The five daily prayers in Islam are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha, observed from dawn through the night. Salah is the second pillar of Islam and a daily duty for Muslims. This guide explains when each prayer takes place, its number of units and how to prepare for prayer.
What is salah in Islam?
Salah is the daily prayer in Islam. It is a fard, or religious duty, and the second of the five pillars of Islam.
The other pillars are shahada (the declaration of faith), zakat (giving to those in need), sawm (fasting) and Hajj. Hajj involves visiting the Kaaba in Mecca at a specific time of year.
When are the five daily prayers, and how many rakahs are there?
The daily prayers take place at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and after dark. Their times follow the position of the sun, and each prayer has a set number of units, called rakahs.
| Prayer | Time of day | Number of rakahs |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Dawn | 2 |
| Dhuhr | Noon | 4 |
| Asr | Mid-afternoon | 4 |
| Maghrib | Sunset | 3 |
| Isha | After dark | 4 |
For related reading, see our guide to Sunnah prayers in Islam.
How do you prepare for salah?
Preparation for salah includes wudu, facing the qibla and having the intention to pray. Wudu means ablution and is itself an act of worship.
Performing wudu
The actions of wudu are outlined below:
- Say Bism-Allah (In the name of God) and make the intention to perform wudu.
- Wash your hands up to the wrists three times.
- Rinse your mouth three times, then rinse your nose three times.
- Wash your whole face, from the hairline to the chin, three times.
- Wash your arms from the fingertips to the elbows three times.
- Wipe your head, then your ears.
- Wash your feet from the toes to the ankles three times.
Facing the qibla and intending to pray
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba. Face the qibla and have the intention to pray before starting each prayer.
What is Friday prayer?
Friday prayer takes place at the time of Dhuhr and is a duty for Muslim men. It involves gathering in a mosque, listening to the imam's speech and praying together.
How can children and new Muslims begin learning prayer?
For children, learning prayer while young helps make it a familiar part of daily life as they grow. New Muslims can begin by learning the prayer names, their times and how to prepare; our guide to learning about Islam for beginners offers a broader introduction.
Salah is performed in Arabic, the language of the Quran. Families seeking one-to-one support can explore Murouj Academy's Islamic studies for kids, while beginners working on Arabic reading can explore Qaida classes for beginners. Students and parents can meet some of our teachers in free trial classes and choose before they commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the azan?
The azan is the call to prayer, made at the time for each of the daily prayers.
Can I use a smartphone to find the qibla?
Yes. A Qibla compass or a Qibla finder on your smartphone can help you identify the direction to face for prayer.
How should I approach prayer?
Take your time and pray with attention and reverence, rather than hurrying to finish the obligation. This reverence is known as khushu.
