Prayer (Namaz or Salat) is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam and a direct means of communication with Allah. According to the Shia Ja’fari school of law, performing daily prayers involves specific steps and recitations performed in a prescribed order (tartib) and continuous succession (muwalat). It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform five daily prayers at their prescribed times.

Before commencing prayer, certain prerequisites must be met to ensure its validity. These include ritual purity (Wudu or Ghusl), facing the Qiblah (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca), and reciting the Adhan and Iqamah.

Wudu is a ritual washing performed to achieve ritual purity before prayer. The steps for Wudu according to Shia Islam are as follows:

Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer, recited aloud before each obligatory prayer. The Shia Adhan differs slightly from the Sunni Adhan. Here are the phrases of the Adhan:

Iqamah is recited just before standing for prayer, signaling its immediate commencement. It is similar to Adhan but with some differences and an additional phrase:

Each prayer consists of units called Rak’ah. The number of Rak’ahs varies for each prayer. A Rak’ah generally involves the following steps:

Lift both hands up to the ears and say:

Remain in the standing position while performing the recitations in the next step.

In the first and second Rak’ah, recite the first Chapter of the Holy Qur’an, Surat al-Fatiha, followed by another complete Chapter.

After completing the recitations, say Takbir and then bow down until the hands can be placed on the knees. In this position, recite the following glorification once:

After rising from Ruku’, say Takbir and then go into prostration. Place your forehead on earth with the intention of humility before God. Recite the following glorification once:

After the second prostration of the second (and fourth) Rak’ah, resume the kneeling position and recite the testimony:

After reciting the Tashahhud of the final Rak’ah, recite the Taslim (Salutation) which completes your prayer:

It is obligatory to perform the following five prayers every day during the prescribed times:

First Two Rak’ahs: Same as Fajr prayer (with Qira’ah in both Rak’ahs)

Third Rak’ah: Recite al-Tasbihat al-Arba’ah three times instead of Qira’ah, then perform Ruku’ and two Sujud

Fourth Rak’ah: Same as Third Rak’ah, followed by Tashahhud and Taslim

The method is identical to Salat al-Zuhr.

First Two Rak’ahs: Same as Fajr prayer (with Qira’ah in both Rak’ahs)

Third Rak’ah: Recite al-Tasbihat al-Arba’ah three times, then perform Ruku’ and two Sujud, followed by Tashahhud and Taslim

The method is identical to Salat al-Zuhr and Salat al-Asr.