Complete Guide to Daily Prayers (Salah)
Prayer (Salah) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after declaring faith. This
comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about performing the five daily prayers.
The Five Daily Prayers
1. Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
**Time**: From dawn until sunrise
**Rakats**: 2 Sunnah + 2 Fard
**Special Features**: Contains barakah (blessings) for the entire day
2. Dhuhr (Midday Prayer)
**Time**: After the sun passes its zenith until Asr time
**Rakats**: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah
**Benefits**: Breaks the busy day with spiritual connection
3. Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
**Time**: Mid-afternoon until just before sunset
**Rakats**: 4 Fard
**Importance**: The middle prayer mentioned in the Quran
4. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
**Time**: Just after sunset until Isha time
**Rakats**: 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah
**Timing**: Very narrow window, should be prayed promptly
5. Isha (Night Prayer)
**Time**: After twilight ends until dawn
**Rakats**: 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 3 Witr
**Night Prayer**: Can be extended with optional prayers
Prerequisites for Prayer
1. Purification (Wudu)
Clean body, clothes, and place of prayerRitual ablution (wudu) before each prayerFresh wudu if it breaks between prayers2. Prayer Direction (Qibla)
Face towards the Kaaba in MeccaUse a compass or Qibla app for accuracyIf unsure, make your best estimate3. Prayer Time
Each prayer has a specific time windowUse local Islamic calendar or prayer time appsBetter to pray early within the time rangeStep-by-Step Prayer Guide
Standing (Qiyam)
Stand facing QiblaFeet shoulder-width apartRaise hands to ear levelSay "Allahu Akbar" (Takbir)Recitation
Recite Al-Fatiha (The Opening)Recite another chapter or versesFor beginners, short chapters are fineBowing (Ruku)
Place hands on kneesKeep back straightSay "Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" (3 times)Standing from Ruku
Stand up straightSay "Sami'allahu liman hamidah""Rabbana lakal hamd"Prostration (Sujud)
Place forehead and nose on groundSeven points touch the groundSay "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (3 times)Sitting Between Prostrations
Sit on left footRight foot uprightBrief pause and supplicationFinal Sitting (Tashahhud)
Sit as between prostrationsPoint index fingerRecite Tashahhud and SalawatCompletion (Tasleem)
Turn head right: "Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah"Turn head left: "Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah"Common Mistakes to Avoid
Rushing through the prayerNot maintaining proper postureForgetting to recite silently or aloud appropriatelyMissing the prescribed number of rakatsNot maintaining focus and presenceTips for Consistent Prayer
Set reminders on your phoneLearn prayer times in your areaKeep prayer clothes readily availableFind a clean, quiet spaceStart with quality over quantityJoin congregation prayers when possibleRemember, prayer is a direct connection with Allah. While following the correct format is important, approaching it with
sincerity, humility, and presence is what truly matters.