Which prayer should I start with as a beginner?
Mostly, start with the prayer whose time it is now, and add the others quickly. All five daily prayers are required once you are Muslim, so this is a learning order, not a reason to skip any. A common plan is to learn the evening prayers first, then Fajr, then the daytime prayers, so that you reach all five within a few weeks.
First, pray the one that has arrived
Don't wait until you know everything. When you take your shahada, or whenever you begin to learn, pray the prayer whose time you are in, using the words and movements you know. Imperfect worship that is sincere is better than waiting for a perfect start. See Do I have to pray five times a day right after becoming Muslim?
A realistic order to learn them
Each prayer has its own challenge, so many teachers suggest this sequence:
- Maghrib (3 rak'ahs): prayed at sunset, usually after work or school, and often at home. It is short, so it is easy to practise.
- Isha (4 rak'ahs): prayed in the evening at home, once you have learned the four-rak'ah pattern.
- Fajr (2 rak'ahs): the shortest prayer, but waking up for it takes practice. Set an alarm and sleep earlier.
- Asr and Zuhr (4 rak'ahs each): these fall during the working day. Plan a quiet corner at work or school and keep them brief.
If your situation is different, adjust the order. For example, if you work at night, a different prayer may be the easiest to start with. The aim is simply to build all five into your day.
Why a step-by-step plan is allowed
The Prophet ﷺ said that religion is very easy, and that whoever overburdens himself in it will not be able to continue (Sahih al-Bukhari 39). The Quran also states a principle of ease, which scholars apply widely, even though the verse itself was revealed about fasting:
Do not use that as an excuse to stay at one prayer. Use it to remove pressure so you can keep going.
What to learn first
- How to make wudu (ablution) properly.
- Al-Fatiha and one short surah, such as Al-Ikhlas.
- The phrases for bowing, prostrating and sitting, and the closing greeting.
- The direction of the qibla and the daily prayer times.
You can read from a card or phone while you practise. See How do I pray as a Muslim? for the steps, and How do I memorize short surahs for prayer? for learning tips.
- All five prayers are required, so use a learning order and don't skip any.
- Pray the prayer whose time has arrived, even if you are still learning.
- A common order is Maghrib, Isha, Fajr, then Asr and Zuhr.
- Religion is easy, and a gradual plan keeps you going (Sahih al-Bukhari 39).
- Aim to be praying all five within a few weeks.
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