How to Perform Salaat, the Islamic Ritual Prayer

[Fajr only: A-Salaatu Khayrun Mina-Naum (2x)] Qad qaamitis Salaah (2x)
Allaahu Akbar (2x)
Laa ilaaha illa-Lah

God is the most great.
I bear witness that there are not gods but God.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
Come to prayer.
Come to felicity.[Prayer is better than sleep] Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now ready.
God is the most great.
There is no deity save God.

Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):

I intend to offer the _____ 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.”)

Salaat

Niyyat: Stand in respect and attention; put the world behind you.
Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes.

Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women at chest level;
look at the ground in front of you.

Opening Supplication (optional):

Subhaanaka alahumma wa bihamdik
wa tabaaraka smuka wa ta’aalaa jadduka
wa laa ilaaha 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.

Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur’an.

Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil ‘alameen
Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem Maaliki yaumid Deen
Iyyaaka na’abudu wa iyyaaka nasta’een
Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an ‘amta’ alaihim
Ghairil maghduubi’ alaihim waladaaleen
Aameen

In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.
Amen.

For the first two rakats at any time of prayer, recite an additional short selection from the Qur’an.

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

(While bending:) Allahu Akbar
(While bent:) Subhanna rabbiyal ‘Azeem (3x)
God is the most great.
Holy is my Lord, the Magnificent.

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

(While rising:) Sami’ allaahu liman hamidah
(Response from congregation:) Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd

Allah listens to him who praises Him.
Our Lord, to You is due all praise.
(Standing straight, pause:) Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

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 (3x)
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
(Pause:) Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

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.

(Pause:) Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

Sudjood: Prostrate again.

Subhaana rabbiyal ‘Alaa (3x)
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
(Pause:) Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

Qu’ud: Rise to sitting position; pause.
To proceed to the second and fourth rakats:
Return to standing position (Qiyam)

(While rising:) Allahu Akbar
God is the most great.

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….
To complete every second rakat and the last rakat:
Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:¹

At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu
As Salaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatul laahi wa barakaatuh
As Salaamu ‘alainaa wa ‘alaa ‘ebaadillaahis saaliheen,
(Hands on knees, raise right forefinger:) Ash hadu allaa ilaah ilallaah
Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhuu wa rasuuluh

All greetings, blessings and good acts are from You, my Lord.
Greetings to you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Peace be unto us, and unto the righteous servants of Allah.
I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

To proceed to the third rakat:
Return to standing position (Qiyam).

(While rising:) Allahu Akbar

God is the most great.

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
Kamaa sallaita ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa ali Ibraaheema
Innaka hameedun Majeed
Alaahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ali Muhammadin
Kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa ali Ibraaheema
Innaka hameedun Majeed

O Allah, bless our Muhammad and the people of Muhammad,
as you have blessed Abraham and the people of Abraham.
Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
O Allah, be gracious unto Muhammad and the people of Muhammad,
as you were gracious unto Abraham and the people of Abraham.
Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.

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.”

 

¹ At-Tashahhud is a recreation of the conversation held between Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) during the night of the Heavenly Ascent (Miraj).