Perform wudu. You must be ritually pure before you go start praying. If you’re not, it’s required to perform wudu (ablution) before you do. If since your last prayer, you have urinated, defecated, passed gas, bled excessively, passed madhy (urethral fluid) or fallen asleep deeply, you need to perform wudu[1] X Research source If you are praying in a masjid (mosque), which is highly encouraged for men, enter quietly—other Muslims might still be praying and you don’t want to disturb them. Many Muslims families keep a dedicated area for salah in their home. If you are unsure of the cleanliness of your area, spread a mat on the floor for good measure. This prayer rug is very important to Islamic culture.
To perform ghusl, you must wash your entire body and hair with water. It is recommended that you wash 3 times. Note that when you perform either wudu or ghusl, anything that prevents water from touching the obligatory areas of the body must be removed, including things such as nail polish, accessories and waterproof mascara. [3] X Research source If you do not perform wudu or ghusl when required by the Shariah then the prayer will not be valid and will not be accepted.
If you are traveling on a ship or airplane and fear that the time of prayer will end before you reach someplace where you can determine the direction of Ka’bah then, in that case, you can offer Salat without facing Ka’bah. It is Mustahab(recommended) that one face the Ka’bah at least during the takbeer of ihram(saying “Allahu Akbar” at the beginning of Salat). [5] X Research source
Try to pray the prayers at the start of the appointed time, as Allaah will appreciate your enthusiasm to pray. The five prayers are Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. They are at dawn, afternoon, in the mid-afternoon, at sunset, and at night, respectively. They are not at the same time each day, as they are timed by the sun, which changes path throughout the seasons. Each of the five salah contains a specified number of rak’ah (units), as follows: Obligatory prayers: - Fajr prayer (2 units (Rak’ah)) - Dhuhr prayer (4 units (Rak’ah)) - Asr prayer (4 units (Rak’ah)) - Maghrib prayer (3 units (Rak’ah)) - Isha prayer (4 units (Rak’ah)) Additionally, many Muslims chose to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by praying additional optional prayers around the obligatory prayers, giving a daily cycle as follows: Fajr - Two rak’ah sunnah mu’akkadah (optional but highly recommended), then two rak’ah fardh (obligatory); Zuhr - Four rak’ah sunnah mu’akkadah (optional but highly recommended), then four rak’ah fardh (obligatory), then two rak’ah sunnah mu’akkdah (optional but highly recommended), then two rak’ah nafl (optional); Asr - Four rak’ah sunnah ghayr mu’akkadah (optional but spiritually beneficial), then four rak’ah fardh (obligatory); Maghrib - Three rak’ah fardh (obligatory), then two rak’ah sunnah mu’akkadah (optional but highly recommended), then two rak’ah nafl (optional); Isha - Four rak’ah sunnah, then four rak’ah fardh (obligatory), then two rak’ah sunnah mu’akkadah (optional but highly recommended), then two rak’ah nafl (optional), then three rak’ah witr (optional but highly recommended), then two rak’ah nafl (optional). Whilst there is no penalty for not performing the sunnah and nafl prayers, they are a gift from Allaah that should be embraced in order to improve one’s connection with Allaah and earn extra rewards.
Use online sources to help you pronounce the obligatory prayer words, such as Rosetta Stone[8] X Research source , Salaam Arabic[9] X Research source , hosted by Pangaea Learning, Madinah Arabic[10] X Research source or Youtube[11] X Research source sources. Take a course in Arabic at your local college. Learn and practice the correct pronunciations with an Arabic speaker as the prayer may be invalid if it is not recited correctly. Non-Arabic speaking children will benefit from attending evening or weekend madrassa classes to learn Arabic and study the Qur’an.
The material must cover the body during prayer movements. So if, for example, bending causes a piece of material to slip and expose skin on a woman’s neck, she would need to ensure that her clothing is tucked in properly or put more clothing on before she can start her prayer.
For example, you may say (in your heart, not out loud) “I intend to perform two rakats Fajr salah, seeking nearness to Allaah, in obedience to Him”.
The fingers should be spaced when the hands are raised.
Recite the optional Istiftah Du’a (opening prayer): Subhanakal-lahummaWabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaalaJadduka wala ilaha ghayruk. A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeemBis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem Follow it with Surah Al-Fatiha (this Surah is recited in each Rak’ah):Bismillaahir Rahmaanir RaheemAlhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameenAr-Rahmaanir-RaheemMaaliki Yawmid-DeenIyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’eenIhdinas-Siraatal-MustaqeemSiraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alaihimGhayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen Recite any other surah or any part of the Qu’ran, such as Surah Ikhlas[13] X Research source :Qul huwal laahu ahadAllah hus-samadLam yalid wa lam yooladWa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad Reciting a surah after Al-Fatiha is only done in the first 2 units (Rakaa’s) of fardh salat while in sunnah mu’akkadah it is done in all units(Rakaa’s). [14] X Research source
While bowing, say, Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem three times. This translates to, “Glorious is my Lord the most great. "
While standing up, recite Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once. You can also add Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubaarakan Feeh” (praise which is abundant, excellent and blessed) after. [15] X Research source
When you are positioned fully, say Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times. Your forearms should not be on the floor. [16] X Research source Your fingers should be together. [17] X Research source
There are other du’as that you can recite in this position, such as Allahuma-ghfirlee twice (O Allah, forgive me). Return to sajdah and say Subhanna Rabbiyal a’laa three times.
In every second rak’ah, after the second sajdah, sit on your knee again. Recite: Tashahhud: At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu “All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”. Durood: Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed “O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory”.
Turning your head to the right and saying, As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your good deeds is to this side. Turning your head to the left and saying, As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your wrongful deeds is to this side. The prayers have ended! Another variation of the tasleem is by saying As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah.
