The 5 daily prayer's

The number of Rak'ahs at each appointed time

The number of rak'ah at each appointed prayer is as followed:

Fajr - 2 rakʿah's

Ẓuhr - 4 rakʿahs

ʿAṣr - 4 rakʿahs

Maghrib - 3 rakʿahs

ʿIshāʾ - 4 rakʿahs

There are 17 obligatory rakʿahs across the five daily prayers. As a Muslim, it is important to learn how to pray correctly rather than rushing. Take your time, learn each step gradually, and In shāʾ Allāh, with practice, you will soon be able to complete all five daily prayers with confidence.

We understand that there is a lot to take in at once. To make things easier, we will also be providing a video demonstration of the prayer soon.

Facing the Qiblah and opening the Prayer

When you pray, face the Qiblah, which is the direction of the Kaʿbah in Makkah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed a man who had prayed incorrectly: “When you stand for prayer, perform ablution properly, then face the Qiblah and pronounce the takbīr.” If you do not know which direction the Qiblah is, do your best to find out and then pray. Before starting the prayer, make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are about to perform. You do not need to say the intention out loud. After facing the Qiblah and making your intention, raise your hands and say “Allāhu Akbar” (الله أكبر), meaning “Allah is the Greatest.” This is called the Opening Takbīr. After saying Allāhu Akbar, place your right hand over your left hand while standing. While standing in prayer, look towards the place where you will prostrate and try not to look around unnecessarily. Remember that you are standing before Allah and worshipping Him alone.

Sources:

Sahih al-Bukhari 6251 , Sahih Muslim 498, Sahih Muslim 498, Sahih al-Bukhari 735, Sunan an-Nasa'i 889 , Sahih al-Bukhari 750, Sahih Muslim 8a

Beginning the Prayer and moving into rukūʿ

After beginning the prayer, seek refuge in Allah from Shayṭān by saying “Aʿūdhu billāhi min ash-shayṭānir-rajīm”, meaning “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shayṭān.” Allah says: “So when you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge in Allah from Shayṭān, the accursed.” (Qur’an 16:98). Then say quietly to yourself “Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm”, meaning “In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.” Then recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, followed by Āmīn. After al-Fātiḥah, recite another portion of the Qur’an, such as a short sūrah that you know. The Prophet ﷺ would recite additional Qur’an, particularly in the first two rakʿahs. If you are still learning, do not worry about knowing many sūrahs. Learn what you can and gradually increase your memorisation. After completing the recitation, say “Allāhu Akbar”, while raising your hands as the Prophet ﷺ did, and move into rukūʿ (bowing). In rukūʿ, place your hands on your knees, keep your back straight and level, keep your head in line with your back, and remain still and settled. Then say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aẓīm”, meaning “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great”, a total of three times.

Sources: Sahih Muslim 390b Sahih Muslim 399a Sahih al-Bukhari 756 Sahih Muslim 410a Sahih al-Bukhari 735 Sahih al-Bukhari 757

Rising from rukūʿ

After completing rukūʿ, raise your head and body back to a standing position while saying:

“Samiʿallāhu liman ḥamidah” meaning “Allah hears the one who praises Him.” As you rise, raise your hands as the Prophet ﷺ did. Then stand completely straight and still.

Once standing, say: “Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd” “Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.” Take your time and make sure your body is settled and upright before moving into sujūd (prostration).

The Prophet ﷺ emphasised standing straight and being at ease before continuing to the next position.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 736 Sahih al-Bukhari 789, 789 Sahih Muslim 409a.

Lowering into Sujūd

After standing straight from rukūʿ, say “Allāhu Akbar” and go down into sujūd (prostration). In sujūd, place your forehead and nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet on the ground. Keep your body settled and your arms raised from the ground rather than resting your forearms on the floor.

Then say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” meaning “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”, three times

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 812 Sahih Muslim 490a Sahih al-Bukhari 822.

Sujūd

After completing the first sujūd, say “Allāhu Akbar” and raise your head and body into a sitting position. If you can, it is Sunnah to sit on your left foot, with your right foot upright and your toes pointing towards the Qiblah. If you are unable to sit this way, it does not invalidate your prayer. Remain still and settled in this position. While sitting, you may say “Rabbi’ghfir lī” which means “My Lord, forgive me.”

Then say “Allāhu Akbar” and return to sujūd for the second time. The second sujūd is performed in the same manner as the first.

After completing the second sujūd, what you do next depends on the rakʿah:

If this is the first rakʿah, say “Allāhu Akbar” and stand for the next rakʿah.
If this is the second rakʿah of a prayer with three or four rakʿahs, sit and recite the first Tashahhud, then say “Allāhu Akbar” and stand for the next rakʿah.
If this is the final rakʿah, remain seated after the second sujūd and proceed to the final Tashahhud, followed by the remainder of the prayer described below

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 831

Moving on and closing the Prayer

After the second sujūd, if your prayer has another rakʿah, say “Allāhu Akbar” and stand up. Repeat the same steps as before. In the third and fourth rakʿahs, recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, then continue with rukūʿ and sujūd as before. When you complete the last rakʿah, remain seated and recite the Tashahhud, followed by the Ibrāhīmī prayer. Then complete your prayer by performing Taslim, turning your head to the right and saying “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh”, and then to the left with the same words.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 631 Sahih al-Bukhari 776 Sahih al-Bukhari 831 Sahih al-Bukhari 6357 Sahih Muslim 406 Sahih Muslim 582