How to Perform the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer

Co-authored by Nihal Shetty

Last Updated: March 26, 2023 References

The Maghrib prayer, which takes place just after sunset, is a beautiful tradition and religious obligation for Muslims across the globe. But how do you pray it for yourself? If you’re trying to get more involved in your Islamic faith, we’re here to help. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide walking you through everything you need to know about the Maghrib prayer. Here’s our complete guide on how to pray Maghrib.

Section 1 of 5:

What is Maghrib?

Maghrib is one of the 5 obligatory (Fard) daily prayers for every Muslim. Together, these 5 obligatory prayers, also known as Salah or Namaaz, are the second pillar of Islam. Maghrib is known as the sunset prayer, since this is the time of day during which it takes place, and the word “maghrib” means sunset in Arabic.^{[1]
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- Prayer in Islam has a number of benefits—it grows your relationship with Allah, purifies your sins, and gives you the opportunity to practice self-reflection and grow spiritually.

Section 2 of 5:

When do I have to pray Maghrib?

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Pray Maghrib every day, just after sunset. Since sunset happens at a different time each day, most Muslims use a timetable provided by their local mosque to know when to pray. You can also use a website to provide you with the exact time for prayer, or do a quick Google search.^{[2]
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- Try your best to avoid missing these prayers, if you forget or sleep through Maghrib, you’re permitted to make it up as soon as you remember to do it.^{[3]
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If you’re menstruating, you don’t need to perform Maghrib. Women who are experiencing bleeding post-birth also are obligated to skip Maghrib. If you’re currently menstruating, don’t pray until you’ve stopped—there’s no need to make up for any missed prayers during this time.^{[4]
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- If you have mobility issues, keep in mind that the prayer sequence for Maghrib requires movement that includes kneeling, prostrating, and standing back up. If you can’t perform these motions, sitting or lying down to pray is allowed.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 5:

How many rakats are in Maghrib?

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Maghrib consists of 3 obligatory rakats. A rakat is prayer unit in Islam, during which Muslims go through a series of prayers and actions. Each rakat takes about a minute to pray, meaning that praying Maghrib will taken you around 3 minutes total. When praying with an imam in a mosque, however, it may take longer.^{[6]
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- Keep in mind that it’s considered a sin to rush through prayers in Islam. Take your time when praying Maghrib.
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Some Muslims also perform 2 additional, optional rakats. These rakats are considered Sunnah, meaning that they were done by the Prophet (PBUH) habitually, but are not considered required. These rakats are performed after the 3 obligatory (Fard) rakats during Maghrib.^{[7]
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Section 4 of 5:

What do I need to do before praying Maghrib?

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Purify yourself with wudu or ghusl. Wudu and ghusl, the Islamic rituals of purification, are themselves acts of worship, and are necessary before prayer. Perform wudu if you’ve used the restroom, passed gas, entered into deep sleep, or touched your genitals since the last time you performed either wudu or ghusl. If you’ve engaged in sexual activity or have been menstruating, ghusl is required instead.^{[8]
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Dress in modest clothes. Both men and women are required to dress conservatively during prayer. Men are required to wear enough clothing to cover the back and front of their bodies between their navels and their knees, as well as cover their shoulders. Women have to cover their entire bodies, with exception of their hands and faces. It’s required that both men and women wear loose clothing that isn’t transparent.^{[9]
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Face the Qibla. Muslims are required to pray toward the Qibla, which is the name given to the direction of the holy mosque in Mecca. There are special compasses and websites that can help you find the Qibla no matter where in the world you are.^{[10]
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Pray Maghrib

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Make an intention to pray (Niyat). Think about the prayer you intend to perform, and mentally note your intention to perform it. This doesn’t need to be done in Arabic—you can also say it in English, or whichever language you’d like. For instance, you might say something in your mind like:^{[11]
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- “I intend to offer 3 (or 5) rakat for Maghrib today.”
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Enter Qiyam and say the Takbir. Qiyam is a standing position, during which you stand with your hands folded in front of you. From this position, raise your hands up to your ears with your palms facing outwards, then say the Takbir: “Allahu akbar” (“God is great”). After you say the Takbir, lower your hands again.^{[12]
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Recite the opening supplication if you’d like to. Many people perform a short dua (supplication) after this prayer, which is sunnah, meaning that the prophet (PBUH) practiced this, but it is not obligatory. If you’d like to recite this dua, you can say the following:^{[13]
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- “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk”
- Meaning: “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.”
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Pray for refuge from Shaytan. Before beginning your first rakat, it’s customary to ward off Shaytan, the malevolent force opposed to the will of Allah. To do so, say the following prayer:^{[14]
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- “A‘oodhu Billaahi min ash-Shaytaan ir-rajeem”
- “I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan.”
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Begin the first rakat by reciting Surah al-Fatiha. Every rakat begins with the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran. After reciting this chapter, say “Ameen” (“I affirm Allah’s truth.”). Surah al-Fatiha goes as follows:^{[15]
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- “Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem Maaliki Yawmid-Deen Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen”
- Meaning: “With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, the All-Merciful, the Very Merciful. the Master of the Day of Requital. You alone do we worship, and from You alone do we seek help. Take us on the straight path, the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.”
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Recite another section of the Quran. For your first two rakat, select another part of the Quran to recite after Surah al-Fatiha. You can choose any section of the Quran, but if you’re just starting out, it’s useful to choose a shorter, more easily memorizable Surah, like one of the following:^{[16]
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- Surah Kafirun: “Qul yaa-ai yuhal kaafiroon Laa a’budu ma t’abudoon Wa laa antum ‘aabidoona maa a’bud Wa laa ana ‘abidum maa ‘abattum Wa laa antum ‘aabidoona ma a’bud Lakum deenukum wa liya deen”
- Meaning: “Say, “O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshipers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
- Surah Nas: “Qul a’uzu birabbin naas Malikin naas Ilaahin naas Min sharril was waasil khannaas Al lazee yuwas wisu fee sudoorin naas Minal jinnati wan naas”
- Meaning: “Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind from among the jinn and mankind.”
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Enter Ruk’u and offer praise to Allah. Ruk’u is a bowing position, during which you lean forward with your legs still straight. Position your torso almost parallel to the ground, and your hands on your knees. As you move into this position, say “Allahu Akbar,” then once you’re in Ruk’u, repeat the following prayer 3 times:^{[17]
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- “Subhaana rabbiyal ‘atheem”
- Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Supreme.”
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Return to Qiyam. Rise back into the standing position (Qiyam). As you do so, say the following words: “Sami’-Allahu liman hamidah” (“Allah listens to the one who praises Him.”). When you’re standing upright again, say, “Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, and to You belongs the praise.”).^{[18]
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Enter Sujood. Sujood is a position during which you’ll be prostrating. Lower yourself to the ground, with your knees, nose, and forehead touching the floor. Place your palms on the floor as well, beside your head. As you lower yourself into Sujood, say “Allahu Akbar.” Then, when you’re in Sujood, repeat the following 3 times:^{[19]
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- “Subhaana rabbiyal ‘alaa.”
- Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord Most High.”
10
Rise into Juloos. Juloos is the sitting position. Sit on your knees, placing your weight on your left thigh. Keep the toes of your right foot facing the Qiblah, and your hands placed on your knees. As you enter Juloos, say “Allahu Akbar.” Then, when you’re in the sitting position, repeat the following 3 times:
- “Rabbighfirlee”
- Meaning: “O Allah, forgive me.”
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Enter Sujood again to complete the first rakat. Return to the prostration position, with your forehead and nose touching the floor. As you do so, say “Allahu Akbar.” When you’re in sujood, repeat the following three times in order to complete your first rakat:
- “Subhaana rabbiyal ‘alaa.”
- Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord Most High.”
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Repeat this rakat for your second rakat. The steps of the second rakat are identical to the first rakat, just with the addition of the Tashahud at the end. Rise into Qiyam, then begin your second rakat from the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha. After reciting al-Fatiha, select a different verse from the Quran for your second rakat.^{[20]
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Recite the Tashahud. At the end of the second rakat, rise from Sujood back into Juloos, the sitting position. In this position, you’ll recite the Tashahud, which goes as follows:^{[21]
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- “At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-taiyibatu . Assalamu 'Alaika aiyuhan-Nabiyu wa-rahmatul-lahi wa-barakatuhu. Assalamu alai-na wa-'ala i-ba-dil-lahis-sali-hin. Ash-hadu al-la ilaha il-lal-lahu wa ash-hadu an-na Muhammadan 'abdu hu wa Rasuluh.”
- Meaning: “All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.”
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Perform the third rakat. After finishing the Tashahud, return to Qiyam to begin the third rakat, starting from the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha. Keep in mind that you do not need to recite an extra Surah after Fatiha during the third rakat. The third rakat is otherwise identical to the first rakat.^{[22]
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Perform the Sunnah rakats if you’d like to. After completing the third rakat, you have finished the mandatory rakats for Maghrib. At this point, you can now perform 2 additional rakats for a total of 5 rakats—these 2 rakats do not require additional readings other than Surah al-Fatiha. Keep in mind that after the first additional rakat (rakat number 4), it’s conventional to perform the Tashahud once again.^{[23]
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End the prayer with Taslim. After completing the rakats (either 3 or 5), you’re ready to end the prayer. While sitting in Juloos, turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (“May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you”). Then, turn your head to the left and repeat the phrase. The Maghrib prayer is now complete.^{[24]
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