How to Pray Salat: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

📖 13 min read

Prayer (Salat) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship in a Muslim’s life. It represents the direct connection between the believer and their Creator: a moment of reflection, submission and closeness to Allah, renewed five times a day.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The first thing a servant will be questioned about on the Day of Judgement is prayer. If it is sound, the rest of their deeds will be assessed favourably. If it is deficient, the rest of their deeds will be assessed unfavourably.”

— Narrated by At-Tabarani; authenticated by Al-Albani

Whether you are a new Muslim, a convert or someone who wants to review the basics, this guide shows you how to pray Salat step by step, with Arabic texts, transliterations and English translations.

What is Salat?

Salat (صَلَاة) is the Arabic word for ritual prayer in Islam. It literally means “connection” or “communication”, highlighting its role as a direct link between a Muslim and Allah. Each prayer follows a defined sequence of movements and Quranic recitations, performed while facing the Kaaba in Makkah.

As one of the five pillars of Islam, Salat is performed five times a day at prescribed times, placing it at the heart of a Muslim’s worship and daily life. Learning how to pray as a Muslim means understanding that Salat is much more than a ritual: it is a living, essential relationship with Allah, renewed five times a day.

Allah says in the Quran:

The five daily prayers

Each prayer has a specific time that depends on the position of the sun. These are the five obligatory prayers:

Prerequisites for prayer

Before starting prayer, certain conditions must be met. Without them, the prayer is not valid.

1. The prayer time has begun — Each prayer must be performed within its prescribed time. Praying before its time begins invalidates the prayer.

2. Ritual purification (Taharah) — The person praying must be in a state of ritual purity. This requires performing ablution (wudu) or, in a state of major ritual impurity, a full ritual bath (ghusl).

3. Cleanliness of the body, clothing and prayer area — The body, clothing and place of prayer must be free from physical impurities (najasah).

4. Covering the awrah — For men, the area to be covered extends from the navel to the knees. For women, the whole body must be covered during prayer except the face and hands.

5. Facing the Qibla — The person praying must face the Kaaba in Makkah. If you cannot determine the direction, do your best using the means available.

6. Intention (Niyyah) — The intention is made in the heart, not spoken aloud. The person praying must firmly intend to perform the specific prayer they are about to begin.

How to perform wudu step by step

Ablution is an essential prerequisite for prayer. It purifies the body and prepares the heart before standing before Allah. Follow these steps in order:

After ablution, it is recommended to say the following supplication:

The steps of prayer, position by position

Here is a detailed explanation of one unit of prayer (rak‘ah). Every movement and every phrase has a deep spiritual meaning.

1. The opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram)

Stand facing the Qibla. Raise your hands to shoulder or ear level, with your fingers slightly apart, and say:

This Takbir marks the beginning of the sacred state of prayer (ihram). From this point on, speech or actions unrelated to prayer invalidate it. Then place your right hand over your left hand at chest level.

2. The opening supplication (Du‘a al-Istiftah)

It is recommended (Sunnah) to recite an opening supplication before Al-Fatiha. One of the best known is:

3. Reciting Al-Fatiha

Before reciting Al-Fatiha, quietly say the words of seeking refuge:

Then recite Surah Al-Fatiha, which is an obligatory pillar of every rak‘ah. Prayer is not valid without it:

After Al-Fatiha, in the first two rak‘ahs, recite another surah or a few verses from the Quran. Short surahs such as Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113) or An-Nas (114) are recommended for beginners.

4. Bowing (Ruku‘)

Say “Allahu Akbar” as you bow. Place your hands on your knees, keeping your back straight and parallel to the ground and your gaze directed towards the place of prostration. In this position, repeat three times:

5. Rising after bowing

Rise to a standing position while saying:

Once you are standing, say:

6. Prostration (Sujud)

Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate. Seven parts of the body must touch the ground at the same time: the forehead together with the nose, both palms, both knees and the toes of both feet. In this position, repeat three times:

“The closest a servant is to their Lord is when they are prostrating. So make plenty of supplications [in this position].”

— Narrated by Muslim

7. Sitting between the two prostrations

Rise into a sitting position while saying “Allahu Akbar”. Sit on your left foot, keeping your right foot upright with its toes pointing towards the Qibla. Say:

8. The second prostration

Perform a second prostration just like the first, with the same supplications. This completes one rak‘ah. Rise while saying “Allahu Akbar” to begin the next rak‘ah.

The Tashahhud and the closing greetings

The Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat)

After the second rak‘ah, and at the end of the final rak‘ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud. Raise your right index finger while reciting the Shahadah:

The Ibrahimiyyah prayer (in the final rak‘ah)

In the final rak‘ah only, after the Tashahhud, add the prayer upon the Prophet:

The closing greetings (Taslim)

To end the prayer, turn your head to the right while saying:

Then turn your head to the left and repeat the same words. The prayer is complete.

The number of rak‘ahs in each prayer

Each obligatory prayer has a fixed number of rak‘ahs. Here is a summary:

Fajr consists of 2 rak‘ahs with recitation aloud. Dhuhr consists of 4 rak‘ahs with quiet recitation. Asr consists of 4 rak‘ahs with quiet recitation. Maghrib consists of 3 rak‘ahs (2 recited aloud, 1 quietly). Isha consists of 4 rak‘ahs (2 recited aloud, 2 quietly).

In prayers of 3 or 4 rak‘ahs, the intermediate Tashahhud is recited after the second rak‘ah, then you stand to continue. The final Tashahhud, including the Ibrahimiyyah prayer, is recited only in the very last rak‘ah, before the Taslim.

Voluntary prayers (Sunnah)

In addition to the obligatory prayers, the Prophet ﷺ regularly performed voluntary prayers (rawatib) that complement and perfect the obligatory prayers. These prayers are strongly recommended:

Before Fajr: 2 rak‘ahs (strongly recommended; the Prophet ﷺ never left them, even when travelling).

Before Dhuhr: 4 rak‘ahs (2 + 2). After Dhuhr: 2 rak‘ahs.

After Maghrib: 2 rak‘ahs.

After Isha: 2 rak‘ahs.

This makes a total of 12 voluntary rak‘ahs a day. The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah will build a house in Paradise for whoever performs these 12 rak‘ahs daily (narrated by Muslim).

Common mistakes beginners make

Saying the intention aloud — The intention is made only in the heart. Saying “I am going to pray the four rak‘ahs of Dhuhr” aloud is an innovation (bid‘ah).

Not keeping the back straight during ruku‘ — The back should be straight and parallel to the ground, not rounded.

Moving too quickly between positions — Each position must be held with calmness (tuma’ninah). According to some scholars, rushing invalidates the prayer.

Forgetting to say “Ameen” after Al-Fatiha — “Ameen” is said aloud in prayers recited aloud, and quietly in prayers with quiet recitation.

Not placing all seven points of contact on the ground during sujud — The forehead, nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet must all touch the ground.

Tips for beginners

If you are still learning, do not be discouraged if you forget some phrases or parts of the sequence. What matters most is the sincerity of your intention towards Allah. Your prayer will improve with regular practice, insha’Allah.

Start by memorising Surah Al-Fatiha and the essential phrases for each position: Allahu Akbar, Subhana Rabbiyal-Adhim, Subhana Rabbiyal-A‘la, Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah, and Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. Gradually add the other supplications as you become more comfortable.

If you make a mistake during prayer, do not panic. Continue and perform the prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud as-sahw) before the Taslim. Allah is Merciful and accepts the prayer of those who sincerely do their best.

Sources and references

Frequently asked questions