Learn to pray
How to pray Salah
Step-by-step tutorials for each of the five daily prayers, Jumu'ah, Janazah, Witr, and Tahajjud. For new Muslims and children.
What is Salah?
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.
How to make Wudu (ablution)
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.
How to pray Salah (general)
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.
How to pray Fajr
obligatory · 2 rakats
Fajr is 2 rakats. It is prayed audibly (imam recites aloud when in congregation).
How to pray Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha
obligatory · 4 rakats
All three are 4 rakats. Dhuhr and Asr are silent; Isha's first two rakats are audible in congregation.
How to pray Maghrib
obligatory · 3 rakats
Maghrib is 3 rakats. First 2 rakats audible; rakat 3 silent. Prayed just after sunset.
How to pray Witr
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.
How to pray Jumu'ah (Friday prayer)
obligatory · 2 rakats
Jumu'ah replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays for men in congregation. It is 2 rakats preceded by two khutbahs (sermons).
How to pray Janazah
occasional
The funeral prayer — a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Four takbirs, no ruku, no sujud. Prayed standing.