How to Pray Salah — Step-by-Step Guide with Transliteration

The steps of Salah, in order

1. 1

   Step 1: Intent & Takbeerat al-Ihram

   النية وتكبيرة الإحرام

   Posture: Standing & Hands Raised

   Stand upright facing the Qibla with pure intention in the heart. Raise both hands to earlobe level with palms facing Qibla and say 'Allahu Akbar'.

   • Face Qibla squarely with body upright
   • Raise hands to shoulders or earlobes
   • Say 'Allahu Akbar' clearly to initiate prayer state

   What to recite — Takbeerat al-Ihram (Opening Takbeer)

   اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

   Allāhu Akbar

   Allah is the Greatest.

2. 2

   Step 2: Al-Qiyam (Standing & Recitation)

   القيام وقراءة القرآن

   Posture: Standing with Hands Folded

   Place right hand over left wrist on chest or above navel. Keep eyes focused on the spot of prostration.

   • Fold right hand over left arm on upper chest
   • Focus gaze on prostration spot on the floor
   • Recite Sana, Al-Fatiha, and an additional Surah

   What to recite — Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening)

   بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۞ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ۞ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۞ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ۞ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ۞ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۞ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

   Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-‘ālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Māliki Yawmid-Dīn. Iyyāka na‘budu wa iyyāka nasta‘īn. Ihdināṣ-Ṣirāṭal-Mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭalladhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim wa lāḍ-ḍāllīn. Āmīn.

   In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked Your anger, nor of those who are astray. Amen.

3. 3

   Step 3: Al-Ruku' (Bowing Position)

   الركوع

   Posture: Horizontal Bowing

   Bow down saying 'Allahu Akbar' until back is straight horizontal parallel to floor, resting palms firmly on knees with fingers spread.

   • Back horizontal straight like a table surface
   • Grasp knees firmly with fingers spread wide
   • Recite 'Subhana Rabbiyal 'Adheem' at least 3 times

   What to recite — Dhikr of Bowing (Ruku')

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ (×٣)

   Subḥāna Rabbiyal-‘Aẓīm (3 times)

   Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent (recited 3 times or more).

4. 4

   Step 4: I'tidal (Rising from Bowing)

   الاعتدال بعد الركوع

   Posture: Upright Standing

   Raise up from Ruku' raising hands to shoulders while saying 'Sami'Allahu liman hamidah', then stand still saying 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd'.

   • Stand fully upright until every joint returns to place
   • Recite praise with tranquility (Tuma'ninah)
   • Prepare for prostration with humbleness

   What to recite — Rising from Bowing (I'tidal)

   سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ • رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ

   Sami‘Allāhu liman ḥamidah. Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd, ḥamdan kathīran ṭayyiban mubārakan fīh.

   Allah hears whoever praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise, abundant, pure, and blessed praise.

5. 5

   Step 5: Al-Sujood (First Prostration)

   السجود الأول

   Posture: Prostration on 7 Limbs

   Go down saying 'Allahu Akbar'. Prostrate firmly resting 7 body parts on ground: forehead with nose, both palms, both knees, and toes pointed Qibla.

   • Forehead and nose touching ground together
   • Palms flat beside shoulders/ears with elbows elevated
   • Recite 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la' 3 times in deep devotion

   What to recite — Dhikr of Prostration (Sujood)

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى (×٣)

   Subḥāna Rabbiyal-A‘lā (3 times)

   Glory be to my Lord, the Most High (recited 3 times or more).

6. 6

   Step 6: Al-Jalsa (Sitting Between Prostrations)

   الجلسة بين السجدتين

   Posture: Seated Repose

   Sit up from Sujood saying 'Allahu Akbar', resting flat on left foot with right foot erect and toes facing Qibla.

   • Sit upright with hands resting on thighs
   • Recite 'Rabbighfir li' (My Lord forgive me)
   • Maintain tranquility before second Sujood

   What to recite — Supplication Between Prostrations

   رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

   Rabbighfir lī, Rabbighfir lī.

   My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

7. 7

   Step 7: At-Tashahhud (Final Seated Testimony)

   التشهد والصلاة الإبراهيمية

   Posture: Seated Testimony Position

   Sit in the final sitting position after completing all Rak'ahs. Raise the right index finger pointing forward during the declaration of Tawheed.

   • Keep right hand on right thigh, making ring with thumb & middle finger
   • Raise right index finger straight during testimony
   • Recite Tashahhud & As-Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah

   What to recite — At-Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith)

   التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

   At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi waṣ-ṣalawātu waṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhū wa rasūluh.

   All compliments, prayers, and pure acts are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

8. 8

   Step 8: At-Tasleem (Concluding Salams)

   التسليم

   Posture: Turning Head Right & Left

   Turn head to the right side so cheek is visible from behind and say 'Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah', then turn to left side repeating the same.

   • Turn head right to send greetings to angels & worshippers
   • Turn head left to repeat greeting
   • Completes the obligatory Salah state

   What to recite — Tasleem (Concluding Salams)

   السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ

   As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh

   Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Every recitation in Salah (12)

The complete set of phrases said during prayer, with Arabic, transliteration and meaning. These are adhkar rather than Qur’anic verses (except Al-Fatihah), which is why they are given here in full.

The 14 pillars of Salah (Arkan)

A pillar is an act that cannot be left out — omitting one invalidates the prayer and it must be repeated. This differs from a sunnah act, which earns reward but does not affect validity.

1. Standing (Al-Qiyam) (القيام)
   Standing upright during obligatory prayers for those who are physically able.
2. Takbeerat al-Ihram (تكبيرة الإحرام)
   Opening Allahu Akbar that initiates the sacred state of Salah.
3. Reciting Al-Fatiha (قراءة الفاتحة)
   Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in every single rak'ah of the prayer.
4. Ruku' (Bowing) (الركوع)
   Bowing down until the back is level and hands rest firmly upon the knees.
5. Rising from Ruku' (الاعتدال بعد الركوع)
   Standing back up straight from bowing with calmness.
6. Sujood (Prostration) (السجود)
   Prostrating on seven body parts: forehead & nose, both hands, knees, and toes.
7. Rising from Sujood (الرفع من السجود)
   Sitting up straight between the two prostrations.
8. Sitting between two Sujoods (الجلسة بين السجدتين)
   Sitting peacefully in repose between the two prostrations.
9. Tranquility (Tuma'ninah) (الطمأنينة)
   Remaining still and composed in every physical posture for at least the duration of one Tasbih.
10. The Final Tashahhud (التشهد الأخير)
    Reciting the final testimony of faith while seated at the end of prayer.
11. Sitting for Final Tashahhud (الجلوس للتشهد الأخير)
    Sitting in the prescribed manner for the duration of reciting the Tashahhud.
12. Sending Blessings on the Prophet (الصلاة على النبي)
    Reciting As-Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after the Tashahhud.
13. Tasleem (Concluding Salams) (التسليم)
    Saying 'Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah' turning right to complete the prayer.
14. Proper Sequence (Tartib) (الترتيب)
    Performing all pillars in their correct, ordained order.

Conditions for a valid prayer (6)

Conditions (shurut) must be satisfied before the prayer begins, unlike pillars, which are parts of the prayer itself.

• Purity from Ritual Impurity (Taharah / Wudu) (الطهارة من الحدثين)
  Performing Wudu (ablution) or Ghusl to be in a state of ritual purity before starting Salah.
• Cleanliness of Body, Clothes, and Place (طهارة البدن والثوب والمكان)
  Ensuring your body, garments, and the surface you pray on are free from physical impurities (Najāsah).
• Covering the Awrah (Modest Attire) (ستر العورة)
  Covering the required body parts (navel to knees for men; entire body except face and hands for women).
• Arrival of Prescribed Prayer Time (دخول الوقت)
  Performing the prayer within its designated Islamic timeframe (e.g. Fajr between dawn and sunrise).
• Facing the Qibla (Ka'bah in Makkah) (استقبال القبلة)
  Directing your physical orientation toward the Holy Ka'bah in Makkah.
• Sincere Intention (Niyyah) (النية)
  Forming the inner heart-felt intention to pray the specific Salah for the sake of Allah alone.

Sunnah acts of Salah (6)

Recommended acts that increase the reward of the prayer without being required for its validity.

• Raising hands (Raf' al-Yadayn) (رفع اليدين عند التكبير والركوع) · During Salah
  Raising hands up to shoulders or earlobes when making Takbeerat al-Ihram, bowing into Ruku', rising from Ruku', and standing up for the 3rd Rak'ah.
• Du'a al-Istiftah (Opening Supplication) (دعاء الاستفتاح) · During Salah
  Reciting 'Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika...' silently after Takbeerat al-Ihram and before reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in the first Rak'ah.
• Seeking refuge (Ta'awwudh) & Bismillah silently (الاستعاذة والبسملة سراً) · During Salah
  Saying 'A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim' and 'Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim' silently before reading Al-Fatiha.
• Saying 'Amin' aloud or silently (التأمين بعد الفاتحة) · During Salah
  Saying 'Amin' upon completing Surah Al-Fatiha (aloud in vocal prayers like Fajr, Maghrib, Isha; silently in Dhuhr, Asr).
• Reading an additional Surah (قراءة سورة بعد الفاتحة) · During Salah
  Reciting verses or a short Surah after Al-Fatiha in the first two Rak'ahs of obligatory prayers.
• Post-Prayer Dhikr & Tasbih (الأذكار بعد الصلاة) · After Salah
  Reciting Ayat al-Kursi, 33x SubhanAllah, 33x Alhamdulillah, 33x Allahu Akbar, and completing 100 with La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah.

Common questions

Continue learning

• Prayer times for your city — when each of the five prayers begins today
• Transliteration key — how to read the romanised Arabic on this page
• Arabic alphabet & pronunciation — the 28 letters and where each is articulated
• Surah Al-Fatihah — recited in every rak’ah, with word-by-word audio
• Duas with transliteration — supplications for after prayer and daily life