How to Perform Salah

HOW TO PERFORM SALAH (PRAYER)

Prayer (Salaat) is one of the five pillars of Islam and a fundamental act to perform correctly. It is believed that communication with Allah will bring life to the prayerful and bring them courage. Whether you're just curious as to how Muslims pray or if you're looking to learn for yourself, move down to Step 1.

Method 1 of 2: Prepare for Prayer:-

Ensure the area is clean and free of impurities. This includes your body, your clothes, and the place of prayer itself.

Perform Ablution if necessary. You must be ritually pure before you go about praying. If you're not, it's good to perform Wudu before you do. If since your last prayer you have urinated, defecated, passed gas, bled excessively, fallen asleep lying down, leaned against something, projectile vomited, or fainted, off to the bathroom you go.[1]

Make sure all of your necessary parts are covered. The nakedness of a man is considered to be between the navel and the knees; for a women, her entire body except the face and palms.

If you are praying in a masjid (mosque), which is preferred, enter quietly--other fellow Muslims might still be praying and you don't want to disturb them. Stand in a free space away from the entrance/exit.

If you are unsure of the cleanliness of your area, spread a mat or cloth on the floor for good measure. This mat (or prayer rug) is very important to islamic culture.

Face the Qibla. This is the direction all Muslims face to turn in prayer toward Kabah.

The Holy Mosque in Mecca is the most revered place of worship for Muslims around the entire world. At the center of the mosque is the Ka'ba. All Muslims are required to face the Ka'ba five times every day when offering their prayers.

Pray at the proper time. The five prayers of each day take place at very specific times. For each one, there is a brief period of time it can be performed, determined by the rising and falling of the sun. Each salah takes about 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish.[1]

The five prayers are Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. They are at dawn, immediately after noon, in the mid-afternoon, at sunset, and at night, respectively. They are not at the same time each day as they are timed by the sun, which changes path throughout the seasons.

These are the amount of rakat (rounds, more or less) for each of the 5 salah:

Fajr - i) First two rakat Sunnat Mokadda, ii) Two rakat Fard

Zuhr - i) Four rakat Sunnat Mokadda, ii) Four rakat Fard, iii) Two rakat Sunnat Mokadda, iv) Two rakat Nafl (Optional but spiritually beneficial)

Asr - i) Four rakat sunhat ghair mokadda (Optional but spiritually beneficial), ii) Four rakat Fard

Maghrib - i) Three rakat Fard, ii) Two rakat Sunnat Mokadda, iii) Two rakat nafl (Optional but spiritually beneficial)

Isha - i) Four rakat sunhat e Ghair Mokadda (Optional but spiritually beneficial), ii) Four rakat Fard, iii) Two Rakat Sunnat Mokadda, iv) Two rakat Nafil (Optional but spiritually beneficial), v) Three rakat Wajib, vi) Two rakat Nafil (Optional but spiritually beneficial)

Method 2 of 2: Performing the Muslim Prayers:-

Make your intention known in your heart. Before initiating the salat, it is important that your intention be known and understood. Not necessarily aloud, but from within.

You may think about how many rakats you are going to do and for what purpose. Whatever it is, be sure you mean it.

Raise your hands up to your ears and say in a moderate tone "Allah - Akbar (الله أَكْبَر)." This translates to, "Allah is the greatest." Do this while standing.

Place your right hand over your left hand on your navel and keep your eyes focused on the place you are standing. Do not let your eyes wander.

Recite Isteftah Dua (opening prayer):

(سبحانك اللهم و بحمدك، وتبارك اسمك، و تعالى جدك، ولا إله غيرك)

subhanakal-lahumma

wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaala

judduka wala ilaha ghayruk.

This means: “O Allah, how perfect You are and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.” [Only recite this supplication, Subhanaka, at the beginning of the first Rak'ah]

(أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم)

a’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem.

This is called Ta'awwudh, and it means: “I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan.”

(بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)

bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem.

This is called Tasmiyah, and it means: “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.”

Follow it with the opening chapter of the Qu'ran, the Surah Al- Fatiha (this Surah is recited in each Rak'ah):

<< الحمد لله رب العالمين، الرحمن الرحيم، مالك يوم الدين، إياك نعبد

< وإياك نستعين، اهدنا الصراط المستقيم، صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولأ الضا لين >

al-hamdu lillaahi

rabbil’aalameen

arrahmaanir raheem maaliki yawmideen

iyyaaka na-budo wa-iyyaaka nasta’een

ihdinassiraatalmustaqeem

siraatalladheena an’amta alayhim

ghayril maghduobi’alayhim

waladduaaalleen

ameen

This means:

"All praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the most Gracious, the most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, from You alone we seek help. Guide us along the straight path - the path of those whom You favored, not of those who earned Your anger or went astray.”

You must recite Surat Al-Fatihah in each unit (Rak’ah) of the prayer, if you pray alone. However, if praying behind an Imam and he recites loudly, then it is not necessary for you to recite it.

The You can recite any other surah or any part of Qu'ran such as:

< بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم >

< قل هوا لله أحد،الله الصمد، لم يلد و لم يولد، و لم يكن له كفوا أحد >

Bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem

Qul huwal-lahu ahad alluhus-samad

Lam yalid wa lam yulad

Wa lam yakul-lahu kuhuwan ahad.

This means:

“In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. Say, He is Allah, the One. Allah is Eternal and Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal unto Him.”

Bend down. While bending, say "Allah - Akbar." Bend your body so that your back and neck are straight and level with the ground, keeping your eyes there. Your back and head should be in a 90 degree angle with your legs. This position is called "ruku'."

Once you are bent to the proper angle, say,

"Subhanna - Rabbeyal - Azzem - wal - Bi - haamdee" three times. This translates to, "Glorious is my Lord, the most great."

Stand back up (raise from ruku'). Whilst rising up recite "Samey - Allahu - leman - Hameda with your arms beside you."

This means, "Allah hears those who praise Him. O our Lord, and all praise is to you." Whilst standing up recite Rabana Walakal Hamd once.

This means: (Our Lord, praise be to You).

Go down and place your head, knees, nose, palms of both hands, and toes all touching the floor. This is the position called "sajdah." Whilst doing that say, "Allah - Akbar."

When you are positioned fully, say "Subhanna - Rabbeyal - Alla - wal - Bi - haamdee" three times.

Rise from sajdah and sit on your knees. Place your left foot from ball to heel on the floor. Your right foot should be toes on the floor only. Place your hands flat on your knees. Recite “Rabbighfir li.” Waar - haam - ni, Waj - bur - nii, Waar - faa - nii, Waar - zuq - nii, Wah - dee - nee, Waa - Aafee - nii, Waa - fuu - annii." This means "Lord, forgive me."

Return to sajda and, just as before, say "Subhanna - Rabbeyal - Alla - wal - Bi - haamdee" three times.

Arise from sajda. Stand up and say, ""Allah - Akbar." You have completed 1 Rakat. Depending on the time of day, you may need to complete up to three more.

In every second rakaat, after second sajda, sit on your knee again and recite

التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة لله

وبركاته، السلام علينا و على عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله.

"At-Tahiyyatu lillahi This means: “Greetings, prayers and

was- Salawatu wat-Tayyibatu. goodness belong to Allah.

As-Salamu ' alaika Peace be on you,

ayyuhannabiyyu O Prophet

wa rahmatullahi and the mercy of Allah

wa barakatuhu. and His blessings.

Assalamu 'alaina wa’ala Peace be on us and on

ibadil-Lahis -Salihin the righteous servants of Allah

ash hadu al-La ilaha I bear witness that

il-Lal lahu there is no god but Allah,

wa ash hadu anna and bear witness that

Muhammadan abduhu Muhammad is His servant

wa rasuluhu." and Messenger.”

This is called "tashahhud."

Terminate the prayers with as-salaam. After the tashahhud, pray to Allah before signing off with these movements and words:

Turn your head to the right and say, "As Salam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu'." The angel who records your good deeds is to this side.

Turn your head to the left and say, "As Salam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu'." The angel who records your wrongful deeds is to this side. The prayers have ended!

In a three-Rak'ah Salah (as in Maghrib) or a four-Rak'ah Salah (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) you stand up for the remaining Rak'ah(s) after you have done Tashahhud. For a two-Rak'ah Salah you remain seated after Tashahhud and then recite silently Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah:

اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد، كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم، وبارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد، كما باركت على إبراهيم

وعلى آل إبراهيم، في العالمين إنك حميد مجيد.

"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin “O Allah, let Your mercy come upon Muhammad

Wa 'ala ali Muhammadin and the family of Muhammad

Kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima as You let it come upon Ibrahim

wa 'ala ali Ibrahima and the family of Ibrahim

wa barik 'ala Muhammadin O Allah, bless Muhammad

wa 'ala ali Muhammadin and the family of Muhammad

Kama barakta ' ala Ibrahima as You blessed Ibrahim

Wa ' ala ali Ibrahima and the family of Ibrahim.

Fil a'lamina Innaka Truly You are

hamidun Majid." Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

After this say silently: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min adhabi jahanam wamin adhabil qabri wamin sharri fitnatil mahya wal mamat wamin sharri fitnatil masihid dajjaal. Rabbi-ghfir li waliwalidayya, rabbi-rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira."

اللهم إني أعوذ بك من عذاب جهنم، و من عذاب القبر، و من فتنة المحيا و الممات، و من فتنة المسيح الدجال، رب اغفر لي و لوالدي رب ارحمهما كما ربياني صغيرا.

This means: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of the Hellfire, from the torment of the grave, from the trials and afflictions of life and death, and from the deception of the False-Christ. O my Lord! Grant me and my parents forgiveness, and bestow Your mercy upon them, just as they brought zme up when I was small.”

In the three or four-Rak'ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha) the whole procedure is repeated in the remaining Rak'ah(s), except after Tashahhud, you say "Allahu Akbar" and stand up and only recite Surat Al-Fatiha in Fard prayers and no other Surah, then continue doing the rest of the actions as you have done before (Rukoo', rising, Sujood). Then stand again for the fourth Rak'ah.

Also, in the last Rak'ah of any prayer, after you have made your Sujood, sit up and silently recite both Tashahhud and Salatul Ibrahimiyyah. At the end of any prayer, you must finish by making Tasleem.

When to Recite Aloud or Silently:

During obligatory Fajr prayers, you recite the Qur'an aloud in both Rak'ahs. You also recite the first two Rak'ahs of the obligatory prayers of Maghrib and 'Isha aloud as well.

However, the third and fourth Rak'ahs are always recited silently during obligatory prayers. Also, in the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, the recitation is always silent for all four Rak'ahs.

Furthermore, the one who leads Jumu'ah prayers (Friday prayer in place of Dhuhr) will recite the Qur'an aloud.

THE END:!!

Warnings!!

Don't talk during your salah and always maintain focus.
Don't disturb others if they are praying.
Do not be intoxicated on alcohol (although alcohol is haram/forbidden) or medication during your salah.
Always try to use your time in the mosque efficiently i.e read Qu'ran or make Thikr.
Never talk loudly in a Mosque; this might disturb others in prayer.
Always pray 5 time a day even when you are in school.