Salat — a conversation with God, five times a day

Prayer (Salat) is the second pillar of Islam and a direct line to God — no priest, no temple fee, no appointment needed. Here's how to start.

Prayer times — Kingston & St. Andrew

Today
Fajr5:05 AM
Sunrise6:22 AM
Dhuhr12:28 PM
Asr3:42 PM
Maghrib6:14 PM
Isha7:32 PM
Sample times shown — the site automatically loads live times for Kingston when online.
Before you pray

Wudu — preparation in four steps

Muslims wash before prayer in a ritual called wudu (ablution). It's a physical reset and a spiritual one — the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called cleanliness "half of faith."

  1. 1

    Make your intention & wash your hands

    Begin with a quiet intention to pray, then wash both hands three times.

  2. 2

    Rinse mouth and nose

    Rinse the mouth three times, then the nose three times, using clean water.

  3. 3

    Wash face and arms

    Wash the whole face, then each arm up to the elbow — right arm first, three times each.

  4. 4

    Wipe the head and wash the feet

    Wipe a wet hand over the head and ears once, then wash both feet up to the ankles, right first.

The movements

Five postures of the prayer

Each unit of prayer (rak'ah) moves through these postures while reciting verses of the Quran. Two to four rak'ahs make up each of the five daily prayers.

Qiyām

Standing

Stand facing the Ka'bah, recite Al-Fatiha and further verses of the Quran.

Rukūʿ

Bowing

Bow with hands on knees, glorifying God: "Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azim."

Sujūd

Prostration

Prostrate with forehead to the ground — the closest a servant comes to God.

Tashahhud

Sitting

Sit and bear witness to the oneness of God and the messengership of Muhammad (pbuh).

Taslīm

Greeting

Turn the face right and left: "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" — peace be upon you.

How much to pray

The five daily prayers at a glance

Each prayer takes about five minutes. Many mosques in Jamaica are open for all of them — and the dawn and evening prayers are the ones most newcomers start with.

Download a free prayer guide
PrayerTimeRak'ahs
FajrBefore sunrise2
DhuhrMidday4
AsrAfternoon4
MaghribJust after sunset3
IshaNight4
Common questions

Starting out, honestly answered

Do I need to know Arabic to pray?

No. Muslims worldwide learn a small set of Arabic phrases, and their meaning is simple — praise, gratitude, and asking for guidance. Many people keep a translation card beside them for years. You can also pray in your own language outside the formal prayer.

What if I miss a prayer?

Pray the next one. Islam doesn't expect perfection from day one — the Quran says God intends ease, not hardship. If you're learning, start with one prayer a day and grow from there.

Can I pray at work or school?

Yes — prayer needs only a few minutes and a clean, quiet spot. Many Jamaican Muslims pray during breaks, and employers are generally accommodating once they understand it takes about five minutes.

I'm not Muslim — can I visit a prayer?

Absolutely. Visitors are welcome to observe prayer during a mosque tour — many say watching Salat in person is the moment Islam "clicked" for them. Book a free tour and see it yourself.