Prayer is one of the most essential acts of worship in Islam, and it’s the first thing every Muslim will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the steps on how to perform Salah correctly, ensuring that your prayer is sincere and error-free. By learning the proper way to perform Salah, you not only fulfill your religious duties but also draw closer to Allah in the most meaningful way.
Importance of salah: why do muslims pray?
Salah is an essential act of worship for Muslims, representing, directly, a communication between Allah and His followers. It is more than just a routine; it is a spiritual act that brings peace and guidance into one’s life. Through Salah, Muslims express their gratitude to Allah and seek forgiveness while meditating on their purpose in life. While praying, Muslims exhibit ever-deepening spirituality, discipline, and connection with their Creator.
In addition, Salah:
- Reinforces the sense of community: It brings Muslims together, especially during congregational prayers, fostering unity and a shared sense of purpose.
- Promotes spiritual growth:It offers believers a means of cleansing the heart and mind, thus promoting inner peace and spiritual attachment to Allah.
- Purifies the soul and helps break bad habits: It is a process of purification involving numerous physical and spiritual acts and reverence that gives strength for resisting temptation and sin.
- Acts as a shield against evil: Performing regular prayers protects a believer against evil influence, and guides them toward righteousness and submission to Allah’s will.
What are the 5 daily prayers?
As a Muslim, it is obligatory to perform five daily prayers (salah) at specific times throughout the day. Each prayer holds a unique significance and provides an opportunity to connect with Allah.
The five prayers:
- Fajr (The Pre-Dawn Prayer): Performed before sunrise, consists of 2 rakaat.
- Dhuhr (The Midday Prayer): After midday, when the sun has passed its zenith. Number of rakaat is 4
- Asr (The Afternoon Prayer): to be prayed in the late afternoon, before sunset, with 4 rakaat
- Maghrib (The Evening Prayer): Immediately after sunset, and consists of 3
- Isha’ (The Night Prayer): performed After the twilight has disappeared, at night, and consists of 4 rakaat
| Prayer | Frad rakaat | sunnah |
| Fajr | 2 | 2 |
| Dhuhr | 4 | 6 |
| Asr | 4 | – |
| Maghrib | 3 | 2 |
| Isha’ | 4 | 2 |
Different types of prayers
Prayers in Islam are categorized into 3 main types, these are:
1. Fard: These are the compulsory prayers that every Muslim is obliged to perform.
2. Sunnah: These are the prayers which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself used to perform and whose performance is greatly recommended.
Types of Sunnah Prayers:
- Muakkadah: Prayers that the Prophet performed consistently and emphasized, such as the Sunnah prayers before or after the Fardh prayers.
- Ghair Muakkadah: Prayers that the Prophet performed occasionally, which are still recommended but not obligatory.
3. Nafl (Voluntary): These are additional prayers that Muslims can offer at any time, aside from the obligatory prayers.
Getting prepared to perform salah
- Perform Wudu
To pray, one must be in a state of purity. Purity is achieved through wudu (ablution), which involves specific washing of the following parts of the body: hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, and feet. Wudu helps in refreshing you and preparing you mentally for prayer.
- Set sincere Intention (Niyyah)
Niyah is an internal intention that one makes to pray only for the sake of Allah. You don’t have to say it out loud; simply remind yourself of the fact that this prayer is an act of worship. It helps you to maintain your focus in prayer.
- Choose a Clean and Quiet Space
Find a clean, quiet area where you can pray without distractions. This could be a designated prayer space at home, a calm room, or even a corner at work.
- Dress Properly
Make sure your clothing is clean and modest. For men, this means covering the area between the navel and knees, while women should wear loose, covering clothes that maintain modesty during prayer.
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Steps on how to perform salah
1. Face the Qibla
The first step in your prayer is to position yourself correctly by facing the Qibla. This is an essential part of Salah, all praying in the same direction.
2. Begin with the Takbir al-Ihram
Start your prayer with the Takbir al-Ihram by raising your hands to your ears (or shoulders) and saying, “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). This marks the beginning of your communication with Allah.
3. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
Stand up and recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran. It is a small but powerful Surah-direct talk with Allah for guidance, mercy, and protection. Indeed, it is the heart of every prayer; it forms a connection between the worshipper and the Creator.
4. Recite Another short Surah
Following Al-Fatiha, recite any Surah or a few verses from the Quran. This can vary from prayer to prayer, but it’s a chance to reflect on different parts of Allah’s message.
5. Now do the Ruku (Bowing)
With your back straight and hands placed on your knees, bend forward into Ruku. This act of humility reflects submission to Allah’s majesty. In this position, recite three times: “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheemi wa bihamdihi” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great).
6. Go back to the straight position
Return to an upright position and say, (Allah hears the one who praises Him; Our Lord, to You belongs all praise).
7. Then perform the sujud (Prostration)
Sujud is the most humble position in prayer: your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touch the ground. In this moment of utter submission, you should say three times, “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la wa bihamdihi” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High).
8. Sit between the two Sujoods
After the first Sujud, sit briefly on your legs and say, (O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, support me, elevate me, provide for me, guide me, grant me health, and pardon me). This is a moment to ask for Allah’s blessings and reflect on your needs.
9. Perform the sujud again
Return to Sujud and repeat the same phrase three times: “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la wa bihamdihi”.
10. Complete the Rakaat
After the second Sujud, rise back up to a standing position. If your prayer consists of multiple rak’ahs (units of prayer), repeat steps 3 through 9 for each additional rak’ah.
11. Conclude the Prayer with Tashahhud
Once you’ve completed the required number of rak’ahs, sit for the Tashahhud (testimony). Recite the following words, affirming your faith and acknowledging the greatness of Allah and His messenger:
12. Finish the Prayer with Salaam
To complete your prayer, turn your head to the right and then to the left, saying, “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). This marks the conclusion of your conversation with Allah.
Duaa to read after salah
Here is a Dua generally said after completing your Salah:
” اللَهُمَّ أَعِنّي عَلى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
O Allah, assist me to remember You, thank You, and to worship You in the best manner”.
This dua reminds one to take Allah’s assistance in keeping the relation with Allah quite sincere and to carry out the acts of worship in the most decent manner.
Quran verses and hadith about salah
Verses from the Quran Regarding Salah
- “Be diligent in observing the obligatory prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah with sincere devotion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah)
- “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer.” (Surah Al-A’raf)
- Perform the prayer from the decline of the sun until nightfall, and also during the dawn recitation of the Qur’an. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” (Surah Al-Isra).
Hadith on salah
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When a person performs Wudu (ablution) and prays two rak’ahs with a focus solely on Allah, Paradise becomes a certainty for him.”
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever prays five times a day and steers clear of major sins will have his sins forgiven by Allah.”
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The first question a servant will face on the Day of Judgment is about his prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound; but if it is flawed, then the rest of his deeds will be flawed.”
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Conclusion
In conclusion, following the steps on how to perform Salah Is crucial for ensuring that your prayer is done properly and with sincerity. By following these steps, you can enhance your relationship with Allah and enrich your spiritual journey. To assist you on this path, E-Hoopoe provides extensive resources and engaging courses designed for all skill levels. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your understanding, E-Hoopoe is ready to support you throughout your journey.
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