Namaz Guide for Beginners: Step-by-Step Prayer Steps, Rakat Count & Essential Duas

Step-by-Step Namaz (Salah) Guide for Beginners

Performing **Namaz** (Arabic: *Salah* / *الصلاة*) is the second pillar of Islam and a direct, personal link between a believer and Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: *"The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment is his prayer."* (Sunan an-Nasa'i 465).
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.
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1. Prerequisites Before Starting Namaz

Before offering Salah, ensure the following prerequisites are met: 1. **Cleanliness (Taharah):** Perform Wudu (ablution) with clean water. 2. **Clean Clothes & Place:** Wear clean clothes and pray on a clean surface or prayer mat (*Janamaz*). 3. **Covering the Awrah:** Men must cover from navel to knee (preferably shoulders covered); women cover their entire body except face, hands, and feet. 4. **Facing the Qiblah:** Face the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. 5. **Prayer Time:** Ensure the specific prayer time (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, or Isha) has entered.
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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.
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Fajr (Dawn Prayer) - 4 Rakats Total

- 2 Rakat Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Strongly Recommended) - 2 Rakat Farz (Obligatory)
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Dhuhr (Midday Prayer) - 12 Rakats Total

- 4 Rakat Sunnah Mu'akkadah - 4 Rakat Farz - 2 Rakat Sunnah Mu'akkadah - 2 Rakat Nafl
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Asr (Late Afternoon Prayer) - 8 Rakats Total

- 4 Rakat Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah - 4 Rakat Farz
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Maghrib (Sunset Prayer) - 7 Rakats Total

- 3 Rakat Farz - 2 Rakat Sunnah Mu'akkadah - 2 Rakat Nafl
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Isha (Night Prayer) - 17 Rakats Total

- 4 Rakat Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah - 4 Rakat Farz - 2 Rakat Sunnah Mu'akkadah - 2 Rakat Nafl - 3 Rakat Witr Wajib - 2 Rakat Nafl
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3. Step-by-Step Actions of One Rakat

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Step 1: Niyyah (Intention) & Takbir-e-Tahreema

Stand upright facing the Qiblah. Form the intention (*Niyyah*) in your heart for the specific prayer. Raise both hands to your earlobes (or shoulder level for women) and say: > **اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ** (*Allahu Akbar*) — *"Allah is the Greatest."*
Lower your hands and fold them over your chest (or below the navel), right hand over the left.
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Step 2: Reciting Sana, Surah Al-Fatiha & an Additional Surah

Recite **Sana (Thana)** silently: > **سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ** > (*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."*
Then recite **Ta'awwudh & Tasmiyah**: > **أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ • بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ** > (*A'udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajeem. Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem.*)
Recite **Surah Al-Fatiha** (1:1-7) completely, followed by *"Ameen"*. Then recite any short Surah from the Quran (such as Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, or An-Nas).
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Step 3: Ruku (Bowing Position)

Say **Allahu Akbar** and bow forward with a straight back, placing your hands on your knees with fingers spread. Look down at your feet and repeat at least 3 times: > **سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ** (*Subhana Rabbiyal-Azeem*) — *"Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent."*
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Step 4: Qauma (Rising from Ruku)

Rise back to a standing position while saying: > **سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ** (*Sami' Allahu liman hamidah*) — *"Allah hears whoever praises Him."*
Once fully standing, say: > **رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ** (*Rabbana wa lakal-hamd*) — *"Our Lord, to You belongs all praise."*
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Step 5: Sujood (Prostration)

Say **Allahu Akbar** and go down into Sujood. Place your knees, hands, forehead, nose, and toes firmly on the ground. Repeat at least 3 times: > **سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ** (*Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la*) — *"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High."*
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Step 6: Jalsa (Sitting Between Prostrations)

Say **Allahu Akbar** and rise into a sitting position on your left foot with the right foot upright. Recite: > **رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي** (*Rabbighfir lee*) — *"O my Lord, forgive me."*
Then say **Allahu Akbar** and perform the **second Sujood** identically to the first.
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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)**:
> **التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللّٰهِ الصَّالِحِينَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ** > (*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.*)
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Durood-e-Ibrahim (Sending Blessings on the Prophet)

In the final sitting, recite **Durood Ibrahim**: > **اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ** > (*Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid.*)
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Concluding Salam

Turn your head to the right shoulder and say: > **السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ** (*As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah*) Then turn your head to the left shoulder and repeat the same.
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5. Recommended Sunnah Dhikr After Namaz

Upon completing your prayer, it is authentic Sunnah to complete **Tasbih Fatimah**: - **33 times SubhanAllah** (سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ) - **33 times Alhamdulillah** (ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ) - **34 times Allahu Akbar** (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ) - **Ayat al-Kursi (2:255)** — Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: *"Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death."* (Sunan an-Nasa'i Al-Kubra).
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.