I Learn How to Pray

I Learn How to Pray

Allah ordained upon the Muslim five prayers in the day and night; they are Fajr (dawn) prayer, Dhuhr (noon) prayer, ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer, Maghrib (sunset) prayer, and 'Isha’ (night) prayer.

I Prepare Myself for Prayer

• When the time of prayer starts, the Muslim purifies himself from the state of minor impurity, and major impurity if he is in a state of major impurity.
• Major impurity is what requires Ghusl (ritual bath).
  Minor impurity is what requires Wudu’ (ablution).
• The Muslim prays in a clean place free of impurities, wearing clean clothes that conceal his ‘Awra (body parts that must be covered during prayer).
• A Muslim wears proper clothing which covers his body in prayer. A man is not allowed to pray with the area between his navel and knees uncovered.
• The woman must cover her whole body in prayer except for her face and hands.
• While performing Salah, the Muslim only says the words relevant to Salah, he listens to the Imam (the person leading the congregational prayer), and he does not turn left or right in Salah. If he is unable to memorize the words of Salah, he should mention Allah and glorify Him (by saying 'Subhān Allah') until the prayer ends. He is required to hasten to learn Salah and its words.

 

1.  I make the intention in my heart for the prayer I intend to perform.
After I perform ablution, I stand in the direction of the Qiblah (direction of the prayer towards Makkah), and I pray while standing if I am able to.

2. I raise my hands to the level of my shoulders and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Most Great) with the intention of beginning the prayer.

3. I say an opening Du‘ā’ (supplication) as reported from the Prophet (Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him). One of the opening supplications is the following: "Subhānak Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabārak-asmuka wa ta‘āla jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayrak” (Glory and praise be to You O Allah. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty, and there is none worthy of worship but You)

4. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan, saying:"A‘ūzu billāhi min ash-shaytān ar-rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan)

5. : I read Surat al-Fātihah (Ch. 1 of the Qur’an) in every Rak‘ah (unit of the prayer):{In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful (1) Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds (2) The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful (3) Sovereign of the Day of Recompense (4) It is You Who we worship, and it is You Who we ask for help (5) Guide us to the straight path (6) The path of those upon whom You have .blessed, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray (7)}

After al-Fātihah, I recite verses from the Qur’an (other than al-Fātihah) only in the first and second Rak‘ah. This recitation is not obligatory but doing it yields a great reward.

6. I say “Allahu Akbar” then I make Ruku‘ by bowing until my back is level, and my hands are on my knees with the fingers spread out, then I say while in Ruku‘ “Subhana rabbiy-al-azeem” (Glory is to my Lord, the Great).

7.: I rise from Ruku‘ while saying: “Sami‘ Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears the one who praises Him) and raising my hands to the level of my shoulders. When I stand straight, I say: "Rabbanā wa lak al-hamd” (Our Lord, and to You is all praise).

8. I say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate on my hands, knees, feet, forehead, and nose, then I say while prostrating: "Subhāna rabbiy-al-a‘la” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High).

9. I say “Allahu Akbar” and rise from the Sujūd (prostration) to sit with my back straight, sitting on my left foot and keeping my right foot erect, and say: "Rabbi ighfir lī” (My Lord, forgive my sins).

10. I say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate again like the first time.

11. I rise from the Sujūd to stand up straight while saying “Allahu Akbar”, and I repeat the same steps in the remaining units of the prayer.

12. After the second prostration in the second Rak‘ah of Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and 'Isha’ prayers, I sit to say the first Tashahhud (testimony of faith) whose wording is as follows: "At-tahiyyātu lillah was-salawātu wat-tayyibāt, as-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuha an-nabi wa rahmatullah wa barakātuh, as-salāmu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibādillah as-sāliheen, ashhadu alla ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh” (All compliments, prayers, and pure words 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 slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger). Then I stand up for the third Rak‘ah.

After the second prostration in the last Rak‘ah of every prayer, I sit to say the last Tashahhud whose wording is as follows (the first Tashahhud plus sending peace and prayers upon the Prophet): "At-tahiyyātu lillah was-salawātu wat-tayyibāt, as-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuha an-nabi wa rahmatullah wa baraāatuh, as-salāmu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibādillah as-sāliheen, ashhadu alla ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh. Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrāheem wa ‘ala āli Ibrāheem, innaka hameedun majeed. Allahumma bārik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kama bārakta ‘ala Ibrāheem wa ‘ala āli Ibrāheem, innaka hameedun majeed” (All compliments, prayers and pure words 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 slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent prayers upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham; You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham; You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory).

13. I intend to conclude the prayer and turn my head to the right, saying: “As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh” (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you). Then I turn my head to the left, saying: “As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh". Upon doing that, I have completed the performance of my prayer.