How to Pray

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How to Pray

Intention to Pray (Niyat) - Performing the Prayer - After the Prayer

Stating your Intention to Pray (Niyat)

Before commencing your prayer, you should first quietly announce your intention to pray. This is a single sentence, which varies slightly according to what prayer you are about to perform. For the five daily prayers, the Niyat can be drawn from this table:

Usholli fardhaz
sunnatan fajri
zuhri
asri
maghribi
isha-a subhi
thalatha
arba'a raka'atin ada'an lillahi t'ala
raka'atin ada'an makmuman lillahi ta'ala

I intend to pray fard
(obligatory)
sunnah
(optional) Fajr
Zuhr
Asr
Maghrib
Isha two
three
four rak'at by the grace of Allah the Highest
rak'at in congregation by the grace of Allah the Highest

For the Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer, the Niyat is "Usholli fardhal jumu'ati rak'ataini ada'an makmuman lillahi t'ala".

For Eid prayers, the Niyat is "Usholli sunnatan li idil fitri ( or idil adha) rak'ataini makmuman lilahi t'ala".

Performing the Prayer

Each Rak'at consists of a number of movements, positions and utterances. On the table below, I shall try to explain the correct way to perform a two Rak'ah prayer such as Fajr or Tarawih, along with links to images illustrating the proper way of performing each movement or position.

Further help with your prayers is given by the Cyber-Salat program. This is a 'charityware' application, i.e. instead of paying them, the developers request that you donate money to a local charity.

As prayers should be performed solely in Arabic, I have typed out a printable sheet with necessary supplications. This can be laid at the end of your prayer mat as an aid to memory. Please note that the supplications I have quoted are just the basic ones needed to perform prayers. There are other longer ones that can also be used as and when you feel ready to do so.

1 Takbir The act of raising the hands up the ears and saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest). This is performed at the beginning of the prayer.
This action is performed four times during funeral prayers, and is repeated a number of times at the beginning of each Rak'atof Eid prayers.

2 Qiyam Standing upright with the feet slightly apart (about shoulder width), the left hand over the navel, and the right hand covering the left hand.
In this position, one recites Surat al-Fatihah and another chapter from the Qur'an (I have included two of these on the printed sheet along with Surat Al-Fatihah, namely Surat Al-Ikhlasand Surat Al-Kauthar. These are very important Surats, and are also easily memorised).
Then one says Allahu Akbar and assumes the next position.

3 Ruku A bowing position, with the hands resting on the knees.
Whilst in this position, one says Subhana Robbil al-Azeem (Glory to my Lord, the Great) three times, before saying Sami Allah Huliman Humudah (Allah accepts any who are grateful to Him) and returning to a standing position.

4 Itidal Standing upright with the hands down by your sides, looking downwards.
Whilst standing, say Robana Walakal Hamd (Lord, praise be to you), before saying Allahu Akbar and assuming Sujud.

5 Sujud A prostrating position, with the feet, knees, hands and forehead touching the ground. Please note that it is disliked to lay the forearms on the ground, as (as Muhammad, peace be upon him observed) this is how dogs lay on the ground. If there is enough room, keep your elbows high and away from the body.
Whilst in Sujud, one should say Subhana Robbil Al-A'la (Glory to my Lord, the Highest) three times, before saying Allahu Akbar and rising to Jalsa position.

6 Jalsa This is a sitting position, with the back upright, both hands placed on the knees, the left foot tucked underneath the body and the right foot erect with only the toes touching the ground (this can be uncomfortable at first and will propably take a long time to get used to; it's taken me almost five years! If you cannot do this, then simply lay the right foot flat on the ground).
Whilst in this position, say Robbil-firghli war Humni (Lord forgive and have mercy on me), before saying Allahu Akbar and returning to Sujud position.

7 Sujud As step 5, except return to Qiyam (standing) position instead of Jalsa (sitting).

This completes the first Rak'at. The second Rak'at is repeated as above instead after completing step 7, one should assume Jalsa (sitting) position.

8 Jalsa (1) Whilst in this position, one recites two separate supplications, the Tashahud and the Salat An-Nabi.
Tashahud
At-tahiyato-lillah was-salawato wat-tayibat.
Assalamu alayka ayuhan-nabi warahmatulahi wabarakatu.
Assalamu alay-na wa'ala ibadillais soliheen.
*Ashadu ala ila-ha illallah la-shaeeka-la,
wa ashadu ana Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
*(At this point, you should point your right index finger as you are emphasising the fact that there are no gods besides Allah.)
(All reverence, all worship, all sanctity are due to Allah.
Peace be upon you, Oh prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Peace be upon us all and on the righteous servants of Allah.
I testify that there are no gods besides Allah alone,
and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.)

9 Jalsa (2) Salat An-Nabi
Allahuma soli ali sayidina Muhammed wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad,
kama solata ala sayidini Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim.
Wa barik ala sayidina Muhammad wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad,
kama barakta ala sayidina syaidina Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim.
Fil alameena inaka hamidun majid.
(Oh Allah! Exalt our master Muhammad and the people of our master Muhammad,
as You did exalt our master Abraham and the people of our master Abraham.
And bless our master Muhammad and the people of our master Muhammad,
as You did bless our master Abraham and the people of our master Abraham.
Verily, You are praiseworthy and glorious.)

10 Salam Whilst still in the Jalsa position, one should give peace greetings by first looking over your right shoulder and saying Assalamu Alaikum (Peace and blessings be upon you), then repeating this with the left shoulder.

Thus concludes a two-rak'at prayer.

For Magrib prayers (which require three Rak'at), one should stand after the Tashahud (step 8) is completed, then pray one more Rak'at as above but only reciting Surat Al-Fatihah during Qiyam.

For four Rak'at prayers, one should stand after the first Tashahud (step 8) is completed, then pray two more Rak'ah as above but only reciting Surat Al-Fatihah during Qiyam.

After the Prayer

After completing the prayer by offering Salam, there are many optional actions or supplications that one can perform. The simplest and one of the best is Dhikr, or rememberance of Allah. This is simply saying Subhanallah (Glory to Allah) 33 times, Alhamdulillah (All praises and thanks to Allah) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) 33 times. If you wish to learn more, simply ask at your local mosque.

MAIN PAGE WHAT IS ISLAM? PREPARING TO PRAY WHEN TO PRAY THE MOSQUE READING FOOD & DRINK

FASTING SISTERS APPEARANCE BROTHERS APPEARANCE THE HOME CUSTOMS GLOSSARY LINKS

Usholli	fardhaz sunnatan	fajri zuhri asri maghribi isha-a	subhi thalatha arba'a	raka'atin ada'an lillahi t'ala raka'atin ada'an makmuman lillahi ta'ala
I intend to pray	fard (obligatory) sunnah (optional)	Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha	two three four	rak'at by the grace of Allah the Highest rak'at in congregation by the grace of Allah the Highest

1	Takbir	The act of raising the hands up the ears and saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest). This is performed at the beginning of the prayer. This action is performed four times during funeral prayers, and is repeated a number of times at the beginning of each Rak'atof Eid prayers.
2	Qiyam	Standing upright with the feet slightly apart (about shoulder width), the left hand over the navel, and the right hand covering the left hand. In this position, one recites Surat al-Fatihah and another chapter from the Qur'an (I have included two of these on the printed sheet along with Surat Al-Fatihah, namely Surat Al-Ikhlasand Surat Al-Kauthar. These are very important Surats, and are also easily memorised). Then one says Allahu Akbar and assumes the next position.
3	Ruku	A bowing position, with the hands resting on the knees. Whilst in this position, one says Subhana Robbil al-Azeem (Glory to my Lord, the Great) three times, before saying Sami Allah Huliman Humudah (Allah accepts any who are grateful to Him) and returning to a standing position.
4	Itidal	Standing upright with the hands down by your sides, looking downwards. Whilst standing, say Robana Walakal Hamd (Lord, praise be to you), before saying Allahu Akbar and assuming Sujud.
5	Sujud	A prostrating position, with the feet, knees, hands and forehead touching the ground. Please note that it is disliked to lay the forearms on the ground, as (as Muhammad, peace be upon him observed) this is how dogs lay on the ground. If there is enough room, keep your elbows high and away from the body. Whilst in Sujud, one should say Subhana Robbil Al-A'la (Glory to my Lord, the Highest) three times, before saying Allahu Akbar and rising to Jalsa position.
6	Jalsa	This is a sitting position, with the back upright, both hands placed on the knees, the left foot tucked underneath the body and the right foot erect with only the toes touching the ground (this can be uncomfortable at first and will propably take a long time to get used to; it's taken me almost five years! If you cannot do this, then simply lay the right foot flat on the ground). Whilst in this position, say Robbil-firghli war Humni (Lord forgive and have mercy on me), before saying Allahu Akbar and returning to Sujud position.
7	Sujud	As step 5, except return to Qiyam (standing) position instead of Jalsa (sitting).
This completes the first Rak'at. The second Rak'at is repeated as above instead after completing step 7, one should assume Jalsa (sitting) position.
8	Jalsa (1)	Whilst in this position, one recites two separate supplications, the Tashahud and the Salat An-Nabi. Tashahud At-tahiyato-lillah was-salawato wat-tayibat. Assalamu alayka ayuhan-nabi warahmatulahi wabarakatu. Assalamu alay-na wa'ala ibadillais soliheen. Ashadu ala ila-ha illallah la-shaeeka-la, wa ashadu ana Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh. (At this point, you should point your right index finger as you are emphasising the fact that there are no gods besides Allah.) (All reverence, all worship, all sanctity are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, Oh prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us all and on the righteous servants of Allah. I testify that there are no gods besides Allah alone, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.)
9	Jalsa (2)	Salat An-Nabi Allahuma soli ali sayidina Muhammed wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad, kama solata ala sayidini Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim. Wa barik ala sayidina Muhammad wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad, kama barakta ala sayidina syaidina Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim. Fil alameena inaka hamidun majid. (Oh Allah! Exalt our master Muhammad and the people of our master Muhammad, as You did exalt our master Abraham and the people of our master Abraham. And bless our master Muhammad and the people of our master Muhammad, as You did bless our master Abraham and the people of our master Abraham. Verily, You are praiseworthy and glorious.)
10	Salam	Whilst still in the Jalsa position, one should give peace greetings by first looking over your right shoulder and saying Assalamu Alaikum (Peace and blessings be upon you), then repeating this with the left shoulder.