How to Perform Salah | Complete Step-by-Step Guide
To perform Salah (prayer), first perform Wudu (ablution). After Wudu, stand facing the Qibla. Keep your feet about four fingers apart and make the intention (Niyyah) for Salah:
I intend to offer … Rakat Salah … for Allah, facing the Kaaba.
Raising Hands and Praise (Thana)
Raise both hands up to the shoulders, but do not extend them outside your two-piece cloth. Fingers should be naturally placed, neither tightly closed nor widely spread. Place your palms facing the Qibla and say Allahu Akbar while lowering your hands. After lowering, place your left hand below your chest and right hand on top, then recite the Thana (praise):
Subhanak Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruka
(Glory is to You, O Allah! I praise You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your greatness, and there is no deity besides You.)
Ta'awwudh and Bismillah
Recite Ta'awwudh before starting the Surah:
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
Then recite Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem before Al-Fatihah or other Surahs.
Reciting Surah and Verses
After Al-Fatihah, say Ameen silently. Then recite any Surah or at least three verses (one verse equivalent to three). If it is the first Surah of the Salah, recite Bismillah before starting.
Ruku (Bowing)
Say Allahu Akbar and move into Ruku (bowing). Bend until your hands reach your knees. Keep your back straight without exerting pressure on your knees. Fingers should be joined, arms close to the sides, and feet slightly bent. Avoid bowing excessively straight as men do. Recite at least three times:
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem
Standing (Qiyam) and Sujood (Prostration)
After Ruku, stand straight and say:
Sami' Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana lakal hamd
Then say Allahu Akbar and go into Sujood (prostration):
- First, place both knees on the ground
- Then both hands
- Then forehead and nose
- Ensure forehead and nose firmly touch the ground
- Place elbows, stomach, thighs, and shins close to the ground
- Fingers pointing towards the Qibla
Recite at least three or five times in Sujood:
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
After Sujood, raise your head, place both feet to the right side, and sit on your left foot. Place your right hand on your right thigh and left hand on your left thigh. Fingers should be together, edges near knees, facing Qibla. Then say Allahu Akbar and go into the second Sujood in the same manner.
Second Rakat
For the second Rakat, rise from the first Rakat placing hands on your knees (do not put hands on the floor). Only recite Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem followed by Al-Fatihah. Skip Thana and Ta'awwudh. Then recite another Surah or three verses. Perform Ruku and Sujood exactly as in the first Rakat.
Tashahhud
After completing the two Sujoods of the second Rakat, sit and recite Tashahhud:
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu... Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadun abduhu wa rasuluhu
When saying La in “La ilaha,” form a circle with the middle finger and thumb of the right hand, touching the other fingers to the palm. Raise the finger on “La” but do not move it. Lower it on “illa” and straighten all fingers immediately.
Additional Rakats
If performing more than two Rakats, rise without placing hands on the ground, using knees for support. In Fard Salah, it is not necessary to recite another Surah after Al-Fatihah; Al-Fatihah alone is sufficient.
Durood Shareef and Dua
After Tashahhud, recite this Durood Shareef:
Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad ... Allahumma barik 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad ...
Then recite the following Dua:
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman katheera ... Allahumma rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar
Ending Salah (Salam)
To end the Salah, turn your face to the right and say Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah, then turn to the left. Slightly show your cheek, but do not turn your chest.
Important Notes
- Some actions in Salah are Fard (obligatory); without them, Salah is invalid.
- Some actions are Wajib (necessary); deliberately omitting them requires repeating Salah.
- Some are Sunnah Mu’akkadah; leaving them intentionally is sinful.
- Some are Mustahab (recommended); performing them gives reward, skipping does not incur sin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Salah
1. How many Rakats are there in Fard Salah?
Fard Salah consists of 2, 3, or 4 Rakats depending on the prayer: Fajr – 2, Zuhr – 4, Asr – 4, Maghrib – 3, Isha – 4.
2. What is the correct way to perform Wudu?
Wudu involves washing the face, arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet in a specific order while reciting the proper supplications.
3. Can a person combine Salah if they are traveling?
Yes, a traveler may combine Zuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha prayers, following the Sunnah allowances during travel.
Want to learn more?
Read our detailed guide on Obligations and Sunnahs →
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