A complete step-by-step Namaz guide for beginners: learn how to perform Salah, total Rakat count for 5 daily prayers, step-by-step prayer positions, and essential Namaz recitations in Arabic with English translations.
✦Step-by-Step Namaz (Salah) Guide for Beginners
Performing Namaz (Salah)
Performing Salah is the second pillar of Islam and a direct, personal link between a believer and Allah.
“The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment is his prayer.”
This comprehensive, step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to perform Namaz correctly according to the authentic Sunnah: prerequisites (Wudu), total Rakat count for all 5 daily prayers, step-by-step physical positions, and essential recitations in Arabic with English translation.
✦1. Prerequisites Before Starting Namaz
Before offering Salah, ensure the following prerequisites are met:
- 1Cleanliness (Taharah): Perform Wudu (ablution) with clean water.
- 2Clean Clothes & Place: Wear clean clothes and pray on a clean surface or prayer mat (Janamaz).
- 3Covering the Awrah: Men must cover from navel to knee (preferably shoulders covered); women cover their entire body except face, hands, and feet.
- 4Facing the Qiblah: Face the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah.
- 5Prayer Time: Ensure the specific prayer time (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, or Isha) has entered.
✦2. Daily Prayers Rakat Table (Fajr to Isha)
A single unit of prayer is called a Rakat. Each of the 5 daily obligatory prayers consists of a set number of Sunnah, Farz (obligatory), Nafl (voluntary), and Witr rakats.
| Prayer Name | Sunnah Before Fard | Fard (Obligatory) | Sunnah After Fard | Nafl / Witr | Total Rakats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr (Dawn) | 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah | 2 Farz | — | — | 4 Rakats |
| Dhuhr (Midday) | 4 Sunnah Mu'akkadah | 4 Farz | 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah | 2 Nafl | 12 Rakats |
| Asr (Afternoon) | 4 Sunnah (Ghair) | 4 Farz | — | — | 8 Rakats |
| Maghrib (Sunset) | — | 3 Farz | 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah | 2 Nafl | 7 Rakats |
| Isha (Night) | 4 Sunnah (Ghair) | 4 Farz | 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah | 2 Nafl + 3 Witr + 2 Nafl | 17 Rakats |
✦3. Step-by-Step Actions of One Rakat
Niyyah (Intention) & Takbir-e-Tahreema
•1. Niyyah (Intention)
Stand upright facing the Qiblah. Form the intention (Niyyah) in your heart for the specific prayer you are about to perform.
•2. Takbir-e-Tahreema
Raise both hands up to your earlobes (or shoulder level for women) and say:
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest.
Lower your hands and fold them over your chest (or below the navel), right hand over the left wrist.
Reciting Sana (Thana), Ta'awwudh & Surah Al-Fatiha
•1. Sana (Opening Supplication)
Recite Sana (Thana) silently:
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You.
•2. Ta'awwudh & Tasmiyah
Recite Ta'awwudh and Tasmiyah:
A'udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajeem.
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem.
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
•3. Surah Al-Fatiha & Additional Surah
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (1:1–7) completely, followed by saying "Ameen", then recite any additional short Surah or verses from the Holy Quran (such as Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, or An-Nas).
Ruku (Bowing Position)
Say Allahu Akbar and bow forward with a straight back, placing your hands firmly on your knees with fingers spread. Look at the spot of prostration and repeat at least 3 times:
Subhana Rabbiyal-Azeem
Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Qauma (Rising from Ruku)
Rise back to a standing upright position while saying:
Sami' Allahu liman hamidah
Allah hears whoever praises Him.
Once standing fully upright, praise Allah by saying:
Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
Sujood (Prostration)
Say Allahu Akbar and go down into prostration. Ensure seven body parts touch the ground firmly: forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Repeat at least 3 times:
Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
Jalsa (Sitting Between Prostrations)
Say Allahu Akbar and sit up on your left foot with the right foot upright. Recite:
Rabbighfir lee
O my Lord, forgive me.
Then say Allahu Akbar and perform the second Sujood identically to the first.
✦4. Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim & Salam (Concluding Prayer)
After completing the 2nd Rakat (and the final Rakat of any prayer), remain seated for Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat):
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 alla ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
All verbal prayers, physical acts of worship, and pure deeds belong to 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 deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.
Durood-e-Ibrahim (Sending Blessings on the Prophet)
In the final sitting of the prayer, recite Durood-e-Ibrahim:
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid.
O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
Concluding Salam
Turn your head to the right shoulder and say:
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.
Then turn your head to the left shoulder and repeat the same.
✦5. Recommended Sunnah Dhikr After Namaz
Upon completing your prayer, it is authentic Sunnah to complete Tasbih Fatimah:
SubhanAllah (33 times)
Glory be to Allah.
Alhamdulillah (33 times)
All praise is due to Allah.
Allahu Akbar (34 times)
Allah is the Greatest.
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death.”
Explore all authentic post-prayer supplications in our [Islamic Duas Library](/duas) or use our free [Digital Tasbih Counter Online](/) to track your daily post-Namaz recitations.
Practice Your Daily Dhikr
Count your Dhikr with our free, ad-free online Tasbeeh counter featuring haptic feedback and auto-save memory.