Salah (the daily ritual prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and the primary connection between the servant and the Creator. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed: "Pray as you have seen me praying" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6008).
Prerequisites of Prayer (Shurut as-Salah)
Before initiating Salah, six conditions must be satisfied:
- Ritual Purity (Taharah & Wudu): Freedom from minor impurity through Wudu and major impurity through Ghusl (Sahih Muslim 224).
- Cleanliness of Body, Clothes, and Place: Freedom from physical impurities (Najasah) per Surah Al-Muddaththir (74:4).
- Covering the Awrah: Men must cover from navel to knee with shoulders covered; women must cover the entire body except face and hands (Sahih al-Bukhari 359).
- Facing the Qiblah (Makkah): Turning toward the sacred Kaaba (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144). Use our Qibla Compass.
- Entry of Prayer Time (Waqt): Performing each prayer within its designated time window (Surah An-Nisa 4:103).
- Sincere Intention (Niyyah): Making the intention in the heart to pray the specific prayer for Allah alone (Sahih al-Bukhari 1).
Step-by-Step Postures & Recitations (One Complete Rakat)
- 1. Takbirat al-Ihram: Raise hands to earlobes or shoulders and pronounce "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).
- 2. Qiyam & Recitation: Place right hand over left upon chest or below navel. Recite opening Dua (Thana), followed by Surah Al-Fatiha (obligatory in every rakat per Sahih al-Bukhari 756) and an additional Surah.
- 3. Ruku (Bowing): Bow with back flat and hands grasping knees, reciting "Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azeem" (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) three times.
- 4. I'tidal (Rising): Rise saying "Sami' Allaho liman hamidah", standing straight and adding "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
- 5. Sujud (Prostration): Prostrate with seven body parts touching the ground (forehead/nose, two palms, two knees, and toes of both feet per Sahih al-Bukhari 812), reciting "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times.
- 6. Jalsah (Sitting between Sujuds): Sit calmly on left foot with right foot upright, reciting "Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li".
- 7. Second Sujud: Prostrate again identically to complete the rakat.
The Five Daily Prayers & Rakat Structure
- Fajr (Pre-Dawn): 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah + 2 Fard.
- Dhuhr (Midday): 4 Sunnah Mu'akkadah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah + 2 Nafl.
- Asr (Late Afternoon): 4 Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah + 4 Fard.
- Maghrib (Sunset): 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah + 2 Nafl.
- Isha (Night): 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah Mu'akkadah + 2 Nafl + 3 Witr.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salah
What should a beginner do if they haven't memorized Arabic recitations?
Islam prioritizes ease. While learning Surah Al-Fatiha, a beginner may say "SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar" while performing the physical movements (Sunan Abi Dawud 832). Review our gentle Salah for Beginners Guide.