How to Pray
Prayer is the believer's daily appointment with God. First you purify with wudū, then you stand before Him.
Start with wudūNew to Islam? If you haven't yet, you can say the Shahādah here before learning to pray.
Wudu is the ritual washing that purifies a Muslim before standing in prayer — it stays valid until something breaks it, such as using the bathroom, so most people repeat it several times a day. Once purified, Muslims turn to face the qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca; because that direction is different from almost every point on Earth, the qibla compass below calculates it live from wherever you are so you always know which way to face.
Prayer Times & Qibla
Allow your location for accurate times and the direction of prayer — or choose a city.
Qibla
The direction of the Kaaba.
Wudū — ablution
Intend & say Bismillāh
Wash hands, mouth, nose
Wash face
Wash arms to elbows
Wipe head & ears
Wash feet to ankles
The prayer, step by step
Stand & raise hands — Allāhu Akbar
Recite Al-Fātiḥah
Bow (rukūʿ)
Stand, then prostrate (sujūd)
Sit between prostrations
Finish with salām
The Five Pillars of Islam
Shahādah
Testifying that God is One and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.
Ṣalāh
Five daily prayers connecting you to God.
Zakāh
Giving a fixed share of wealth to those in need.
Ṣawm
Fasting the month of Ramaḍān.
Ḥajj
Pilgrimage to Makkah, once if able.
May Allah make your path easy.
Want to go deeper? Read the full beginner guides:
Common questions
How many times a day do Muslims pray?
Muslims pray five times a day: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset) and Isha (night). Each prayer is short and connects you to God at regular points through your day. AMAADOR ISLAM shows today's prayer times for your location and the direction to face.
What is wudu and when do I need it?
Wudu is the simple ritual washing Muslims do before prayer — washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears and feet. You need wudu before each prayer, and it stays valid until something breaks it (such as using the bathroom). This page walks you through it step by step.
How do I know which direction to pray (the qibla)?
Muslims pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca, called the qibla. The How to Pray page includes a qibla compass that shows the exact direction from wherever you are, so you can face the right way wherever you are in the world.
I don't know the prayer in Arabic yet — can I still pray?
Yes. Begin by learning Surah Al-Fatihah, which is recited in every prayer, and add the short phrases for bowing and prostration over time. It's normal for new Muslims to learn gradually; sincerity and consistency matter more than perfection, and the words come with practice.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars are the framework of a Muslim's practice: Shahada (the testimony of faith), Salah (the five daily prayers), Zakah (giving a fixed share of wealth to those in need), Sawm (fasting the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime, if you are able).