Step-by-Step Salah
This page teaches the prayer in a clear sequence, from the opening takbīr to the final taslīm. It also shows how the rakʿahs connect in each obligatory prayer. Learn calmly. The goal is to stand before Allah with correctness, humility, and sincerity.
1. Before you begin
- Purification is valid (wuḍūʾ), and major impurity is removed when required.
- Body, clothing, and place of prayer are clean.
- The prayer time has entered.
- You are facing the Qiblah.
- The intention (niyyah) is present in the heart (not spoken aloud).
Intention is an awareness in the heart that you are praying a specific prayer for the sake of Allah. It is not said with the tongue.
2. Loud and quiet recitation (simple rule)
In the obligatory prayers, the recitation while standing is sometimes audible and sometimes quiet. Quiet recitation still means you move the tongue and lips softly.
Audible recitation means your own ears can hear you without raising the voice harshly. Quiet recitation means soft recitation with the lips and tongue moving.
3. One rakʿah — detailed steps
4. Example: Fajr (2 rakʿahs)
Fajr has two rakʿahs. Both are recited audibly when praying alone. After the second rakʿah, you sit for the final tashahhud and end with taslīm.
| Rakʿah | What happens in order |
|---|---|
| 1st | Opening takbīr → Standing recitation (al-Fātiḥah + short surah) → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Stand for 2nd |
| 2nd | Standing recitation → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Final sitting (tashahhud + ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ) → Taslīm |
5. Example: Maghrib (3 rakʿahs)
Maghrib has three rakʿahs. The first two rakʿahs are recited audibly. After the second rakʿah, there is a sitting for the first tashahhud, then you stand for the third.
| Rakʿah | What happens in order |
|---|---|
| 1st | Opening takbīr → Recitation (audible) → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Stand for 2nd |
| 2nd | Recitation (audible) → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Sit for first tashahhud → Stand for 3rd |
| 3rd | Recitation (quiet) → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Final sitting → Taslīm |
6. Examples: Dhuhr, ‘Asr, ‘Isha (4 rakʿahs)
Dhuhr and ‘Asr are recited quietly in all rakʿahs. ‘Isha is audible in the first two rakʿahs, quiet in the last two. After the second rakʿah, there is a sitting for the first tashahhud. After the fourth, there is the final sitting.
| Rakʿah | What happens in order |
|---|---|
| 1st | Opening takbīr → Recitation → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Stand for 2nd |
| 2nd | Recitation → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Sit for first tashahhud → Stand for 3rd |
| 3rd | Recitation (often al-Fātiḥah only) → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Stand for 4th |
| 4th | Recitation → Rukūʿ → Stand → Sujūd → Sit → Sujūd → Final sitting → Taslīm |
In the first two rakʿahs of obligatory prayers, it is recommended to recite a short surah after al-Fātiḥah. In the later rakʿahs, many scholars mention reciting al-Fātiḥah alone. Learn the foundation first and build gradually.
7. How to practise and improve
- Start with one prayer consistently (often Fajr), then add the others.
- Focus first on correct order, calmness, and the pillars.
- Then strengthen recitation and memorisation step by step.
- Pray with humility: you are standing before Allah, not performing for people.
Every sincere effort to establish Salah is honoured by Allah. Do not delay prayer because you fear imperfection. Begin with what you know, and ask Allah to increase you in guidance and firmness.