3 Rakʿah Fard

A step-by-step guide to the three-rakʿah Maghrib Fard prayer, with Hanafi method details identified.

What do dots, lines and symbols such as ḥ, ṣ, ā and ʿ mean?

Method note: Detailed hand placement, finger movement and some posture points differ between recognised Sunni schools. The step-by-step posture used on Step by Step Salah is Hanafi-influenced unless a page says otherwise; differences in those details should not be presented as though other Sunni methods are invalid.
Method note: This step-by-step presentation follows Hanafi conventions in posture and hand placement where schools differ. The obligatory structure of Maghrib Salah is shared, while some details of posture and recitation differ among Sunni schools.

Niyyah: Intention is in the heart. A fixed spoken niyyah sentence is not required. Sahih al-Bukhari 1 ↗
Core Arabic source check: Al-Fātiḥah and Sūrah al-Fīl have been normalised against Qur’an 1 and Qur’an 105. The opening supplication, tashahhud/ṣalawāt and prayer duʿās are cross-checked against the linked hadith sources used in this guide.
Rakʿah map · See the whole prayer first

3 Rakʿah Fard at a glance

The first two rakʿahs include additional Qur’an after Al-Fātiḥah. In this Hanafi learning guide, the third rakʿah uses Al-Fātiḥah without adding another Surah.

1
Rakʿah 1Al-Fātiḥah + another Surah
Rukūʿ → two sajdahs
2
Rakʿah 2Al-Fātiḥah + another Surah
First sitting
3
Rakʿah 3Al-Fātiḥah only
Final sitting → salām

New to transliteration symbols? · Print the Salah guides

Picture guide to the main movements
Standing in SalahStand
Bowing in RukuRukūʿ
Prostrating in SajdahSajdah
Sitting between the two prostrationsJalsah
Sitting for TashahhudTashahhud
Turning the head to end the prayer with SalamSalām
Guided reading1 of —
Listen to Qur’anImprove my Salah
New: Turn on Deeper meaning above for optional source-linked reflections. They do not replace the prayer method.

Begin: intention in the heart & Takbeer

Do this

Know in your heart which Salah you are praying for Allah. No fixed spoken intention formula is required. Then begin the prayer with Allahu Akbar.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1 — deeds are according to intentions ↗

Men: raise one's hands to your ears | Women: raising one’s hands to the level of the shoulders and say Allahu Akbar

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

Thana & Ta'awwz

Men: Lower your hands and place them over your navel. Your right hand should be placed over your left hand. Women: Place one’s right palm on top of the left hand without clasping it, resting both of them on top of the chest. Keep your eyes focused on the ground in front of you.

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdika, wa tabārakasmuka, wa taʿālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk

Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

Aʿūdhu billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan.

(1) Tasmiyah

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful.

(2) Recite Surah Al-Fatiha

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Māliki yawmid-dīn. Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn. Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim, ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful; Master of Day of Judgement. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us along the right path, the path of those whom Thou has bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.

(3) Recite any Surah you know (Al-Fil is the example below)

Beginner note:

You do not have to recite Sūrah al-Fīl specifically here. It is shown as a learning example; you may recite another Sūrah you know.

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِى تَضْلِيلٍ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ

Alam tara kayfa faʿala Rabbuka bi-aṣḥābil-fīl. Alam yajʿal kaydahum fī taḍlīl. Wa arsala ʿalayhim ṭayran abābīl. Tarmīhim biḥijāratin min sijjīl. Fajaʿalahum kaʿaṣfin maʾkūl

Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance? And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw.

⭐ Reminder

A Surah is only recited in the first 2 rakats

(4) Takbeer and Go Down to Ruku 

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

(5) During Ruku (Bowing)

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhana Rabbiy al-Azeem (x3)

Glory be to My Lord, The Greatest

(6) While Rising From Ruku

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami Allahu liman hamidah

Allah listens to him who praises Him.

(7) While in Standing Position

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد

Rabbana wa Lakal Hamd

Our Lord, all praises are for You

(8) Takbeer and Go Down For Sajdah (prostration)

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

(9) During First Sajdah

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhana Rab-bi yal A'ala (x3)

Glory to my Lord, the Most High.

(10) Takbeer and Duʿa in Jalsa (Sitting)

What happens in this step?

After the first sajdah, say Allāhu Akbar as you rise into the short sitting position (Jalsah). Sit steadily for a moment, place your hands on your thighs/knees, make the duʿā shown below, then say Allāhu Akbar and go into the second sajdah.

Rise up from sujud and sit for a moment.

Say Allahu Akbar as you rise from Sujud and then sit on your left leg. Your left foot will rest on the floor while your right foot is upright. Place your hands on your knees.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir li* (x2) or

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي

Allāhumma’ghfir lī, warḥamnī, wahdinī, wajburnī, wa ʿāfinī, warzuqnī, warfaʿnī

O Allah! Forgive me*, have mercy on me, console me, provide me with sustenance and grant me good health

(11) Takbeer and Return to Sajdah

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

(12) During Second Sajdah

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subhana Rabbiy al A'alaa (x3)

Glory to my Lord, the Most High.

(13) Takbeer and Rise to Standing Position

Arise from the sujud to return to the standing position and say Allahu Akbar

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

Continue to the next rakʿah

Use the rakʿah map near the top of this guide. It tells you exactly what changes in the next rakʿah without sending you back to numbered steps.

(14) Jalsa (Sitting) - Tashahhud

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi waṣ-ṣalawātu waṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ʿibādillāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illAllāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh

All Salutation is due to Allah and all Prayer and every thing pure. Peace be upon thee, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings; and peace be on us and on all righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

*Point index finger towards Qibla by lifting up when saying La Ilaha and should be lowered back when saying Ill Allah.

Rise From Tashahhud to Standing Position

Rise from the sitting position after Tashahhud, return to standing, and say Allahu Akbar.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

Allah is The Greatest

Continue to the next rakʿah

Use the rakʿah map near the top of this guide. It tells you exactly what changes in the next rakʿah without sending you back to numbered steps.

(16) After Tashahhud, Durood Shareef

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd. Allāhumma bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd

Bless, O Allah, Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst bless Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. Prosper, O Allah, Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst prosper Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.

Before Salām: This is a genuine place for duʿā. After tashahhud, the Prophet ﷺ taught seeking refuge from four trials and allowed a person to choose a supplication before ending the prayer. Muslim 588a · Bukhari 835.
These are examples, not two compulsory duʿās.

Before the final Salām there is a place for duʿā. The two supplications shown here are learning examples; do not mistake them for Sūrahs or think that these exact two must both be recited every time. See the source-linked note above for the established place of duʿā before Salām.

(17) Example duʿā before Salām — Allahumma inni zalamtu…

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wala yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, Faghfirli maghfiratan min indika war-hamni, innaka antalGhafur-Rahim

O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and You alone can forgive sins, so grant me forgiveness from you and have mercy on me.

(18) Another example duʿā before Salām — Rabbijʿalnī…

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي، رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ. رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ

Rabbijʿalnī muqīmaṣ-ṣalāti wa min dhurriyyatī, Rabbanā wa taqabbal duʿā’. Rabbanaghfir lī wa li-wālidayya wa lil-mu’minīna yawma yaqūmul-ḥisāb

My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established

(19) Salaam Towards the Right

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah

(20) Salaam Towards the Left

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah

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