How to Perform Salat (Prayer)

Pre-Requisites:1- One must have Tahara (cleanliness) and Wudu (ablution) as explained in the previous chapter2- Must face the Qiblah (Ka’bah) unless in airplanes/buses where one may miss the Salat(s)

Steps:1- Standing up unless physically unable to so then sitting down or even laying down. Females keep

feet together joined at ankle.

Make intentions to perform Salat, raise your hand as illustrated above and say:

Allah-o-Akbar(Meaning: Allah is Greater [than everything])

2- Place your right hand on top of left just below navel for men and above chest for women focusing your eyes on your place of Sajdah (prostration):

After that say:

How to Perform Salat Page 1

Subhanakallah humma wa bi hamdika wa tabarak asmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.(Meaning: O Allah, Glory and Praise are for You, and Blessed is Your Name, and Exalted is Your Majesty; and there is no G(g)od but you)

Follow that by saying:

A'uzdhoo bIllahi minash shaytanir rajeem.(Meaning: I seek protection in Allah from the condemned Satan)Allah SWT said (in translation) in the Qur’an: “Whenever you recite the Quran, ask Allah to protect you from the condemned Satan) Recite Al-Fatehah starting with BissmIllah

Recite any Surat (chapter) or part of a Surat of the Qur’an. It is recommended that you read at least 3 Ayahs (verses)

3- Say and bow down per picture below. This called Rukoo’ and hence the term Rakaat (unit of prayer)

How to Perform Salat Page 2

In this state say 3 times:

Subhana Rab-be-ya Al-Atheem(Meaning: glory to my Lord the Great)

4- Stand up erect again and say:

Sami Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana walakal hamd.(Meaning: Allah Hears those who praise Him. Our God, praise be unto You”

5- Say and go down to make Sajdah (prostration) as illustrated and saying: below making sure your forehead, nose, palms, and knees are touching the floor. Bend your toes while touching the floor so that they face the Qiblah.

While in this state say:

How to Perform Salat Page 3

Subhana Rab-be-ya Al-A’la(Meaning: Glory to my God Lord, the Highest)

6- Raise your head while saying and sit back for a brief moment then say then do another Sajdah

This completes one Rakaat. Now stand up saying to perform second Rakaat in which you repeat the steps from reciting Al-Fatehah including BissmiIllah and a recitation of any part of the Quran then make Rukoo and Sijood as in steps 3 through 6.

7- After 2nd Sajdah, sit back and recite what is called Al-Taheyyat:

At-tahiyyaatu liIllahi wassalawaatu wat-tayyibaatu assalaamu alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatuUllahi wa barakaatuhu assalamu alayna wa ala ibadillahis saaliheen, ash shadu alla ilaaha illallAllahu wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.Meaning: All prayer is for Allah, and worship and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad isHis Servant and Messenger

8- If this is not your last Rakaat, go up saying and say Al-Fatehah only followed by rukoo and Sijood.

9- On your last Rkaat, say Al-Taheyyat as detailed above then say:

How to Perform Salat Page 4

Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala aali Muhammadin kamaa sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala aali Ibrahima innaka hameedum majeed. Allahumma baarik ala Muhammadin wa ala aali Muhammadin kamaa baarakta ala Ibrahima wa ala aali Ibrahima innaka hameedum majeed.

Meaning: O Allah, send Your Peace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.O Allah, Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

It is recommended that you make a dua’a after Al-Salawat on prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

10- Now turn your face to the right and say:

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.Meaning: May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

11- Turn your head to left and repeat the Salam

This concludes your Salat Insha Allah.

What if I forgot How many Rakaat I Prayed?If you forgot how many Rakkat you prayed you assume the lower number (if you were not sure you prayed 1 or 2, assume 1 or not sure 3 or 4, assume 3) then after Salat on prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and before Salam, make 2 Sijood then do Salam.

Factors That Negate Your Salat and You Would Have to Do It Again1- Losing your Wudu2- Eating or drinking3- Excessive movements4- Talking5- Laughing out loud

How to Perform Salat Page 5

Importance of Khushoo (Focus) In SalatAllah SWT says in the Quran (in translation):

“Isn’t it about time that the believers had Kushoo in their hearts to the name of Allah and the Truth that was revealed (the Quran)?”

Allah SWT also says in the Quran (translation):

“Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the khaashi-een, Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are returning” .

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Whoever does Wudoo’ and does it well, then prays two Rakaat focusing on them completely, will be forgiven all his previous sins.”

How to Have Khushoo (Focus) in Salat?1- Make sure you used the bathroom and did Wudu immediately before Salat. Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH) said “There is no Salat for someone who needs to go to the bathroom”.2- Pray in Masjid or in a quiet place and avoid praying next to other kids3- Focus your eyes on you place of Sajdah and do not look at others.4- Think about the words you are saying rather than quickly saying them5- Recite different parts of the Quran each time6- Whenever you realize that you are thinking of anything but Salat, re-focus and think about what

you are doing7- Make special dua’a during Sajdah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “The closest one is to Allah

is in Sijood”. So focus on asking Allah each time.

How to Perform Salat Page 6