Namaz (Salah) is the Second Pillar of Islam and must be performed five times daily. This comprehensive guide covers every type of prayer: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, Jumu'ah, Witr, Eid (Eid ul-Fitr & Eid ul-Adha), Tarawih, Tahajjud, Janazah (Funeral prayer), Istikhara, and Duha (Chasht).
Five conditions must be met before prayer begins. Prayer is invalid without them.
Each prayer is made up of rakats (units). Every rakat follows these 14 steps:
Raise both hands to your earlobes (men) or shoulders (women), palms facing the Qibla. Say "Allahu Akbar" and fold your right hand over your left on your chest. This officially begins the prayer.
Arabic: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Transliteration: Allahu Akbar | Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.
After folding your hands, recite this opening supplication silently. Recited only once at the very beginning of the prayer (Dua al-Istiftah).
Arabic: سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Transliteration: Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
Meaning: Glory be to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.
Recite Ta'awwudh silently (1st rakah only), then Bismillah silently before every Surah.
Arabic: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Transliteration: A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem | Bismillahir-rahmanir-raheem
Meaning: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil | In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha in every rakah. It is the pillar of prayer. The Imam recites aloud in Fajr, Maghrib, Isha Fard prayers; silently in Dhuhr and Asr. Say "Ameen" after finishing.
Arabic: ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-'alamin. Ar-rahmanir-raheem. Maliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dalleen. Ameen.
Meaning: Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You blessed, not of those who earned anger, nor of those who are astray.
After Al-Fatiha, recite any Surah or at least 3 consecutive Quran verses. Common choices: Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), An-Naas (114), Al-Kawthar (108). Only in the first 2 rakats. In the 3rd and 4th rakats, recite only Al-Fatiha.
Say "Allahu Akbar" while bending forward. Place hands on knees with fingers spread. Keep your back flat and horizontal. Remain still and recite the Tasbih at least 3 times.
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ | Transliteration: Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem (x3) | Meaning: Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent. (x3)
Rise from Ruku saying "Sami Allahu liman hamidah." When fully upright and still, say "Rabbana lakal hamd."
Arabic: سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ | Transliteration: Sami Allahu liman hamidah | Rabbana lakal hamd | Meaning: Allah hears those who praise Him | Our Lord, to You is all praise.
Say "Allahu Akbar" while descending. Go down: knees → palms → forehead and nose. All 7 limbs must touch: forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes of both feet.
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى | Transliteration: Subhana Rabbiyal A'la (x3) | Meaning: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (x3)
Rise from the first Sujood saying "Allahu Akbar." Sit on your left foot with the right foot upright, toes pointing toward Qibla. Recite "Rabbighfirli" before the second Sujood.
Arabic: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي | Transliteration: Rabbighfirli | Meaning: Lord, forgive me.
Perform the second Sujood exactly like the first. This completes one full rakah. If this is the last rakah, proceed to the Qa'dah.
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى | Transliteration: Subhana Rabbiyal A'la (x3) | Meaning: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (x3)
After the 2nd Sujood of every 2nd rakah, sit in the Qa'dah position and recite the Tashahhud. In prayers of 3-4 rakats, this is the first sitting — recite Tashahhud only, then rise.
Arabic: التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Transliteration: At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
Meaning: All greetings, prayers and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah. Peace be upon us and upon all righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
After Tashahhud in the final sitting, recite Durood Ibrahim. This is Wajib in the final sitting. Do NOT recite it in the first sitting of a 3 or 4 rakat prayer.
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Transliteration: Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum Majeed. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum Majeed.
Meaning: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim — You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim — You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
After Durood Ibrahim, recite this dua or any dua from Quran and Hadith. You may also make personal supplications in any language.
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman katheeran wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika warhamni innaka antal-Ghafurur-Raheem.
Meaning: O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, and none forgives sins except You. So grant me forgiveness from You, and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
End the prayer by turning your head to the RIGHT and saying Salaam, then to the LEFT. This officially ends the prayer. Right Salaam is Fard; left is Wajib.
Arabic: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ | Transliteration: As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah (right, then left) | Meaning: Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.
| Prayer | Sunnah (before) | Fard | Sunnah (after) | Witr/Nafl | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 Sunnah Muakkadah | 2 | — | — | 4 |
| Dhuhr | 4 Sunnah Muakkadah | 4 | 2 Sunnah Muakkadah | 2 Nafl | 12 |
| Asr | 4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah | 4 | — | — | 8 |
| Maghrib | — | 3 | 2 Sunnah Muakkadah | 2 Nafl | 7 |
| Isha | 4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah | 4 | 2 Sunnah Muakkadah | 3 Witr + 2 Nafl | 15 |
2 Sunnah Muakkadah + 2 Fard = 4 rakats total. Fard recited aloud by Imam. Do not pray Nafl after Fard until the sun has fully risen. "The two rak'ahs before Fajr are better than the world and everything in it." (Muslim 725)
4 Sunnah Muakkadah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah Muakkadah + 2 Nafl = 12 rakats total. Fard recited silently. On Fridays, Dhuhr is replaced by Jumu'ah prayer (2 Fard after Khutbah). The 4 Sunnah before Dhuhr are highly emphasized.
4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah + 4 Fard = 8 rakats total. Fard recited silently. No Sunnah or Nafl after Asr until sunset. "Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as though he lost his family and wealth." (Bukhari 552)
3 Fard + 2 Sunnah Muakkadah + 2 Nafl = 7 rakats total. Fard recited aloud. In the 3rd rakat, recite only Al-Fatiha (no additional Surah). Maghrib window ends when red twilight disappears. The Prophet and his companions almost never delayed Maghrib.
4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah Muakkadah + 3 Witr (Wajib) + 2 Nafl = 15 rakats total. Fard recited aloud. Witr must be the last prayer before Fajr. "Whoever prays Isha in congregation is as if he prayed half the night." (Muslim 656)
Obligatory for adult Muslim men. Replaces Dhuhr. Cannot be prayed alone. Structure: 4 Sunnah (before Khutbah) + 2 Fard (after Khutbah, aloud) + 4 Sunnah + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl.
Steps: (1) Take Ghusl and arrive early. (2) Pray 4 Sunnah before Imam ascends. (3) Fall completely silent during Khutbah — listening is Wajib. (4) Imam leads 2 Fard rakats aloud. (5) After Fard: pray 4 Sunnah, then 2 Sunnah, then 2 Nafl. Those who miss Jumu'ah must pray 4 rakats Dhuhr.
3 Wajib rakats (Hanafi) prayed after Isha and before Fajr. Steps: (1) Pray 2 rakats normally with Qa'dah Ula (Tashahhud only). (2) Rise for 3rd rakat. (3) Recite Al-Fatiha and Surah. (4) Say Allahu Akbar raising hands, then fold and recite Dua al-Qunoot silently. (5) Perform Ruku, Sujood, complete with full Qa'dah Akhirah.
Dua al-Qunoot Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
Transliteration: Allahumma inna nasta'eenuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu'minu bika wa natawakkalu 'alayka wa nuthni 'alaykal-khayr. Wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruka wa nakhla'u wa natruku man yafjuruk. Allahumma iyyaka na'budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu wa ilayka nas'a wa nahfidu wa narju rahmataka wa nakhsha 'adhabak. Inna 'adhabaka bilkuffari mulhiq.
Meaning: O Allah, we seek Your help, Your forgiveness, and we believe in You. We rely on You and praise You with all good. We thank You and are not ungrateful. We abandon whoever disobeys You. O Allah, we worship You alone, pray and prostrate to You alone. To You we strive and hasten. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Truly, Your punishment will befall the disbelievers.
2 Wajib rakats with 6 extra Takbeers (3 in each rakat). Prayed in congregation on Eid morning. Khutbah comes AFTER the prayer (unlike Jumu'ah).
1st Rakat: Takbiratul Ihram (fold hands) → Thana → 3 extra Takbeers (raise hands and drop to sides each time) → 4th Takbeer into Qiyam → Al-Fatiha → Additional Surah → complete rakah normally.
2nd Rakat: Al-Fatiha → Additional Surah → 3 extra Takbeers (raise hands, drop to sides) → 4th Takbeer going INTO Ruku → complete rakat → Qa'dah Akhirah → Salaam. If you miss the Eid prayer in congregation, you do NOT make it up individually.
20 Sunnah Muakkadah rakats during Ramadan, prayed in sets of 2 with rest breaks. The Imam recites large portions of the Quran, completing it by end of Ramadan. After every 4 rakats, take a short rest (tarweeha). After 20 Tarawih rakats, pray 3 Witr to conclude. Some scholars pray 8 rakats plus 3 Witr — both are valid.
2 to 12 Nafl rakats prayed after sleeping. Best in the last third of the night. Steps: (1) Sleep after Isha, then wake for last third of night (roughly 90 min before Fajr). (2) Make fresh Wudu. (3) Begin with 2 brief light rakats. (4) Pray 2 rakats at a time as many as desired. (5) End with 3 Witr if not already prayed. "Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night..." (Bukhari 1145)
4 Takbeers with no Ruku or Sujood. Fard Kifayah — obligatory on the community. Steps: (1) Stand facing Qibla with janazah in front. (2) 1st Takbeer: fold hands, recite Thana silently. (3) 2nd Takbeer: recite Durood Ibrahim silently. (4) 3rd Takbeer: recite Dua for the deceased. (5) 4th Takbeer: Salaam right and left.
Janazah Dua Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ
Transliteration: Allahummaghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina wa shahidina wa gha'ibina wa saghirina wa kabirina wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi 'alal-Islam wa man tawaffaytahu minna fatawaffahu 'alal-iman.
Meaning: O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive from us, keep him on Islam, and whoever You cause to die, let him die upon faith.
2 Nafl rakats followed by the Istikhara dua, for seeking Allah's guidance in an important decision. Steps: (1) Pray 2 Nafl rakats (not during forbidden prayer times). (2) After Salaam, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara dua sincerely, mentioning your specific matter. (3) Proceed with the decision — trust in Allah's decree. There is no specific sign to wait for; proceed with whichever option your heart is at peace with.
Istikhara Dua Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika wa astaqdiruka biqudratika wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'azeem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri faqdurihi li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
Meaning: O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For You are capable and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for me in my religion, livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs — decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it for me. And if You know it is evil for me — turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree good for me wherever it is, then make me content with it.
Ishraq: 2 Nafl rakats prayed 15-20 minutes after sunrise. Duha: 2 to 12 Nafl rakats until mid-morning. Steps: (1) After Fajr, remain seated in dhikr and remembrance of Allah. (2) After sunrise, wait approximately 15-20 minutes. (3) Pray 2 rakats of Ishraq. (4) For Duha, pray additional sets of 2 rakats up to 12 total before sun reaches its zenith. "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits in dhikr until sunrise, then prays 2 rakats, will have the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah." (Tirmidhi 586)
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