Every Muslim knows that Salah is the heartbeat of daily worship. But many struggle with confidence in their steps, uncertain whether they’re doing it right. What if you had a clear, Quran-centred roadmap to walk you through how to perform salah correctly, from intention to final salaam?
In this article, we will guide you in a step-by-step manner, grounded in Qur’anic principles and reinforced by the prophetic way. I’ll also share personal tips from working with many learners over the years—things I wish someone had told me when I first learned. By the end, you’ll perform Salah with more clarity, focus, and spiritual connection than ever.
Let’s begin.
1. Preparation: Purity, Cleanliness, and the Right Setting
Before any movement, Salah starts in the heart. But there are physical prerequisites you must fulfill. This section ensures your groundwork is solid.
Perform Wudu (Ablution)
The Qur’an explicitly commands believers to be clean before prayer:
“O you who believe, when you stand for prayer, wash your faces and your arms to the elbows, and wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles.” (Qur’an 5:6)
Wudu generally consists of:
- Niyyah (intention) to purify for prayer
- Washing hands up to wrists three times
- Rinse mouth, then nose
- Washing face three times
- Washing forearms up to the elbows
- Wiping over the head
- Wiping inside and behind the ears
- Washing feet up to the ankles
If full ablution is not possible, there are alternative permissions (e.g., tayammum). But whenever possible, do full wudu. In practice, students often forget the ear wiping—make sure you include that.
Covering and Clean Space
You must dress modestly. For men, covering from the navel to the knees is required. For women, covering the body except for the face, hands, and sometimes feet is customary.
Also, choose a place that is clean, free of distractions, and preferably use a prayer mat. When I taught newcomers in retreats, I always told them: good surroundings help quiet your mind.
Face the Qiblah
Once you are purified and ready, face the direction of the Kaaba (Qiblah). This ensures unity in worship. The Qur’an calls this turning the face:
“So from wherever you go forth, turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.” (Qur’an 2:150)
In practical terms today, many use a compass or a smartphone app to find the correct direction.
2. Intention and Opening (Takbiratul Ihram)
Once you’re ready, you begin the formal prayer sequence.
Making the Intention (Niyyah)
You make a silent intention in your heart to offer the specific prayer (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, or Isha) with its number of rak’ahs (units). You don’t have to verbalize it.
For instance: “I intend to pray the four rak’ahs of Dhuhr, for Allah.”
Sincerity matters more than wording.
Starting with Takbiratul Ihram
Raise your hands (men to ears, women to shoulders or chest) and say:
Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)
This is the point your prayer officially begins. It’s called Takbiratul Ihram.
From this moment, external distractions should be pushed away. Your focus shifts entirely to worship.
3. Standing, Recitations, and the Body of the Rakah
Once you have begun, each rakah follows a pattern. Here’s how to proceed in the standing posture to recite what’s required.
Placement of Hands and Focus
After saying “Allahu Akbar,” lower your hands and place them: the right hand over the left. For men, on the belly or above; for women, often on the chest.
Your gaze should be toward the spot on which your forehead will prostrate. Avoid lifting your head to see around.
Recite Opening Supplications
Before reciting from the Quran, it is recommended (though not strictly mandatory in all schools) to say:
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi-hamdika wa tabaraka ismuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruka.
This means: “How perfect You are, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god except You.”
Then recite A’udhu Billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim (“I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan”) and then Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”) before beginning Qur’an recitation.
Recite Surah al-Fatihah (The Opening)
This recitation is obligatory in every rakah. You speak verse by verse, often pausing briefly between verses.
After completing al-Fatihah, you recite another surah (or portion of the Qur’an) in the first two rakahs (and in some cases the subsequent ones, depending on school). Many choose short chapters like Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, or An-Nas.
Bowing into Ruku
After reciting, you say Allahu Akbar and move into ruku (bowing). In ruku, keep your back straight (not slouched), place your hands firmly on your knees, and gaze downward.
In ruku, recite Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Adheem (“Glory to my Lord, the Most Magnificent”) three times (or more) with humility.
4. Rising, Prostration (Sujood), and the Sitting
From ruku onward, the rest of the cycle takes you through prostrations and sitting.
Rising from Ruku (I’tidal)
You say Samiʿa Allahu liman hamidah (“Allah hears the one who praises Him”), standing up straight. After full rise, you declare Rabbana lakal hamd (“Our Lord, to You is praise”).
Make sure your body is upright before proceeding.
First Sujood (Prostration)
You say Allahu Akbar and go down into prostration (sujood). Your seven points should touch the ground:
- Forehead
- Nose
- Both palms
- Both knees
- Toes of both feet
Ensure you are not resting your elbows on the ground (unless needed for balance).
In that position, recite Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (“Glory to my Lord, the Most High”) three times.
Sitting Between Prostrations
You rise, saying Allahu Akbar, into a short sitting (jalsa). Rest on your left leg, toes of right foot upright, hands on knees. In this sitting, it is recommended to say a brief supplication: e.g., Rabbighfir li (“My Lord, forgive me”).
Then you say Allahu Akbar again to go into the second sujood.
Second Sujood
You repeat the same as the first sujood: touching the seven points, reciting Subhana Rabbiyal A’la at least three times.
Afterward, you say Allahu Akbar and either return to standing for the next rakah (if more remain) or sit for Tashahhud if in the final rakah.
5. Tashahhud, Final Supplications, and Tasleem
In the last rakah, you remain seated after your second sujood and begin what is called Qawmah / Tashahhud.
Tashahhud (Testimony)
Sit comfortably and recite:
At-tahiyyatu lillahi wa-s-salawatu wa-t-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.
This is a declaration of greeting, peace, and testimony of faith. The recitation may vary by school, but this is commonly accepted.
After Tashahhud, many also recite Salawat on the Prophet (e.g., “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad …”) and other supplications.
Final Tasleem (Salutation)
To conclude the prayer, turn your head to the right and say:
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah (“Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you”)
Then turn left and repeat:
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah
This marks the end of the Salah.
6. Number of Rak’ahs and Order of Prayers
Knowing how to perform salah correctly also means being aware of how many units each prayer has and what to do in different situations.
Standard Fard (Obligatory) Prayers
| Prayer | Number of Rak’ahs |
| Fajr | 2 |
| Dhuhr | 4 |
| Asr | 4 |
| Maghrib | 3 |
| Isha | 4 |
In addition, there are Sunnah and optional units (e.g., before and after fard, Witr, Nafl).
Sequence Within a Prayer
For a prayer of more than two rakahs, you follow the pattern: first rakah as usual, second rakah you again recite, perform the prayer, and then after the second rakah sit for the first Tashahhud, then resume for the remaining rakahs. In the last rakah, complete with full sitting, Tashahhud, supplications, and Tasleem.
Praying When You Miss Part or Are Late (Masbuq)
If you join a congregational prayer late (masbuq), you complete the missed rakahs after the imam finishes. You should not say the Tasleem with the imam; instead, complete your remaining units in private.
7. Heart, Presence, and Troubleshooting Common Errors
Knowing the steps is half the battle. The other half is performing them with mindfulness (khushoo) and avoiding mistakes. Here are tips and reminders based on experience.
Focus and Presence Over Speed
Many learners rush through recitations or movements. But prayer isn’t a race. Slow down, match recitations to your breath, and try to feel each position.
In my early days, I used to fast-forward through surahs just to “get it done.” Later, I realized the smallest pause helps me internalize what I’m saying.
Sequence (Tartib) and Continuity
Order matters. You cannot do prostration before reciting. Missing or rearranging essential units can invalidate the prayer.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Raising hands wrong: Some raise to the shoulders, others to the ears. Follow your school’s method, but be consistent.
- Lifting the head in prostration too early: Wait until sujood is finished.
- Talking, yawning, or external movements: These break concentration; stop and correct.
- Unintentional additions: If you add a movement or phrase by mistake, perform Sujud As-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) to compensate.
Many students also forget supplications during the sitting. Practice short, memorized duas to recite when your mind goes blank.
Spiritual Heartwork
The Qur’an talks about humility in prayer:
“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who are humble in their prayer.” (Qur’an 23:1–2)
So the external form is necessary, but the heart is what gives it life. Ask yourself: Did I come just to finish a ritual, or to speak with my Lord? I often tell learners: before you stand, remind yourself why you pray.
Conclusion
You now have a structured, step-by-step, Quran-anchored guide on how to perform salah correctly. From preparation through wudu, intention, recitations, prostrations, and salutations, we’ve covered each stage. Add to that attention to heart and proper focus, and your prayer can move from mechanical repetition to genuine spiritual dialogue.
If you want a printable checklist, an audio guide reciting each dua, or a video demonstration for your learning, just tell me and I’ll prepare it for you. And if you ever forget a phrase, need help with a tricky position, or want to deepen your connection with each rakah, I’m here.
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