How to Pray — step by step

1. Wudu (ablution)

The washing before prayer. Renew it if broken (using the toilet, deep sleep, blood flow).

1. 1.

   Begin with intention and Bismillah

   Quietly intend to perform wudu (no need to say the words aloud) and say 'Bismillah' — 'In the name of Allah'.

2. 2.

   Wash your hands three times

   Wash both hands up to the wrists, including between the fingers. Three times.

3. 3.

   Rinse your mouth and nose three times

   Take water into the mouth and gently swirl. Then sniff a small amount of water into the nose and blow it out. Three times each.

4. 4.

   Wash the face three times

   From hairline to chin, ear to ear. Three times.

5. 5.

   Wash your arms to the elbows three times

   Right arm first, then left, including the elbows. Three times each.

6. 6.

   Wipe your head once

   Wet hands, then pass them over the top of the head once.

7. 7.

   Wipe your ears once

   Use your index fingers inside the ears and thumbs behind them.

8. 8.

   Wash your feet to the ankles three times

   Right foot first, then left, including between the toes and the ankles. Three times each.

2. One rakah of prayer

This is one rakah. Each prayer has 2, 3, or 4 rakahs.

1. 1.

   Stand facing the Qibla and make intention

   Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart, facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Silently intend the specific prayer (e.g. 'I intend to pray two rakahs of Fajr for the sake of Allah').

2. 2.

   Takbir al-Ihram

   Raise both hands to your ears (or shoulders, depending on madhab) and say 'Allahu Akbar' — 'Allah is the Greatest'. The prayer has now begun.

   اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

   Allahu Akbar

3. 3.

   Place hands and recite

   Place your right hand over your left on your chest or just below the navel (madhab dependent). Recite Surah Al-Fatiha — the opening chapter — followed by another short surah (e.g. Al-Ikhlas).

4. 4.

   Ruku — bowing

   Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow with a flat back, hands on knees. Say 'Subhana Rabbi al-'Adheem' three times — 'Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent'.

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

   Subhana Rabbi al-'Adheem

5. 5.

   Stand back up (i'tidal)

   Rise saying 'Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah' — 'Allah hears whoever praises Him'. Once standing: 'Rabbana wa laka al-hamd' — 'Our Lord, to You is all praise'.

6. 6.

   Sujud — prostration

   Say 'Allahu Akbar' and go down into prostration: forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes touching the ground. Say 'Subhana Rabbi al-A'la' three times — 'Glory to my Lord, the Most High'.

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

   Subhana Rabbi al-A'la

7. 7.

   Sit briefly, then second sujud

   Say 'Allahu Akbar', sit on your left foot with the right foot upright. Brief moment. Say 'Allahu Akbar' and prostrate again, repeating the dhikr.

8. 8.

   Stand up for the next rakah (or sit for tashahhud)

   If more rakahs remain, stand and start again from Al-Fatiha. After every two rakahs, sit and recite the Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat). At the end of the final rakah, also recite the Salawat (sending peace upon the Prophet ﷺ).

9. 9.

   End with Tasleem

   Turn your face right and say 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah'. Then to the left, repeating it. Your prayer is complete.

   السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

   As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah

3. How many rakahs per prayer?

• Fajr2

  Before sunrise.

• Dhuhr4

  After midday.

• Asr4

  Mid–late afternoon.

• Maghrib3

  Just after sunset.

• Isha4

  Night.

Note: These are the obligatory (fard) rakahs. There are also recommended (sunnah) rakahs. Once the basics feel comfortable, add sunnahs gradually.