obligatory · 2 rakats

How to pray Salah (general)

The universal structure of a rakat. Once you know this, you can pray any Salah — the number of rakats changes, the rakat itself does not.

When: Once wudu is valid and prayer time has entered.

Steps

Stand facing Qibla
Feet shoulder-width apart, eyes on the place of prostration.
Takbiratul-Ihram
Raise both hands to your ears, say 'Allāhu Akbar', then place the right hand over the left on your chest.
Opening du'a & Al-Fatihah
Recite an opening du'a silently, then say 'Aʿūdhu billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm, Bismillāhir-raḥmānir-raḥīm', then recite Surah Al-Fatihah.
Second surah
In the first two rakats, follow Al-Fatihah with any short surah — starting with the short surahs is easiest for beginners.
Ruku (bowing)
Say 'Allāhu Akbar', bow so your back is parallel to the ground with hands on your knees. Say 'Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm' three times.
Rise from Ruku
Stand up saying 'Sami'allāhu liman ḥamidah' (God hears whoever praises Him), then 'Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd' (Our Lord, all praise is for You).
First Sujud
Say 'Allāhu Akbar', prostrate placing forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and both toes on the ground. Say 'Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā' three times.
Sit between the two sujuds
Rise from sujud, sit briefly saying 'Rabbighfir lī' (My Lord, forgive me), then prostrate again.
Second Sujud & rise
Perform the second sujud as the first. Then, saying 'Allāhu Akbar', rise for the next rakat.
Tashahhud (sitting)
After the second rakat, sit and recite the tashahhud: 'At-taḥiyyātu lillāh...'. After the final rakat, add ṣalawāt on the Prophet ﷺ.
Salam (closing)
Turn your head to the right saying 'As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh', then to the left saying the same. Salah is complete.

Duas said in this prayer

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa bi-ḥamdika, wa tabāraka ismuka, wa taʿālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.
Opening du'a said silently after Takbir.

Steps

Stand facing Qibla

Feet shoulder-width apart, eyes on the place of prostration.

Takbiratul-Ihram

Raise both hands to your ears, say 'Allāhu Akbar', then place the right hand over the left on your chest.

Opening du'a & Al-Fatihah

Recite an opening du'a silently, then say 'Aʿūdhu billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm, Bismillāhir-raḥmānir-raḥīm', then recite Surah Al-Fatihah.

Second surah

In the first two rakats, follow Al-Fatihah with any short surah — starting with the short surahs is easiest for beginners.

Ruku (bowing)

Say 'Allāhu Akbar', bow so your back is parallel to the ground with hands on your knees. Say 'Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm' three times.

Rise from Ruku

Stand up saying 'Sami'allāhu liman ḥamidah' (God hears whoever praises Him), then 'Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd' (Our Lord, all praise is for You).

First Sujud

Say 'Allāhu Akbar', prostrate placing forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and both toes on the ground. Say 'Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā' three times.

Sit between the two sujuds

Rise from sujud, sit briefly saying 'Rabbighfir lī' (My Lord, forgive me), then prostrate again.

Second Sujud & rise

Perform the second sujud as the first. Then, saying 'Allāhu Akbar', rise for the next rakat.

Tashahhud (sitting)

After the second rakat, sit and recite the tashahhud: 'At-taḥiyyātu lillāh...'. After the final rakat, add ṣalawāt on the Prophet ﷺ.

Salam (closing)

Turn your head to the right saying 'As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh', then to the left saying the same. Salah is complete.

Duas said in this prayer

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa bi-ḥamdika, wa tabāraka ismuka, wa taʿālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk

Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.

Opening du'a said silently after Takbir.