How to Pray the Dhuhr, Asr and Isha Salah (Prayer)

Salah (prayer) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a central act of worship that strengthens the bond between a Muslim and Allah. It is performed five times daily, each prayer at its appointed time. These daily prayers help Muslims maintain spiritual discipline, mindfulness, and closeness to their Creator.

Among the five daily prayers, Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha are three that consist of four units (rak‘ahs) in their obligatory (fard) form. Learning how to perform them correctly ensures that the worship is valid and spiritually rewarding.

Understanding Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha Prayers

• Dhuhr: Midday prayer after the sun passes its zenith.
• Asr: Afternoon prayer before sunset.
• Isha: Night prayer after twilight disappears.

Number of Rak‘ahs

• Dhuhr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl
• Asr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard
• Isha: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + Witr + Nafl

Preparation Before Prayer

• Wudu (ablution)
• Clean space & Qiblah direction
• Proper dress (covering awrah)
• Niyyah (intention)

How to Perform the Prayer

1. Opening Takbir: say “Allahu Akbar”
2. Qiyam: Recite Al-Fatiha + another Surah
3. Ruku: Bow saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem”
4. I‘tidal: Stand saying “Sami‘allahu liman hamidah…”
5. Sujood: Prostrate saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la”
6. Jalsa: Sit briefly, make du‘a
7. Second Sujood
8. Continue next rak‘ah

After two rak‘ahs, sit and recite the Tashahhud. In four-rak‘ah prayers, stand after Tashahhud to continue the prayer. At the end of the final rak‘ah, recite the Tashahhud, Salat Ibrahimiyya, and end with Salam: turning the head right and left saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.”

Specific Notes

• Dhuhr: Silent
• Asr: Silent
• Isha: First two aloud, last two silent

Optional Sunnah and Nafl

In addition to the obligatory rak‘ahs, Sunnah and Nafl prayers provide extra reward. They help compensate for any shortcomings in the obligatory prayer and bring additional blessings. Sunnah prayers are highly recommended and were practiced regularly by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Common Mistakes

• Skipping Sunnah prayers
• Rushing movements
• Lack of focus (khushu‘)

Tips for Consistency

• Set a routine and prioritize prayer times
• Use apps or alarms
• Pray in congregation (jama‘ah) when possible

Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha are essential parts of the daily prayer cycle and provide discipline, peace, and a spiritual connection with Allah. Performing them correctly, with sincerity and mindfulness, ensures that a Muslim fulfills one of the greatest obligations in Islam. By understanding the steps, practicing consistently, and embracing Sunnah and Nafl prayers, believers can elevate their worship and strengthen their faith.