How to Pray Salah

Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after believing in Allah. Muslims pray five times a day at specific times. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Pray as you have seen me praying.' This guide follows exactly how he ﷺ prayed.

Before you pray

• •Be in a state of wudu (ablution)
• •Wear clean, modest clothing (men: navel to knees minimum; women: entire body except face and hands)
• •Pray in a clean place
• •Face the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Makkah)
• •Pray within the designated time for that prayer

The five daily prayers

Steps of one rakah

Each unit of prayer follows these steps. The number of rakaat varies by prayer; see the table above.

Rising from Bowing (I'tidal): Additional recitations

While rising:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami'Allahu liman hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him

Once standing:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana wa lakal-hamd

Our Lord, to You belongs all praise

Hadith: Sahih Bukhari 795

Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith in Prayer)

التشهد

When: Recited while sitting after every 2 rakaat and in the final sitting of the prayer.

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

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

All greetings, prayers, and good things 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 messenger.

When you reach the shahada part ('Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah'), raise your right index finger. This symbolizes the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid).

Hadith: Sahih Bukhari 831

Salawat (Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ)

الصلاة الإبراهيمية

When: Recited in the final sitting of the prayer, after the Tashahhud.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid.

O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.

Hadith: Sahih Bukhari 3370

Ending the Prayer (Tasleem)

التسليم

To end the prayer, turn your head to the right and say 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah', then turn your head to the left and say it again.

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah

Hadith: Sahih Muslim 582