“Indeed, prayer is a duty on believers at appointed times.” (Surah An-Nisa). Learning when and how to perform Zuhr prayer is an essential step for every Muslim.Prayer, or Salah, is a central pillar of the Islamic faith. It is the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment, and performing it correctly is essential to our faith.
Salat al-Zuhr is the second of the five daily prayers, offered at midday. This prayer consists of 4 obligatory rak‘at (fard) and 6 recommended rak‘at (sunnah). Each rak‘ah (unit of prayer) includes specific actions and recitations.
In this blog, we’ll guide you step-by-step through on how to perform salatul zuhr properly and correctly.
How to perform zuhr prayer: preparing for salah
- Perform wudu to ensure you are in a state of purity. It’s helpful to do this before the prayer time begins so you’re ready as soon as the adhan is heard.
- Dress properly to cover the parts of the body that are considered awrah in Islam. This is crucial for your prayer to be considered valid.
- Set a clear intention that you are praying Zuhr for the sake of Allah alone. This intention could be just in your heart.
- Find a quiet place away from distractions. This helps you concentrate during your prayer.
How to pray zuhr for beginners:step-by-step
- Start the prayer and the 1st rakah with takbeer statement (Allah Akbar)
- Read Al-Fatiha, and then read any other short Surah.
- Go into Ruku (bowing) and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azeem” three times.
- Stand and recite: “Sami’a Allah li mn Hamidah,” followed by: “Rabbana w laka al hamd.”
- Move into the first Sajdah (prostration) and say: “Subha Rabbi al A‘la” three times.
- Sit briefly (jalsa) then go into the second Sajdah, repeating the same.
- Start the second rak’ah by standing up again and saying “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem”.
- Repeat what you have done in the 1st raka’h from reading surah fatiha and reading short surah to performing ruku and the 2 sajdah as before.
- Sit for Tashahhud and recite: “At-Tahiyyat”.
- Rise again and recite bismillah to start the 3rd rak’ah.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha only (no additional Surah).
- Perform Ruku, standing, and the two Sajdahs as before.
- To end the fourth raka’ah. repeat the same steps as the 3rd rak‘ah. Then after the second Sajdah, sit for the final Tashahhud.
- End the prayer by turning your head to the right saying taslim statement (Al-salam alikum w rahmat Allah wa barakatuh) then to the left, saying the same statement
Encouraging children to perform prayers
Islam encourages teaching children Salat from the age of seven, building their habits with love and consistency. You can follow these tips to encourage them:
– Pray in front of them: Children are natural imitators. When they regularly see their parents or older siblings performing prayer, they begin to understand that it’s an important part of daily life.
– celebrate Their Efforts: Praise and reward your child when they complete all their prayers in a day. It can be as simple as a sticker chart, a small treat, or extra playtime. These joyful moments make them look forward to praying.
– Use a motivational approach: Focus on the benefits of prayer, such as connecting with Allah, earning rewards, and feeling peaceful. Help them see prayer as something that brings joy, not something they “have to” do under pressure.
– Be kind: Teach them through kindness, not through fear. Avoid harshness or threats. Instead, be patient and loving. Children need to feel safe to interact better.
– Create a Prayer-Friendly Environment: Set up a small, clean prayer space for your child. You can even give them their own little prayer mat, beads, or thobe to make the experience more special.
– Tell Stories About the Prophet ﷺ and Salah: Share age-appropriate stories about how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved and never missed his prayers. Stories are a powerful way to build admiration and connection.
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Conclusion
Performing Salatul Zuhr is a vital part of our daily worship, and learning how to perform Zuhr prayer with sincerity and focus is key to strengthening our connection with Allah. By following the previously outlined steps, you ensure that your prayer is done correctly, and you earn spiritual rewards.
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Frequently asked questions
How to pray Zuhr jamaat?
To pray Zuhr in jama‘ah, you follow the same steps as praying individually, but with one key difference: The Imam leads the prayer, and the followers stay silent during the recitation and follow the Imam’s movements. The Imam recites aloud only the takbir and initial supplications since Zuhr is a silent prayer.
How many rakat is zuhr sunnah?
- 4 rak‘at before the 4 obligatory (fard) rak‘at
- 2 rak‘at after the fard
So in total, the Sunnah prayers of Zuhr are 6 rak‘at,
