Prayer Guide
Step-by-step guidance on performing Wudu and Salah according to the Sunnah, providing options for all major schools of thought.
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Adjust the guide to your Madhab
Takbiratul Ihram
Stand facing the Qibla, raise your hands to your shoulders or ears, and say the opening Takbir.
General Step
Place your hands according to your school of thought.
hanafi View
Place your hands below the navel, right over left.
ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest"
Opening Supplication (Dua Al-Istiftah)
Recite the opening supplication silently.
سُبْحَانَكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ ٱسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.
"Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praises are due unto You, and blessed is Your name and high is Your majesty and none is worthy of worship but You."
Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha in every Rak'ah. It is mandatory.
General Step
Recite with concentration.
hanafi View
Say 'Ameen' silently after Surah Al-Fatiha.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ... (Surah Al-Fatiha)
Bismillahi r-rahmani r-rahim...
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful..."
Ruku (Bowing)
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow down. Keep your back straight and parallel to the floor.
hanafi View
Only raise hands (Raf-al-Yadayn) at the start of prayer.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem
"Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent"
Rising from Ruku (I'tidal)
Rise from bowing to a standing position.
hanafi View
Do not raise hands when rising.
سَمِعَ ٱللَّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ... رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ ٱلْحَمْدُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah... Rabbana wa lakal hamd
"Allah hears those who praise Him... Our Lord, and to You is all praise"
Sujood (Prostration)
Go down for prostration saying 'Allahu Akbar'.
General Step
Seven parts of the body must touch the ground: forehead & nose, two palms, two knees, and toes of two feet.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High"
Sitting between Two Sujoods
Rise from Sujood saying 'Allahu Akbar' and sit briefly.
رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li
"My Lord forgive me, My Lord forgive me"
Second Sujood
Perform the second prostration exactly like the first.
Tashahhud (Sitting)
Sit for Tashahhud in the second and final Rak'ah.
General Step
Sit on your left foot with the right foot upright.
hanafi View
Raise the index finger when saying 'La ilaha' and drop it after 'ill-Allah'.
ٱلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّٰهِ وَٱلصَّلَوَاتُ وَٱلطَّيِّبَاتُ...
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu...
"All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah..."
Durood (Sending Blessings)
Recite Durood Ibrahim after Tashahhud in the final sitting.
ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ...
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin...
"O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad..."
Taslim (Concluding)
Turn your face to the right and then to the left to end the prayer.
ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
"Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah"