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Salah — How to Perform Prayer

Complete step-by-step guide to performing the five daily prayers correctly.

10 Steps ~10 minutes Worship

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Perform Wudu

Ensure you are in a state of purity by performing wudu.

Quran 5:6

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ

Salah cannot be performed without wudu.

Face the Qibla

Stand facing the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah.

Quran 2:144

فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ

Make your intention (niyyah) at this point.

Raise Hands and Say Takbir

Raise both hands to ears/shoulders and say Allahu Akbar.

Sahih Bukhari 737

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

This marks the beginning of salah.

Place Right Hand Over Left Chest

Place right hand over left on chest and look at place of prostration.

Musnad Ahmad 12718

Recite the opening supplication (Istiftah).

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha in every rakah — this is a pillar of salah.

Sahih Bukhari 756

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Al-Fatiha must be recited in Arabic. Each rakah requires a separate recitation.

Note: The Prophet said it is recited over 70 times in every prayer.

Bow (Ruku)

Say Allahu Akbar and bow with hands on knees, back straight.

Sahih Muslim 390

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Repeat at least 3 times in ruku.

Stand After Ruku

Rise saying Samia Allahu liman hamidah and stand straight.

Sahih Bukhari 793

سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Say Rabbana lakal hamd when standing straight.

Prostrate (Sujood)

Go down to prostration with forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes on ground.

Sahih Bukhari 794

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

Repeat at least 3 times in sujud.

Note: There should be a gap between arms and ribs.

Sit Between Prostrations

Sit briefly then prostrate again.

Sahih Muslim 397

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي

Both sujoods in each rakah are essential.

Complete Tashahhud and Salam

After all rakahs recite Tashahhud then end with Salam.

Sahih Bukhari 835

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ

Turn face right then left saying Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

Note: Fajr=2, Dhuhr=4, Asr=4, Maghrib=3, Isha=4 rakahs.

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