How to Perform Salah Step by Step
How to pray, step by step
A clear, illustrated step-by-step guide to performing Salah correctly.
How to Pray Salah Step by Step in the Correct Order
Salah is the formal Islamic prayer performed at prescribed times each day. This beginner prayer guide explains seven main stages in order, starting with intention and Takbir and continuing through Qiyam, Ruku, Sujood, Tashahhud and the final Salam.
Read each Salah step below, then open the complete lesson for detailed guidance, supporting evidence and important notes. The number of units and some detailed rulings vary by prayer and school of Islamic jurisprudence, so learners should also study with a qualified teacher.
How to Begin Salah: Niyyah and Takbir
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Learn how to begin Salah with sincere Niyyah, correct Qiblah direction, Takbiratul Ihram and authentic hand-raising methods from the Sunnah.
Read full lessonQiyam in Salah: Standing and Recitation
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Learn how to perform Qiyam in Salah, place the right hand over the left, recite Surah Al-Fatihah correctly and follow the authentic guidance for standing prayer.
Read full lessonRuku in Salah: Correct Bowing Method
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Learn how to perform Ruku in Salah with a calm bowing posture, straight back, hands placed on the knees and authentic words of glorification.
Read full lessonStanding After Ruku: Qawmah in Salah
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Learn how to rise correctly from Ruku, stand fully upright with calmness and recite the authentic words Sami Allahu liman hamidah and Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.
Read full lessonSujood in Salah: Correct Prostration Method
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Learn how to perform Sujood in Salah on seven body points, maintain a balanced posture, recite Subhana Rabbiyal-A‘la and make sincere Dua.
Read full lessonSitting Between Two Sujoods in Salah
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Learn how to sit calmly between the two Sujoods, follow the authentic sitting posture and recite Rabbighfir li with its meaning and verified Sahih evidence.
Read full lessonTashahhud, Durood and Salam in Salah
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Learn the authentic Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim, final Dua and Salam with verified Arabic, clear meanings and multiple Sahih Hadith references.
Read full lessonSalah Questions and Answers
How do you perform Salah step by step?
Begin with a sincere intention, face the Qiblah and enter the prayer with Takbir. Continue through standing and recitation, Ruku, standing after Ruku, Sujood, sitting between the prostrations, Tashahhud and the final Salam. The number of units and repeated actions depends on the particular prayer.
What are the main Salah steps in order?
The main sequence includes intention and opening Takbir, Qiyam, Quran recitation, Ruku, standing upright, two prostrations with a sitting between them, the final sitting and Salam. Some details vary according to the prayer and school of Islamic jurisprudence.
How many times a day do Muslims perform Salah?
Muslims perform five obligatory daily prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Each prayer has its own time and number of obligatory units.
What should a beginner learn before performing Salah?
A beginner should learn purification, the prayer times, direction of the Qiblah, the required movements and the essential recitations. Learning directly from a qualified teacher helps correct posture, pronunciation and sequence.
Does the intention for Salah have to be spoken aloud?
The intention is fundamentally the resolve in the heart to perform a particular prayer for Allah. Practices concerning verbal wording may differ, so learners should follow reliable guidance within their school of Islamic jurisprudence.
What is the difference between Salah and prayer?
Salah is the formal act of Islamic worship performed at prescribed times with specific words and movements. The English word prayer can also refer more broadly to personal supplication, which is commonly called Dua.