How do I pray Maghrib (3 rakat)?
Maghrib, the sunset prayer, has 3 rakat. Pray the first two like Fajr, then sit and recite only the Tashahhud, stand for a third rakat with Al-Fatiha alone, and end with the full final sitting and salam. Its time begins right after sunset.
Pray along with it, step by step: Maghrib
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Begin like any prayer. Make wudu, face the qibla, make your intention in your heart ("I am praying 3 rakat of Maghrib for Allah") and say "Allahu Akbar".
- Rakat 1. Recite Al-Fatiha and a short surah, then ruku, rising, and two prostrations with a short sitting between them.
- Rakat 2. Stand with "Allahu Akbar" and pray it the same way: Al-Fatiha and a short surah, ruku, rising, and two prostrations.
- Middle sitting. After the second prostration of rakat 2, stay sitting and recite only the Tashahhud. Stop after "wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh". The salawat comes at the end.
- Stand for rakat 3. Say "Allahu Akbar" and stand up.
- Rakat 3. Recite only Al-Fatiha, with no extra surah. Then ruku, rising, and two prostrations as before.
- Final sitting. Sit and recite the Tashahhud, then the salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- End with salam. Turn to the right and then to the left, saying "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" each time. Your Maghrib is complete.
What to say in each position
Opening and every movement
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Bowing (ruku), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great
Rising from ruku
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal hamd
Allah hears those who praise Him. Our Lord, to You is all praise
Prostration (sujud), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
Sitting between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me
Ending the prayer, to the right and then the left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah
Maghrib at a glance
- Rakat 1 and 2: Al-Fatiha and a short surah.
- After rakat 2: the Tashahhud only, then stand up.
- Rakat 3: Al-Fatiha only.
- After rakat 3: the Tashahhud, the salawat and salam.
Prayer times today: London · Birmingham · Manchester · Bradford · All UK towns
Common questions
When is the time for Maghrib?
It begins right after sunset and lasts until the time of Isha begins. It is the shortest window of the day, so it is best prayed soon after sunset.
Do I recite a surah in the third rakat?
No. In the third rakat you recite Al-Fatiha only.
Do I say the salawat in the middle sitting?
No. In the middle sitting you recite only the Tashahhud. The salawat is said in the final sitting.
Is Maghrib prayed differently by women?
The steps are the same. Some schools teach small differences in posture, such as a more compact bow and prostration.
Practise it with audio
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