How To Perform Salaat
Before Salaat
Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean. Perform wudu (ritual ablution) if needed. Traditionally, women cover their hair.
Face the Qibla, the direction of Mecca. Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
Recite Iqama (private call to prayer):
| Allaahu Akbar (4x) Ashhadu an la ilaaha illa-Lah (2x) Ash Hadu anna Muhamadar rasuulullah (2x) Hayya' alas Salaah (2x) Hayya' ala Falaah (2x) Qad qaamitis Salaah (2x) Allaahu Akbar (2x) Laa ilaaha illa-Lah |
God is the most great. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. Come to prayer. Come to felicity. Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now ready. God is the most great. There is none worthy of worship except God. |
Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):
I intend to offer the _____ rakats of the ____ prayer, and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.
(For example: "I intend to offer the 4 rakats of the Isha prayer and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.")
Salaat
Niyyat: Stand in respect and attention; put the world behind you. Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes.| Allaahu Akbar. | God is the most great. |
Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women
at chest level; look at the ground in front of you.
Opening Supplication (optional):
| Subhaanaka alahumma wa bihamdik wa tabaaraka smuka wa ta'aalaa jadduka wa laa ilaaha ghairuk A'uudhu billaahi minash shaitaan ar-Rajeem |
Glory to You, O Allah, and Yours is the praise. And blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty. And there is no deity to be worshipped but You. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed. |
Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur'an.
| Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem | In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful. |
| Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil 'alameen | Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds. |
| Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem | The Compassionate, the Merciful. |
| Maaliki yaumid Deen | Ruler on the Day of Reckoning. |
| Iyyaaka na'abudu wa iyyaaka nasta'een | You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help. |
| Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem | Guide us on the straight path, |
| Siraatal ladheena an 'amta' alaihim | the path of those who have received your grace; |
| Ghairil maghduubi' alaihim waladaaleen | not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray. |
| Aameen | Amen. |
For the first two rakats at any time of prayer, recite an additional short selection from the Qur'an.
Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, palms on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet.
| (While bending:) Allahu Akbar | God is the most great. |
| (While bent:) Subhanna rabbiyal 'Azeem (3x) | Holy is my Lord, the Magnificent. |
Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides.
| (While rising:) Sami' allaahu liman hamidah (Response from congregation:) Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd (Standing straight, pause:) Allahu Akbar |
Allah listens to him who praises Him. Our Lord, to You is due all praise. God is the most great. |
Sudjood: Prostrate—hands on knees, lower slowly to kneeling position; touch forehead, nose and palms to ground (but not elbows); bend toes so tops of feet face the Qibla.
| Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3x) (Pause) Allahu Akbar |
Glory to my Lord, the Most High. God is the most great. |
Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. Men turn up heel of right foot, right toes bent; women keep both feet, soles up, under body.
| (Pause) Allahu Akbar | God is the most great. |
Sudjood: Prostrate again
| Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3x) (Pause) Allahu Akbar |
Glory to my Lord, the Most High. God is the most great. |
Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position.
To proceed to the second and fourth rakats:
Return to standing position (Qiyam)
| (While rising:) Allahu Akbar | God is the most great. |
Recite the Fatiha, (if this is the second rakat of any time of prayer, recite another short portion of the Qur'an); continue the second or fourth rakat with Ruku....
To complete every second rakat and the last rakat:
Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:
| At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu | All greetings, blessings and good acts are from You, my Lord. |
| As Salaamu 'alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatul laahi wa barakaatuh | Greetings to you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah. |
| As Salaamu 'alainaa wa 'alaa 'ebaadillaahis saaliheen, | Peace be unto us, and unto the righteous servants of Allah. |
| (Hands on knees, raise right forefinger:) Ash hadu allaa ilaah ilallaah | I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah. |
| Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa rasuuluh | And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. |
To proceed to the third rakat:
Return to standing position (Qiyam)
| (While rising:) Allahu Akbar | God is the most great. |
Recite the Fatiha and continue third rakat with Ruk'u....
At the end of any time of prayer (when all rakats have been completed):
Remain seated, recite At-Tashahhud, and then recite the Salawat:
| Allaahumma salli 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin | O Allah, bless our Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, |
| Kamaa sallaita 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema | as you have blessed Abraham and the people of Abraham. |
| Innaka hameedun Majeed | Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. |
| Alaahumma baarik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin | O Allah, be gracious unto Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, |
| Kamaa baarakta 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema | as you were gracious unto Abraham and the people of Abraham. |
| Innaka hameedun Majeed | Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. |
Look over right shoulder (toward the angel recording your good deeds), then the left (toward the angel recording your wrongful deeds); say each time:
| As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatulaah | Peace and blessings of God be upon you. |
Say personal prayers with hands cupped and palms up at chest level.
Wipe face with palms.
If praying in a group, stand and greet each other individually,
saying: "May God receive our prayers."
At-Tashahhud is a recreation of the conversation held between Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) during the night of the Heavenly Ascent (Miraj).