How to Perform Salat?

Table of Contents

DISCLAIMER: In this post, we will demonstrate how to pray TWO rakaʿāt from beginning to end. We are trying to make this as comprehensive as possible for reverts. However, each Salat differs from the other by the number of rakaʿāt. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us by clicking on ( Need Help? )

1- Facing The Qiblah

When you stand up to pray, face the direction of the Ka’bah wherever you are.

(You can find apps in Play Store/Apple Store to help you locate the direction or you can buy a Qibla Compass from Muslim Stores)

2- Intention ' Niyyah '

Invoke the intention to pray the Salat. Think of how many rakaʿāt and which salah you intend to perform. Be mindful that you are doing it for the sake of Allah.

3- Takbeer

Whilst standing, raise your hands with your fingers together. Your hands should reach the level of your ears or shoulders. Whilst raised say in a moderate voice, “ALLAHU AKBAR”.

4- Standing & hand placement

After saying “ALLAHU AKBAR”, place your right hand over your left, resting them on your chest or just under.

As you pray, you should be looking at the area of where your head would rest in Sujood. Don’t look around throughout the prayer.

5- Al-Fatihah

Say “A’oothu Billahi Mina’Shaytani Ar’Rajeem ” then ” Bismi’llahi Ar’Rahmani Ar’Raheem ” silently. Then recite Surah al-Fatihah. (It is Sunnah to recite another Surah or some Ayat after Al-Fatihah.)

You can read & listen to Al-Fatihah by clicking here

6- Rokoo'

After you complete the recitation, then you begin Rokoo (bowing) while saying “Allahu Akbar” starting with raising the hands as done in Takbeer. Bend so that your back and neck are at one level facing the ground, and your eyes are directed toward the floor (prostration place).
Whilst in Rokoo’ say “Subhana Rabbi Al Adheem” three times or more.

7- Standing after Rokoo'

After Rokoo’ you should stand up straight again. Whilst staightening up you say “Sami’a Allahu Liman Hamidah” (Allah listens to the one who praises Him). Whilst raising the hands back to the ear or shoulder position as in Takbeer.
Once you are standing straight, arms relaxed say “Rabbanaa wa laka al-hamd (our Lord, to You be all praise).”

8- Sujood (Prostration)

Now kneel down to the Sujood position, putting your hands on the ground first before your knees. Your forehead and nose should touch the ground. Place your hands beside your shoulders or ears, towards the Qibla.

Keep your forearms off the ground. Feet should be together and upright with your toes touching the ground. The position of Sujood should be at ease.

2. Whilst in Sujood you say “Subhana Rabbi Al-A’ala” three times or more.

It is highly recommended to make Dua during this section because it is likely to be answered in Sujood.

9- Iftirash (Sitting)

After Sujood you should transition to iftirash while saying “Allahu Akbar”. it means sitting on the left foot while the right foot is upward on the toes pointed towards the Qiblah. You should feel your body weight more on the left foot.
Whilst sitting, you should say “Rabbi ighfir li, Rabbi ighfir li (My Lord, forgive me, my Lord, forgive me).”

10- The Second Sujood

The second Sujood is similar to the first one. Say ” Subhana Rabbi Al-a’ala” 3 or more times.

If you are praying two rakaʿāt like Fajr Prayer then follow (Standing For The Second Rakaʿāt). If you have finished the Second Rak’aas then proceed to the step 11 & 12 to finish your Salat.

Standing for the Second Rakaʿāt

Stand-up straight whilst saying “ALLAHU AKBAR“, and raising your hands as mentioned before, place your right hand over your left, resting them on your chest or just under. and repeat the same steps from 4 to 10

11- Tashahhud

After the Sujood, Say “Allahu Akbar” while transitioning to the Tashahhud.
You should sit in iftiraash, as shown in the picture. Whilst in iftirash, put your hands on your knees. The left hand should rest on the knee, whilst pointing the index finger on the right hand to the Qiblah. While the index finger is straight, close your fingers together except the thumb on the middle finger. Make a ring shape with the thumb and the middle finger.
The Tashahhud should be recited silently.
The wording of the Tashahhud is: “Al-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa’l-salaawaatu wa’l-tayyibaat. Al-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha’l-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu. Al-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-Illaah il-saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa 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 and blessings of Allaah. 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 the slave and Messenger of Allaah).”
After that, he should send prayers upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), by saying: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, Wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innak hameedun majeed (O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and upon the family of Ibraaheem; You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibraaheem and upon the family of Ibraaheem); You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory).”
Then in this Tashahhud he may choose any of the du’aa’s that he likes of those that have been narrated, and call upon Allaah using these words.

If you are praying more than two rakaʿāt then you should stand-up straight whislt saying “ALLAHU AKBAR” and raising your hands as before. Repeat the same steps from 3 to 10.

Proceed to step 11 & 12 to finish your Salat.

12- Tasleem

At the end of the Tashahhud, you should turn to your right and say ” As’Salamu Aleikum Wa Rahmatu’llah ” then turn to your left and say “As’Salamu Aleikum Wa Rahmatu’llah “.

You have now finished your Salat. It is Sunnah to do Adhkar (remembrance). You can find all the adhkar in a famous book named (fortress of the muslim) specifically those that are said after prayer.

Example of each Salat with the steps number.

Fajr: (2 Rakaʿāt)

{1 to 10} then {3 to 12}. -Loud Recitation-

Dhuhr: (4 Rakaʿāt)

{1 to 10} then {3 to 11} -Silent Recitation- then

{3 to 10} then {3 to 12}. -Silent Recitation-

Asr: (4 Rakaʿāt)

{1 to 10} then {3 to 11} -Silent Recitation- then

{3 to 10} then {3 to 12} -Silent Recitation-.

Maghrib: (3 Rakaʿāt)

{1 to 10} then {3 to 11} -Loud Recitation- then

{3 to 12} -Silent Recitation-.

Isha: (4 Rakaʿāt)

{1 to 10} then {3 to 11} –Loud Recitation-

then