Ṣalāh, the five daily prayers, is the second pillar of Islam and the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. It is your direct connection to Allah — five appointments a day to stand before your Creator.
If you are new to Islam, don't worry about learning everything at once. Start with one prayer, learn it well, and build from there. Allah looks at your sincerity and effort.
🕔 The Five Daily Prayers
Each prayer has a set number of obligatory units, called rakʿahs. Here are the five, with their obligatory (farḍ) rakʿahs:
Before praying, you must be in a state of purity. Make wuḍū' by washing in this order, beginning with the intention in your heart and saying Bismillāh:
Wash your hands up to the wrists, three times.
Rinse your mouth three times, then your nose (sniff water in, blow out) three times.
Wash your face three times, from forehead to chin and ear to ear.
Wash your arms up to and including the elbows, three times — right then left.
Wipe your head once, passing wet hands from front to back, and wipe your ears.
Wash your feet up to and including the ankles, three times — right then left.
Your wuḍū' lasts until it is broken (e.g. by using the bathroom or sleeping). You only need to renew it when broken.
🤲 Step 2 — Praying One Rakʿah
Face the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaʿbah in Makkah), make the intention in your heart for the prayer you're about to perform, then begin. Here is one rakʿah:
Takbīr. Raise your hands and say اللّٰهُ أَكْبَر(Allāhu Akbar — "Allah is the Greatest"), then place your right hand over your left on your chest.
Recite Al-Fātiḥah. The opening chapter of the Qur'an, recited in every rakʿah. In the first two rakʿahs you may add another short surah (e.g. Al-Ikhlāṣ).
Rukūʿ (bowing). Say Allāhu Akbar and bow, hands on knees, back straight. Say three times: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm ("Glory to my Lord, the Most Great").
Stand back up. Rise saying Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah, Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd ("Allah hears the one who praises Him; our Lord, to You is all praise").
Sujūd (prostration). Say Allāhu Akbar and prostrate — forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground. Say three times: Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā ("Glory to my Lord, the Most High").
Sit briefly, saying Allāhu Akbar, then prostrate a second time the same way.
That completes one rakʿah. Stand up saying Allāhu Akbar and repeat for the next rakʿah.
Finishing the prayer
After the last rakʿah, remain sitting and recite the Tashahhud, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, then end the prayer by turning your head to the right and saying As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh, then to the left and repeating it.
💡 Tips for New Muslims
Start small. Learn Fajr (just 2 rakʿahs) first, then add the others one at a time.
Memorize Al-Fātiḥah first — you need it in every prayer. The masjid can help you learn it.
Use a prayer app or chart for the times and the qiblah direction until it becomes second nature.
Pray in congregation at the masjid when you can — it's a beautiful way to learn by following along.
Don't be discouraged by mistakes. Everyone learns gradually. Allah rewards your effort and consistency.
🤝 Learn to Pray With Us
The best way to learn ṣalāh is in person. Come to the masjid and let a brother or sister walk you through it step by step — you're always welcome.