How to Pray Salah Step by Step
A Clear and Practical Guide
Introduction
Salah is the central act of worship in Islam, performed five times daily with a total of 17 obligatory (fard) rak‘ahs. Its method is identical for men and women, as the Qur’an and Sunnah do not prescribe differences in the core actions. Men are encouraged to pray in congregation at the mosque, while women may pray at home or in the mosque.
Key Takeaways
- Salah consists of 17 fard rak‘ahs daily: Fajr (2), Dhuhr (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3), Isha (4).
- The essential steps include niyyah, takbir, qiyam with recitation, ruku, sujood, tashahhud, and salam.
- Cleanliness (wudu) and facing the qiblah are prerequisites.
- No distinction exists between men and women in the essential method of Salah.
Men and Women
The method of prayer is the same for both genders. Scholarly consensus affirms that no authentic evidence specifies a different physical form for women. The distinction lies only in location preference: men are commanded to pray in congregation at the mosque, while women are permitted but not obliged to attend (Muslim, 442).
Preparation for Salah
Cleanliness (Taharah)
Before initiating Salah, ensure you are in a state of Wudu (ablution), which is a cleansing process involving washing the hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, head, and feet with water.
Reference: Allah says in the Quran: “O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles” (Quran 5:6).
Facing the Qibla (Direction of Ka’bah in Mecca)
Stand facing the direction of the Ka’bah, regardless of where you are in the world.
Reference: “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]” (Quran 2:144).
Intention (Niyyah)
Internally specify which prayer you are about to perform without verbalizing it, as this is an act of the heart.
Reference: The Prophet Muhammad said, “Actions are but by intention, and every man shall have only that which he intended” (Sahih Bukhari 1).
Steps of Salah
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Intention (Niyyah) | Mentally prepare and intend to perform Salah |
| 2. Takbirat al-Ihram | Raise hands and say “Allahu Akbar” to begin Salah |
| 3. Standing (Qiyam) | Recite Al-Fatiha |
| 4. Ruku (Bowing) | Bow and say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” |
| 5. I’tidal | Stand up from bowing, saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” and then “Rabbana lakal hamd” |
| 6. Sujood (Prostration) | Prostrate twice, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” during each prostration |
| 7. Sitting Between Sujood | Sit briefly between the two prostrations |
| Till here it concludes one circuit or “Rakah” of the Salah | |
| 8. Tashahhud | Recite the Tashahhud in the sitting position, (For Majortiy of the prayhers the tashud comes after the first two Rakah, and the Last Rakah , Qayam and witr are an exception) |
| 9. Salam | Conclude by turning the head right then left, saying “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” each time |
Performing Salah
|
Takbiratul Ihram (Opening Takbir) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Start your prayer by raising
both hands to your ears and saying: “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest)
Reference “The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is the takbir…” (Sunan Abu Dawood 61) |
|
Recitation of Al-Fatiha |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Recitation of Al-Fatiha
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha in each rak’ah during prayer
Reference “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book [Al-Fatiha]” (Sahih Bukhari 756) |
|
Ruku (Bowing) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Bend at the waist, place your hands on your knees, keep your back straight, and say 3 Times
“Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great)
Reference “O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good – that you may succeed” (Quran 22:77) |
|
I’tidal (Standing Up from Ruku) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Rise from bowing, saying
“Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him), Then say “Rabbana lakal hamd” (Our Lord, to You is due all praise)
Reference When he Prophet. pbuh raised his head from bowing, he said, “Sami’a-l-lahu Liman hamida.” (Bukhari, Book 12, Hadith 764) |
|
Sujood (Prostration) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Go down to the ground, placing your forehead, nose, both palms, knees, and toes on the floor, and say 3 Times
Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High)
Reference “Prostrate and draw near [to Allah]” (Quran 96:19) |
|
Jalsa (Sitting Between Two Sujoods) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
Sit briefly between the two prostrations, lowering yourself with humility, and ask your Lord for forgiveness.
Then say 3 Times with sincerity and presence of heart Rabbighfirli (My Lord, forgive me)
Reference Rabbighfirli wa tub `alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim (Sunan Ibn Majah 3814)) |
|
Tashahhud |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
In the final sitting of Salah, recite the Tashahhud,
attesting to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. At-tahiyyatu Lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu `alayna wa `ala `ibadillah As-salihin. Ash-hadu allaa ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (All compliments, prayers, and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.)
Reference When you sit during the prayer, say: ‘Attahiyat lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu…’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6265) |
|
Salam (Ending the Salah) |
Action |
|---|---|
 |
In the final sitting of Salah, recite the Tashahhud, attesting to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. Say –
“As-salamu `Alaykum wa rahmat-Allah” (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah)
Reference “When you sit during the prayer, say: ‘Attahiyat lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu…’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6265) |
What This Means for You
To fulfill the obligation of Salah, focus on purity, intention, and the prescribed sequence of actions. Whether male or female, the steps remain the same. Men should prioritize congregational prayer in the mosque, while women have flexibility. The essence is the presence of heart, humility, and consistency in maintaining this central act of worship.
And Allah knows best.
References
Primary Sources
Qur’an
- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144: Command to face the Ka‘bah in prayer.
- Surah Al-Baqarah 5:6: Instructions for wudu (ablution).
- Surah Al-Hajj 22:77: Command to bow, prostrate, and worship Allah.
- Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:45: Establish prayer, for it prevents immorality.
Hadith
- Bukhari 1; 756; 764; 6265: Various narrations on salah and its rulings.
- Muslim 402; 442: Details of prayer and purification.
- Abu Dawud 61: Hadith related to prayer and wudu.
- Ibn Majah 3814: Narration on prayer practice.
Secondary Sources
- Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim: Influential commentary explaining Sahih Muslim.
- Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari: Authoritative commentary on Sahih Bukhari.
- Ibn Uthaymin, Sharh al-Mumti‘: Detailed modern fiqh commentary on rulings.
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