Performing Salat

Phase 1: Preparation (Before You Begin)

Before you start praying, ensure you meet these four prerequisites:

1. Wudu (Ablution): You must be in a state of ritual purity.

2. Cleanliness: Your clothes and the place you are praying must be clean.

3. Covering: Your body must be properly covered (Awrah).

4. Qiblah: Face the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Phase 2: Step-by-Step Guide to the Prayer

Rak’ah 1 (The First Unit)

1. The Intention (Niyyah): Stand upright. Focus your mind on the prayer you are about to perform. You don’t need to say it out loud; intention is a matter of the heart.

2. Takbeerat al-Ihram: Raise your hands up to your earlobes (or shoulders) and say:

   “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

   Lower your hands and place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or stomach. Keep your eyes focused on the spot where your head will touch the ground.

3. Recitation:

   • Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran) in Arabic.

   • After Al-Fatiha, say “Ameen” and recite any other short chapter or verses from the Quran (e.g., Surah Al-Ikhlas).

4. Ruku (Bowing): Say “Allahu Akbar” and bow down, placing your hands on your knees with your back straight. While bowing, say three times:

   “Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Adheem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent).

5. Rising from Bowing: Stand back up straight while raising your hands to your shoulders and say:

   “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears whoever praises Him).

   Once standing fully straight, say:

   “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise).

6. Sujood (Prostration): Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate on the floor. Your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet should touch the ground. Say three times:

   “Subhana Rabbiyal ‘A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).

7. Sitting Intermission: Say “Allahu Akbar” and sit up straight on your left leg, keeping your right foot upright. Rest your hands on your thighs. Pause for a moment.

8. Second Sujood: Say “Allahu Akbar” and go back down into a second prostration, repeating the same steps and phrases as the first one.

Rak’ah 2 (The Second Unit)

1. Stand Back Up: Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand completely back up. You have now completed one Rak’ah.

2. Repeat the Steps: Repeat everything you did in the first Rak’ah (Recitation, Ruku, and both Sujood).

3. The Final Tashahhud (Sitting): After the second prostration of this second unit, do not stand up. Instead, sit up just like you did during the intermission. Raise your right index finger slightly to testify to the oneness of God, and recite the Tashahhud and Durood (prayers of praise and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad).

Phase 3: Ending the Prayer (Tasleem)

Once you have finished the sitting recitations, you exit the prayer by performing the Tasleem:

1. Turn your head to the right shoulder and say:

   “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you).

2. Turn your head to the left shoulder and say the same:

   “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.”

Your prayer is now complete!

Quick Reference Table

Tip for Beginners: Don’t stress if you can’t memorize all the Arabic phrases immediately. You can write them down on a piece of paper and look at it while you pray, or listen to an audio guide until you get the hang of it. Allah rewards your effort!