How do I pray salah step-by-step?

Question

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah · Accepted Answer

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Pray as you have seen me pray." (al-Bukhari 631). The summary of his prayer is this: face the qiblah after wudu''; intend in the heart the prayer you are performing (the tongue need not utter it); raise the hands to the level of the shoulders or earlobes saying "Allahu akbar" (the takbiratul-ihram); place the right hand over the left on the chest; recite the opening du''a, then a''udhu billah, then the basmalah silently, then surah al-Fatiha, then a portion of the Qur''an in the first two rak''ahs of fard prayers; then go into ruku'' saying "Allahu akbar", placing the hands on the knees with fingers spread, the back straight, saying three times "Subhana rabbiyal-''adheem"; rise saying "sami''a Allahu liman hamidah" (and the follower says "rabbana wa lakal-hamd"); go into sujud on the seven bones — forehead with the nose, two palms, two knees, and the tips of the two feet — saying three times "Subhana rabbiyal-a''la"; sit between the two prostrations saying "Rabbi-ghfir li"; perform the second sujud likewise. After the second rak''ah sit for the tashahhud; in the final sitting, send salawat upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and seek refuge from four things, then say the salam to the right and to the left.

Shaykh Al-Albani · Answer

Based on the detailed work of Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, 'The Prophet's Prayer Described', the method of prayer is as follows:

1.  **Intention and Qiblah:** Stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah) with the intention in your heart to pray the specific prayer (e.g., Fajr, Dhuhr, etc.). The intention is not uttered verbally.

2.  **Takbir al-Ihram:** Raise your hands to the level of your shoulders or ears and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest). This begins the prayer.

3.  **Qiyam (Standing):** Place your right hand over your left on your chest. Recite the opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah), such as "Subhanak Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk."

4.  **Recitation:** Recite Surah al-Fatihah. After finishing, say "Amin." Then, recite another Surah or some verses from the Qur'an.

5.  **Ruku' (Bowing):** Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow down, making your back level. Place your hands firmly on your knees with your fingers spread. In ruku', say "Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adhim" (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) three times.

6.  **Rising from Ruku':** Rise from bowing and say "Sami'allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears those who praise Him). Once fully upright, say "Rabbana wa lakal-hamd" (Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise).

7.  **Sujud (Prostration):** Say "Allahu Akbar" and go down into prostration. Your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet should be touching the ground. In sujud, say "Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

8.  **Jalsah (Sitting):** Rise from sujud, say "Allahu Akbar," and sit on your left foot with your right foot upright. Place your hands on your thighs. Say "Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li" (My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me).

9.  **Second Sujud:** Perform a second prostration identical to the first one.

This completes one rak'ah (unit of prayer). For the second rak'ah, you stand up by saying "Allahu Akbar" and repeat the steps from recitation onwards. After the second rak'ah, you sit for the Tashahhud. If the prayer is longer than two rak'ahs, you stand up for the third rak'ah after the first Tashahhud and then perform the final Tashahhud at the very end of the prayer. The prayer concludes with the Taslim, turning your head to the right and saying "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah," and then to the left, repeating the same phrase.

Shaykh Al-Albani · Answer

The description of the Prophet's prayer (ﷺ) has been preserved in detail. The following is a summary based on the methodology of Shaykh al-Albani in his comprehensive work, 'Sifat Salat al-Nabi'.

1.  **Intention & Qiblah:** Face the Ka'bah in Makkah and form the intention for the specific prayer in your heart, not verbally.
2.  **Takbir al-Ihram:** Raise your hands to your shoulders or earlobes and say "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) to begin. Place your right hand over your left on your chest.
3.  **Qiyam (Standing):** Recite an opening supplication (du'a al-istiftah), followed by Surah al-Fatihah. After al-Fatihah, recite another Surah or some verses from the Qur'an in the first two rak'ahs.
4.  **Ruku' (Bowing):** Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow, making your back level and grasping your knees. In ruku', say "Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adhim" (Glory to my Lord, the Great) three times.
5.  **I'tidal (Rising from Bowing):** Rise from bowing while saying "Sami'allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears the one who praises Him). Once fully upright, say, "Rabbana wa lakal-hamd" (Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise).
6.  **Sujud (Prostration):** Say "Allahu Akbar" and go down into prostration on seven bones: the forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the tips of the toes of both feet. Say "Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la" (Glory to my Lord, the Most High) three times.
7.  **Jalsa (Sitting):** Say "Allahu Akbar" and rise to a seated position. Say, "Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li" (My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me).
8.  **Second Sujud:** Perform a second prostration identical to the first.

This completes one rak'ah. For subsequent rak'ahs, you stand and repeat the process. After the second rak'ah, you sit for the first Tashahhud. In the final rak'ah, you sit for the final Tashahhud, which includes the supplication known as al-Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah, before concluding the prayer.

9.  **Taslim:** Finish the prayer by turning your head to the right and saying, "Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah" (Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you), and then to the left, repeating the same words.

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