A prayer unit (rak'ah) is a fixed little cycle. You stand and recite Al-Fatiha, the seven-verse opening chapter, plus any short passage. You bow with hands on knees, saying “glory to my Lord, the Great”. You rise, then lower to the ground for two prostrations (forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes touching), the closest a person is to God. After every two units you sit and recite the tashahhud. The five prayers simply repeat this cycle: two units at dawn, four at noon and afternoon and night, three at sunset. Times follow the sun, so they shift gently through the year.
one unit, step by step
- 1 Stand facing the qibla and raise your hands: “Allahu akbar”.
- 2 Recite Al-Fatiha (and a short surah in the first two units).
- 3 Bow (ruku), hands on knees, back level, with three quiet glorifications.
- 4 Rise fully: “God hears the one who praises Him”.
- 5 Prostrate (sujud) with forehead and nose to the ground.
- 6 Sit up briefly, then prostrate a second time.
- 7 That is one unit. Stand for the next, or sit for tashahhud.
- 8 End the final sitting with salam to your right, then left.
the five prayers and their times
Fajr (2 units) from first light to sunrise. Dhuhr (4) after the sun passes its peak. Asr (4) mid-afternoon. Maghrib (3) just after sunset. Isha (4) at night. Apps and mosque timetables track the exact minutes for your city; the windows are generous.
what if i get it wrong?
Mistakes do not void the attempt of a sincere beginner. Forgetting a sitting or miscounting has a simple fix: two extra prostrations of forgetfulness at the end. Keep a printed guide beside you for the first weeks; nobody is grading your Arabic accent.
where this comes from
“Pray as you have seen me pray.”
views of the schools
The structure of the unit and the counts (2, 4, 4, 3, 4) are agreed by all schools.
Mainstream views shown fairly; we never rule one school correct.
Sources
AlAnswer curates and links established scholarship; we do not issue original rulings. Read the full sources for complete context. General education, not a personal ruling. For your specific situation, ask a local scholar.
people also ask
Do I have to pray in Arabic?
The short fixed phrases are said in Arabic, and they are few. Personal supplication can be in any language.
What do I do if I miss a prayer?
Pray it as soon as you remember. Building the habit matters more than a perfect record at the start.
Can I read from a card while learning?
Yes, most scholars allow a beginner to glance at a card until memorized. The prayer guide tool prints one for you.