How to Pray Salah: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Prayer is not a ritual you memorize and forget — it's a conversation you build. This guide gives you the exact steps, words, and etiquette to pray the five daily salah with confidence.

Start here: the step-by-step actions below will let you perform a valid prayer, whether you're learning the basics or refreshing your practice.

TL;DR Summary

• Learn and state a sincere intention before you start each prayer.
• Perform wudu correctly to ensure ritual purity.
• Stand, recite Surah Al-Fatihah, and add another short surah in each unit.
• Bow (ruku), prostrate (sujood), and sit with prescribed words and counts.
• Finish with the Tashahhud and Taslim; add personal supplications afterwards.
• Use sujood al-sahw for minor forgetfulness at the end of prayer.
• Seek local scholarly guidance for madhhab-specific rulings.
• Practice regularly to build confidence and khushu (focus).

"وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ"

"And establish prayer and give zakah."

— Quran 2:43

Watch a clear demonstration of every movement and recitation

Below are reliable ways to view a clear, practical demonstration of the postures and recitations:

• Search YouTube for "How to pray Salah step by step" and select a lesson by a trusted teacher or institution (look for videos produced by reputable Islamic centers, scholars, or community organizations).
• Use the hadith and fiqh references cited below to verify precise actions and words.

For textual guidance and authenticated prophetic practice, refer to the hadith collections and scholarly articles linked elsewhere in this guide.

Preparing for Prayer: Intention, Purity, and Place

Make and understand your intention (niyyah)

State in your heart which prayer you will perform (e.g., Dhuhr, four rak'ahs). You do not need to say it aloud; a firm inner intention suffices. Intention aligns your action with worship.

Perform wudu step-by-step

Wash hands, rinse mouth and nose, wash the face, wash arms to the elbows, wipe the head, wipe the ears, and wash the feet up to the ankles in that order. Follow the sunnah sequence and perform each action deliberately. For a reliable procedural source, see the relevant hadith on wudu (Sahih collection example).

Common mistake: Washing too quickly or skipping parts can invalidate wudu in some cases. Perform each step deliberately and consult a scholar for complex situations.

Choose a clean, quiet place and dress appropriately

Face the qibla, remove obstacles, and wear clothing that covers the required parts (awrah). A simple prayer mat or a clean floor is sufficient.

Step-by-Step: The Actions and Words in One Rak'ah

Opening and Takbiratul Ihram

Raise your hands to the ears or shoulders and say "Allahu Akbar." This marks the start of the prayer; after it, ordinary speech and unnecessary movement are prohibited.

Standing and reciting Surah Al-Fatihah

While standing, recite quietly or aloud depending on the prayer. Surah Al-Fatihah is required in every rak'ah. Learn its meaning to connect with the words; translation helps understanding, but the recitation in prayer is in Arabic (see guidance Quran 2:43).

Recite a short surah or verses after Al-Fatihah

Recite a brief surah such as Al-Ikhlās or Al-Falaq or short verses from the Quran. This completes the standing portion of the rak'ah.

Flow of Movements: Ruku, Standing, Sujood, and Sitting

Ruku (bowing) with dhikr

Bend at the waist, keep the back straight, place hands on the knees, and say "Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm" at least three times. Rise saying "Sami'Allahu liman ḥamidah" and then "Rabbana lakal ḥamd."

Sujood (prostration) and its words

Place your forehead and nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground; say "Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā" at least three times. Prostration is the moment of closest humility to Allah — take your time where possible.

Jalsa (sitting) between sujood and the final sitting

Sit with the left foot under you and the right foot upright; briefly pause, then perform the second sujood. In the final sitting, recite the Tashahhud and send salutations on the Prophet ﷺ.

Tip: Learn short Arabic phrases with their translations and practice them quietly until they become natural in prayer.

Completing the Prayer: Tashahhud, Salawat, and Taslim

Tashahhud and Salawat

In the final sitting, recite the full Tashahhud, then send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (Salawat). These words are essential parts of the final sitting.

Personal supplication (du'a) after Tashahhud

Make personal du'a after the Salawat but before Taslim; it's a recommended time to ask sincerely.

Ending with Taslim

Turn your head to the right saying "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" and then to the left repeating the same. This completes the prayer.

Variations by Prayer Type and When to Recite Aloud

Prayers performed aloud vs silently

Fajr and the first two rak'ahs of Maghrib and Isha are recited aloud in congregational settings; Dhuhr and Asr are typically recited silently. Learn the convention for each prayer and follow your local imam or school.

Number of rak'ahs for each prayer

Fajr: 2; Dhuhr: 4; Asr: 4; Maghrib: 3; Isha: 4. Include Sunnah and Nafl separately when counting voluntary prayers.

Shortening and combining on travel

When traveling, many schools permit shortening (qasr) and some conditions allow combining (jamʿ) prayers. Check your madhhab and consult a qualified scholar for personal circumstances and accepted conditions (see practical rulings from recognized scholarly resources, for example according to Islamic scholars: https://seekersguidance.org/).

Common Questions About Validity and Corrections

Missed recitation or mistaken rak'ah count

If you realize a mistake before finishing, correct it immediately. If discovered after finishing, perform sujood al-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) at the end as required.

Touching impurities, bleeding, or minor issues

Minor bleeding does not always nullify wudu; rulings differ by madhhab. Consult a qualified scholar for specific cases — for general scholarly notes see reputable institutions such as Yaqeen Institute (https://yaqeeninstitute.org/) and Dar al-Ifta (https://www.dar-alifta.org/Foreign/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=1234).

Common mistake: Assuming one action nullifies prayer without checking reliable sources. For complex or personal rulings, consult a qualified scholar.

Practice Tools, Checklists, and Micro-Habits to Build Consistency

Simple daily checklist before each prayer

• Intend the correct prayer (niyyah)
• Perform complete wudu
• Face the qibla and remove distractions
• Recite Al-Fatihah and a short surah per rak'ah
• Complete Tashahhud and Taslim

Micro-actions to improve khushu

Practice short reflective pauses between positions. Memorize the translation of Al-Fatihah and your chosen short surahs. Use a quiet corner at home consistently for prayer times.

Tip: Schedule one extra minute of silent reflection after each prayer to build focus slowly.

Troubleshooting: Frequently Made Errors and Quick Fixes

Common recitation errors

If you skip a required part like Al-Fatihah in a unit and catch it immediately, correct it; if unsure after finishing, perform sujood al-sahw as appropriate.

Physical limitations and alternatives

If you cannot stand, pray sitting; if you cannot sit, pray lying down. The religion makes allowances for the ill or injured — consult local scholarly guidance for specifics.

Scripture and Hadith to Anchor Practice

"Establish prayer and give zakah" is the practical command to a life of worship and social responsibility; keep the Quran and Hadith as the primary reference for rules and spirit of prayer. For specific prophetic practice details see relevant hadith collections (for example, sahih hadith references on postures and wudu: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:10 and https://sunnah.com/bukhari:176).

Supplemental Learning Resources (selected trusted reads)

• For translated verses and recitation detail: Quran 2:43 on quran.com
• For sahih hadith references on wudu and prayer practice: Sahih al-Bukhari passages
• For practical rulings about group prayer and Eid: SeekersGuidance
• For scholarly reflections on worship and spiritual preparation: Yaqeen Institute
• For scholarly fatwas on prayer edge cases: Dar al-Ifta example fatwa collection
• For additional community resources and articles on prayer: Al-Madina Institute
• For guidance on integrating salah into daily routine and habit formation: Qalam Institute
• For community-focused reflections on meaning and practice: The Muslim Vibe

Six-Month Ramp to Ramadan

Month: Safar

Focus: Build daily five-minute prayer routine. Key Actions:

• Establish fixed times for five daily prayers.
• Learn Al-Fatihah and one short surah.
• Perform wudu deliberately before each prayer. Mindset: Small daily consistency builds confidence.

Month: Rabi' al-Awwal

Focus: Improve recitation and understanding. Key Actions:

• Memorize one additional short surah each week.
• Listen to correct Quran recitation for pronunciation.
• Read English translations to internalize meaning. Mindset: Understanding deepens devotion.

Month: Rabi' ath-Thani

Focus: Lengthen reflection during sujood. Key Actions:

• Add one short personal du'a after each prayer.
• Practice focused inhalation and exhalation to settle mind.
• Remove digital distractions during prayer times. Mindset: Intention and calm produce presence.

Month: Jumada al-Ula

Focus: Learn sunnah prayers and timings. Key Actions:

• Study sunnah rawatib timings and practice them.
• Attend a khutbah or short lesson on prayer etiquette.
• Practice praying with family or friends once a week. Mindset: Community and routine reinforce practice.

Month: Jumada al-Akhirah

Focus: Correct mistakes and confirm validity. Key Actions:

• Review sujood al-sahw procedure and when to use it.
• Ask a local imam to observe and correct your posture.
• Keep a short log of mistakes and corrections. Mindset: Learning from errors is part of growth.

Month: Sha’ban

Focus: Solidify habit and prepare spiritually. Key Actions:

• Increase voluntary (nafl) prayers by one unit weekly.
• Reflect on prayer meanings each night for 10 minutes.
• Plan Ramadan schedule based on strengthened prayer routine. Mindset: Preparation brings serenity into Ramadan.

Conclusion

Salah is both precise ritual and personal conversation with Allah. Learn the steps—wudu, intention, standing recitation, bowing, prostration, and sitting—then practice them until they become natural. Use trusted scholarly sources for rulings, seek local guidance for difficult questions, and focus on meaning as much as form. Small, consistent actions — a short du'a after each prayer, steady memorization of short surahs, and deliberate wudu — transform mechanical motions into sincere worship. Start today, repeat daily, and let prayer reshape your moments into mindful, faith-filled encounters.