Detailed Instructions:

Step 1. Intention: The worshiper should be facing the Qibla (direction of Makka) and in clean and pure clothes. The worshiper should then have the intention to perform the prayer that he is about to engage in, whether it be Fajr, Dhuhur, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha or even non-obligatory prayers. He should also make it clear to himself why he is performing prayer at all in the first place (i.e. the reason) That is, are you praying to obey and please Allah, or are you praying so that the people will praise you.

Step 2. Takbeer: For the worshiper to initiate the prayer he or she must say: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) one time.

The worshiper then puts his or her arms over their chest (right arm over left).

Step 3. Reciting the Opening Chapter of the Quran: The worshiper should know that no prayer (Salah) is accepted unless it has been done with the recitation of the Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran).

Before one recites the Opening Chapter, it is recommended that one says the following supplication: “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabaraka ismuka wa ta a’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk”
(Praise and glory is to Allah, blessed is your Name, Exalted is your Majesty and Glory. There is no true God but you.)

Before the worshiper says the Fatiha(The Opening Chapter of the Quran) he or she says: “ A’udhu Billahi mina Shaytani Rajeem” (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan the accursed)

The Fatiha (The Opening Chapter of the Quran):
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.)
Bismi Allahi arrahmani arraheem
(All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameen
(The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.)
Arrahmani arraheem
(The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)
Maliki yawmi addeen
(You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka nastaAAeen
(Guide us to the Straight Way)
Ihdina assirata almustaqeem
(The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger nor of those who went astray.)
Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala addalleen

To listen to the Fatiha: audio.islamicnetwork.com

The Worshiper may then proceed to recite a Surah (chapter) of his or her liking from the Noble Quran. To find all of the Quran translated and transliterated: www.quranicrealm.com

To listen to any part of the Noble Quran: audio.islamicnetwork.com

After one is finished with their recitation of the Quranic Surah or Surahs (whether just the Fatiha or more) and one is ready to bow, the worshiper says: Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest).

Step 4. Bowing down and settling in the act (Rukoo’: After settling in the bowing position, the worshiper says: “Subhana Rabiyal Adheem” (Glory to my Lord, Most Supreme) 3 times.

Step 5. Standing upright from bowing and settling in the act: As the worshiper stands upright, he or she says: “Sami’ Allahu liman Hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him).

While in the standing position, the worshiper should say: “Rabbana wa lakal Hamd” (Our Lord, praise is for you only).

When the worshiper is finished, before he or she goes down to prostrate, he or she says: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

Step 6. Prostrating and settling in the act: The prostration of the worshiper is made by touching all of the following seven parts of the body to the ground: The forehead, the nose, the palms of the hands, the knees and the tips of the toes.

While in this position, the worshiper says: “Subhaana Rabiyal A’laa” (Glory to my Lord, The Most High) 3 times.

When the worshiper is finished saying this supplication, before he or she moves on to step 7.(sitting between the two prostrations), he or she must say: “Allahu Akbar” and then proceed to the next step.

Step 7. Sitting between the two prostrations: The worshiper should be sitting on his or her left foot while his or her toes on the right foot are pointing straight to the Qiblah (direction of Makka) while the heel is pointing up.

The worshiper should be settled in a way that all of his or her bones are relaxed. Now the worshiper says: “Rabbigh Firlee” (Forgive me Lord, forgive me) 3 times.

After stating that, the worshiper must say: “Allahu Akbar” before he or she goes down for the next prostration.

Step 8. Performing the second prostration and settling in the act: The prostration of the worshiper is made the same way as it was in step 6. By touching all of the following seven parts of the body to the ground: The forehead, the nose, the palms of the hands, the knees and the tips of the toes.

While in this position, the worshiper says: “Subhaana Rabiyal A’laa” (Glory to my Lord, The Most High) 3 times.

When the worshiper is finished saying this supplication, before he or she moves on to any other step (sitting between the two prostrations) he or she must say: “Allahu Akbar” and then proceed to the next step.

Step 9. Stand up and start your second Raka’ah (unit) by repeating steps 3-8.

Step 10. The Tashahhud: While keeping the feet as one would in step 7, the worshiper then makes a fist with his or her right hand and points his or her index finger towards the Qiblah (direction of Makka).

The worshiper then says the Tashahhud: “At tahiyyaatu lillaahi was salawatu wat tayyibatu assalamu alayka aiyuhannabiyu wa rahmahtullahi wa barakatu. Asalamu alaina wa ‘ala ;ibadi ilahis salaheen. Ashahadu an la ilaha illAllahu wa ashahadu anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasuluhu.” (Greetings and prayers and the good things of life belong to Allah. Peace and blessing of Allah be on you, Oh Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no God except Allah and I testify that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger.)

If the worshiper is making a 4 Raka’ah (unit) prayer, then he or she would now say: “Allahu Akbar” and proceed to make another 2 Raka’at (units), repeating steps 3-10. However, if the worshiper is making a 2 Raka’ah (unit) prayer, then he or she can move on to step 11 without making 2 more Raka’ah (units).

Step 11. prayers on the Prophet (saws): After the Tashahhud the worshiper then sends peace and blessings on Muhammad(saws): “Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammad wa ‘alaa aali Muhammad, kama sallayata ‘alaa Ibrahim wa ‘alaa aali Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid. Wa barik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid.” (Oh Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as you blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are The Most praised, The Most Glorious. Oh Allah, bestow your grace on Muhammad and his family as you bestowed it on Ibrahim and his family. You are The Most Praised, The Most Glorious.)

After supplicating for peace and blessings on the Prophet (saw), the worshiper asks for Allah’s protection from four evils. He or she should say: “Allahumma innee a’udhubika min a’adhabi jahannama wa min a’adhabil qabri, wa min fitnatil mahya wal mamati wa min sharee fitnatil maseehid dijjaal.” (My Lord, I ask your protection from the punishment of Hell and from the punishment of the grave and from the trials of life and death and from the evil trial of the false Messiah.)

Step 12. Finishing the Salah (prayer): The worshiper finishes his or her Salah (prayer) by turning his or her face to the right and saying: “Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”. Then the worshiper turns his or her head to the left and says the same: “Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”.