How to Pray Salah (الصلاة)

Make sincere intention in your heart to pray. The intention is in the heart, not spoken aloud.

Stand facing the Qibla (direction of Ka'bah in Makkah). Intend which prayer you are performing (e.g., Fajr, Dhuhr, etc.) and whether it is obligatory (fard) or voluntary (sunnah).

Raise your hands to your ears (men) or shoulders (women) and say 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest).

This marks the beginning of the prayer. After this, you cannot speak or perform any action outside of prayer.

Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest (or below navel for some schools). Recite the opening supplication, then Surah Al-Fatiha, then another surah.

Opening dua: 'Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.' Then recite Al-Fatiha followed by any surah (obligatory in first two rak'ahs of obligatory prayers).

Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow down with your hands on your knees, back straight. Say 'Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem' (Glory to my Lord, the Most Great) three times.

Keep your back straight and parallel to the ground. Eyes should look at the place of prostration. Don't bow too little or too much.

Rise from bowing saying 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah' (Allah hears those who praise Him). Then say 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd' (Our Lord, to You belongs all praise).

Stand straight briefly before going into prostration. This standing position is called Qawmah.

Say 'Allahu Akbar' and prostrate. Seven body parts touch the ground: forehead with nose, both palms, both knees, toes of both feet. Say 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la' (Glory to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

This is the closest a servant is to Allah. Make extra dua in this position. Keep arms away from sides (men) or close to body (women).

Say 'Allahu Akbar' and sit up. Sit on your left foot with right foot upright. Say 'Rabbighfir li' (My Lord, forgive me) or 'Allahumma ighfir li, warhamni, wahdini, warzuqni'.

This brief sitting is called Jalsah. It is a moment to seek forgiveness before the second prostration.

Say 'Allahu Akbar' and prostrate again. Repeat 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la' three times.

Same as the first prostration. This completes one rak'ah (unit of prayer).

After every two rak'ahs, sit and recite the Tashahhud: 'At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.'

Point the index finger of your right hand during the testimony. In the final sitting, add the Durood (Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ).

Turn your head to the right and say 'As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah' (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). Then turn to the left and repeat.

This marks the end of the prayer. Some scholars say the prayer is concluded with the first salam. After this, you may make dua.