Fajr
الفجر2 Sunnah→
2 Fard
2 Sunnah Muakkadah before Fard
“Two rakaats of Fajr are better than this world and all it contains. — Bukhari”
Total: 4 Rakaats
حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ
“Maintain all prayers and the middle prayer, and stand before Allah devoutly obedient.” — Al-Baqarah 2:238
How to Pray
الصَّلَاة
Step by Step
A complete, easy-to-follow guide to Namaz — from Wudu to Salaam. Includes all Arabic duas with English translation, common mistakes and a full breakdown of all 5 daily prayers.
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5 Daily Prayers
The 5 Daily Prayers (Faraidh)
Times, rakaats and Sunnah breakdown for every prayer
Before Sunrise
Zuhr
الظهر4 Sunnah→
4 Fard→
2 Sunnah
4 Sunnah before, 2 after Fard
“The Prophet ﷺ would pray 4 rakaats of Sunnah before Zuhr and 2 after. — Tirmidhi”
Total: 10 Rakaats
Asr
العصر4 Sunnah→
4 Fard
4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah before Fard
“The middle prayer — Allah mentioned it specifically in the Quran. — Al-Baqarah 2:238”
Total: 8 Rakaats
Maghrib
المغرب3 Fard→
2 Sunnah
2 Sunnah Muakkadah after Fard
“Whoever prays Maghrib, Allah will protect them. — related narration”
Total: 5 Rakaats
Isha
العشاء4 Sunnah→
4 Fard→
2 Sunnah→
3 Witr
4 Sunnah before, 2 after, 3 Witr
“Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he prayed half the night. — Muslim”
Total: 17 Rakaats
Rakaat counts above include Sunnah Muakkadah and Witr. Nafl prayers are additional. Based on Hanafi madhab.
Step 1 Before Namaz
How to Make Wuduالوُضُوء
8 steps with duas — the Hanafi method. The 4 Fard acts are highlighted.
Niyyah (Intention)
النيةForm the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the sake of Allah. Niyyah is in the heart — saying it aloud is permissible but not required in Hanafi madhab.
نَوَيْتُ أَنْ أَتَوَضَّأَ رَفْعاً لِلْحَدَثِ وَاسْتِبَاحَةً لِلصَّلَاةِ
I intend to perform Wudu to remove impurity and to make prayer permissible.
Bismillah + Wash Hands
غسل اليدينSay Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem. Wash both hands up to and including the wrists three times, making sure water reaches between the fingers.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Rinse Mouth (Madmadah)
المضمضةTake water in your right hand and rinse your mouth three times, moving the water around inside and gargling. This is Sunnah in Wudu.
Rinse Nostrils (Istinshaq)
الاستنشاقSniff water into the nostrils three times using the right hand, then blow it out with the left. Ensure water reaches the soft part of the nose.
Wash Face — FARD
غسل الوجهWash the entire face three times — from the hairline to the chin, and from earlobe to earlobe. This is one of the four Fard (obligatory) acts of Wudu.
Wash Arms to Elbow — FARD
غسل اليدين إلى المرفقينWash the right arm up to and including the elbow three times, then the left arm three times. Include the elbows — this is Fard.
Wipe Head (Masah) — FARD
المسح على الرأسWipe one quarter of the head with wet hands once. In Hanafi madhab, wiping one quarter of the head once is Fard. The Sunnah is to wipe the full head.
Wash Feet to Ankles — FARD
غسل الرجلينWash both feet up to and including the ankles three times, right foot first. Ensure water passes between the toes. This is the fourth and final Fard act.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي وَوَسِّعْ لِي فِي دَارِي وَبَارِكْ لِي فِي رِزْقِي
O Allah, forgive my sins, expand my home for me and bless my sustenance.
The Method of Namaz
How to Pray Namazكَيْفِيَّةُ الصَّلَاةِ
Every position with Arabic duas, transliteration and English meaning. Fard acts are marked.
FARD — Obligatory WAJIB — Required (noted in text) SUNNAH — Recommended
01
Qiyam — Standing
القيام
What is this?
Stand upright facing the Qiblah. Feet shoulder-width apart. This is the Fard standing position.
How to do it:
- Stand facing the Qiblah (direction of Makkah)
- Feet approximately shoulder-width apart
- Eyes looking at the place of Sajdah
- Raise both hands to earlobes — say Takbir-e-Tahreema
- Men: fold right hand over left below the navel
- Women: fold hands on the chest
Duas to recite:
Takbir-e-Tahreema
اللهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Thana (Sana)
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.
Then recite Al-Fatiha + a Surah
Recite Ta'awwuz (A'udhu billah) and Tasmiya (Bismillah) before Al-Fatiha in the first rakaat.
02
Ruku — Bowing
الركوع
What is this?
Bow forward with hands gripping the knees. Back should be flat — parallel to the ground. This is a Fard act.
How to do it:
- Say Allahu Akbar while bending into Ruku
- Grip knees with fingers spread
- Keep back flat — parallel to the floor
- Head in line with the back (not raised or lowered)
- Remain still (Tumaneenah — a Wajib act)
- Recite Tasbeeh minimum 3 times (odd number)
Duas to recite:
Ruku Tasbeeh
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great
03
Qawmah — Standing After Ruku
القومة
What is this?
Stand fully upright after Ruku. Remain still briefly (Tumaneenah). This pause is Wajib.
How to do it:
- Rise from Ruku saying Tasmee'
- Stand completely upright — do not proceed immediately
- Arms relaxed at sides
- Remain still for at least one Tasbeeh's duration (Wajib)
Duas to recite:
Tasmee'
سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah
Allah hears whoever praises Him
Tahmeed (while standing)
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْد
Rabbana lakal hamd
O our Lord, all praise is for You
04
Sajdah — Prostration
السجود
What is this?
Prostrate with 7 body parts touching the ground. Two Sajdahs are performed in each rakaat. Both are Fard.
How to do it:
- Say Allahu Akbar while going into Sajdah
- 7 body parts on ground: forehead+nose, both palms, both knees, both feet (toes)
- Men: stomach away from thighs, arms away from sides
- Women: body compact — stomach resting on thighs
- Fingers pointing towards Qiblah
- Recite Tasbeeh minimum 3 times (odd number)
- Remain completely still (Tumaneenah — Wajib)
Duas to recite:
Sajdah Tasbeeh
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
05
Jalsah — Sitting Between Sajdahs
الجلسة
What is this?
Sit briefly between the two Sajdahs. This pause is Wajib — it must be long enough to recite one Tasbeeh.
How to do it:
- Rise from first Sajdah saying Allahu Akbar
- Sit on left foot — right foot upright (toes pointing to Qiblah)
- Hands flat on thighs
- Remain still briefly (minimum one Tasbeeh — Wajib)
- Then go into second Sajdah saying Allahu Akbar
Duas to recite:
Say while transitioning
اللهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
06
Qa'dah — Final Sitting (Tashahhud)
القعدة
What is this?
After completing all rakaats, sit for the final Qa'dah. Reciting Tashahhud in this sitting is Wajib.
How to do it:
- Sit on left foot with right foot upright after last Sajdah
- Place hands flat on thighs
- Begin reciting Tashahhud
- At "Ash-hadu alla ilaha" — raise right index finger
- Lower finger at "ill-Allah"
- Then recite Durood Ibrahim (Wajib in Qa'dah Akhirah)
- Then recite Dua Maasura
Duas to recite:
Tashahhud
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu wattayyibat. Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadillahissalihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
All verbal devotions, prayers and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon all the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
Durood Ibrahim
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama sallaita ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed. Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
07
Salaam — Ending the Prayer
التسليم
What is this?
End the prayer by turning the head to the right and then the left, saying Salaam each time. This is Wajib.
How to do it:
- Turn head to the RIGHT saying Salaam — intend: angels on right, fellow praying Muslims
- Turn head to the LEFT saying Salaam — intend: angels on left, fellow praying Muslims
- The prayer is now complete
- After Salaam, recite Duas and Tasbeeh recommended after prayer
Duas to recite:
Salaam (both sides)
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah
Complete Reference
All Namaz Duasأَدْعِيَة الصَّلَاة
Arabic text, transliteration and English meaning for every dua recited in Namaz.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great (recite 3 times minimum)
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah
Allah hears whoever praises Him
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana lakal hamd
O our Lord, all praise is for You
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High (recite 3 times minimum)
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu wattayyibat. Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadillahissalihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
All verbal devotions, prayers and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon all righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ۞ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama sallaita ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed. Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِّنْ عِندِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wa la yaghfirudh dhunuba illa anta faghfirli maghfiratan min indika warhamni innaka antal ghafurur raheem.
O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and none forgives sins except You. So grant me forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy on me. You are the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah (said to right side then left side)
Do you know what these duas mean? Understanding your Namaz duas transforms your prayer. Learn Quran Translation →
Important to Know
Common Namaz Mistakes
Errors that invalidate Namaz, require Sajdah Sahw, or simply reduce its quality.
Invalidates Namaz
Talking during Namaz
Any intentional speech directed at another person invalidates Namaz. Even saying "Ameen" aloud to a non-Quranic recitation breaks it.
Invalidates Namaz
Eating or drinking
Eating or drinking anything — even a small amount — during Namaz invalidates it completely.
Invalidates Namaz
Turning away from Qiblah
If the chest turns more than 45° away from the Qiblah direction without a valid reason, Namaz is invalidated.
Invalidates Namaz
Excessive movement
Three or more consecutive movements that are not part of Namaz (e.g. scratching, adjusting clothing excessively) invalidates Namaz.
Wajib Missed — Sajdah Sahw Required
Missing Tumaneenah (stillness)
Not remaining still for at least the duration of one Tasbeeh in Ruku, Sajdah, Qawmah or Jalsah is a Wajib omission requiring Sajdah Sahw.
Wajib Missed — Sajdah Sahw Required
Skipping the first sitting (Qa'dah Oola)
In a 3 or 4-rakaat prayer, sitting after the second rakaat for Tashahhud before continuing is Wajib. Missing it requires Sajdah Sahw.
Common Error
Racing through recitation
Reciting so fast that letters are swallowed or merged is incorrect. Each letter of Al-Fatiha must be clearly pronounced.
Common Error
Incorrect foot position in Sajdah
In Sajdah, toes must be bent pointing towards the Qiblah. Laying the feet flat on the ground is incorrect in Hanafi madhab.
Common Error
Praying with Wudu broken
Praying without valid Wudu — whether forgotten or lost during prayer — invalidates Namaz. If Wudu breaks during prayer, it must be restarted.
What is Sajdah Sahw?
Sajdah Sahw is two extra Sajdahs performed at the end of Namaz (before final Salaam) to compensate for a Wajib act that was missed or delayed. It consists of: make Salaam to the right, perform two Sajdahs, sit for Tashahhud and then make Salaam on both sides.
Common Questions
Namaz FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Namaz — answered according to Hanafi fiqh.
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times.” — An-Nisa 4:103
Fajr: 2 Sunnah + 2 Fard = 4 total. Zuhr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl = 12 total. Asr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard = 8 total. Maghrib: 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl = 7 total. Isha: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl + 3 Witr + 2 Nafl = 17 total.
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