Dhuhr is the noon prayer and consists of four Fardh Rak’ahs. It is performed after the sun has passed its zenith.
What are the benefits of Dhuhr Salah?
Dhuhr Salah helps strengthen a Muslim’s connection with Allah, providing a moment of reflection and spiritual renewal in the middle of the day.
Performing Dhuhr, like all Salah, also helps us remain close to our Deen (religion) and gain closeness to Allah, serving as a way to remember Him, talk to Him, and connect with Him.
Find out more about the importance of Salah here.
How many Rakats in Dhuhr Salah?
Dhuhr Salah consists of four Fardh Rak’ahs, which are obligatory for every adult Muslim.
In addition, it is supererogatory (an optional extra) to perform four Rak’ahs before the Fardh, two Rak’ahs after the Fardh, then an additional two Rak’ahs after these two – giving a total of 12 Rak’ahs.
For a detailed guide on how to perform the Fardh Rak’ahs for each prayer – including illustrations, Surahs to recite, and Du’as (supplications) along with their meanings, click here, otherwise, read on for our quick guide on how to pray Dhuhr Salah.
A step-by-step guide to praying Dhuhr Salah
Step 1
Make sure you have performed Whudu (ablution), wear clothing which covers your awrah (intimate parts) and make a sincere intention (Niyyah) to perform the four Fardh Rak’ahs for Dhuhr prayer.
Step 2
Stand facing the Qibla with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Step 3
Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer. Then place your right hand over your left.
Step 4
If you follow the Hanafi or Hanbali Madhabs (schools of thought), it is Sunnah to recite Sana at this point: “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.”
Step 5
Recite Ta’awadh (A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem) and Tasmiah (Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem).
Step 6
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah
Step 7
After reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another Surah or at least three verses from the Quran.
Step 8
Bow (Ruk’ah) while saying “Allahu Akbar” and place your hands on your knees. Say “Subhana Rabbiy-al-‘Adheem” ideally at least three times.
Step 9
Rise from the bowing position and stand upright, while saying “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” then say “Rabbana lakal hamd” once standing.
Step 10
Prostrate (Sujood) by saying “Allahu Akbar” and place your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground. Say “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” ideally at least three times and then sit back briefly saying “Allahu Akbar” as you rise. After a few seconds, return back into prostration and repeat “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” ideally three times once more.
Step 11
Rise from the prostration and stand up whilst saying “Allahu Akbar”.
Step 12
To complete your second Rak’ah, repeat steps 5-10 once more, and sit back into the position mentioned in step 10, saying “Allahu Akbar” as you rise.
Step 13
Recite Tashahhud (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. Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu).
Step 14
Return to a standing position while saying “Allahu Akbar”, and then recite Ta’awadh, Tasmiah and Surah al-Fatihah. You do not need to accompany this with a recitation of another Surah for Fardh prayers.
Step 15
Repeat steps 8-11 to complete your third Rak’ah.
Step 16
Repeat steps 14-15 once more to complete your fourth Rak’ah.
Step 17
Once you have completed your four Rak’ahs, sit back into the position mentioned in step 10, then recite Tashahhud again.
Step 18
Send Salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by reciting: “Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed”.
Step 19
It is highly recommended to recite some Sunnah du’as (supplications) at this point.
Step 20
Conclude the prayer by turning your head to the right and then to the left, saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” each time.
You have now completed the Fardh Rak’ahs of your Dhuhr prayer, Alhamdulillah! To learn more about performing Salah, scroll through the resources below or visit our Salah Hub.


