Namaz, also known as Salah, is an obligatory prayer in Islam performed five times a day. Salah is offered with a specific method taught by our Holy Prophet (SAW).
In this blog, we will guide you on how to offer salah and related terminologies and components of Namaz.
What Is Namaz (Salah)?
Salah is an Arabic word which means “supplication’. Namaz (Salah) is a physical worship offered directly to Allah Almighty. It includes standing and bowing before the creator. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims perform salah five prescribed times daily. The five prayers of Islam include Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Each prayer consists of a specific number of rakats (units).
In the holy Quran, Allah mentions about salah.
إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا
“Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times.” (surah Nisa: 103)
Why Is Namaz Important in Islam?
The importance of salah can be traced from the Quran. Allah commands 700 times to offer prayer.
- Namaz establishes a direct spiritual connection with Allah.
- Salah creates discipline, mindfulness, and structure in our daily life.
- Compliance with how to pray Namaz in Islam fulfills a core act of worship.
Components of a Salah
The action and movements carried out while performing salah are termed as components of Namaz. Without these components prayer will be invalid.
Niyyah
Niyyah is the intention of Namaz. It is important to make silent internal intention to perform the prayer for the sake of Allah.
Takbir e Tehreemah
Takbeer e Tehreemah is saying “Allahu Akbar” and starting Salah while raising your hands to the ears.
Qiyam
Qiam means standing. It is forstanding posture while in salah while reciting Surah Al-Fatihah followed by another short Surah or verses.
Ruku
Ruku in salah is bowing by placing hands on knees and glorifying Allah.
I’tidal
Itidal is the act of rising straight from bowing (ruku).
Sujud
Sujuds are the act of prostration. It involves putting the forehead on the ground and glorifying Allah. Each rakat of Namaz has to sujud.
Jalsa
Sitting between the two sujud is called Jalsa.
Tashahhud
Tashahud is a sitting posture in final or middle rakats of namaz and reciting Attahiyyat.
Rakat
A single rakat of Salah is a unit including standing,recitations, bowing, and prostration. A rakat includes all the components of namaz.
Offering these components in sequence completes one rakat of Salah.
How Many Rakats Are There in Each Prayer?
The number and sequence of namaz rakat differ in different obligatory prayers. Here is the list of the number of rakats in each prayer.
- Fajr: Fajr, the morning prayer, has 2 rakats Fardh (obligatory). Along with fardh, two rakat sunnah prayer is offered.
- Dhuhr: The Dhuhr prayer has 4 rakats Fard,4 Sunnah before fardh and 2 sunnah after fardh.
- Asr: The Asr prayer has 4 rakats Fard.
- Maghrib: The Maghrib prayer contains 3 rakats Fard.
- Isha: Isha, the last namaz of the day, has 4 rakats Fard, 2 optional Sunnah and Witr.
The method and structure of rakat of salah remain the same but the count of rakat differs.
Conditions of Salah
The validity of prayer in Islam is subject to certain conditions that must be met for it to be accepted. These conditions include:
Islam
Being on Islam is the first condition of prayer. It means that the person offering prayer must be a Muslim.
Sanity
It is important that the individual praying must be of sound mind.
Discernment
The person should understand and be able to distinguish between right and wrong.
Removal of Filth
Impurities from the body, clothing, and the place of prayer must be removed.
Covering the Awrah
Covering the awrah (private parts of the body) of male and female is important.
Time
The prayer must be performed on prescribed time.
Step‑by‑Step Guide How to Pray Namaz in Islam
Salah is an obligatory worship in Islam. Every Muslim should offer prayer five times in a day. Here is the comprehensive guide on the method of offering Namaz.
Make Wudhu
Cleanliness is important for prayer. Before going to pray, make an ablution and get cleaned.
Face the Qibla
Qiblah is the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. To offer namaz, stand facing Qiblah.
Make Niyyah
Make the intention of praying only for Allah. For example, I intend to pray two rakats Fard of Fajr.
Say Takbeer e Tehreema
Raise hands and say Takbir Tahrima by saying ‘Allahu Akbar.’ The namaz formally starts here.
Read Sana
Read Sana, i,e, Subhanaka llahuma wa bihamdilaka till the end.
Qiyam
After sana, stand straight and recite Surah Al-Fatihah in Arabic.Then recite any Surah or verses from the holy Quraan.
Ruku
After recitation, go to ruku. Bow at waist, keep hands on knees and keep back flat.
Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim” at least three times.
I’tidal
Rise upright from ruku by saying “Sami‘ Allahu liman hamidah”. While standing, read “Rabbana laka al-hamd”.
Sajdah
Go down to Sajda by saying “Allahu Akbar”. Make sure that your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touch the ground.Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la” three times.
Jalsa
Raise your head from sajdah and sit briefly. Then go into the second sajdah repeating praise.
At this stage, one rakat of salah is completed. Stand up and complete the second rakat with the similar procedure.
Tashahhud
After the second sajdah of the final rakat, remain seated and recite the Tashahhud,i.e, read Attahiyyat.
Read Darood
Send salutation upon the holy Prophet (SAW) by reciting Darood Shareef.
Read Dua
After Darood, read dua “Rabbana Aatina Fid Dunya” till last.
Offer Salam
Conclude the salah by offering salam. At the end of the last rakat, after Tashahhud and Dua, turn your head to right saying “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”, then to the left saying As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah. This ends the Salah.
Tips for a Tranquil Salah Experience
Namaz is a kind of worship in which a servant communicates directly to his creator. Therefore, salah should be offered respectfully. Here are some tips for a tranquil namaz experience.
- Learn the Arabic pronunciations if you are non-native. It will help to recite namaz rakat properly.
- Start with the required Fard rakats. Then gradually include Sunnah or Nafl.
- Use a prayer mat with clean, uncluttered space.
- Recite the surah and verses slowly and understand the meanings of what you say.
Conclusion
Mastering how to pray Namaz in Islam becomes easier with step‑by‑step guidance and practice. Each rakat of Salah comprises standing, bowing, prostration, and recitation. By understanding namaz rakat, avoiding common errors, and practicing with awareness, you can build confidence and deepen your devotion in namaz.
Learn Namaz Online With Us
Are you looking to learn Salah and teach you kids? We can help you. We have online Quran courses to help you with the Quran and Namaz learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a rakat in Namaz?
A rakat is one complete cycle of standing, bowing, prostration, and sitting in Salah.
How many rakat of Salah are in each prayer?
The rakat of salah are as follows:
Fajr = 2, Dhuhr = 4, Asr = 4, Maghrib = 3, Isha = 4 (these are the obligatory Fard rakats).
What is the difference between namaz rakat and namaz and rakat?
“Namaz rakat” refers to individual units in the prayer; “namaz and rakat” indicates the relationship of the full prayer (namaz) with its rakats.
How to pray if you miss part of a rakat?
You can perform Sujood as-Sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness) at the end before salam to compensate for mistakes.