For New Muslims

Welcome. Take your time — no one learns everything in one day. Allah is merciful, and every small step you take matters.

Start here

Understand the Shahada (below).
Learn wudu and a 2-rak'ah prayer in the step-by-step section.
Build up to the five daily prayers when you are ready.

A warm welcome

You do not need to be perfect. Learn a little each day, ask questions, and be gentle with yourself. Allah does not burden you beyond what you can bear (Quran 2:286, meaning).

The Shahada — declaration of faith

To become a Muslim, believe in your heart and say the Shahada with sincerity:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Say it with sincerity in Arabic (or your language first while learning the Arabic). The second part means Muhammad ﷺis Allah's servant and Messenger — not divine, but the final prophet.

First steps

Pick what helps you most. There is no fixed order.

Wudu

Wash before prayer (hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears, feet). Full steps and what to say are in the prayer guide below.

Where to pray

Any clean, quiet place — your room, home, or outdoors. A prayer mat is optional. Avoid bathrooms.

Facing the qibla

Face the direction of Makkah. Use our Qibla tool or search “qibla” + your city. Approximate direction is fine while learning.

Helpful habits

Prayer— start with 2 rak'ahs (Fajr pattern) in the guide below.
Mosque or mentor— one visit to Jumu'ah can connect you with people who want to help.
Go slowly — small steps every day beat rushing once.

How to pray — step by step

This walkthrough covers a complete two-rak'ah prayer — the format used for Fajr (dawn prayer) and the first two units of every other daily prayer. Each step shows what to do physically and what to say. Read through it slowly, then try one step at a time.

Learning with a patient teacher or mentor is the best way to build confidence. This guide is a companion — not a replacement for hands-on guidance at a local mosque.

Wudu — wash before prayer

In your heart, intend wudu for prayer. You do not say the intention out loud. Use clean water. Wash each part three times if you can; once on each part is enough while you are learning.

Before you start

Brush your teeth or use a miswak if you can. Then say quietly:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Testimony of faith

Learn the wording and pronunciation here, right after Bismillah.

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

1 — Hands
Wash both hands to the wrists, three times. Right, then left. Between the fingers.
2 — Mouth
Rinse the mouth three times with water from your right hand.
3 — Nose
Sniff a little water into the nose, then blow it out. Three times.
4 — Face
Wash the whole face three times (hairline to chin, ear to ear).
5 — Arms
Right arm from fingertips to elbow, three times; then the left arm.
6 — Head
Wet your hands and wipe over the head once (front to back).
7 — Ears
With damp hands, wipe inside the ears with index fingers and the backs with thumbs — once.
8 — Feet
Wash each foot to the ankle, three times. Right, then left. Between the toes.

When you finish — say (optional but recommended)

Dua after wudu

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Allahumma aj'alni min at-tawwabina wa aj'alni min al-mutatahhirin

O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance and make me among those who purify themselves.

Optional

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk

Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.

You may now pray. Do wudu again after using the bathroom, passing wind, or deep sleep.

The five daily prayers — rak'ah counts

Each card shows the full breakdown for one daily prayer — sunnah units before and after, the obligatory (fard) units, and witr where it applies.

If you are starting out, learn the fard units first. Those are the seventeen rak'ahs every Muslim is required to pray: 2 at Fajr, 4 at Dhuhr, 4 at Asr, 3 at Maghrib and 4 at Isha. Everything else on these cards is additional. Sunnah units come in two strengths — mu'akkadah (emphasised, prayed by the Prophet ﷺ regularly) and ghayr mu'akkadah (non-emphasised) — and nothing is owed if you leave the non-emphasised ones. Add them gradually as your routine settles.

Fajr

Dawn (before sunrise)

4total rak'ahs

2 Rakat Sunnah (before)

2 Rakat Fardh

The 2 sunnah before Fajr are the most emphasised of all the daily sunnah prayers; the Prophet ﷺ never left them, even when travelling.

Dhuhr

Midday (after the sun passes zenith)

12total rak'ahs

4 Rakat Sunnah (before)

4 Rakat Fardh

2 Rakat Sunnah (after)

2 Rakat Nafl (after)

Hanafi practice is 4 before; Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali commonly pray 2. Many also add 2 further nafl after. On Friday, Jumu’ah (2 rak’ahs in congregation) replaces the 4 fard of Dhuhr.

Asr

Afternoon

8total rak'ahs

4 Rakat Sunnah (before)

4 Rakat Fardh

Only the 4 fard are required. The 4 before are ghayr mu’akkadah — non-emphasised — in every school, based on the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “May Allah have mercy on one who prays four before Asr.” Nothing is missed by leaving them.

Maghrib

Sunset (just after the sun sets)

7total rak'ahs

3 Rakat Fardh

2 Rakat Sunnah (after)

2 Rakat Nafl (after)

Order: 3 fard, then 2 sunnah, then 2 nafl.

Isha

Night (after twilight fades)

17total rak'ahs

4 Rakat Sunnah (before)

4 Rakat Fardh

2 Rakat Sunnah (after)

2 Rakat Nafl (before Witr)

3 Rakat Witr

2 Rakat Nafl (after Witr)

The 4 before are non-emphasised. Witr is wajib (necessary) in the Hanafi school and sunnah mu’akkadah in the others; it may be 1, 3, 5 or more odd rak’ahs — Hanafis join 3, while many others pray 2 then a single witr. Its time lasts until Fajr, so it can be delayed to the end of the night.

Tahajjud (night prayer)

Tahajjud

Last part of the night (before Fajr)

2total rak'ahs

2 Rakat Nafl

Night prayer after sleep — not one of the five daily prayers. Many start with 2 rak’ahs; you may add more in pairs when you are ready.

Prayer	Sunnah (before)	Fardh	Sunnah (after)	Witr	Nafl	Total
Fajr	2 Rakat Sunnah (before)	2 Rakat Fardh	—	—	—	4
Dhuhr	4 Rakat Sunnah (before)	4 Rakat Fardh	2 Rakat Sunnah (after)	—	2 Rakat Nafl (after)	12
Asr	4 Rakat Sunnah (before)	4 Rakat Fardh	—	—	—	8
Maghrib	—	3 Rakat Fardh	2 Rakat Sunnah (after)	—	2 Rakat Nafl (after)	7
Isha	4 Rakat Sunnah (before)	4 Rakat Fardh	2 Rakat Sunnah (after)	3 Rakat Witr	4 Rakat Nafl (see card)	17
Tahajjud (night prayer)	—	—	—	—	2 Rakat Nafl	2

Said aloud or silently?

The imam recites aloud in the first two rak'ahs of Fajr, Maghrib, Isha and at Jumu'ah. Dhuhr and Asr are recited silently throughout. Praying alone, you may recite aloud in the audible prayers or quietly — both are fine.

Friday and travel

On Friday, Jumu'ah — 2 rak'ahs after the khutbah, in congregation — takes the place of Dhuhr's 4 fard for those who attend. When travelling, the four-rak'ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha) may be shortened to 2; Fajr and Maghrib are never shortened.

Tahajjud (night prayer)

Extra prayer at night after sleep, before Fajr. Not required. Even 2 rak'ahs when you are ready — same six steps as below.

Two-rak'ah prayer — 6 simple steps

Same pattern as Fajrand the first two units of longer prayers. Face the qibla. In your heart, intend the prayer (for example: “I intend two rak'ahs of Fajr for Allah”). Then follow the steps in order.

Stand → Bow → Prostrate → Second rak'ah → Sit & finish

Step 1 — Stand and recite

Do this now: Raise your hands and say the opening takbir. Put your right hand over your left on your chest.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest.

Say a short opening dua while standing.

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk

Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god worthy of worship except You.

Then quietly: seek refuge, say Bismillah, recite Al-Fatihah(required every rak'ah), say “Ameen,” then a short surah such as Al-Ikhlas.

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧﴾

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alameen. Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem. Maliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dalleen.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path — the path of those who have received Your grace, not of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿٢﴾ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ ﴿٣﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿٤﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ ﴿٥﴾

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. Qul huwa Allahu ahad. Allahu-s-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, and there is none comparable to Him.

Step 2 — Bow (ruku)

Do this now:Say “Allahu Akbar,” bow with a straight back, hands on knees. Say three times (or more):

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adheem

Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.

Step 3 — Stand up from bowing

Do this now: Rise to standing and say:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

Then say:

رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.

Step 4 — Prostrate (sujood)

Do this now:Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate (forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes on the ground). Say three times (or more). Sit briefly between the two prostrations; you may ask for forgiveness. Then prostrate again with the same words.

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ

Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir li

My Lord, forgive me.

That completes one rak'ah.

Step 5 — Second rak'ah

Do this now:Stand up saying “Allahu Akbar.” Then quietly, as in Step 1: seek refuge, say Bismillah, recite Al-Fatihah, say “Ameen,” then a different short surah — for example Al-Falaq (not Al-Ikhlas again).

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿٢﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ﴿٥﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٦﴾

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. Qul a'udhu bi-Rabbil-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab. Wa min sharri-n-naffathati fil-'uqad. Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of what He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles, and from the evil of those who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.

Then repeat Steps 2 through 4 (bow, stand from bowing, prostrate). After the secondprostration of this rak'ah, stay seated — do not stand again.

Step 6 — Tashahhud, duas, and salam

When you sit for the tashahhud (testimony) and then end with salam, recite:

For this two-rak'ah walkthrough (e.g. Fajr), use sections 2 and 3 at the final sitting. Section 1applies when you pray four rak'ahs and sit after the first two.

1) First sitting (after 2 rak'ahs)

At-tahiyyat (Tashahhud):

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ 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 'ibadillahi-s-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

All greetings, prayers, and good words are for 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 god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Then (in the first sitting, but commonly included):

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majeed.

O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majeed.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.

2) Final sitting (last rak'ahs)

Recite the same At-tahiyyat, then the salawat, and then continue with the supplication in full (the common complete form):

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majeed.

O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.

Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammad, wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majeed.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'azabi jahannam, wa min 'azabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahy wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal. Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathira, wa la yaghfiru-dh-dhunuba illa anta. Faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indik, warhamni innaka antal-Ghafur ar-Rahim.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil trial of the False Messiah. O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none forgives sins except You. Grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy on me. You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.

3) End with salam

Turn your head to the right and say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Then turn to the left and say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Your prayer is complete.

Go at your own pace. Reading from this page while you learn is fine. A teacher at your mosque can check your posture when you are ready.

Go slowly. It is completely fine to read the Arabic from this page or a printed card while learning. Over time, the words will settle in your heart. A patient teacher at your local mosque can watch your movements, correct your posture, and answer questions — that personal guidance is invaluable.

Recitation audio: Mishary Rashid Alafasy via alquran.cloud. Quran verses and surahs use direct recitation; short prayer phrases use related ayah audio as a pronunciation guide.

The five daily prayers

Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (night). Each is a short pause to remember Allah. Times for your city are on our Prayer Times page.

Mistakes are okay

Forgetting words or missing a movement while learning is normal. Sincere effort is what counts. When you slip, try again — Allah loves those who turn back to Him.

Prayer TimesWhen to pray each day for your location.Read the QuranExplore at your own pace.Everyday DuasShort supplications with audio.Islamic KnowledgeClear basics of the faith.

Common questions

Do I need an Arabic name?

No. Keep your name unless its meaning conflicts with Islam.

What if I make mistakes in prayer?

Normal while learning. Keep going; Allah rewards effort.

Do I have to learn everything at once?

No. Shahada, wudu, and one prayer are a strong start.