How to Perform Salah (Prayer)

After the Adhan and Iqamah, which are strongly recommended before prayer and whose wording we discussed earlier, we proceed with the following steps:

First: Intention (Niyyah)

The intention is to intend to perform the prayer. We may formulate the intention as follows, according to the prayer being performed:

"I perform the prayer of [Fajr (morning), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), or Isha (night), according to the particular prayer], as an obligatory act, seeking nearness to Allah, the Exalted."

It is not necessary to pronounce the intention aloud; the intention in one's heart is sufficient.

Second: Takbirat al-Ihram (Opening Takbir)

Immediately after the intention, we say the opening takbir:

Allah is the Greatest.

It is recommended to raise both hands level of the ears while saying this phrase, as shown in Figure (1).

Figure (1): Raising the hands for the opening takbir.

Third: Recitation (Qira'ah)

While standing, we recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by another complete surah, as shown in Figure (2).

Figure (2): Standing during recitation.

Fourth: Bowing (Ruku')

After completing the recitation, we bow and say:

Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty, and praise be to Him.

This is shown in Figure (3).

Figure (3): The bowing position.

We then raise our heads from bowing and say:

Allah hears the one who praises Him.

This is shown in Figure (4).

We remain standing upright for a short while before going down into prostration.

Fifth: The Two Prostrations (Sujud)

After standing upright following the bowing, we go down into prostration, placing the seven parts of the body used in prostration on the ground, as shown in Figure (16).

While prostrating, we say:

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High, and praise be to Him.

We then raise our heads from the first prostration and sit briefly, as shown in Figure (6), saying:

Allah is the Greatest.

We then go down into prostration again and repeat what we did in the first prostration, as shown in Figures (5) and (6).

Figure (5): Sitting between the two prostrations.

Figure (6): Prostration.

Sixth: Qunut (Supplication)

After the second prostration of the first rak'ah (unit of prayer), we stand up and remain still. We then recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by a complete surah, as we did in the first rak'ah.

We then perform Qunut by raising our hands and reciting a supplication, as shown in Figure (7).

Figure (7): Qunut supplication.

Seventh: Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith)

After Qunut, we bow and perform the two prostrations as we did in the first rak'ah. After the two prostrations, we sit for Tashahhud and say:

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without any partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

This is shown in Figure (8).

Figure (8): Sitting for Tashahhud.

Eighth: Tasbihat (Glorifications)

After Tashahhud, we stand up and recite the following glorifications once, or preferably three times, or we may recite Surah Al-Fatihah alone, as shown in Figure (20).

Glory be to Allah, all praise belongs to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.

These glorifications may be recited once or three times. Alternatively, Surah Al-Fatihah may be recited on its own.

Figure (9): Standing during recitation.

Ninth: Taslim (Concluding Salutations)

After completing the glorifications, we bow and perform the two prostrations as we did in the first rak'ah. We then stand for the fourth rak'ah and perform the actions described for the third rak'ah, reciting either Surah Al-Fatihah or the Tasbihat, followed by bowing and the two prostrations.

After the two prostrations, we sit for Tashahhud and then conclude the prayer with the following salutations:

Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. Peace be upon you all, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

This is shown in Figure (10).

Figure (10): Sitting for the concluding salutations.

Important Clarification: The Number of Rak'ahs

The method described above is for a four-rak'ah prayer, such as Dhuhr, Asr and Isha.

For a two-rak'ah prayer, such as Fajr, after completing Tashahhud in the second rak'ah, the worshipper proceeds directly to the concluding salutations (Taslim) and then finishes the prayer.

For a three-rak'ah prayer, such as Maghrib, after completing Tashahhud in the second rak'ah, the worshipper stands for the third rak'ah and recites either Surah Al-Fatihah or the Tasbihat three times:

Glory be to Allah, all praise belongs to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.

The worshipper then bows, performs the two prostrations, sits for Tashahhud, and concludes the prayer with Taslim.

Make sure to check out the Rules of Prayer Guide