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How to Pray Namaz (Salah) — Complete Guide with Rakats & Niyat
Master every rak'ah of every obligatory prayer with Arabic text, audio recitations, transliteration and translation — in 10+ languages.
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Namaz (also called salah or salat) is the second pillar of Islam and the most direct daily connection between a Muslim and Allah. This guide walks you through every step — from performing wudu (ablution) to the final salam — in clear, beginner-friendly language. Whether you are learning for the first time, a revert exploring Islam, or simply looking for a trusted step-by-step reference, mNamaz gives you audio recitations, transliterations, translations, and visuals for every rakat of every obligatory prayer.
The five daily prayers — Fajr (Fajar), Dhuhr (Zohar/Zuhr), Asr, Maghrib (Magrib), and Isha — structure a Muslim's day around remembrance of Allah. Each namaz consists of a fixed number of rakats (cycles) with specific movements and recitations including the opening sana (thana), Surah Al-Fatihah, ruku, sujood, and tashahhud. Below you will find complete tutorials for each one, as well as guides for wudu, dhikr after prayer, Taraweeh (Tarabi), Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chasht (Duha), Eid (Bajram) prayer, funeral (Janaza) prayer, and Istikhara.
What are the five daily prayers and their rakats?
Muslims pray five obligatory (fard) namaz every day at set times linked to the position of the sun. Each namaz has a specific number of rakats:
- Fajr (Fajar) namaz — before sunrise: 2 sunnah + 2 fard = 4 total rakats
- Dhuhr (Zohar/Zuhr) namaz — after midday: 4 sunnah + 4 fard + 2 sunnah + 2 nafl = 12 total rakats
- Asr namaz — afternoon: 4 sunnah + 4 fard = 8 total rakats
- Maghrib (Magrib) namaz — just after sunset: 3 fard + 2 sunnah + 2 nafl = 7 total rakats
- Isha namaz — night: 4 sunnah + 4 fard + 2 sunnah + 2 nafl + 3 witr = 15 total rakats
What is the niyat (intention) for namaz?
Before every namaz, you must make niyat (intention) in your heart for the specific prayer you are about to perform. The niyat specifies how many rakats you will pray and whether they are fard, sunnah, or nafl. For example, for Fajr you intend to pray 2 rakats of fard Fajr namaz facing the Qibla. The niyat does not need to be spoken aloud — the intention in the heart is sufficient.
What is sana (thana) in namaz?
Sana (also called thana or sanaa) is the opening supplication recited silently after the first takbir at the beginning of namaz. The most common sana is: 'SubhanaKallahumma wa biHamdika wa Tabaara-kasmuka wa Ta'aala Jadduka wa la ilaaha Ghairuk.' It is recited only in the first rakat of every namaz, after saying Allahu Akbar and before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.
How do I perform wudu (ablution)?
Wudu is a ritual purification required before every namaz. It consists of washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face and arms up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet — each step performed with intention (niyat) and in the correct order. Our wudu guide walks you through every action with images and audio.
How do I pray namaz step by step?
A single rakat follows a fixed sequence: takbir (Allahu Akbar), sana (opening supplication), recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and another short surah, ruku (bowing), two sujood (prostrations), and finally the tashahhud and salam in the last rakat. The number of rakats depends on the namaz. mNamaz shows you each posture with the Arabic text, its transliteration, translation, and an audio recitation for every step.
What are special prayers like Tahajjud, Ishraq, and Taraweeh?
Beyond the five daily prayers, Islam has several special voluntary (nafl) prayers. Tahajjud namaz is prayed in the last third of the night and consists of 2 to 12 rakats. Ishraq namaz is prayed 15–20 minutes after sunrise (2 to 4 rakats). Chasht (Duha) namaz is prayed mid-morning (2 to 12 rakats). Taraweeh (Tarabi) namaz is prayed in Ramadan after Isha (8 or 20 rakats). Janaza namaz (funeral prayer) has no ruku or sujood and consists of 4 takbirs. Our special prayers section covers each one in detail.
What is dhikr after namaz?
After completing the fard namaz, the Prophet ﷺ taught a short sequence of remembrance (dhikr): SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 33 or 34 times, plus Ayat al-Kursi and specific supplications. Our dhikr section lists each one with audio so you can memorise and recite along.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day do Muslims pray namaz?
Muslims pray five obligatory (fard) namaz every day: Fajr (before sunrise), Dhuhr/Zohar (after midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset), and Isha (night). These are also called the 5 waqt namaz.
How many rakats are in each namaz?
Fajr has 2 fard rakats, Dhuhr/Zohar has 4 fard rakats, Asr has 4 fard rakats, Maghrib has 3 fard rakats, and Isha has 4 fard rakats. Including sunnah and nafl, the total daily rakats are: Fajr 4, Dhuhr 12, Asr 8, Maghrib 7, Isha 15 (including 3 witr).
What are the names of the 5 daily namaz?
The five daily namaz (prayers) are: 1) Fajr (Fajar) — the dawn prayer, 2) Dhuhr (Zohar/Zuhr) — the midday prayer, 3) Asr — the afternoon prayer, 4) Maghrib (Magrib) — the sunset prayer, 5) Isha — the night prayer.
What is sana (thana) in namaz?
Sana (also written as sanaa or thana) is the opening supplication recited after the first takbir (Allahu Akbar) at the start of namaz. It begins with 'SubhanaKallahumma wa biHamdika...' and is recited only in the first rakat of each namaz, before Surah Al-Fatihah.
What is niyat in namaz and how to make it?
Niyat is the intention you make in your heart before starting namaz. You specify which namaz you are praying (e.g., Fajr, Zohar, Asr), how many rakats, and whether it is fard, sunnah, or nafl. The niyat does not need to be spoken aloud — the sincere intention in the heart is sufficient.
How to pray namaz step by step?
Stand facing the Qibla, make niyat, raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar (takbir), recite sana, then Surah Al-Fatihah and a short surah, go into ruku (bowing), stand up (qawmah), perform two sujood (prostrations), and repeat for each rakat. In the final rakat, sit for tashahhud and end with salam. mNamaz shows every step with Arabic text, transliteration, translation, and audio.
What time is Tahajjud namaz?
Tahajjud namaz is prayed in the last third of the night, after sleeping and before Fajr. It is a highly recommended voluntary (nafl) prayer consisting of 2 to 12 rakats, prayed in sets of 2.
What time is Ishraq namaz?
Ishraq namaz is prayed approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise. It consists of 2 to 4 rakats and is a voluntary (nafl) prayer with great reward.
What is Taraweeh (Tarabi) namaz?
Taraweeh (also called Tarabi) is a special prayer performed every night during Ramadan after Isha namaz. It consists of 8 or 20 rakats (depending on the tradition), prayed in sets of 2 rakats.
Can I learn to pray namaz in English?
You can learn the meaning and the steps in English, but the obligatory recitations inside the namaz (like Surah Al-Fatihah and sana) must be recited in Arabic. mNamaz provides Arabic, transliteration, and English translation side by side so beginners can follow along and learn.
Do I need wudu before every namaz?
Yes, wudu (ablution) is required before each namaz. It remains valid until invalidated (for example by going to the bathroom, deep sleep, or emission of gas), in which case it must be renewed before praying.
Which direction do I face when praying namaz?
Muslims face the Qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. If you are unsure, you can use any Qibla compass app to find the direction from your location.