The First Refuge FRES

The First RefugeThe Faith They CarriedSalaat

Salaat, the prayer

Salah, salaat or salat: all are ways of writing the same word. The prayer is one of the most fundamental and profound acts of worship in Islam, and this page walks through it one movement at a time.

It is a spiritual connection, a moment of reflection, and an opportunity to draw closer to God, the Lord of mercy and the giver of mercy. For Muslims, the prayer is not merely a ritual but a daily meeting with their Creator, a journey of the soul, and a reminder of their purpose in this world.

Sunni Muslims, the largest branch of Islam, pray five times a day as an integral part of their faith. The practice is rooted in the Quran and in the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

The five daily prayers

  • FajrDawn prayer · 2 rak’ahs

    Prayed before sunrise. Two rak'ahs, with Al-Fatiha and a further passage of the Quran in each.

    How to pray Fajr, a video lessonOpens on YouTube, which has its own privacy policy.

  • DhuhrNoon prayer · 4 rak’ahs

    Prayed after the sun has passed its highest point. Four rak'ahs.

  • AsrAfternoon prayer · 4 rak’ahs

    Prayed in the late afternoon. Four rak'ahs.

    How to pray Asr, a video lessonOpens on YouTube, which has its own privacy policy.

  • MaghribSunset prayer · 3 rak’ahs

    Prayed just after sunset. Three rak'ahs.

    How to pray Maghrib, a video lessonOpens on YouTube, which has its own privacy policy.

  • IshaNight prayer · 4 rak’ahs

    Prayed after the twilight has disappeared. Four rak'ahs.

    How to pray Isha, a video lessonOpens on YouTube, which has its own privacy policy.

How to pray, one step at a time

Choose a prayer. Each recitation is shown the first time it comes up with its Arabic, how to say it, and what it means; after that, a short line reminds you what to say. For the whole four-rak’ah prayer on a single page you can print, see the prayer, line by line.

When you move from one position to another, you say "Allahu Akbar". In the first two rak'ahs you add a further passage of the Quran after Al-Fatiha; in the third and fourth, Al-Fatiha alone.

Fajr: 2 rak’ahs

  1. Rak’ah 1 of 2

  2. Before you begin

    Make wudu, stand facing the qibla, and make the intention in your heart. No words are needed for it.

  3. Standing

    Raise your hands and begin the prayer.

    اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

    Allahu Akbar

    Allah is Greater

    Sahih al-Bukhari 789 · translation: Abd al-Hamid Siddiqui, in Sahih Muslim 2137

  4. Standing

    The opening supplication, said quietly.

    سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

    Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk

    Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 243 · translation: Darussalam

  5. Standing

    Seek refuge with God, quietly.

    أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

    A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim

    I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 6115; Quran 16:98 · translation: Muhsin Khan

  6. Standing

    Recite Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran.

    بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

    Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem

    In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

    Quran 1:1 · translation: Saheeh International

    ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

    Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin

    [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds

    Quran 1:2 · translation: Saheeh International

    ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

    Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem

    The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

    Quran 1:3 · translation: Saheeh International

    مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

    Maliki yawmid-deen

    Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

    Quran 1:4 · translation: Saheeh International

    إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

    Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een

    It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

    Quran 1:5 · translation: Saheeh International

    ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

    Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem

    Guide us to the straight path

    Quran 1:6 · translation: Saheeh International

    صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

    Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dalleen

    The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

    Quran 1:7 · translation: Saheeh International

    آمِينَ

    Ameen

    Said after Al-Fatiha. The Prophet told those praying behind the imam to say it with him.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 780

  7. Standing

    Recite any further passage of the Quran you know, short or long. This is only in the first two rak'ahs.

  8. Bowing (ruku)

    Bow with your hands on your knees and your back straight.

    Allahu Akbar

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

    Subhana Rabbiyal-Adheem×3

    Glorious is my Lord the Magnificent

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 262; three times: 261 · translation: Darussalam

  9. Rising

    Stand up straight again.

    سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

    Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah

    Allah heard those who sent praises to Him

    Sahih al-Bukhari 795 · translation: Muhsin Khan

    رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

    Rabbana wa lakal-hamd

    O our Lord! All the praises are for You

    Sahih al-Bukhari 799 · translation: Muhsin Khan

    حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ

    Hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih

    many good and blessed praises

    Sahih al-Bukhari 799 · translation: Muhsin Khan

  10. Prostration (sujud)

    Go down with seven parts touching the ground: the forehead with the nose, both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet.

    Allahu Akbar

    سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

    Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la×3

    Glorious is my Lord the Most High

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 262; three times: 261 · translation: Darussalam

  11. Sitting

    Sit up and rest a moment.

    Allahu Akbar

    رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

    Rabbighfir li×2

    O Lord forgive me

    Sunan Ibn Majah 897 · translation: Darussalam

  12. Prostration (sujud)

    Prostrate a second time.

    Allahu AkbarSubhana Rabbiyal-A'la×3

  13. Standing

    Rise for the next rak'ah.

    Allahu Akbar
  14. Rak’ah 2 of 2

  15. Standing

    Recite Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran.

    Bismillahir-Rahmanir-RaheemAl-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alaminAr-Rahmanir-RaheemMaliki yawmid-deenIyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'eenIhdinas-siratal-mustaqeemSiratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dalleenAmeen

  16. Standing

    Recite any further passage of the Quran you know, short or long. This is only in the first two rak'ahs.

  17. Bowing (ruku)

    Bow with your hands on your knees and your back straight.

    Allahu AkbarSubhana Rabbiyal-Adheem×3

  18. Rising

    Stand up straight again.

    Sami'a Allahu liman hamidahRabbana wa lakal-hamdHamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih

  19. Prostration (sujud)

    Go down with seven parts touching the ground: the forehead with the nose, both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet.

    Allahu AkbarSubhana Rabbiyal-A'la×3

  20. Sitting

    Sit up and rest a moment.

    Allahu AkbarRabbighfir li×2

  21. Prostration (sujud)

    Prostrate a second time.

    Allahu AkbarSubhana Rabbiyal-A'la×3

  22. Final sitting

    Sit for the tashahhud.

    Allahu Akbar

    التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ
    أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

    At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

    All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us and on the pious subjects of Allah. I testify that there is no Deity [worthy of worship] but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle

    Sahih al-Bukhari 831 · translation: Muhsin Khan

    اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ 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 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.

    O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your Blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3370 · translation: Muhsin Khan

  23. Ending

    Turn your head to the right, then to the left.

    السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

    As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah

    Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 295 · translation: Darussalam

Schools of law differ on some details: which words are said aloud, how to sit in the final tashahhud, and which wording of the tashahhud to use. This page follows narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari and the other collections cited, and a scholar you trust can tell you your own community’s practice.

The sunnah prayers

Around the five required prayers are voluntary ones the Prophet kept, called sunnah. In rak’ahs:

PrayerBeforeRequiredAfterNotes and sources
Fajr22NoneThe Prophet never missed the two before Fajr. Sahih al-Bukhari 1182
Dhuhr2 or 442Ibn Umar reports two before; Aisha and Umm Habibah report four. Sahih al-Bukhari 1180 Jami at-Tirmidhi 414 and 415
Asr4, optional4None"May Allah have mercy upon a man who prays four before Al-Asr." No voluntary prayer after Asr until sunset. Jami at-Tirmidhi 430 Sahih al-Bukhari 586
Maghrib2, for whoever wishes32Some scholars encourage two before Maghrib and some do not. Sahih al-Bukhari 1183 Sahih al-Bukhari 1180
IshaOptional42, then WitrWitr is an odd-numbered night prayer, commonly three rak'ahs. Some schools hold it obligatory. Sahih al-Bukhari 624 Sunan Abi Dawud 1422

Ibn Umar counted ten rak'ahs a day that the Prophet kept: two before Fajr, two before and two after Dhuhr, two after Maghrib and two after Isha. Aisha and Umm Habibah counted twelve, with four before Dhuhr. Schools of law differ on the details; follow the practice of your own community and teachers.

Why we pray

Spiritual connection

Salaat is a means to keep a strong connection with God throughout the day. It gives moments of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance of God's blessings.

Discipline and submission

Prayer builds discipline and submission in the heart. It reminds a Muslim of the duty to submit to the will of God in every part of life.

Purification of the soul

Each prayer is a purification of the soul, a chance to seek forgiveness, and an opportunity to seek guidance from God.

Community and unity

The daily prayers bring Muslims together in congregation, building community, brotherhood and unity.