Salah — the five daily prayers — is the second pillar of Islam and the most regular act of worship in a Muslim's life. If you're just starting out, it can feel like a lot to learn, but millions of people before you have learned it one step at a time. This guide walks you through the essentials.
Step 1: Make wudu (ablution)
Before praying you must be in a state of ritual purity. Wudu involves washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms up to the elbows, wiping the head and ears, and washing the feet up to the ankles — each in order. It takes two minutes at a sink and remains valid until broken (for example, by using the toilet or sleeping).
Step 2: Face the Qibla and make your intention
Stand facing the direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah. From the UK, the Qibla is roughly south-east — about 119° from north in London. You can use our Qibla finder to get the exact bearing for your city. Intention (niyyah) is made in the heart: know which prayer you are praying and that it is for Allah alone.
Step 3: The structure of a rak'ah
Every prayer is made of units called rak'ahs. Each rak'ah follows the same pattern, so once you learn one, you have learned them all.
- Standing (qiyam): recite Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by any short surah you know.
- Bowing (ruku): say 'Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim' (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) three times.
- Standing up: say 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal-hamd'.
- Prostration (sujud): forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes on the ground. Say 'Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la' three times.
- Sit briefly, then prostrate a second time. That completes one rak'ah.
Step 4: How many rak'ahs in each prayer?
- Fajr (dawn): 2 rak'ahs
- Dhuhr (midday): 4 rak'ahs
- Asr (afternoon): 4 rak'ahs
- Maghrib (sunset): 3 rak'ahs
- Isha (night): 4 rak'ahs
In the final sitting of every prayer you recite the tashahhud, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, then end by turning your head to the right and left saying 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah'.
Start where you are
Don't wait until you've memorised everything perfectly. Scholars advise beginners to pray with what they know — even reciting transliteration from a card — and improve gradually. Praying on time matters more than praying perfectly. Check today's prayer times for your city on The BRB and set reminders for each prayer.