Imagined moonlit Arabian landscape; symbolic illustration

SALAH · A VISUAL INTRODUCTION

Prayer, one step at a time.

A beginner overview of common movements. Details differ among recognised schools; this is not a complete guide to every requirement of a valid prayer.

BEFORE THE MOVEMENTS

Prepare with confidence.

Learn the time, purification, covering, and qiblah direction with a teacher. Postures are illustrative; hand placement and sitting methods vary across recognised schools.

Find local prayer times →Wudu & ghusl →Your first prayer →

See the movements as a sequenceA learning walkthrough, not a timer for performing prayer.

MOVEMENT 1 OF 7 · LEARNING OVERVIEW

Standing & opening

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Stand facing the qiblah, with the intention to pray. Begin with the opening takbir: Allahu akbar (Allah is greatest).

How one unit fits together.

Repeat units as required. Tashahhud sittings and the final taslim have their own place in the full prayer; learn the required words and details with a teacher.

Obligatory units for an ordinary resident
Prayer	Units (rak‘ahs)
Fajr	2
Dhuhr	4
Asr	4
Maghrib	3
Isha	4

Voluntary prayers are additional. Travel and other circumstances have separate rulings.

Evidence and further learning: the Prophet’s instruction to pray as he prayed; descriptions of prayer; and the command to pray as able. Study with a qualified teacher for preparation, purification, timings, recitations, and school-specific details.