Namaz / Salah
Salah (namaz) is the five daily prayers. It is the most regular act of worship in a Muslim’s day: standing, bowing, and prostrating before Allah. This page gives a general overview for beginners. Details of hand placement and some recitations differ among recognised schools of law; learn the method your teacher follows.
Why Salah matters
The Quran commands believers to establish prayer. Salah keeps the day turned toward Allah, teaches discipline, and is one of the five pillars of Islam alongside the shahadah, zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and Hajj for those who are able.
The five daily prayers
Exact clock times change with location and season. Use a reliable local timetable or app, then confirm with your teacher if you are unsure.
- Fajr — before sunrise.
- Dhuhr — after the sun has passed its highest point.
- Asr — in the afternoon.
- Maghrib — just after sunset.
- Isha — at night.
Preparation
Pray in a clean place, facing the qiblah (the direction of the Ka‘bah in Makkah). Clothing should cover the awrah as required. Make wudu if you are not already in a state of wudu. Form the intention (niyyah) in the heart for the prayer you are about to pray.
A general outline of Salah
A rak‘ah is one cycle of standing, bowing, and two prostrations. Fajr is two rak‘ahs, Maghrib is three, and Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha are four (the obligatory prayers). How the hands are placed, whether some recitations are said aloud or quietly, and certain extra words in the sitting can differ. None of those differences should be presented here as the only valid way.
- Stand facing the qiblah and begin with Allahu Akbar (the opening takbir).
- Recite the opening of the Quran, Surat al-Fatihah. In some methods, another short surah follows in the first two rak‘ahs.
- Bow (ruku‘), then stand, then prostrate (sujud) twice. That completes one rak‘ah.
- After the required number of rak‘ahs, sit for the tashahhud, send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, then end with salam to the right and left.
Essential recitations beginners learn first
Opening takbir
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
Allah is the Greatest.
Surat al-Fatihah (opening)
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-ʿālamīn…
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds… (complete the surah with your teacher).
Quran, Surat al-Fatihah.Common beginner mistakes
- Rushing so that bowing and prostration are not still.
- Skipping wudu or praying after wudu has been broken.
- Guessing the qiblah when a simple check would help.
- Memorising sounds without learning Fatihah accurately — a teacher should correct this early.
Important notes
- Women and men both pray Salah. A female teacher is available at this academy for sisters who prefer one.
- If you miss a prayer, ask a teacher how to make it up in your situation rather than guessing from the internet.
Learn with a teacher
Reading a guide is a start. Live one-to-one classes help with pronunciation, questions, and a method you can keep.
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