Performing Salah (Islamic prayer) is a foundational aspect of a Muslim’s faith and daily routine. This guide aims to simplify the process, emphasizing that the method is the same for both men and women, as no differences are specified in the primary Islamic sources for the basic acts of Salah. Men are encouraged to perform Salah in the mosque, while women may choose to pray at home or the mosque.
| 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 |
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).
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).
Performing Salah
Takbiratul Ihram (Opening Takbir)
Start your prayer by raising both hands to the 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
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha in every unit (rak’ah) of the prayer.
Fateha – Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil ‘alameen
Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem Maaliki yaumid Deen
Iyyaaka na’abudu wa iyyaaka nasta’een
Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an ‘amta’ alaihim
Ghairil maghduubi’ alaihim waladaaleen
Aameen
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.
Amen.
Reference:The Prophet pbuh also said, “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book [Al-Fatiha]” (Sahih Bukhari 756)
Ruku (Bowing)
Bend at the waist, placing your hands on your knees, keeping your back straight., say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” 3 Times
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)
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)
Go down to the ground, placing your forehead, nose, both palms, knees, and toes on the floor and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la 3 Times
Reference: “Prostrate and draw near [to Allah]” (Quran 96:19)
Sitting Between Two Sujoods
Sit briefly between the two prostrations, asking for forgiveness say Rabbighfirli
Reference: ‘Rabbighfirli wa tub `alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim (Sunan Ibn Majah 3814)
Tashahhud
In the final sitting of Salah, recite the Tashahhud, attesting to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad.
Recite : 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
Meaning:
(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). (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6265 and Muslim, 402)
Reference: “When you sit during the prayer, say: ‘Attahiyat lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu…’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6265)
Salam (Ending the Salah)
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”
Reference: “When you sit during the prayer, say: ‘Attahiyat lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu…’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6265)
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