How to perform Maghrib

A step by step guide on how to read Maghrib in English and Arabic.

Maghrib is the fourth of the five daily prayers and is performed at sunset. Please ensure you have prepared for the salah – You can find the prerequisites here.

To skip to a specific step, simply use the following links:

Step 1 – Niya

Step 2 – Qiyam

Step 3 – Ruku

Step 4 – Qooma

Step 5 – Sujood

Step 6 – Jalsa

Step 7 – Sujood

Step 8 – Qiyam

Step 9 – Repeat

Step 10 – Jalsa

Step 11 – Repeat

Step 12 – Durood Shareef

Step 13 – Tasleem

Step 1

Niya – Intention

a. Begin by saying your intention. ‘I intend to pray the (two) Rak‘at of Salaatul Fajr for Allah’ facing the Kaaba.

Your intention doesn’t need to be said out loud, this just needs to be present in your mind.

b. Raise your hands to your ears.

Step 2

Qiyam – Standing

a. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’.

b. Whilst standing, place your hands on your abdomen, right hand on top of your left hand.

c. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha:

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen.

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem.

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen.

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een.

Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem.

Siraatal-ladeena an’amta ‘alaihim;

ghayril maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen.

and end it by saying ‘Ameen’.

d. Recite any other Surah. A short Surah is Al-Ikhlas:

Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem.

Qul huwal laahu ahad,

Allah hus-samad,

Lam yalid wa lam yoolad,

Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad.

Step 3

Ruku – Bowing Down

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, bow down and place your hands on your knees.

b. Say ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-Adheem’ three times.

Step 4

Qooma – Standing Position

a. Whilst saying ‘Sami-Allahu liman hamidah’, stand up straight and leaves your arms by your side.

b. Say ‘Rabbana laKal hamd’.

Step 5

Sujood – Prostrating

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, go down and place your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees and toes on the floor.

b. Say ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-Aalaa’ three times.

Step 6

Jalsa – Sitting Up

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, sit up.

b. Rest the palms of your hands on your knees.

Sunnah – Sit on the flat of your left foot, whilst keeping the toes of the right foot planted and pointing forward. Women should lean on their left hip pointing the toes of both feet to the right side.

Step 7

Sujood – Prostrating

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, go down again and place your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees and toes on the floor.

b. Say ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-Aalaa’ three times.

Step 8

Qiyam – Standing Position

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, stand up completely.

You have now completed the first Rakat of Salah.

Step 9

Repeat

Complete steps 2b to 7b again and then move on to step 10.

Step 10

Jalsa – Sitting Up

a. Whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, sit up.

b. Rest the palms of your hands on your knees.

Sunnah – Sit on the flat of your left foot, whilst keeping the toes of the right foot planted and pointing forward. Women should lean on their left hip pointing the toes of both feet to the right side.

c. While sitting, recite the first part of the Tashaahud:

At-tahiyyatu lillah,

was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat.

As-salaamu ‘alayka

ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi

wa barakaatu.

As-salaamu alayna,

wa alaa ibaadi-llahis saaliheen.

d. Keeping your hands resting on your knees, raise your right index finger. Now recite the second part of the Tashaahud:

Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu

wa ashhadu anna

Muhammadan abduHu wa Rasooluh’.

e. Lower your right index finger.

Step 11

Repeat

Complete steps 2a to 10e again (skip Step 8 and 9) and then move on to step 12.

Step 12 

Durood Shareef – Sending Blessings

a. Continue sitting down and recite the Durood Shareef:

Allahumma salli alaa Muhammadiw

wa alaa aali Muhammadin,

kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraheema

wa alaa aali Ibraheema,

innaKa Hameedum Majeed.

Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadiw

wa alaa aali Muhammadin,

kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraheema

wa alaa aali Ibraheema,

innaKa Hameedum Majeed.

Step 13 

Tasleem – Concluding The Prayer

a. Turn your head right and sayAs-salaamu alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatuh’. 

b. Turn your head left and sayAs-salaamu alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatuh’.

Your Salah is now completed, Alhamdulilah.

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