You just took your Shahada. Someone congratulates you, hands you a prayer mat, and says: “Now you need to pray.”
You nod. Then panic sets in.
When exactly do I pray? What do I say? Which direction? Do I stand or sit? What if I mess up? What if my prayer doesn’t count because I did it wrong?
You open YouTube and find 47 different prayer tutorials. Some are 3 minutes long. Others are 45 minutes. Some show you praying with your hands at your chest. Others show hands at your sides. One video says you must recite certain things loudly. Another says silently.
You’re more confused than before.
Here’s what nobody clearly explains: Islamic prayer (Salah or Namaz) follows a specific structure, but it’s simpler than it looks. According to Islamic teaching documented in authentic hadith, you can learn the basic prayer in one day. Perfecting it takes practice, but Allah ﷻ accepts your sincere effort even when you make mistakes.
This article is your complete guide to all five daily prayers. You’ll learn when to pray, how to pray, what to recite, common mistakes to avoid, and why Muslims pray five times daily. By the end, you’ll be able to perform your first prayer with confidence.
Why Muslims Pray Five Times a Day
According to Islamic teaching, prayer is the second pillar of Islam (after the Shahada) and the most important pillar after belief in Allah ﷻ.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said in a hadith documented in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 528, Book 9, Hadith 8): “The covenant between us and them is prayer. Whoever abandons it has disbelieved.”
Another hadith in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 252, Book 2, Hadith 49) states: “The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is defective, then the rest of his deeds will be defective.”
How Five Prayers Became Obligatory:
According to Islamic history documented in authentic hadith collections, during the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s miraculous Night Journey (Isra wal Mi’raj), he ascended to the heavens and spoke directly with Allah ﷻ.
According to the hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 349, Book 8, Hadith 1), Allah ﷻ initially prescribed 50 prayers daily. When the Prophet ﷺ descended, Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) told him: “Go back and ask for reduction, because your followers cannot handle 50 prayers.”
The Prophet ﷺ went back multiple times until the prayers were reduced to five. Then Allah ﷻ said: “They are five prayers, but in reward they are fifty.”
This teaches: Five prayers are manageable but carry the reward of fifty.
The Purpose of Five Daily Prayers:
According to a hadith in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 668, Book 5, Hadith 364), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “If there was a river at the door of one of you in which he bathes five times a day, would any filth remain on him?” They said: “No filth would remain on him.” He said: “That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.”
Prayer purifies your soul daily, washing away minor sins and keeping you connected to Allah ﷻ.
The Five Daily Prayers: Names, Times, and Units
According to Islamic law, each prayer has a specific time window during which it must be performed. Missing a prayer without valid excuse is a major sin.
1. Salat al-Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
Number of Units (Raka’at): 2
Recitation: Loud (you should hear yourself clearly)
Time Window: From true dawn (when light first appears on horizon) until just before sunrise
Quranic reference:
[Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 78]
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.”
According to this verse and hadith, Fajr prayer is witnessed by angels—both the night shift angels and day shift angels are present, making it especially significant.
When to pray it: If sunrise in your location is at 6:30 AM, Fajr time might begin around 5:00 AM (this varies by location and season). Download a prayer time app for your specific area.
Special note: This is often the hardest prayer because you must wake before dawn. But according to hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 574, Book 9, Hadith 50), the Prophet ﷺ said: “If people knew what [reward] there is in the call to prayer and the first row, and they could not get that except by drawing lots, they would draw lots. And if they knew what [reward] there is in praying Duhr early, they would race to it. And if they knew what [reward] there is in [praying] Isha and Fajr, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.”
2. Salat al-Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
Number of Units (Raka’at): 4
Recitation: Silent (whisper—you can barely hear yourself)
Time Window: From when the sun passes its zenith (highest point) until late afternoon
When to pray it: Roughly from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM (varies by location and season).
Workplace note: If you work 9-5, this is the prayer you’ll likely perform during lunch break. According to Islamic law, you have the right to take a brief break (5-10 minutes) to pray.
3. Salat al-Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
Number of Units (Raka’at): 4
Recitation: Silent
Time Window: From mid-afternoon until just before sunset
When to pray it: Roughly from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (varies).
Important warning: According to hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 553, Book 9, Hadith 29), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as if he has lost his family and wealth.”
Don’t delay Asr until the last minute. The Prophet ﷺ called delaying it the sign of hypocrites.
4. Salat al-Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
Number of Units (Raka’at): 3
Recitation: Loud for first 2 units, silent for the 3rd
Time Window: From immediately after sunset until twilight completely disappears
When to pray it: Very narrow window—roughly 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM depending on location and season.
Special note: This has the shortest time window. Don’t delay it. As soon as the sun sets, pray Maghrib.
5. Salat al-Isha (Night Prayer)
Number of Units (Raka’at): 4
Recitation: Loud for first 2 units, silent for last 2
Time Window: From when twilight disappears until just before midnight
When to pray it: Roughly from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM (varies).
Recommended: According to hadith, it’s better to pray Isha later in its time window (around 9-10 PM) rather than immediately at the beginning, but don’t delay past midnight.
How to Determine Prayer Times
The easiest method: Download a prayer time app based on your location:
- Muslim Pro
- Salaat First
- IslamicFinder
- Athan
These apps calculate prayer times using your GPS coordinates and send notifications.
The traditional method: Learn to observe the sun’s position. Muslims prayed for 1,400 years before apps by watching shadows and celestial signs.
Step-by-Step: How to Perform Salah
According to Islamic jurisprudence, every prayer follows the same basic structure. What varies is the number of units (raka’at) and whether you recite loudly or silently.
Before You Begin: Prerequisites
1. Wudu (Ablution): You must be in a state of ritual purity. Perform wudu before prayer.
2. Clean place: Pray on a clean surface. A prayer mat helps but isn’t required.
3. Modest clothing: Cover your awrah (for men: navel to knees minimum; for women: entire body except face and hands).
4. Facing Qiblah: Face the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Use a compass app or mosque’s direction markers.
5. Right intention (Niyyah): Intend in your heart which prayer you’re performing. You don’t say it out loud.
The Prayer Movements (One Unit/Raka’ah)
STEP 1: Takbeer al-Ihram (Opening Takbeer)
- Stand upright
- Raise both hands to shoulder or ear level, palms facing forward
- Say: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
- Place right hand over left hand on your chest (or below navel—scholars differ)
STEP 2: Opening Dua
Recite silently:
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk
Translation: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and exalted is Your Majesty. There is no god but You.”
STEP 3: Ta’awwudh and Surah Al-Fatiha
Say silently: A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the accursed)
Then say: Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (REQUIRED in every unit):
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘alamin
Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem
Maliki yawmid-Deen
Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem
Siratal-ladhina an’amta ‘alaihim, ghairil-maghdubi ‘alaihim wa lad-dalleen
Ameen
Translation:
“All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the 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 on the straight path,
The path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned anger or gone astray.
Amen.”
STEP 4: Another Surah (First 2 units only)
After Al-Fatiha, recite another short surah. Beginners typically use:
- Surah Al-Ikhlas
- Surah Al-Falaq
- Surah An-Nas
- Surah Al-Kawthar
STEP 5: Ruku (Bowing)
- Say Allahu Akbar while going down
- Bow with hands on knees, back straight
- Say 3 times: Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (Glory to my Lord, the Most Great)
STEP 6: Standing Back Up
- Say while rising: Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears whoever praises Him)
- Stand fully upright and say: Rabbana wa lakal hamd (Our Lord, to You is all praise)
STEP 7: Sujud (Prostration) – First Time
- Say Allahu Akbar while going down
- Prostrate with forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touching the ground
- Say 3 times: Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (Glory to my Lord, the Most High)
STEP 8: Sitting Between Prostrations
- Say Allahu Akbar while sitting up
- Sit briefly on your left foot, right foot upright
- Say: Rabbighfir li (My Lord, forgive me) – can say 1-3 times
STEP 9: Sujud (Prostration) – Second Time
- Say Allahu Akbar while going down
- Prostrate again
- Say 3 times: Subhana Rabbiyal A’la
STEP 10: Standing for Next Unit
- Say Allahu Akbar while standing up
- If more units remain, repeat from Step 3
That’s ONE unit complete.
Tashahhud (Testimony) – After Every 2nd Unit
After completing 2 units, instead of standing, remain sitting and recite:
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh
Translation:
“All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
If this is the final sitting (end of 2-unit prayer or after 3rd/4th unit), add:
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid
Translation:
“O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”
Tasleem (Ending the Prayer)
Turn your head to the right and say: Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)
Turn your head to the left and say: Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullah
Your prayer is complete.
Putting It Together: Each of the 5 Prayers
Fajr (2 Units – Both Loud)
- Perform 1st unit with Al-Fatiha + another surah (recite loudly)
- Perform 2nd unit with Al-Fatiha + another surah (recite loudly)
- Sit for Tashahhud and Salawat
- Tasleem (end prayer)
Dhuhr (4 Units – All Silent)
- Perform 1st unit (silent)
- Perform 2nd unit (silent)
- Sit for first Tashahhud (short version only)
- Stand for 3rd unit (only Al-Fatiha, no extra surah)
- Perform 4th unit (only Al-Fatiha, no extra surah)
- Sit for final Tashahhud and Salawat
- Tasleem
Asr (4 Units – All Silent)
Same as Dhuhr.
Maghrib (3 Units – First 2 Loud, 3rd Silent)
- Perform 1st unit with Al-Fatiha + another surah (loud)
- Perform 2nd unit with Al-Fatiha + another surah (loud)
- Sit for first Tashahhud
- Stand for 3rd unit (only Al-Fatiha, silent)
- Sit for final Tashahhud and Salawat
- Tasleem
Isha (4 Units – First 2 Loud, Last 2 Silent)
- Perform 1st unit (loud)
- Perform 2nd unit (loud)
- Sit for first Tashahhud
- Perform 3rd unit (silent, only Al-Fatiha)
- Perform 4th unit (silent, only Al-Fatiha)
- Sit for final Tashahhud and Salawat
- Tasleem
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting Wudu
Your prayer is invalid without wudu. If you break wudu during prayer (pass gas, use bathroom, etc.), you must stop, redo wudu, and start the prayer over.
Mistake 2: Not Facing Qiblah
Praying in the wrong direction invalidates your prayer. Use a Qiblah compass or app. If you genuinely tried your best and later realize you were wrong, according to scholarly opinion, your prayer counts.
Mistake 3: Skipping Surah Al-Fatiha
According to hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 756, Book 10, Hadith 150), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha).”
You MUST recite Al-Fatiha in every unit. If you forget, your prayer is invalid.
Mistake 4: Rushing
Don’t speed through prayer. According to hadith, the Prophet ﷺ saw a man praying quickly and said: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.”
Each position should be held long enough to be stable. Your back should be level in ruku. Your forehead should rest firmly in sujud.
Mistake 5: Not Learning Proper Pronunciation
Mispronouncing Quran can change meanings entirely. Learn from a teacher or use audio apps to perfect pronunciation.
What If You Make a Mistake?
According to Islamic law:
If you skip a required action (like Tashahhud): Perform two extra prostrations before ending the prayer (Sujud as-Sahw).
If you genuinely forget how many units you’ve prayed: Make your best guess and continue. Perform Sujud as-Sahw at the end.
If you realize mid-prayer you don’t have wudu: Stop immediately. Redo wudu. Start the prayer over.
If you’re learning and make mistakes: Keep practicing. According to hadith documented in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6464, Book 81, Hadith 53), Allah ﷻ is merciful to those who are learning and trying their best.
For Absolute Beginners: The Simplified Version
If you literally just became Muslim today and cannot memorize everything immediately, according to scholarly guidance, you can start with an extremely simplified prayer:
Stand: Say Allahu Akbar
Recite: Whatever you know from Quran (even if it’s just Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem)
Bow: Say Subhanallah 3 times
Stand: Say Alhamdulillah
Prostrate: Say Subhanallah 3 times
Sit: Say Alhamdulillah
Prostrate again: Say Subhanallah 3 times
End: Say Assalamu alaikum to the right and left
This is NOT the correct prayer, but it’s acceptable while you’re learning according to some scholars. Work immediately on memorizing Surah Al-Fatiha so you can pray properly.
After Prayer: Recommended Adhkar
According to Sunnah documented in authentic hadith collections, after completing the obligatory prayer, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would recite:
Say 33 times each:
- Subhanallah (Glory to Allah)
- Alhamdulillah (Praise to Allah)
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)
Then say once:
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir
(There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things)
According to hadith, whoever says this after each prayer, their sins will be forgiven even if they are as abundant as sea foam.
Your Next Move
You just learned the structure of all five daily prayers.
Now what?
1. Download a prayer app to get accurate prayer times for your location.
2. Learn Surah Al-Fatiha perfectly. You cannot pray without it. Spend today memorizing it.
3. Watch one video demonstration of the complete prayer to see the movements in action.
4. Pray your first prayer. Don’t wait until you’re perfect. Pray today—even if you mess up, even if you’re uncertain. Allah ﷻ values your sincere effort.
5. Practice daily. You’ll be praying five times a day for the rest of your life. You’ll get better through repetition.
The Quran commands:
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 45]
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].”
Prayer is difficult at first. But according to hadith in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 223, Book 2, Hadith 32), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “The coolness of my eyes was placed in prayer.”
What felt like burden becomes comfort. What felt like obligation becomes refuge. What felt difficult becomes the best part of your day.
But only if you start.
Make wudu right now. Face the Qiblah. Say Allahu Akbar. And pray your first prayer.
Your life as a praying Muslim begins today.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting Islamic prayer method based on authentic sources, readers are strongly advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars or certified prayer instructors for verification of movements, pronunciations, and rulings. Different schools of Islamic jurisprudence may have minor variations in prayer methodology.