The Five Daily Prayers
Muslims pray five times a day. Prayer includes standing, bowing, prostrating, reciting Qur'an, and speaking directly to God.
The Five Pillars
The five pillars are the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat charity, fasting Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Makkah for those able to go.
Worship Beyond Ritual
Serving parents, feeding someone, telling the truth, forgiving, visiting the sick, and helping neighbors can all be worship when done sincerely for God.
Prayer Shapes the Day
The five daily prayers create pauses throughout the day to remember God. A Muslim may pray at home, work, school, outdoors, or in the masjid. The prayer is structured, but it also includes personal humility, focus, and a direct turning toward the Creator.
Ramadan and Self-Discipline
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, avoiding food and drink while working to improve patience, gratitude, generosity, and self-control. The fast is not meant to be hunger alone; it is a month of spiritual renewal and concern for others.
Charity as Worship
Giving is central in Islam. Zakat is an annual obligation for those who qualify, and voluntary charity is encouraged at all times. Muslims are taught that wealth is a trust from God and that caring for the vulnerable is part of worship.
How Muslims Pray
Muslim prayer, called salah, follows a repeated pattern of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. Each prayer is made of units called rak‘ahs. The guide below explains the movement and meaning in plain English.
Rak‘ahs in the Five Daily Prayers
Step 1: Standing
God is greater.
The prayer begins by raising the hands and turning fully toward God. Muslims then recite Qur’an, including Al-Fatihah (The Opening), the opening chapter.
Step 2: Bowing
Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.
The person bows with humility, praising God’s greatness.
Step 3: Rising
God hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
The worshiper rises from bowing and thanks God.
Step 4: Prostrating
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
The forehead touches the ground. This is the most humble posture in the prayer.
Step 5: Sitting
My Lord, forgive me.
The worshiper sits briefly between two prostrations and asks for forgiveness.
Step 6: Closing
Peace and God’s mercy be upon you.
The prayer ends by turning to the right and left with a greeting of peace.
Fajr Prayer: What It Means
Fajr has two obligatory rak‘ahs. Many Muslims also pray two sunnah rak‘ahs before it, but the guide below explains the two obligatory rak‘ahs in English. In congregation, the imam usually recites the Qur’an aloud in Fajr.
Some opening supplications and short Qur’an selections vary by school, teacher, and community. This is a common beginner-friendly explanation of the sequence.
Preparation — Before starting
A Muslim silently intends to pray Fajr for Allah. The intention does not need a spoken formula.
Rak‘ah 1 — Opening takbir
The moment you say “Allahu Akbar” the prayer will officially begin. From this point forward you should focus wholeheartedly on the prayer and do your best to ignore all distractions.
Fun Fact: What do you think Allahu Akbar means? In most Arabic to English translations it is defined as “Allah is the Greatest.” However, the real meaning of the phrase is “Allah is Greater.” It means that Allah is greater than everything in existence. In the moment of praying salah, saying Allahu Akbar is a reminder to the Muslim that Allah is greater than all other thoughts and actions.
Rak‘ah 1 — Opening supplication
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that while you praying your eyes should always look to where you will prostrate.
Although it is not obligatory, it is also highly recommended to read the following dua (supplication) after saying Allahu Akbar:
subhanakal-lahumma wabihamdika
watabarakas-muka
wataa ‘ala jadduka
wala ilaha ghayruka.
How perfect you are, O Allah. I praise you
How blessed is Your name
How lofty is Your position
And none has the right to be worshipped but You
Rak‘ah 1 — Seeking protection and beginning
The first chapter of the Qur’an is called Surah Fatihah. You will begin by saying this Arabic phrase:
A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem
‘I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan (devil).’
Rak‘ah 1 — Al-Fatihah (The Opening)
And then begin to recite the chapter verse by verse in Arabic:
Bismillaahir ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil ‘alameen
Ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem
Maaliki yawmid deen
Iyyaaka na’aboodu wa iyyaaka nasta’een
Ihdeenas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an ‘amta’ alayhim
Ghayril maghduubi’ alayhim waladawleen
This is the meaning of the verses from Surah Fatihah:
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master on the Day of Recompense (Judgement Day).
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
The path of those who You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
After reciting Surah Fatihah, you can recite another chapter from the Qur’an. However, at a minimum you must recite Surah Fatihah in every raka’at of prayer.
Rak‘ah 1 — Example: Ad-Duha (The Morning Brightness)
By the morning brightness and by the night when it becomes still: your Lord has not left you, nor is He displeased. What comes later will be better for you than what came before, and your Lord will give to you until you are content. Did He not find you orphaned and give you shelter, find you searching and guide you, find you in need and enrich you? So do not mistreat the orphan, do not push away the one who asks, and speak openly of your Lord’s blessings.
Rak‘ah 1 — Bowing
As you are bowing down say ‘Allahu Akbar’. Make sure to keep your back straight, your hands on your knees, and your eyes focused on the ground where you will be prostrating.
When you are in this position you will say this sentence three times:
Subhanna rabbeeyal adheem
‘How perfect is my Lord, the Magnificent’
Rak‘ah 1 — Rising from bowing
As you are rising up from the ruku position to a standing position you will bring your hands to your ears and will say:
Samee Allahu leeman hameeda
‘Allah hears those who praise him’
And when you are standing upright then lower your hands to your waist and say:
Rabbana walakal hamd
‘Our Lord, to You is all praise’
Rak‘ah 1 — First prostration
As you are moving into this position say Allahu Akbar.
And also make sure your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees, and both toes are touching the ground.
Say this sentence three times:
Subhanna rabbeeyal ‘alaa
How perfect is my Lord, the Most High
Rak‘ah 1 — Sitting between prostrations
Say Allahu akbar as you rise from sujud and then sit on your left leg. Your left foot will rest on the floor while your right foot is upright. Place your hands on your knees.
When you are in this position it is recommended to ask Allah for forgiveness. A simple and easy dua you can say is:
Rabbigh-fir lee
O my Lord, forgive me.
Rak‘ah 1 — Second prostration
You will repeat step 9 again and perform a second sujud and say subhanna rabbeeyal ‘alaa three times again.
Rak‘ah 2 — Standing for the second rak‘ah
God is greater. The worshiper stands again to begin the second unit of Fajr.
Rak‘ah 2 — Al-Fatihah (The Opening)
All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Most Compassionate, 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.
Rak‘ah 2 — Example: Ash-Sharh (The Relief)
Did We not open your heart for you, lift from you the burden that weighed on your back, and raise your mention? So truly, with hardship comes ease; truly, with hardship comes ease. When you are finished, keep striving, and turn your longing toward your Lord.
Rak‘ah 2 — Bowing
God is greater. Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Rak‘ah 2 — Rising from bowing
Allah hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
Rak‘ah 2 — First prostration
The worshiper says, “God is greater,” then prostrates and says, “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
Rak‘ah 2 — Sitting between prostrations
The worshiper sits briefly and says, “God is greater. My Lord, forgive me.”
Rak‘ah 2 — Second prostration
The worshiper says, “God is greater,” then prostrates again and says, “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
Closing — Final sitting: tashahhud
Instead of standing up after the two sujud, this time around you will sit on your legs and knees again. You will raise your right index finger and say:
At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu
Assalaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakaatuh
Assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ebaadillaahis saaliheen,
Ash hadu allaa ilaha illa Allah Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhuu wa rasuuluh
All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah.
Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger
Closing — Prayers for the Prophet
If this is the final rakah in the prayer then you will add this part to the tashahud:
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad
Kamaa salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed
Wa baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad
Kamaa baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed
O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family (or followers) of Muhammad, Just as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family (or followers) of Ibrahim,
Verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family (or followers) of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family (or followers) of Ibraaheem,
Verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty.
Closing — Supplications before the greeting
Our Lord, give us good in this life and good in the next life, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, protect me, provide for me, and help me remember You, thank You, and worship You well.
Closing — Final greeting
Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you. The worshiper turns right and left to end the prayer.
The ‘tasleem’: after reciting the second part of the tashahud, you will say the “tasleem.”
The tasleem is to look to your right and say:
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah
And then to look to the left and say it again:
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah