How to Pray Salah: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Learning how to pray is one of the most important and beautiful steps in your journey as a Muslim. But if you’re new, it can feel overwhelming — all the movements, Arabic phrases, and rules. Don’t worry. This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through it step by step.

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🧼 Step 1: Make Wudu (Ablution)

Before prayer, Muslims wash specific parts of the body to prepare spiritually and physically.

Quick Wudu steps:

1. Intention (niyyah)

2. Wash hands, mouth, nose, face, arms

3. Wipe head and ears

4. Wash feet
   ✅ You’re ready!

📌 We’ll publish a full Wudu guide soon – stay tuned!

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🕰 Step 2: Know the Prayer Times

There are 5 daily prayers:

• Fajr (before sunrise)

• Dhuhr (midday)

• Asr (afternoon)

• Maghrib (just after sunset)

• Isha (night)

📱 Use apps like Muslim Pro or IslamicFinder to track times in your area.

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🧭 Step 3: Face the Qiblah

Muslims face the Kaaba in Makkah when praying.
Use a Qibla compass or app to find the right direction.

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🙏 Step 4: Understand the Units (Rak'ah)

Each prayer has a number of rak'ahs (units). Each rak'ah includes a set of movements:

1. Standing (Qiyam) — recite Surah Al-Fatiha + another Surah

2. Bowing (Ruku) — say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem”

3. Standing again

4. Prostration (Sujood) — say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la”

5. Sit briefly

6. Sujood again

7. Stand for next rak’ah (or finish prayer)

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🗣 Step 5: Learn the Words (in Simple Steps)

You don’t need to memorize everything instantly. Focus on:

• Takbir: “Allahu Akbar”

• Fatiha: “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin...”

• Sujood: “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la”

• Final Sitting: “At-Tahiyyat...” (start with basics first)

Tip: Start by reading in English if needed. Allah knows your heart and your effort.

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📥 Download or Print a Salah Chart

Visual aids help! We recommend downloading a simple beginner’s Salah poster or using a prayer learning app.

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💡 Final Tips for New Muslims:

• Start with 2 rak'ahs of Fajr – keep it simple

• Don’t stress if you forget a part — just continue

• Allah values your effort and sincerity more than perfection

• Practice consistently — even 1% daily adds up!