Complete Guide to Salah (Daily Prayers)

Prayer Structure by Time

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Step-by-Step Prayer Guide

Step 1: Intention (Niyyah)

• Silently intend in your heart to perform the specific prayer (e.g., “I intend to pray 2 rakah Fardh of Fajr for Allah”).

Step 2: Takbiratul Ihram

• Raise hands to ears and say: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

• Place right hand over left hand below the navel.

Step 3: Opening Dua (Optional but Recommended)

Recite:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
“Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.”
(Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.)

Step 4: Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah

1. Begin with: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
   “A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim.”
   (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.)

2. Then recite: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
   “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem.”
   (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.)

3. Continue with Surah Al-Fatihah (obligatory in every rakah).

4. After Fatihah, recite another Surah (e.g., Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas).

Step 5: Ruku (Bowing)

• Say “Allahu Akbar” while bowing.

• Place hands on knees, back straight, and recite:
  سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
  “Subhana Rabbiyal-Adheem.”
  (Glory to my Lord, the Most Great.) (3x)

Step 6: Rising from Ruku

• Stand up while saying:
  سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
  “Sami’allahu liman hamidah.”
  (Allah hears those who praise Him.)

• Then say:
  رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
  “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.”
  (Our Lord, to You is all praise.)

Step 7: Sujud (Prostration)

• Say “Allahu Akbar” and go into prostration.

• Forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes should touch the ground.

• Recite:
  سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
  “Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la.”
  (Glory to my Lord, the Most High.) (3x)

Step 8: Sitting Between Sujud (Jalsa)

• Rise to a sitting position and say “Allahu Akbar.”

• Sit briefly and say:
  رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
  “Rabbighfir li.”
  (O Lord, forgive me.)

Step 9: Second Sujud

• Repeat Sujud as in Step 7.

Step 10: Standing for Next Rakah

• Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up for the next rakah.

• Repeat Steps 4-9 for each rakah.

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Final Tashahhud (After Last Rakah)

1. Sit in Tashahhud position (right foot upright, left foot flat).

2. Recite:
   التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
   (All compliments, prayers, and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.)

3. For Final Rakah Only: Add Durood Ibrahim:
   اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
   (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.)

4. Supplication (Optional):
   اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
   (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, the torment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the False Messiah.)

Step 11: Tasleem (Ending the Prayer)

• Turn head to the right and say:
  السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
  “Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.”
  (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.)

• Turn head to the left and repeat.

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Additional Notes

• Witr Prayer (Isha): After the 2 Sunnah of Isha, perform 3 rakah Witr (with a special dua in the last rakah).

• Nafl Prayers: Optional but highly rewarding.

May Allah accept our prayers and grant us sincerity. Ameen.