NAMAZ

How to Perform Maghrib Namaz: A Step-by-Step Guide

November 5, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Perform Maghrib Namaz: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Maghrib prayer (Maghrib namaz) is one of the five daily prayers in Islam, performed just after sunset.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of performing the Maghrib namaz correctly, helping both beginners and those looking to perfect their prayer routine.

Understanding Maghrib Namaz Timing

The Maghrib prayer time begins immediately after sunset and continues until dusk. Unlike other prayers, it’s recommended to perform the Maghrib namaz as soon as possible after the call to prayer (Adhan). This prayer consists of three obligatory Fard rakats, two Sunnah rakats, and two Nafl rakats

Maghrib namaz is my favourite namaz out of all five. Do you know why? Because right before the sunset, when it is time for Maghrib prayer, Allah SWT is the closest to the sky and answering our duas (prayer – you ask God for what you desire). The blessed time before sunset is incredible. Make the time and spend 5-10 minutes before the Maghib namaz on your prayer mat and ask Allah SWT for forgiveness, and anything you want in your life. This time is one of the best times for your duas to be answered. In’sha’allah.

Preparing for Maghrib Prayer

Before performing maghrib prayer, it’s essential to prepare both physically and spiritually. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Intention: Before beginning, make a sincere intention to perform a maghrib prayer for the sake of Allah SWT. For example: When you stand on your prayer mat ready to pray, you can say something like this ”I’m praying three fard namaz of maghrib.”
  2. Ablution (Wudu): Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity by performing ablution according to the prescribed steps. We spoke about the importance of wudu and ghusl you can refresh your mind and go through the steps here.
  3. Facing the Kaaba: Orient yourself towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. You can use a Qibla compass or a Qibla app to determine the correct direction.
  4. Dress code: Make sure your dress code is appropriate for namaz.

Steps of Maghrib Namaz

We will start Maghrib namaz with three fard rakat , two sunnah rakat, and two nalf rakat. Remember you can not mix the order of sunnah and fard rakat. To refresh your mind about sunnah and fard rakat click here.

3 FARD RAKAT

  1. Takbir (Opening): Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest). Then place your hands on your chest (women) right hand on top of left hand. Men place their hands just under their chest.
  2. Recite opening dua; ‘Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.’ (Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.)
  3. Recitation: You recite ‘Audhu Billahi Minashaitanir Rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’ (I seek refuge in Allah from satan the evil. in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful)
    Reciting the Surah al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and another Surah or a few verses of Quran you remember.
  4. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Ruku (Bowing): Bending your waist at a 90-degree angle, placing your hands on your knees reciting 3x times “SubhanaRabbiy-al-‘Adheem”
  5. I’tidal (Standing up): While straightening your back say “Sami’allahu liman hamida” (God has heard those who praise Him).
  6. Going from standing up to Sujud recite – ‘Rabanaa lakal hamd’.
  7. Sujud (Prostration): Touching the ground with your forehead, nose, hands, forearms (for women only), and legs. And recite at least 3x times “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (“How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest”).
  8. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Jalsa (Sitting): Sitting up on your heels (for men). Sitting up on your legs, with your legs slightly to the right side so your bottom touches the ground (for women). Both hands are placed on the knees.
  9. Say ‘Allahu Akbar‘ and do Second Sujud (Prostration): Performing a second prostration. Repeating the steps 7 and 8.
  10. Continue to do your second rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position repeat steps 3 – 9.
  11. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat”.
  12. Continue to do your third rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position repeat steps 3 – 9.
  13. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef”.
  14. Salam (Greeting): When you finish step 11 you turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” and then turn your head to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings).

2 SUNNAH RAKAT

  1. Takbir (Opening): Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest). Then place your hands on your chest (women) right hand on top of left hand. Men place their hands just under their chest.
  2. Recite opening dua; ‘Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.’ (Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.)
  3. Recitation: You recite ‘Audhu Billahi Minashaitanir Rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’ (I seek refuge in Allah from satan the evil. in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful)
    Reciting the Surah al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and another Surah or a few verses of Quran you remember.
  4. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Ruku (Bowing): Bending your waist at a 90-degree angle, placing your hands on your knees reciting 3x times “SubhanaRabbiy-al-‘Adheem”
  5. I’tidal (Standing up): While straightening your back say “Sami’allahu liman hamida” (God has heard those who praise Him).
  6. Going from standing up to Sujud recite – ‘Rabanaa lakal hamd’.
  7. Sujud (Prostration): Touching the ground with your forehead, nose, hands, forearms (for women only), and legs. And recite at least 3x times “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (“How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest”).
  8. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Jalsa (Sitting): Sitting up on your heels (for men). Sitting up on your legs, with your legs slightly to the right side so your bottom touches the ground (for women). Both hands are placed on knees.
  9. Say ‘Allahu Akbar‘ and do Second Sujud (Prostration): Performing a second prostration. Repeating the steps 7 and 8.
  10. Continue to do your second rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position repeat steps 3 – 9.
  11. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit, place your hands on your thighs – women, hands on knees for men, and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef”.
  12. Salam (Greeting): When you finish step 11 you turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” and then turn your head to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings).

2 NAFL RAKAT

  1. Takbir (Opening): Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest). Then place your hands on your chest (women) right hand on top of left hand. Men place their hands just under their chest.
  2. Recite opening dua; ‘Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.’ (Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.)
  3. Recitation: You recite ‘Audhu Billahi Minashaitanir Rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’ (I seek refuge in Allah from satan the evil. in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful)
    Reciting the Surah al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and another Surah or a few verses of Quran you remember.
  4. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Ruku (Bowing): Bending your waist at a 90-degree angle, placing your hands on your knees reciting 3x times “SubhanaRabbiy-al-‘Adheem”
  5. I’tidal (Standing up): While straightening your back say “Sami’allahu liman hamida” (God has heard those who praise Him).
  6. Going from standing up to Sujud recite – ‘Rabanaa lakal hamd’.
  7. Sujud (Prostration): Touching the ground with your forehead, nose, hands, forearms (for women only), and legs. And recite at least 3x times “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (“How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest”).
  8. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Jalsa (Sitting): Sitting up on your heels (for men). Sitting up on your legs, with your legs slightly to the right side so your bottom touches the ground (for women). Both hands are placed on knees.
  9. Say ‘Allahu Akbar‘ and do Second Sujud (Prostration): Performing a second prostration. Repeating the steps 7 and 8.
  10. Continue to do your second rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position repeat steps 3 – 9.
  11. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef”.
  12. Salam (Greeting): When you finish step 11 you turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” and then turn your head to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings).

Special Considerations

The Maghrib prayer holds particular significance as it marks the end of the day in Islamic timing. Many scholars emphasize the importance of performing Maghrib namaz at its earliest time. This prayer serves as a beautiful transition from day to evening, offering a moment of spiritual reflection and gratitude.

Conclusion

Mastering the Maghrib prayer requires patience and practice. Remember that perfection comes with time, and what matters most is your sincere intention and regular practice. By following this guide and maintaining consistency in your Maghrib namaz, you’ll develop a stronger connection with your faith and experience the profound peace that comes with proper prayer.

Keep in mind that while this guide provides detailed instructions for performing Maghrib namaz, it’s always beneficial to learn from experienced practitioners and religious scholars who can provide personal guidance and correct any misconceptions. May your prayers be accepted, and may you find tranquility in your daily Maghrib prayer routine.