Namaz Ka Tarika - Complete Guide (Urdu & English)
The complete method of performing salah, step by step, for new Muslims and learners.
Namaz ka tarika (the method of prayer) is the foundation of daily worship. This guide walks through the prayer from wudu to salam, with the Arabic words to say, following Hanafi practice common in Pakistan, and notes where the other schools differ. The key phrases are given in transliteration so you can follow along.
Conditions before praying
- Purity: you must be in wudu, with a clean body, clothes and place. See our wudu guide.
- Covering the awrah: men from the navel to the knees, women everything except the face and hands (and, in the Hanafi view, the feet).
- Facing the qiblah, the direction of the Kaaba. Use our qibla finder.
- The time of the prayer. Prayers are only valid within their times. Check our prayer times.
- Intention (niyyah) in the heart. Saying it aloud is not required.
The prayer step by step
1. Takbir tahrima
Stand and say "Allahu Akbar" while raising your hands to your ears (men) or shoulders (women). From this moment you are in prayer.
2. Qiyam (standing)
Fold your hands. Hanafi men place the right hand over the left below the navel, and women place them on the chest. Many other scholars place the hands on the chest for both.
3. Thana, ta'awwudh and basmalah
Recite the opening supplication ("Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika..."), then "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" and "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim."
4. Surah Al-Fatiha and another surah
Recite Al-Fatiha, say "Ameen," then recite another surah or at least three verses in the first two rak'ahs. See Surah Al-Fatiha with translation.
5. Ruku (bowing)
Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow, keeping the back level and the hands on your knees. Say "Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azim" at least three times.
6. Qawmah (rising)
Rise saying "Sami'allahu liman hamidah." When standing, say "Rabbana lakal hamd." In the Hanafi view the person praying alone says both, and the person following the imam says only "Rabbana lakal hamd."
7. Sajdah (prostration)
Say "Allahu Akbar" and go down onto the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees and the toes. Say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" at least three times.
8. Jalsa (sitting)
Rise to sit calmly, saying "Allahu Akbar," then go to the second sajdah and repeat.
9. The second rak'ah
Stand and repeat from step 3 (without the opening supplication), then in the second rak'ah finish with the sitting.
10. Tashahhud
After the second sajdah of the second rak'ah, sit and recite at-tahiyyat. In the three- and four-rak'ah prayers, stand for the next rak'ah after this first tashahhud.
11. Salawat and dua
In the final sitting, recite Durood Ibrahim ("Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad..."), then a supplication, such as "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah..." (Quran 2:201).
12. Salam
Turn your face to the right saying "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah," then to the left.
Rak'ahs of the five prayers
| Prayer | Fard rak'ahs | Recitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | aloud |
| Dhuhr | 4 | silent |
| Asr | 4 | silent |
| Maghrib | 3 | aloud in the first two |
| Isha | 4 | aloud in the first two |
Common mistakes
- Rushing the ruku and sajdah. The Prophet ﷺ told a man who prayed hastily to pray again, and to remain calm in each position (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Not learning the meaning of what is recited.
- Looking around or fidgeting, which reduces attention.
Learning the prayer
Practise with someone who prays correctly, listen to a clear recitation, and learn one short surah at a time. Use our namaz counter to keep track of your daily prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fard rak'ahs are in each prayer?
Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, Isha 4. Witr is an additional three rak'ahs in the Hanafi school.
Where do I place my hands during the prayer?
Hanafi men place them below the navel and women on the chest. Other schools differ, so this is a recognised difference.
Do I have to say the intention aloud?
No. The intention is made in the heart. Saying it aloud is not required.
Which surah do I read after Al-Fatiha?
Any surah or a minimum of three verses. Short surahs such as Al-Ikhlas, Al-Kawthar and Al-Asr are common choices.
What if I forget a part of the prayer?
It depends on what was missed. Some omissions are made up with the prostration of forgetfulness (sajdah sahw). Ask a scholar about the specific case.