Salah Guide

The Adhan is the Islamic call to public prayer (Salah). It is called out by a Muezzin from the mosque five times a day.

The Iqamah is the second call to prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins. It is similar to the Adhan but is recited more quickly and with some differences in repetition.

This call signals the congregation to stand up and form rows for the prayer.

Perform Wudu (Ablution).

Wear clean clothes (covering your Awrah).

Find a clean place to pray (usually a prayer mat).

Face the Qiblah (Mecca).

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).

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.

When praying in a congregation, one person leads (the Imam) and the others follow (the Ma'mum).

1. Intention (Niyyah): The Imam must intend to lead the prayer. The followers must intend to pray behind this specific Imam.

2. Positioning: The Imam stands in the front center. The followers form straight, shoulder-to-shoulder rows directly behind him.

3. Takbir: The Imam says 'Allahu Akbar' aloud for every movement. The followers say it silently.

4. Recitation (Qira'at): For Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers, the Imam recites Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah out loud in the first two Rakats. For Dhuhr and Asr, the Imam recites silently.

5. Rising from Ruku: When rising from bowing, the Imam says 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah' aloud. The followers then say 'Rabbana walakal hamd' silently.

6. Following the Imam: Followers must never move before the Imam. They should follow his movements immediately after he initiates them.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Continue sitting in the same respectful position.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.