How to perform the prayer

Before Salaat
1. Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean.
2. Perform wudu (ritual ablution) if needed.
3. Women are required to cover their hair.
4. Face the Qibla, the direction of Mecca.
5. Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
6. Recite Iqama (private call to prayer):

Allahu Akbar
Ashhadu Allah ilaha illa-Lah
Ash Hadu anna Muhamad al rasulullah

[Fajr only]
Al-Salat Khayrun Mina-Naum
Qad qamitis Salah


Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):
I intend to offer _____ rakats of the ____ prayer, and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone. (For example: "I intend to offer the 4 rakats of the Isha prayer and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.")

EXTRA to know: Fajr have 2 rakah, Dhuhr have 4 rakah, Asr have 4 rakah, Maghrib have 3 rakah and Isha have 4 rakas.

Begin Salaat
1. Niyyat: Stand with respect and attention; put the world behind you. Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes and say (The entire prayer must be recited in Arabic, but for your information we give the English translation next to the Arabic transliteration) :

Allahu Akbar (Allah is great)

2.Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women at chest level; look at the ground in front of you and recite Opening Supplication (optional):

Subhana ala humma wa bihamdika wa tabara kasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk (Glory to You, O Allah, and Yours is the praise.
And blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty. And there is no deity to be worshipped but You )
A'uudhu billaahi minash shaitaan ar-Rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed)


3.Al-Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur'an.

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.


Al hamdu lillahi rabbil 'al ameen
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.

Al-Rahman al-Rahim
The Compassionate, the Merciful.

Maliki yawmid Deen
Ruler on the Day of Reckoning

Iyyaka na'abudu wa iy yaaka nasta'een
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help

Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem
Guide us on the straight path

Siraatal ladheena an 'amta' alaihim
the path of those who have received your grace

Ghairil maghduubi' alaihim waladaleen
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray

Ameen
Amin


For the first two rakats at any time of prayer, recite an additional short selection from the Quraan after al Fatiha.

4.Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, palms on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet.

(While bending:) Allahu Akbar (Allah is great)
(While bent:) Subhanna rabbiyal 'Azeem (3 times) (Holy is my Lord, the Magnificent)

5. Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides.

(While rising:) Sami' allaahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to him who praises Him)
(Response from congregation:) Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd (Our Lord, to You is due all praise)
(Standing straight, pause:) Allahu Akbar (Allah is great)

6. Sudjood: Prostrate—hands on knees, lower slowly to kneeling position; touch forehead, nose and palms to ground (but not elbows); bend toes so tops of feet face the Qibla.

Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3 times) (Glory to my Lord, the Most High. )
(Pause:) Allahu Akbar (Allah is great)

7.Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. Men turn up heel of right foot, right toes bent; women keep both feet, soles up, under body.

Allah Akbar (God is great)

8.Sudjood: Prostrate again.


Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3 times) (Glory to my Lord, the Most High)
(Pause:) Allahu Akbar (God is great)

9.Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position

To proceed to the second and fourth rakats.
(While rising:) Allahu Akbar (God is great.)
10.Return to standing position recite al-Fatiha.

Then recite the Fatiha, (if this is the second rakat of any time of prayer, recite another short portion of the Qur'an); continue the second or fourth rakat with Ruku....

11. To complete every second rakat and the last rakat: Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:


At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu ( All greetings, blessings and good acts are from You, my Lord)
As Salaamu 'alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatul laahi wa barakaatuh (Greetings to you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.)
As Salaamu 'alainaa wa 'alaa 'ebaadillaahis saaliheen, (Peace be unto us, and unto the righteous servants of Allah. )
(Hands on knees, raise right forefinger)
Ash hadu allaa ilaah ilallaah Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa rasuuluh
(I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger)

To proceed to the third rakat:


(While rising:) Allahu Akbar
God is great.
Return to standing position recite al-Fatiha
Recite the Fatiha and continue third rakat with Ruk'u....
At the end of any time of prayer (when all rakats have been completed): Remain seated, recite At-Tashahhud, and then recite the Salawat:

Allaahumma salli 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin
(O Allah, bless our Muhammad and the people of Muhammad)
Kamaa sallaita 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema
(As you have blessed Abraham and the people of Abraham.)
Innaka hameedun Majeed
(Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious)
Alaahumma baarik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin
(O Allah, be gracious unto Muhammad and the people of Muhammad)
Kamaa baarakta 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema
(As you were gracious unto Abraham and the people of Abraham)
Innaka hameedun Majeed
(Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious)


To Complete the Prayer: Look over right shoulder (toward the angel recording your good deeds), then the left (toward the angel recording your wrongful deeds); say each time:

As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatulaah
Peace and blessings of God be upon you

Say personal prayers with hands cupped and palms up at chest level. Wipe face with palms.
If praying in a group, stand and greet each other individually, saying: "May God receive our prayers.