How to Pray (Salah)
A step-by-step guide to performing Islamic prayer
Preparation
Before prayer, ensure you are in a state of ritual purity (wudu - ablution). Find a clean place to pray, facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca (Qibla). Make the intention (niyyah) in your heart for the specific prayer you are about to perform.
Step 1: Takbir (Opening)
Stand upright facing the Qibla. Raise your hands to your ears and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest). This marks the beginning of prayer. Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest.
Step 2: Recitation
Recite the opening chapter of the Quran (Al-Fatiha) followed by any other verses or chapter from the Quran. This is done while standing (Qiyam).
Step 3: Ruku (Bowing)
Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow down with your hands on your knees, keeping your back straight. While bowing, say "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" (Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent) three times.
Step 4: Standing
Rise from bowing while saying "Sami Allahu liman hamidah" (God hears those who praise Him). When standing upright, say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (Our Lord, to You is all praise).
Step 5: Sujud (Prostration)
Say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate with your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touching the ground. While in prostration, say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory to my Lord, the Most High) three times. Rise to a sitting position, then prostrate again.
Step 6: Sitting and Tashahhud
After completing all units (rak'ahs) of the prayer, sit and recite the Tashahhud (testimony of faith) and send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Step 7: Taslim (Ending)
Turn your head to the right and say "As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" (Peace and mercy of God be upon you), then turn to the left and repeat. This concludes the prayer.
Important Notes
Each of the five daily prayers has a specific number of units (rak'ahs): Fajr has 2, Dhuhr has 4, Asr has 4, Maghrib has 3, and Isha has 4. The actions described above form one rak'ah and are repeated for each unit of the prayer. Practice and patience are key to learning how to pray correctly.