How to Pray

Every Muslim needs to pray Salat, as mandated by Allah, here is a blog entry for those of you who are unsure of the validity of their prayer or haven't learned how to pray yet.

Before Salat:

1.Body, clothes, and place of prayer must be clean.

2. Perform wudu if needed.

3. Women are required to cover their hair with a hijab.

4. Face the Qibla (direction of Makkah)

5. Stan erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.

6. Recite Iqama (a private call to prayer):

 7. Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):

I intend to offer  _____ rakats of the ____ prayer, and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.
(For example: "I intend to offer the 4 rakats of the Isha prayer and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.")

Begin Salat

1. Niyyat: Stand iwth respect and attention; put the world behind you. Bring your hands to your ears, with palms forward, and thumbs behind earlobs. Say:

The entire prayer must be recited in Arabic, however, I have give you the Arabic transliteration along with translation.

2. Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women at chest level; look at the ground in front of you and recite Opening Supplication (optional):

Arabic Transliteration	English Translation	Picture
1. Subhaana ala humma wa bihamdika 2. wa tabaara kasmuka wa ta'aalaa jadduka 3. wa laa ilaaha ghairuk * * *    4. A'uudhu billaahi minash shaitaan ar-Rajeem	1. Glory to You, O Allah, and Yours is the praise. 2. And blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty. 3. And there is no deity to be worshipped but You * * *   4. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.

3. Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur'an

Arabic Transliteration	English Translation	Picture
1. Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem 2. Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil 'alameen 3. Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem  4. Maaliki yaumid Deen 5. Iyyaaka na'abudu wa iy yaaka nasta'een  6. Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem 7. Siraatal ladheena an 'amta' alaihim 8. Ghairil maghduubi' alaihim waladaaleen 9. Aameen	1. In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful. 2. Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds. 3. The Compassionate, the Merciful. 4. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning. 5. You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help. 6. Guide us on the straight path, 7. the path of those who have received your grace; 8.not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray. 9. Amen.

For the first two rakats at any time of prayer, recite an additional short selection from the Qur'an after al Fatiha.

4. Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, palms on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet.

Arabic Transliteration	English Transliteration	Picture
1. (While bending:) Allahu Akbar 2. (While bent:) Subhanna rabbiyal 'Azeem (3x)	1. God is great. 2. Holy is my Lord, the Magnificent.

5. Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides.

6. Sudjood: Prostrate—hands on knees, lower slowly to kneeling position;
touch forehead, nose and palms to ground (but not elbows);
bend toes so tops of feet face the Qibla.

7. Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. Men turn up heel of right foot,
right toes bent; women keep both feet, soles up, under body.

 8. Sudjood: Prostrate again.

 9. Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position;

10. To proceed to the second and fourth rakats:

Then recite the Fatiha, (if this is the second rakat of any time of prayer, recite another short portion of the Qur'an); continue the second or fourth rakat with Ruku.... 

11. To complete every second rakat and the last rakat:
Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:

To proceed to the third rakat:

Recite the Fatiha and continue third rakat with Ruk'u.... 

At the end of any time of prayer (when all rakats have been completed):
Remain seated, recite At-Tashahhud, and then recite the Salawat: