How to Perform Salah Prayer: A Step by Step Practical Guide

Salah is the heartbeat of a Muslim’s daily life, a direct connection between the servant and the Creator. It is not just a ritual but a source of peace, discipline, and spiritual elevation. Understanding how to perform Salah prayer in Islam correctly is essential for every believer, as it is the first deed we will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is good, then the rest of his deeds will be good, and if it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will be corrupt.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 413, Sahih by al-Albani)

This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of Salah, incorporating the Quran, authentic Hadith, and insights from renowned scholars to help ensure our prayers are performed in the best manner, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us.

Understanding Salah and Its Importance

Salah (prayer) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a fundamental obligation upon every Muslim. It serves as a direct means of communication with Allah and is a source of spiritual purification. Allah commands in the Quran:

“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”
(Quran 4:103)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the significance of Salah, stating:

“The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is good, then the rest of his deeds will be good, and if it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will be corrupt.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 413, Sahih by al-Albani)

To perfect your understanding of how to perform Salah prayer, one must observe sincerity, humility, and adherence to the method taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Preparation to Perform Salah Prayer

• Purification (Taharah) and Wudu (Ablution)

Before performing Salah, a Muslim must be in a state of ritual purity (toharoh) and perform ablution (Wudu) or Ghusl (bath) – if required. Allah says:

“O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.”
(Quran 5:6)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

“No prayer is accepted without purification.”
(Sahih Muslim 224)

A person in a state of major impurity (e.g., after marital relations or menstruation) must perform Ghusl before praying.

• Facing the Qiblah and Setting the Intention (Niyyah)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed:

“When you stand for prayer, perform your Wudu properly, then face the Qiblah, and say the Takbir.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6667, Sahih Muslim 397)

Niyyah (intention) is a condition for Salah, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Verily, actions are judged by intentions, and for every person is what he intended.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907)

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How to Perform Salah Prayer: Step by Step Movements

1. Standing and Takbir al-Ihram (First Takbir)

One should stand upright, facing the Qiblah, and raise both hands to the ears (or shoulders) while saying:

“Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

This marks the official beginning of Salah, as narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):

“When the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood for prayer, he would raise his hands to the level of his shoulders and say ‘Allahu Akbar. ‘”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 735, Sahih Muslim 390)

2. Opening Supplication (Dua al-Istiftah)

Before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would begin with the following supplication:

“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk.”
(Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity besides You.)
(Sunan Abu Dawood 775, Sahih by al-Albani)

3. Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Another Surah

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 756, Sahih Muslim 394)

Recite Surah Al-Fatihah: Alhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘alamin. Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim. Maliki yawmi ad-din. Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an’amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alayhim wa lad-daallin.” (Ameen)

Then, recite any other Surah or verses from the Quran.

4. Ruku (Bowing Position)

Say “Allahu Akbar”, bow, and place hands on the knees. Keep the back straight and recite three times:

“Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great).
(Sahih Muslim 772)

Then, stand back upright, say this while leaving the bowing position to the stranding position:

“Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him).
“Rabbana wa lakal-hamd” (Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.)

5. Sujood (Prostration)

Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate, ensuring the forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touch the ground. Recite three times:

“Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High).
(Sunan Abu Dawood 870, Sahih by al-Albani)

Sit briefly (in a sitting-up position), then perform the second Sujood in the same manner. This is the end of the first rak’ah. You stand up for the second rak’ah and follow steps one to five again.

6. Tashahhud and Sending Blessings on the Prophet (Durood Ibrahim)

In the last Rak’ah, after the final Sujood, sit and recite tashahhud ki dua: Say the last tashahhud dua: at-Tahiyatu li l-lahi wa ssalawatu wa t-taiyibat. As-salamu `alalika aiyuha n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu l-lahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu `alaina wa `ala `ibadi l-lahi s-salihin.

This dua was Narrated Shaqiq bin Salama:

Abdullah said, “Whenever we prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to recite (in sitting) ‘Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, peace be on so and so. Once Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) looked back at us and said, ‘Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, at-Tahiyatu li l-lahi wa ssalawatu wa t-taiyibat. As-salamu `alalika aiyuha n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu l-lahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu `alaina wa `ala `ibadi l-lahi s-salihin.

(All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us an on the pious subjects of Allah). (If you say that, it will reach all the subjects in the heaven and the earth). Ash-hadu al-la ilaha illa l-lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `Abduhu wa Rasuluh. (I testify that there is no Deity [worthy of worship] but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle).

(Sahih al-Bukhari 831, Sahih Muslim 402)

7. Ending Salah with Salam

Turn your head to the right and say:

“Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah).

Then, turn the head to the left and repeat the same.

Common Mistakes in Salah and How to Avoid Them

One of the most common mistakes people make when they perform salah prayer is rushing through it without proper focus. Many people perform the movements hastily, which affects the spiritual essence of the prayer. To avoid this, one must perform each movement calmly and maintain Khushu’ (concentration).

Another mistake is the incorrect recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, where some people mispronounce words or skip verses. Since this Surah is a mandatory part of every Rak’ah, learning proper Tajweed and practicing regularly is essential.

In congregational prayer, some followers move before the Imam, which contradicts the Sunnah. The correct approach is to follow the Imam only after he completes a movement. Looking around during Salah is another common mistake that distracts from devotion. One should keep one’s eyes fixed on the place of Sujood to maintain focus.

Fidgeting excessively, such as adjusting clothes, cracking fingers, or checking the time, also diminishes concentration in prayer. To prevent this, one should stand still and remember that they are standing before Allah.

Incorrect Ruku and Sujood postures can also invalidate Salah. Some people do not bow properly or fail to place all required body parts on the ground during Sujood. Following the correct Sunnah posture ensures the validity of the prayer.

Many people either neglect the Tashahhud or do not sit properly in the last Rak’ah. This is an important part of Salah that requires attentiveness and calmness. Finally, some individuals end their prayer abruptly without properly saying both Salams. Completing both Salams correctly ensures the Salah is fully concluded.

By following the teachings of the Quran, Hadith, and scholars of Sunnah, we can be assured that we understand how to perform salah prayer correctly and Allah will accept our salah. May Allah grant us steadfastness in worship and Khushu’ in our Salah. Ameen.