How to pray, step by step.

Salah is the pillar of religion and your daily meeting with Allah. It may feel like a lot to learn at first, but you can start today and improve every week. Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to a two-rak'ah prayer like Fajr, and then the rest.

Start where you are

If you can't yet recite everything in Arabic, keep learning and do your best; ask a scholar about your situation as a new Muslim. Use our Prayer times page for times in Hyderabad and your city. Details vary slightly between maraji', so confirm with your marja's rulings.

The five daily prayers

Shia Muslims may pray Zuhr and Asr together, and Maghrib and Isha together, one after the other, a practice taught by the Ahlulbayt (a) based on the Prophet's (s) own practice.

Before you begin

• Wudu (Lesson 6), clean body, clothes and place.
• Face the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba; use a compass app).
• Place a turbah (sajdagah: a small piece of clean earth or clay) where your forehead will touch. Shia Muslims prostrate on earth or natural things that aren't eaten or worn, following the Ahlulbayt (a).
• Men cover from navel to knees at minimum; women cover the whole body except the face and hands (to the wrists) and feet (to the ankles).

Steps of a 2-rak'ah prayer (Fajr)

1. Niyyah: intend in your heart: "I pray two rak'ahs of Fajr to become close to Allah."
2. Takbirat al-Ihram: raise your hands to your ears and say Allahu Akbar. Stand still, hands by your sides.
3. Qiyam (standing): recite Surah al-Fatiha, then another complete surah (e.g. al-Ikhlas).
4. Ruku' (bowing): say Allahu Akbar (recommended), bow with hands on knees and say "Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azimi wa bihamdih".
5. Stand up straight again.
6. Sujud (prostration): forehead on the turbah, with palms, knees and big toes on the ground; say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la wa bihamdih".
7. Sit briefly, then second sujud with the same dhikr.
8. Stand for the second rak'ah: recite al-Fatiha and another surah again.
9. Qunut (recommended): raise your hands in front of your face and make a short du'a, e.g. "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina 'adhaban-nar."
10. Ruku' and two sujud as before.
11. Tashahhud (sitting): "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh. Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa Ali Muhammad."
12. Salam: "As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh."

3- and 4-rak'ah prayers

• After the tashahhud in the second rak'ah (without salam), stand for the third rak'ah.
• In the 3rd and 4th rak'ahs, recite either al-Fatiha, or the Tasbihat al-Arba'ah: "Subhanallahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar" (once is sufficient for many maraji'; three times is recommended).
• After the last rak'ah: tashahhud and salam.

After prayer

Recite the Tasbih of Sayyida Fatima (a): Allahu Akbar ×34, Alhamdulillah ×33, Subhanallah ×33. Use our Tasbih page to count.