How to perform Salah
A concise, practical guide to performing the prayer. For detailed fiqh questions, consult a qualified scholar or your local imam.
Rakah count per prayer
| Prayer | Fard | Sunnah |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | 2 sunnah before |
| Dhuhr | 4 | 4 sunnah before + 2 after |
| Asr | 4 | 4 sunnah (recommended) before |
| Maghrib | 3 | 2 sunnah after |
| Isha | 4 | 2 sunnah after + witr |
Steps
- 1. Wudu (ablution) — Intend, then wash hands 3×, rinse mouth 3×, rinse nose 3×, wash face 3×, wash arms to elbows 3×, wipe head once, wipe ears, wash feet to ankles 3×.
- 2. Face the Qibla — Use the QiblaWeb Qibla page to find the direction.
- 3. Intention and opening takbir — Intend in your heart, raise your hands to your ears, and say: Allahu Akbar.
- 4. Standing and recitation — Place right hand over left on the chest. Recite Al-Fatiha, then a short surah in the first two rakahs.
- 5. Ruku (bowing) — Bow, place hands on knees with back straight, and say three times: Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem.
- 6. Rising from ruku — Stand and say: Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd.
- 7. First sujud — Prostrate with forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touching the ground. Say three times: Subhana Rabbiyal A'la.
- 8. Sitting between the two prostrations — Sit calmly, say: Rabbi-ghfir li.
- 9. Second sujud — Repeat the prostration as the first. That completes one rakah.
- 10. Tashahhud and taslim — After the final rakah, sit and recite the tashahhud, then turn right then left saying: As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.