Salah

The Prayer - Second Pillar of Islam

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The Importance of Salah

Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after the Shahadah. It is the direct connection between a believer and Allah, performed five times daily at prescribed times. Through prayer, Muslims maintain their spiritual connection with their Creator, seek guidance, and find peace.

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إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا

"Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at prescribed times."

— Surah An-Nisa (4:103)

The Five Daily Prayers

Fajr

2 Rakʿahs

The pre-dawn prayer

Before sunrise

Dhuhr

4 Rakʿahs

The noon prayer

After midday

Asr

4 Rakʿahs

The afternoon prayer

Mid-afternoon

Maghrib

3 Rakʿahs

The sunset prayer

Just after sunset

Ishā'

4 Rakʿahs

The night prayer

After nightfall

Preparation Before Prayer

Wudū' (Ablution)

Prayer is not valid without purification. Perform wudū' by washing:

Hands (3 times)
Mouth (3 times)
Nose (3 times)
Face (3 times)
Arms to elbows (3 times)
Head and ears (once)
Feet to ankles (3 times)

Face the Qiblah

Stand facing the direction of the Kaʿbah in Makkah. Use a compass, prayer app, or ask someone if you're unsure of the direction.

Make Intention (Niyyah)

Silently in your heart, make the intention to pray. For example: "I intend to pray Fajr, two rakʿahs, for the sake of Allah."

Ensure Proper Attire

Wear clean, modest clothing. Men should cover from navel to knees (minimum). Women should cover their entire body except face and hands.

How to Perform One Rakʿah (Unit of Prayer)

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Step 1: Takbīr al-Iḥrām

Raise both hands up to your ears and say:

اللهُ أَكْبَر

Allāhu Akbar

(Allah is the Greatest)

Place your right hand over your left on your chest. This begins your prayer.

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Step 2: Opening Supplication (Optional)

Recite the opening duʿā' (Sunnah):

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

"Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is Yours. Blessed is Your Name, Exalted is Your Majesty. There is no god besides You."

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Step 3: Recite Al-Fātiḥah

Recite the first chapter of the Quran (required in every rakʿah):

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Then recite another short Surah or verses from the Quran (in first two rakʿahs).

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Step 4: Rukūʿ (Bowing)

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and bow down with hands on knees, back straight. Say at least 3 times:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm

(Glory to my Lord, the Most Great)

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Step 5: Stand After Bowing

Rise up and say:

سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah

(Allah hears the one who praises Him)

Then say:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd

(Our Lord, to You belongs all praise)

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Step 6: Sujūd (Prostration)

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and prostrate, placing forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes on the ground. Say at least 3 times:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā

(Glory to my Lord, the Most High)

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Step 7: Sitting Between Prostrations

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and sit up. Say:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbi ighfir lī

(My Lord, forgive me)

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Step 8: Second Prostration

Say "Allāhu Akbar" and perform the second prostration, repeating the same as the first prostration.

This completes one rakʿah. Stand up for the next rakʿah.

Final Sitting - At-Tashahhud

After completing the required rakʿahs, sit and recite the Tashahhud:

اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

All greetings, prayers, and pure words are for Allah. 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. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.

Ending the Prayer - Taslīm

Turn your head to the right and say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّه

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh

(Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)

Then turn to the left and repeat the same.

✓ Your prayer is now complete

Additional Resources

Video Guide

Watch: How Muslims Pray - Step-by-Step

PDF Guide

Download: Step-by-Step Prayer Instructions

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