Choose a prayer to learn
اَلصَّلَاة
Every one of the five daily prayers is Fard — obligatory upon every Muslim. Step-by-step Arabic, pronunciation and meaning for each.
Types of Prayer
Fard, Sunnah & Nafl
Understanding the categories helps you know what is required, what is emphasised, and what is voluntary.
فَرْض
ObligatoryCommanded by Allah and confirmed by the Qur'an. Missing a Fard prayer without a valid reason is a major sin, and it must be made up (qada). The five daily prayers — Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha — are all Fard.
Reward: essential — the foundation of a Muslim's faith and the first deed judged on the Day of Judgement.
سُنَّة
Prophetic practicePrayers the Prophet ﷺ prayed regularly alongside the Fard. Sunnah Mu'akkadah (emphasised) — e.g. 2 before Fajr, 4 before & 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib, 2 after Isha, and Witr — should not be abandoned. Sunnah Ghayr Mu'akkadah (non-emphasised) — e.g. 4 before Asr, 2 before Maghrib — are lighter but beloved.
Reward: great reward for performing them; no sin for missing, but leaving Mu'akkadah habitually is blameworthy.
نَفْل
VoluntaryExtra, voluntary prayers offered purely to draw closer to Allah — such as Tahajjud, Duha (Chasht), Salatul Istikhara, Salatul Hajah and Tahiyyatul Masjid. They are not required, but the Prophet ﷺ said: "My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary works until I love him." (Bukhari)
Reward: purely rewarding — they fill any shortfall in your Fard prayers on the Day of Judgement.