Learn to pray
Step-by-step tutorials for each of the five daily prayers, Jumu'ah, Janazah, Witr, and Tahajjud. For new Muslims and children.
Salah (Arabic: صَلَاة) is the ritual prayer performed five times daily by every Muslim beyond puberty — at dawn (Fajr), midday (Zuhr), afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and night (Isha). Each prayer is a fixed sequence of standing, bowing (rukūʿ), and prostrating (sujūd), recited in Arabic while facing the Qiblah — the direction of the Kaʿbah in Makkah. It is the second pillar of Islam after the shahada and the first act every Muslim is accountable for on the Day of Judgement.
obligatory
Wudu is the ritual washing that purifies you for Salah, tawaf, and reading the Quran directly. It stays valid until broken by things like sleep, using the bathroom, or passing wind.
obligatory · 2 rakats
The universal structure of a rakat. Once you know this, you can pray any Salah — the number of rakats changes, the rakat itself does not.
obligatory · 2 rakats
Fajr is 2 rakats. It is prayed audibly (imam recites aloud when in congregation).
obligatory · 4 rakats
All three are 4 rakats. Dhuhr and Asr are silent; Isha's first two rakats are audible in congregation.
obligatory · 3 rakats
Maghrib is 3 rakats. First 2 rakats audible; rakat 3 silent. Prayed just after sunset.
sunnah · 3 rakats
Witr is an odd-numbered voluntary prayer — 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 rakats. The Prophet ﷺ never left it. The most common practice is 3 rakats.
obligatory · 2 rakats
Jumu'ah replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays for men in congregation. It is 2 rakats preceded by two khutbahs (sermons).
occasional
The funeral prayer — a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Four takbirs, no ruku, no sujud. Prayed standing.