir lee.
My Lord forgive me, My Lord forgive me.
Abu Dawud 1/231; see Sahih Ibn Majah 1/148Or the longer form
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي
Allahummagh-fir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, waʿafinee, warzuqnee warfaʿnee.
O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, guide me, enrich me, give me health, grant me sustenance and raise my rank.
the four Sunan (except an-Nasa'i); see Sahih at-Tirmidhi 1/90; Sahih Ibn Majah 1/148Sahih al-Bukhari 828 Sahih al-Bukhari 757 - 7
Sitting for the tashahhud
التشهد
After the second rak'ah, and at the end of the prayer, sit and recite the tashahhud; in the final sitting add the blessings on the Prophet ﷺ and a supplication.
Sit with the hands on the thighs or knees and point with the right index finger (Sahih Muslim 580), and recite the tashahhud (Sahih al-Bukhari 831).
In three- and four-rak'ah prayers, stand up after the first tashahhud for the remaining rak'ahs.
In the final sitting, after the tashahhud, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370), seek refuge from four things (Sahih Muslim 588), and then supplicate as you wish.
Tashahhud (every sitting)
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَواتُ، وَالطَّيِّباتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسولُهُ
Attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu wattayyibat, assalamu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu warahmatul-lahi wabarakatuh, assalamu ʿalayna waʿala ʿibadil-lahis-saliheen. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal-lah, wa-ashhadu anna Muhammadan ʿabduhu warasooluh.
At-tahiyyat is for Allah. All acts of worship and good deeds are for Him. Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you O Prophet. Peace be upon us and all of Allah’s righteous servants. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
al-Bukhari (Fath al-Bari) 1/13; Muslim 1/301Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (final sitting)
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli ʿala Muhammad, wa-ʿala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ʿala Ibraheema wa-ʿala ali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed, allahumma barik ʿala Muhammad, wa-ʿala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ʿala Ibraheema wa-ʿala ali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed.
O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as You sent prayers upon Ibraheem and upon the followers of Ibraheem. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty. O Allah, send blessings upon Mohammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibraheem and upon the family of Ibraheem. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty.
al-Bukhari (Fath al-Bari) 6/408Refuge from four things (final sitting)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Allahumma innee aʿoothu bika min ʿathabil-qabr, wamin ʿathabi jahannam, wamin fitnatil-mahya walmamat, wamin shari fitnatil-maseehid-dajjal.
O Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trials and tribulations of life and death and from the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjal.
al-Bukhari 2/102; Muslim 1/412Where the schools differ
- Sitting postures differ: the Hanafi school sits on the left foot (iftirash) in every sitting; the Maliki school sits with the left hip on the ground and the left foot under the right shin (tawarruk) in every sitting; the Shafi'i school uses tawarruk in the final sitting of every prayer, and the Hanbali school in the final sitting of prayers with two tashahhuds. Abu Humayd as-Sa'idi's description mentions both postures (Sahih al-Bukhari 828).
- The schools also differ on when and how the finger is raised during the tashahhud.
Sahih Muslim 580 Sahih al-Bukhari 831 Sahih al-Bukhari 3370 Sahih Muslim 588 Sahih al-Bukhari 828 - 8
Ending with the salam
التسليم
Turn the head to the right saying the salam, then to the left saying it again. The prayer is complete.
The Prophet ﷺ turned to the right and to the left with the salam until the whiteness of his cheek could be seen (Sahih Muslim 582; Sunan Abi Dawud 996).
After the prayer, remain seated for the remembrance of Allah that follows the prayer.
Salam (to the right, then to the left)
×2السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu ʿalaykum warahmatul-lah
Peace be upon you, and mercy of Allah
Where the schools differ
- The Shafi'i school requires the first salam and recommends the second; the Hanbali school counts both as pillars in obligatory prayers; the Hanafi school regards ending with the salam as obligatory (wajib); and the Maliki school considers a single salam sufficient.
Sahih Muslim 582 Sunan Abi Dawud 996
Putting it together
- 1Opening takbir, then standing: opening supplication, seeking refuge, al-Fatiha and a surah.
- 2Ruku', rising, first prostration, sitting, second prostration: this completes the first rak'ah.
- 3Stand for the second rak'ah and repeat (without the opening supplication), then sit for the tashahhud.
- 4In a two-rak'ah prayer (such as Fajr) complete the final sitting and end with the salam.
- 5In three- and four-rak'ah prayers, stand after the first tashahhud; in the remaining rak'ahs recite al-Fatiha only, then finish with the final sitting and the salam.
Rak'ahs of each prayer
The five daily prayers and their rak'ahs. The obligatory (fard) counts are agreed upon and known through the continuous practice of the Muslim community. The regular Sunnah prayers follow the widely cited hadith of the twelve rak'ahs; the schools differ on some details, noted for each prayer.
| Prayer | Sunnah before | Fard | Sunnah after |
|---|---|---|---|
| FajrالفجرRecited aloud | 2 | 2 | – |
| DhuhrالظهرRecited silent | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 'AsrالعصرRecited silent | – | 4 | – |
| MaghribالمغربRecited aloud in the first two rak'ahs | – | 3 | 2 |
| 'Isha'العشاءRecited aloud in the first two rak'ahs | – | 4 | 2 |
| Obligatory rak'ahs a day | 17 |
Confirmed (mu'akkadah) Sunnah prayers are those the Prophet ﷺ prayed regularly; additional ones are recommended but were not prayed regularly. Whoever prays twelve rak'ahs of Sunnah a day, Allah builds a house for them in Paradise (Sahih Muslim 728; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 415).
Fajr: notes & differences
The two rak'ahs before Fajr are the most emphasised of all Sunnah prayers; the Prophet ﷺ was never more regular with any voluntary prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1163) and said they are better than the world and what it contains (Sahih Muslim 725).
Where the schools differ
- All schools emphasise these two rak'ahs; the Maliki school calls them raghibah.
Dhuhr: notes & differences
- 4 before · confirmed Sunnah — Or two, as reported by Ibn 'Umar.
- 2 after · confirmed Sunnah
- 2 after · recommended — Making four after it.
The hadith of the twelve rak'ahs mentions four before Dhuhr and two after it (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 415); Ibn 'Umar reported two before it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1180). Praying four before and four after is also encouraged (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 428).
Where the schools differ
- Hanafi: four before (with one salam) and two after are confirmed.
- Shafi'i and Hanbali: two before and two after are confirmed; the rest is additional.
'Asr: notes & differences
- 4 before · recommended
There is no confirmed Sunnah with 'Asr. Four rak'ahs before it are recommended (Sunan Abi Dawud 1271). No voluntary prayers are prayed after 'Asr until sunset, apart from those with a specific reason according to many scholars.
Where the schools differ
- In the Shafi'i school two or four rak'ahs before 'Asr are recommended.
Maghrib: notes & differences
- 2 before · recommended — Between the adhan and the iqamah, for whoever wishes.
- 2 after · confirmed Sunnah
Two rak'ahs after Maghrib are confirmed (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 415). Two before it are allowed for whoever wishes (Sahih al-Bukhari 1183).
Where the schools differ
- The Hanafi school does not recommend praying before Maghrib, so as not to delay it.
'Isha': notes & differences
- 2 before · recommended — There is a prayer between every adhan and iqamah.
- 2 after · confirmed Sunnah
Two rak'ahs after 'Isha' are confirmed (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 415). The night ends with Witr, prayed after 'Isha' and before Fajr (see Witr).
Where the schools differ
- Hanafi: four before 'Isha' are recommended.
Other prayers
WitrالوترAn odd number: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11
Confirmed Sunnah for most scholars; obligatory (wajib) in the Hanafi school.
Prayed after 'Isha' until Fajr, as the last prayer of the night. Night prayers are prayed two by two, ending with a single rak'ah of witr (Sahih al-Bukhari 990). Many recite the qunut supplication in it.
Where the schools differ
- Hanafi: three rak'ahs with one salam and qunut before ruku' in the third. Others: at least one rak'ah; three are commonly prayed as two plus one.
Jumu'ah (Friday prayer)الجمعة2 fard, after the sermon, in place of Dhuhr
Obligatory for adult men who are resident; others may attend, and pray Dhuhr if they do not.
Allah commands the believers to hasten to the remembrance of Allah when the call is made on Friday (Quran 62:9). After it the Prophet ﷺ taught praying four rak'ahs (Sahih Muslim 881), and he himself prayed two at home (Sahih al-Bukhari 937).
Where the schools differ
- Hanafi: four confirmed rak'ahs before Jumu'ah and four after (some add two more). Others: voluntary prayer before it is unrestricted until the imam comes out.
Tarawih (Ramadan night prayer)صلاة التراويح8 or 20, followed by witr
Confirmed Sunnah in Ramadan, prayed in pairs after 'Isha'.
Whoever prays the nights of Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward is forgiven his past sins (Sahih al-Bukhari 37). 'Umar gathered the people behind one imam for it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2010). Some pray eight rak'ahs, following 'A'ishah's report that the Prophet ﷺ did not exceed eleven with witr (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147); others pray twenty, the practice reported from the time of 'Umar and the position of the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools.
Where the schools differ
- The Maliki school also records thirty-six, the practice of Madinah in Imam Malik's time.
Eid prayerصلاة العيد2, with extra takbirs, followed by a sermon
Confirmed Sunnah in the Maliki and Shafi'i schools; a communal obligation in the Hanbali school; obligatory (wajib) in the Hanafi school.
Prayed in the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha with no adhan or iqamah. The Prophet ﷺ said the takbir seven times in the first rak'ah and five times in the second (Sunan Abi Dawud 1149).
Where the schools differ
- Hanafi: three extra takbirs in each rak'ah. Maliki and Hanbali: six in the first (after the opening takbir) and five in the second. Shafi'i: seven and five.
Funeral prayerصلاة الجنازةNo rak'ahs: four takbirs said standing, then the salam
A communal obligation (fard kifayah).
The Prophet ﷺ prayed over an-Najashi with four takbirs (Sahih al-Bukhari 1245). The schools differ on what is recited after each takbir; in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools al-Fatiha follows the first, the blessings on the Prophet ﷺ the second, and supplication for the deceased the third, with a short supplication or silence after the fourth before the salam.
Prayer while travellingصلاة المسافرDhuhr, 'Asr and 'Isha' shortened to 2; Fajr and Maghrib unchanged
Shortening is Sunnah (obligatory in the Hanafi school); combining Dhuhr with 'Asr and Maghrib with 'Isha' is permitted by most schools.
Allah permits shortening the prayer when travelling (Quran 4:101). 'A'ishah reported that the prayer was first prescribed as two rak'ahs, then kept so for travel and completed for residents (Sahih al-Bukhari 1090).
Where the schools differ
- The schools differ on the minimum distance (commonly about 80–90 km) and on how long one may stay somewhere and still shorten.
- The Hanafi school permits combining only at 'Arafah and Muzdalifah during Hajj.
Greeting the mosqueتحية المسجد2
Sunnah on entering a mosque, before sitting.
Whoever enters a mosque should pray two rak'ahs before sitting (Sahih al-Bukhari 444).
Duha (forenoon) prayerالضحى2 to 8 (or more)
Sunnah, between sunrise (once the sun has risen a little) and shortly before Dhuhr.
The Prophet ﷺ advised Abu Hurayrah to pray the two rak'ahs of Duha (Sahih al-Bukhari 1981).
Istikharah (seeking guidance)الاستخارة2, followed by the supplication of istikharah
Sunnah whenever one has a decision to make.
The Prophet ﷺ taught the istikharah prayer and supplication for all matters (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166; Sahih al-Bukhari 6382).
Good to know
- If you are unsure how many rak'ahs you have prayed, build on the number you are certain of and make the two prostrations of forgetfulness before the salam.
- Those who cannot stand may pray sitting, and those who cannot sit may pray lying down, doing what they are able to.