Step-by-step guide on how to pray

Make your heart’s intention clear. It’s recommended to have the intention to pray before beginning the salat. This may be in your native tongue.

For instance, you can say (thinking in your mind, or whisper it if that’s easier): “I intend to perform two rakats of Fajr salah, seeking closeness to Allah and doing His will.”

Raise your hands up next to your ears and shoulders, then say Allāhu akbar (الله أَكْبَر).

In English, this means “Allah is the greatest.” When performing this, stand (or sit if you cannot stand).

When the hands are raised, the fingers should be separated.

Your right hand should be placed on top of your left. There are several Islamic schools of thought regarding this movement, but you can place your hands on your navel, chest, or somewhere in the middle. Keep an eye on the ground. It is beneficial to fix your gaze on the area where your head will rest when you are in a prostration later. Do not let your eyes stray.

Istiftah Du’a, an optional introductory prayer, to be recited:

“Subhanakal-lahumma
Wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaala
Jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk.
A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem
Bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem”

After that, it’s obligated  recite Surah Al-Fatiha (which is read during each Rak’ah):

“Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem

Maaliki Yawmid-Deen

Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een

Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem

Siraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alaihim

Ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen”

Say any additional surah or text from the Qur’an, such as Surah Ikhlas.

“Qul huwal laahu ahad

Allah hus-samad

Lam yalid wa lam yoolad

Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad”

Only in the first two units (Rakaa’s) of the fardh salat a Surah is recited after Al-Fatiha.

Say “Allahu Akbar” then bend down. Keep your eyes fixed on the ground, bend your body so that your back and neck are as straight and level as possible, and place your fingers and palms on your knees. The angle between your legs, back (and head) should be 90 degrees. Your body should be relaxed; you don’t need to make a perfect angle. Ruku is the name of this position. Say three times when bowing: “Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem. In English”, this means “Glorious is my Lord, the most great.”

Raise yourself back up (from ruku). Samiallah Huliman Hamidah should be recited while standing up, with your arms by your sides. The phrase “Allah hears those who praise Him” is meant.

Raise your body and recite: Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once. You can also add Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubaarakan Feeh” (praise which is abundant, excellent and blessed) after.

Say Allahu Akbar and bow down. Lay down on the floor with your hands, knees, and head. Ensure your forehead and nose hit the ground while performing the “sujood” (prostration). This movement is known as a “sajdah.”

Say three times, “Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa,” or “Glorious is my Lord, the Most High,” once you are in your ideal position.

You shouldn’t rest your forearms on the ground. Your fingers ought to be joined.

Get up from sajdah and sit on your knees. Lay your left foot flat on the ground from toe to heel. Only the toes of your right foot should touch the ground. On your knees, place your hands flat. 

“Allaahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa ‘aafinee war’zuqnee” (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me, and provide me provision) is a dua that you can recite.

You can also recite various du’as in this stance, such as Allahuma-ghfirlee (O Allah, forgive me) twice.

Return to the sajdah and then Say Subhanna Rabbiyal a’laa three times.

Say “Allahu akbar,” then stand up. One rak’ah has been performed by you. Up to three more rak’ahs depending on the salah can be required.

Sit on your knee once more in the second sajdah of every second rak’ah. Recite:

Tashahhud: At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu

“All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”.

Sending peace and blessings upon prophet Muhammed (Durood): Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed

“O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory”.

With tasleem, end the prayer. End the prayer by reciting the tashahhud, durood, and whatever du’a you desire to make:

Saying “As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi “ while turning your head to the right. To this side is the angel that keeps track of your good deeds.

Turn your head to the left then say, “As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi ”. To this side is the angel who keeps a record of your wrongdoings. The time for prayer is over.

Saying As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah is another way to perform the tasleem.