Pillars of Islam
How to pray Salah: the five daily prayers
Muslims pray Salah five times a day: Fajr (2 rak’ahs), Dhuhr (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3) and Isha (4). This guide explains the times and shows how to pray step by step.
Muslims pray five times a day: Fajr (2 rak’ahs), Dhuhr (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3) and Isha (4). Each prayer follows the same order: intention, takbir, standing with Al-Fatiha, bowing (ruku), prostration (sujud), sitting for the tashahhud and ending with the salam. Learn it step by step and ask a local imam to help.
What is Salah and why do Muslims pray five times a day?
Salah is the ritual prayer of Islam and the second of the five pillars. Muslims pray five times a day to stay close to Allah, to give thanks and to keep the day in balance. The Qur’an calls on believers to establish prayer (for example in Qur’an 2:43).
Prayer is required of adult Muslims who are of sound mind. Children are encouraged to learn it from a young age.
What are the five daily prayers and how many rak’ahs are in each?
There are five obligatory prayers. Each has a set number of rak’ahs. A rak’ah is one full cycle of standing, bowing and prostrating.
| Prayer | Also called | Obligatory rak’ahs | When to pray (in plain words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Dawn prayer | 2 | From first light until just before sunrise |
| Dhuhr | Midday prayer | 4 | After the sun passes its highest point, until the afternoon prayer begins |
| Asr | Afternoon prayer | 4 | From mid-afternoon until shortly before sunset |
| Maghrib | Sunset prayer | 3 | Right after the sun has set, until the red light fades from the sky |
| Isha | Night prayer | 4 | After the red light has faded, through the night (scholars differ on how late it can be delayed) |
Exact clock times change by town and season. Use your local mosque timetable or a prayer-time app. Schools of thought differ slightly on when Asr begins and when Isha ends.
What do I need to do before I pray?
Before you pray you need to be ready in body, clothing and place.
- Wudu (washing). Wash your hands, mouth, nose, face, arms to the elbows, wipe your head and wash your feet. Some situations need a full wash (ghusl).
- Clean clothes and place. Wear clothes that cover the body modestly and pray on a clean spot, such as a prayer mat.
- Face the Qibla. This is the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. From Kenya it is roughly north-east. A compass app or the mosque can help.
- Right time. Pray within the time of that prayer.
How do I pray step by step?
Every prayer is built from the same steps. Here is the order of one prayer at a simple level. You repeat the standing, bowing and prostrating for each rak’ah.
| Step | Name | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intention (niyyah) | Decide in your heart which prayer you are about to pray. You do not need to say it aloud. |
| 2 | Opening takbir | Stand facing the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah). Raise your hands and say “Allahu akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). |
| 3 | Standing and recitation | Place your hands on your chest or below it. Recite the opening chapter, Al-Fatiha, then another short passage of the Qur’an. |
| 4 | Bowing (ruku) | Say “Allahu akbar” and bow with your back straight and your hands on your knees. Say a short praise of Allah. |
| 5 | Standing up | Rise and say “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him). |
| 6 | Prostration (sujud) | Say “Allahu akbar” and place your forehead, nose, both palms, knees and toes on the ground. Praise Allah. |
| 7 | Sitting and second sujud | Sit briefly, then make a second prostration. This completes one rak’ah. |
| 8 | Tashahhud | After the second rak’ah (and at the end of the final one), sit and recite the tashahhud, which includes the Shahada and blessings on the Prophet (peace be upon him). |
| 9 | Salam | Turn your head to the right, then to the left, saying “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” (peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). |
For prayers with more than two rak’ahs, you stand up after the first tashahhud and complete the other rak’ahs, then sit for the final tashahhud and the salam. In Maghrib this happens after the second of three rak’ahs.
Do Muslims all pray in exactly the same way?
The prayer is the same in its main parts everywhere. There are small differences between the schools of thought (madhahib), for example:
- Where the hands are placed while standing (on the chest, below the chest, or in some traditions by the sides).
- Whether the follower recites aloud behind an imam in some prayers.
- The start time of Asr.
- Some words used while sitting.
These differences are accepted within Islam. Follow the way taught in your own community and ask your local imam or scholar if you are unsure.
What other prayers do Muslims offer?
Besides the five daily prayers, many Muslims offer extra voluntary prayers, called sunnah or nafl. On Fridays, Muslims gather at the mosque for the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer in place of Dhuhr, which is required for men and optional for women. During Ramadan, many pray the long night prayer, Taraweeh, at the mosque.
Read about the month in Sawm: fasting in Islam.
What if I am travelling, sick or cannot stand?
Islam gives ease. A traveller may shorten some four-rak’ah prayers to two, and may join certain prayers together. A person who is ill can pray sitting or lying down. Missed prayers should be made up when possible.
The rules for travel and illness have details, and schools differ on them. Ask a scholar or imam about your own case.
How can I learn to pray properly?
The best way is to learn from a person. Visit a nearby mosque in Nairobi, Mombasa, Garissa or your own town and ask the imam or a trusted teacher to show you. Start with one prayer, learn it well, then add the others. Learning the short chapters of the Qur’an takes time. Be patient with yourself.
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Support families in KenyaFrequently asked questions
How many times a day do Muslims pray?
Muslims pray five times a day: Fajr at dawn, Dhuhr at midday, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib at sunset and Isha at night. Together these prayers have 17 obligatory rak’ahs.
How many rak’ahs are in each prayer?
Fajr has 2 rak’ahs, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3 and Isha 4. A rak’ah is one full cycle of standing, bowing and prostrating. Extra voluntary prayers can be added.
What is the order of steps in Salah?
The order is intention, opening takbir, standing with Al-Fatiha, bowing (ruku), standing, prostration (sujud), sitting and a second prostration, then the tashahhud while sitting, and finally the salam to the right and left.
What is wudu and is it needed before prayer?
Wudu is a ritual washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet. It is needed before prayer. Some situations require a full wash (ghusl). A local imam can show you how to perform it.
Which direction do Muslims face when praying?
Muslims face the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. In Kenya this is roughly north-east. A compass app, a mosque or a marked prayer mat can help you find the exact direction.
Can I pray in English?
The words of the prayer are recited in Arabic. A beginner should learn them with the help of a teacher. Personal supplication (dua) outside the set words can be made in any language you know.
Do all schools of thought pray the same?
The main parts are the same. Small details differ between schools, such as hand position and the start time of Asr. These differences are accepted. Follow your community’s practice and ask a local imam.
What if I miss a prayer?
A missed prayer should be made up as soon as you remember or are able. Missing it on purpose is a serious matter, so sincere repentance and returning to regular prayer are encouraged. Ask a scholar about your situation.
Last reviewed 2 October 2026.
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