Pray
Prayer in Islam can seem overwhelming at first. We aim to make the learning process as simple as possible. Once you get the hang of it, praying comes to you naturally. Read on to learn more.
Before learning how to properly make prayer (salah), there are a few important steps that must be taken. One of the most important of those steps is making sure your body is completely clean. It is also important that the clothes you are wearing are clean and they cover your body appropriately.
After these are complete, the next step you must take is performing wudhu (ablution). Wudhu is required for prayer and must be done in the order shown below. Each step is to be completed three times before moving to the next. As with many things in Islam, it’s important to make the niyah (intention) before completing a task.
Wash hands thoroughly
Rinse mouth
Flush nose
Wash all of face
Wash both arms starting with the right
Wet hair
Clean both ears simultaneously or starting with the right
Wash both feet up to your ankles starting with the right
After your wudhu is complete it is time to pray. Praying the fard (required) prayers consists of either 2,3, or 4 rak’at (units of prayer). The morning prayer (fajr) consists of 2 rak’at, the afternoon (zhuthr) and midday (asr) prayers consist of 4 rak’at, the prayer after sunset (maghrib) consists of 3 rak’at, and the night prayer (isha) consists of 4 rak’at.
Follow the steps shown below to learn how to pray. These steps will consist of one rak’ah. It is important to know what time to pray and how many rak’at are required for the given prayer. Make sure the area you are praying in is clean. It is also important to make the niyah before praying.
Start by raising your hands and saying Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر).
Next, place your hands right under your chest like so. You will need to begin by reciting Surah Al-Fatiha. After reciting Al-Fatiha, you can then recite a Surah of your choice.
Check our Quran page for all Surahs with Arabic and English translations.
Say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر) and then bend down like so. This is called Ruk’uh. During Ruk’uh, say Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem three times.
Next, rise back up lifting your arms and say Samiallah Huliman Hamidah. Then drop your arms to your side and say Rabana Walakal Hamd.
Say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر) and make Sujood (prostrate). Make sure your nose and forehead are touching the ground and say Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa three times.
Say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر) and rise from Sujood while sitting on your knees and placing both hands on both knees. Then say Allaahumma ghfir lee warhamnee
Say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر) and make Sujood (prostrate) repeating the step before the last. Make sure your nose and forehead are touching the ground and say Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa three times.
Say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر) once again and say the Tashahhud: At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu
After the Tashahhud start saying Salatul-Ibrahimiyah: Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed
Finally, complete your prayer with the Tasleem. Say As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu while turning your head to the right, and once again while turning your head to the left.
With this, you have completed your prayer. It is good to make Du’a after prayer and when applicable, pray the Sunnah prayers.