Salah Guide
The Sacred Journey
Before you begin
Perform Wudu (Ablution).
Wear clean clothes (covering your Awrah).
Find a clean place to pray (usually a prayer mat).
Face the Qiblah (Mecca).
How to perform Wudu
1. Niyyah: Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for prayer.
2. Bismillah: Say 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah).
3. Wash hands: Wash your hands up to the wrists 3 times.
4. Rinse mouth: Rinse your mouth 3 times.
5. Clean nose: Sniff water into your nose and blow it out 3 times.
6. Wash face: Wash your whole face 3 times (from ear to ear and hairline to chin).
7. Wash arms: Wash your arms up to and including the elbows 3 times (start with right).
8. Wipe head: Wipe your wet hands over your head once (start from front to back).
9. Wipe ears: Wipe the inside and outside of your ears once.
10. Wash feet: Wash your feet up to and including the ankles 3 times (start with right, clean between toes).
Bismillah
“ In the name of Allah ”
Deep Reflection
Dua after Wudu
Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu,
wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone, without partner,
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
Niyyah (Intention)
Stand straight facing the Qiblah.
Make the intention in your heart for the specific prayer you are performing (e.g., 2 Rakat of Fajr).
You do not need to say it out loud.
1. QIYAM (Standing)
The first pillar of Salah is the opening Takbir followed by standing and reciting the Quran.
Raise your hands to your ears (or shoulders for sisters).
Say 'Allahu Akbar'.
Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or belly.
Keep your eyes fixed on the place of prostration (where your head touches the ground).
Takbirat al-Ihram
Allahu Akbar
“ Allah is the Greatest ”
Deep Reflection
Allahu Akbar
Opening Supplication (Sana)
Subhanakal lahumma wa bihamdika
wa tabarakas muka
wa ta'ala jadduka
wa la ilaha ghayruka
“ Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours. ”
“ Blessed is Your name. ”
“ Exalted is Your Majesty. ”
“ And there is no deity worthy of worship except You. ”
Deep Reflection
Subhanakal lahumma
wa bihamdika
wa tabarakas muka
wa ta'ala jadduka
wa la ilaha ghayruka
Seeking Refuge
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
“ I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast. ”
Deep Reflection
A'udhu billahi
minash-shaytanir-rajim
Bismillah
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
“ In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. ”
Surah Al-Fatiha
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is mandatory in every Rakat.
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin
Arrahmanir rahim
Maliki yawmiddin
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim
Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim
Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim walad-dallin
“ [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - ”
“ The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, ”
“ Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. ”
“ It is You we worship and You we ask for help. ”
“ Guide us to the straight path - ”
“ The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, ”
“ Not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. ”
Deep Reflection
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin
Arrahmanir rahim
Maliki yawmiddin
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim
Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim
Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim walad-dallin
Baqarah 2:214
Am hasibtum an tadkhulul jannata wa lamma yatikum mathalu lladhina khalaw min qablikum
massat humu l basaau wa ddarraau wa zulzilu hatta yaqula rrasulu wa lladhina amanu maahu
"mata nasrullah?" ala inna nasra llahi qarib
“ Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? ”
“ They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" ”
“ Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. ”
Deep Reflection
Am hasibtum an tadkhulul jannata
wa lamma yatikum mathalu lladhina khalaw min qablikum
massat humu l basaau wa ddarraau
wa zulzilu
hatta yaqula rrasulu wa lladhina amanu maahu
mata nasru llah
ala inna nasra llahi qarib
Surah Al Asr (103)
Wal asr
Innal insana lafee khusr
Illal ladhina amanu wa amilu ssalihati wa tawaasaw bilhaqqi wa tawaasaw bissabr
“ By the time, ”
“ Indeed, mankind is in loss, ”
“ Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. ”
Deep Reflection
Wal asr
Inna l insana lafi khusr
Illa lladhina amanu
wa amilu ssalihati
wa tawasaw bilhaqqi
wa tawasaw bissabr
Surah Al Ikhlas (112)
Qul huwa llahu ahad
Allahu ssamad
Lam yalid wa lam yulad
Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
“ Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, ”
“ Allah, the Eternal Refuge. ”
“ He neither begets nor is born, ”
“ Nor is there to Him any equivalent.' ”
Deep Reflection
Qul huwa llahu ahad
Allahu ssamad
Lam yalid wa lam yulad
Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
Muzzammil 73:10-12 (The Patience Combo)
Wasbir 'ala ma yaquluna wahjurhum hajran jamila
Wadharni wal mukadhdhibina uli nnamati wa mahhilhum qalila
Inna ladayna ankalan wa jahima
“ And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance. ”
“ And leave Me with [the matter of] the deniers, those of ease [in life], and allow them respite a little. ”
“ Indeed, with Us are shackles and burning fire. ”
Deep Reflection
Wasbir 'ala ma yaquluna
wahjurhum hajran jamila
Wadharni wal mukadhdhibina uli nnamati
wa mahhilhum qalila
Inna ladayna ankalan wa jahima
Saffat 37:4-6 (The Sky and Stars Combo)
Inna ilahakum la wahid
Rabbu ssamawati wal ardi wa ma baynahuma wa rabbu l mashariq
Inna zayyanna ssamaa d dunya bi zinatin il kawakib
“ Indeed, your God is One, ”
“ Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises. ”
“ Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars ”
Deep Reflection
Inna ilahakum la wahid
Rabbu ssamawati wal ardi
wa ma baynahuma
wa rabbu l mashariq
Inna zayyanna ssamaa d dunya
bi zinatin il kawakib
2. RUKU (Bowing)
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow your back.
Place your hands on your knees with fingers spread.
Keep your back straight (like a table) and your neck in line with your spine.
Fix your gaze between your feet.
Bowing Supplication
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhana rabbiyal azim (3x)
“ Allah is the Greatest ”
“ Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent ”
Deep Reflection
Subhana rabbiyal azim
Rising from Ruku
Rise back up to a standing position.
While rising, say 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah'.
Once standing, say 'Rabbana lakal hamd'.
Pause for a moment, standing straight (calmness is mandatory).
Sami Allahu liman hamidah
Rabbana wa lakal hamd
“ Allah hears the one who praises Him ”
“ Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise ”
Deep Reflection
Sami Allahu liman hamidah
Rabbana wa lakal hamd
3. SUJUD (Prostration)
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and go down for Sujud.
Ensure 7 bones touch the ground: forehead & nose, both palms, both knees, and toes of both feet.
Keep your elbows away from your sides (don't lay them on the floor like a dog).
Point your toes toward the Qiblah.
Sujud Supplication
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhana rabbiyal ala (3x)
“ Allah is the Greatest ”
“ Glory be to my Lord, the Most High ”
Deep Reflection
Subhana rabbiyal ala
Sitting between two Sujoods
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and sit on your legs.
Recite: 'Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li' (My Lord, forgive me, my Lord, forgive me).
This is a pause for mercy before another bow.
Sit on your left foot (lay it flat) and keep your right foot upright with toes facing Qiblah (this is called Iftirash).
Place your hands on your thighs/knees.
Keep your back straight. Pause for a moment (calmness is wajib).
Do not rush; this sitting is a separate pillar of Salah.
Allahu Akbar (Sitting up)
Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li
“ Allah is the Greatest ”
“ My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me. ”
Deep Reflection
Rabbighfir li
Allahumma ghfir li warhamni...
Second Sujud
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and go down for the second Sujud.
Perform exactly as the first Sujud.
Ensure 7 bones are touching the ground again.
Recite 'Subhana rabbiyal ala' 3 times.
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhana rabbiyal ala (3x)
“ Allah is the Greatest ”
“ Glory be to my Lord, the Most High ”
4. TASHAHHUD (Sitting)
Sit in the same position as between Sujuds (Ifitrai).
Left foot flat under buttocks, right foot upright.
Hands on knees/thighs. Fingers resting naturally.
When reaching 'Ash-hadu alla ilaha...', raise your right index finger.
Look at your lap or your finger.
At-Tahiyyat
Allahu Akbar (Sitting)
Attahiyyatul lillahi
was salawatu wa ttayyibat
Assalamu alayka
ayyuhan nabiyyu
wa rahmatullahi
wa barakatuh
Assalamu alayna
wa ala ibadillahi ssalihin
Ashhadu alla
ilaha illa llah
wa
ashhadu anna
Muhammadan abduhu
wa rasuluh
Deep Reflection
Attahiyyatu lillahi wa ssalawatu wa ttayyibat
Assalamu alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Assalamu alayna wa ala ibadillahi ssalihin
Ashhadu alla ilaha illa llah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh
5. DUROOD IBRAHIMI
Continue sitting in the same respectful position.
Part 1
Allahumma
salli ala Muhammadin
wa ala ali Muhammad
Kama
sallayta ala Ibrahima
wa ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka hamidun majid
Deep Reflection
Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad
Kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim
Part 2
Allahumma
barik ala Muhammadin
wa ala ali Muhammad
Kama
barakta ala Ibrahima
wa ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka hamidun majid
Deep Reflection
Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad
Kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim
Short Durood (Alternative)
Allahumma salli wa sallim
ala nabiyyina Muhammad
“ O Allah, send blessings and peace ”
“ upon our Prophet Muhammad ”
Deep Reflection
Allahumma salli wa sallim ala nabiyyina Muhammad
5b. Supplications Before Salam
After finishing the Durood, it is highly recommended to make personal supplications before ending the prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from four things especially.
Protection from Four Evils
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi jahannam,
wa min 'adhabhil-qabr,
wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat,
wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal
“ O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, ”
“ and from the punishment of the grave, ”
“ and from the trials of life and death, ”
“ and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal). ”
Deep Reflection
Protection from Four Evils
The Comprehensive Forgiveness Dua
A beautiful dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Abu Bakr (RA).
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathira,
wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Ant,
faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika warhamni,
innaka Antal-Ghafurur-Rahim
“ O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, ”
“ and no one forgives sins but You, ”
“ so grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy on me. ”
“ Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. ”
Deep Reflection
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi...
6. ENDING SALAM
Turn your face to the right, looking over your shoulder, and say the Salam.
Then turn your face to the left, looking over your shoulder, and say the Salam.
This signals the completion of your meeting with Allah.
Turn right
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Turn left
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Deep Reflection
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
7. Handling Mistakes (Sujud as-Sahw)
If you make a mistake (like forgetting a mandatory part or being unsure of the Rakat count), you can correct it with Sujud as-Sahw (Prostrations of Forgetfulness).
Excess or Deficiency: If you add or skip a part unintentionally.
How to perform: In the final sitting, after Tashahhud/Durood, perform two extra prostrations (Sujud) before or after the final Salam, then conclude the prayer.
Nullifiers (Mubtilat) of Salah
These actions will break your prayer and you will need to start again:
1. Talking: Speaking intentionally even if it's a single word.
2. Eating or Drinking: Even small amounts.
3. Large Movements: Moving three times consecutively or making movements that would make an observer think you are not in prayer.
4. Laughing: Specifically laughing out loud (audibly).
5. Losing Wudu: Passing wind or other things that invalidate purity.
6. Turning away from Qiblah: Turning your chest significantly away from the direction of prayer.
7. Uncovering Awrah: If the mandatory parts of the body are uncovered for a duration.
8. Missing a Pillar: Intentionally skipping a mandatory part like Ruku or Sujud.
Post-Prayer Adhkar (Sunnah)
After saying the final Salam, it is Sunnah to perform these steps:
1. Astaghfirullah: Say 'I seek Allah's forgiveness' 3 times.
2. Allahumma Antas-Salam: Recite the dua for peace.
Beginner's Glossary of Terms
Rakat: One unit of prayer consisting of standing, bowing, and two prostrations.
Fard: Obligatory actions or prayers.
Sunnah: Actions or prayers following the way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Wajib: Mandatory (close to Fard).
Nafal: Optional/Voluntary prayer.
Qiblah: The direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
Wudu: Ritual ablution/washing.
Qiyam: Standing position in prayer.
Ruku: Bowing position.
Sujud: Prostration position.
Jalsa: The sitting between two prostrations.
Tashahhud: The testimony of faith recited while sitting.
Salam: The final salutation that ends the prayer.