Prayer, or Salah, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a fundamental act of worship for Muslims.
It is a means of establishing a direct connection with Allah (God) and is performed five times a day.
The following is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to perform the Salah:
1. Purification (Wudu or Ghusl):
Before Salah, Muslims must ensure their physical and spiritual cleanliness.
This is typically achieved through Wudu (ablution) or Ghusl (full body purification) if required.
Wudu involves washing the hands, face, mouth, nose, arms, head, and feet.
2. Facing the Qiblah:
Find the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, known as the Qiblah.
Muslims around the world face this direction during Salah.
It's essential to determine the Qiblah accurately, either using a compass or smartphone app.
3. Intention (Niyyah):
Have a sincere intention in your heart for the specific Salah you are about to perform.
This intention is known as Niyyah and should be pure and focused on worshiping Allah.
4. Takbir al-Ihram (Opening Takbir):
Raise your hands to shoulder level while saying "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) with a lowered voice.
This marks the beginning of the Salah.
All actions like drinking and eating are prohibitied until one finishes praying.
5. Standing (Qiyam):
Stand upright with your feet close together. Your eyes should be focused on the place where you will prostrate.
Place one’s right palm on top of the left hand without clasping it, resting both of them on top of the chest, with one’s gaze focused on the place of prostration.
Remain in this position for Steps 6.
6. Recite the opening du'a:
-Say the opening supplication with a lowered voice.
Subḥānakal-lahumma wa biḥamdika wa tabārakas-muka wa taʿālā jadduka wa lā ilaha ghayruka
Glory to You, Oʾ Allah, with Your praise. Blessed is Your name, Exalted is Your Honor. There is no deity besides You.
-Say the ta’wwudh with a lowered voice.
Aʿūdhu biLlahi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil.
-Say the basmala with a lowered voice.
BismiLlahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of God, The Beneficent, the Most Merciful
7. Recite Surat Al-Fatiha:
Recite all verses of Surat al-Fatiha.
Say "Ameen" after.
8. Recite another chapter (Sura) or verses (Ayat):
Recite at least one small chapter (sura) of the Qur’an or a long verse that is the equivalent of a short chapter.
Say '"Allahu Akbar" with lowered voice while moving into the bowing position, such that one finishes saying it once the desired position is reached.
9. Bowing (Ruku):
Place your hands on your knees and look at the ground. This position is known as Ruku.
Say "Subhana rabbil-azim" (Glory be unto my Lord, the Great) 3 times in lower voice.
10. Standing (Qiyam from Ruku):
Stand up completely. Say this supplication in a lowered voice while in the standing position with one’s gaze fixed on the place of prostration.
Rabbanā lakal-ḥamd
Our Lord, all praise is for You alone.
Say "Allahu Akbar" with a lowered voice while moving into the prostrating position, such that one finishes saying it once the desired position is reached.
11. Prostration (Sujud):
Lower yourself to the ground with your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes touching the ground.
This position is called Sujud.
During Sujud, say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High) 3 times.
12. Sitting Between Prostrations:
Say "Allahu Akbar" with a lowered voice while moving into the sitting position.
Make sure to sit up completely, placing the hands on the thighs, such that the tips of the fingers reach the knees.
The left hand is placed on the left thigh and the right hand is placed on the right thigh.
Say this recommended supplication with a lowered voice while sitting or remain silent for a moment.
Rabbigh-fir lī, Rabbigh-fir lī
My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.
13. Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate again:
Say "Allahu Akbar" with a lowered voice while moving into the prostrating position for a second time.
Say the tasbihat for prostration in a lowered voice at least three times.
Subḥāna rabbīl-ʿalā
Glory be unto my Lord, the Most High.
14. Stand up:
Stand up from prostration. When one rises, lift the head first, then the hands, and then the knees, while saying "Allahu Akbar" in a lowered voice.
15. Perform another cycle (rak'a):
Repeat steps 4-14 another time.
16. Sit:
Sit on your left foot with your right foot upright.
Place your right hand on your right thigh and your left hand on your left thigh.
Stay in this position for Steps 17 to 21.
17. Recite the tashahud:
Recite the tashahud in a lowered voice:
Attaḥiyyatu-Llahi was-ṣalawātu wat-ṭayyibātu as-salāmu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa raḥmatu-Llahi wa barakātuhu as-salamu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ʿibādiLlahis-ṣālīhīn. Ashadu an lā ilaha illaLlahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluhu.
Greetings are for Allah, as well as prayers and all things pure. Peace be upon you, Oʾ Prophet, as well as the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and all righteous servants of Allah. I testify that there is no deity except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
When one says "Ashadu an lā ilaha" one lifts the right index finger towards the qibla and when one says "illaLlahu" one puts it down.
It is best to form a circle by touching the thumb with the middle finger, while the ring finger and pinky finger are brought close together.
18. Send blessings on the Prophet if praying a two-cycle (raka’at) prayer.
If praying a three or four-cycle prayer, skip to step 23:
Send blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in a lowered voice and say:
Allahumma ṣalli ʿalā Muhammadin wa ʿalā āli Muhammadin kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīma wa bārik ʿalā Muhammadin wa ʿalā āli Muhammadin kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīma fīl-ʿālamīna innaka ḥamīdun majīd
Oʾ Allah, send mercy upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as you sent blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Majestic.
The follower also says salawat during this time.
19. Make Du'a:
Say any supplication from the Quran or Prophetic narrations(ḥadīth), Supplications(du’a) must be made in Arabic during the prayer. For example:
Rabbanā ātinā fīd-dunyā ḥasana wa fil-ākhirati ḥasana waqinā ʿadhāban-nār
Our Lord, give us the good in this world and the good in the Next world. Save us from the punishment of the Fire.
20. Say the final Salam to the right:
To end the prayer, turn the face to the right such that the person behind can see one’s entire right cheek. One’s gaze should be on the right shoulder, while intending to greet the angels and pious jinn when saying:
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatuLlah
Peace and mercy be upon you.
21. Say the final Salam to the left:
Turn the face back to the qibla and pause.
Then, turn the face to the left such that the person behind can see one’s entire left cheek. One’s gaze should be on the left shoulder, while intending to greet the angels and pious jinn when saying:
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatuLlah
Peace and mercy be upon you.
22. Make Du'a:
One repents especially for one’s shortcomings in the prayer, makes du’a for what one pleases, recites any supplication from the Quran, or says a supplication related from the Prophet like:
Allahumma antas-salāmu wa minkas-salāmu tabārakta yā dhāl-jalāli wal-ikrām
Oʾ Allah, You are peace and from You is peace. Blessed are You, Owner of Majesty and Honor.
Outside of the prayer, supplications (du’a) can be made in any language.
23. Continue praying for third or fourth cycle (Raka'at) prayer:
If it is a three-cycle (raka’at) prayer like Maghrib, one stands after step 17. One adds another cycle (rak’a) by repeating steps 6-11, but omits step 8 of reciting an additional chapter (sura) after the Fatiha for the 3rd cycle (rak'a). Then one follows steps 16-19 to finish the last cycle (rak'a).
If it is a four-cycle obligatory prayer, one stands after step 17. One repeats steps 6-13 for the 3rd cycle, but omits step 8. For the 4th cycle, on repeats steps 6-11, but omits step 8, and then follows steps 16-19 to finish the prayer.