How To Pray Salah In Islam: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide According To All Schools Of Thought

Assalamu Alaykum

Salah is the second pillar of Islam and one of the most important forms of worship, which is obligatory (fard) for every Muslim. Through this worship, a person establishes a direct connection with their Creator. Salah is performed five times a day: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. No other act of worship has been emphasized as much as Salah. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:

"Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Bukhari)

"Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost…" (Jami` At-Tirmidhi 413) 

 

The core structure is the same for all Muslims, but there are some minor differences according to different schools of thought. All these differences are valid, and you can pray according to any of them. All differences are based on authentic Hadiths and should never be a cause of division. 

CONDITIONS OF SALAH (SHUROOT AS-SALAH)

Before praying Salah, there are certain conditions you must follow, which are agreed upon by every school of thought. Salah is only obligatory for Muslims. If a child has reached the age of discernment and possesses the intellect to understand these matters, Salah becomes obligatory for them. Before praying, performing Wudu (ablution) is compulsory; if required, Ghusl (full ritual bath) must also be performed. Your body, the place of prayer, and the clothes you wear must be clean.

Covering the Awrah:

Males: Must cover the body from the navel to the knees.

Females: Must cover the entire body except for the hands and face (depending on circumstances).

When you stand for Salah, you must face the Qibla (Kaaba). All prayer times are fixed, except for the Hanafi school, which has slight timing variations compared to the other three Madhabs.

STEP 1: NIYYAH (INTENTION)

Before starting Salah, you must make an intention (Niyyah). Basically, you can make the intention in your heart; you do not need to say it out loud. For example, you can say:

“I intend to pray [Pre/Post] [Sunnat/Fard] of [Fajr/Dhuhar/Asr/Maghrib/’Ishhaa] [2 rak’ah/3 rak’ah/4 rak’ah] facing the Qibla (Ka’bah Shareef) [as Imaam/as Ma’moom] for Allah, the most Great”.

This is the correct way to state the intention. You may say it in Arabic if possible, but if not, you can easily say it in your own language. There is no issue with that.

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STEP 2: TAKBIR AL-IHRAM (OPENING TAKBIR)

Now, you must stand straight, raise both hands, and say:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

ALLAHU AKBAR

(ALLAH IS GREAT)

Hand positions differ. In the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, you raise both hands to the ears. In the Shafi’i and Maliki schools, your hands go up to the shoulders. Both methods are valid, and you can perform it according to the Madhab you follow.

STEP 3: STANDING (QIYAM)

After the Takbir, fold your hands on your body. Here too, you will see some differences. In the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, you place both hands below the navel (right hand on top of the left). In the Shafi’i school, the hands are placed above the navel (right over left). On the other hand, in the Maliki school, both hands are left at the sides; they do not fold their hands.

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STEP 4: OPENING SUPPLICATION (DU'A AL-ISTIFTAH)

This is a Sunnah and not obligatory. A common supplication is:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdika, wa tabāraka-smuka, wa ta‘ālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk.

(Glory is Yours, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name, Exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god besides You.)

STEP 5: TA'AWWUDH AND BISMILLAH

Once you have finished the opening supplication (which is Sunnah), recite the Ta'awwudh and Bismillah:

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A‘ūdhu billāhi min ash-shayṭānir-rajīm.

(I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Raḥīm

(In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful)

In the Hanafi school, Bismillah is recited silently. In the Shafi’i school, Bismillah is recited aloud, even in congregation (Jama’at). In the Maliki school, they usually avoid it, as they consider it Makruh to say Bismillah before Surah Al-Fatiha. In the Hanbali school, Bismillah is also recited silently. All practices are valid and are from authentic Hadiths. Recite according to the Madhab you follow.

STEP 6: SURAH AL-FATIHAH (OBLIGATORY)

Now we must recite Surah Al-Fatiha, which is obligatory in every Salah:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ۝٢ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۝٣ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ۝٤ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ۝٥ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۝٦ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ۝٧

Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-‘ālamīn · Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm · Māliki yawmid-dīn · Iyyāka na‘budu wa iyyāka nasta‘īn · Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm · Ṣirāṭalla dhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim · Ghayril-maghḍūbi ‘alayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn

(All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all worlds; the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path—the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned Your anger nor of those who have gone astray.)

In the Hanafi Madhab, when you stand behind an Imam in a congregation, you do not need to recite it because the Imam is already reciting. You can recite it in your mind if you wish, but without lip movement.

"When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy." (7:204)

However, in the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is still recited by the follower.

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STEP 7: ANOTHER SURAH (SUNNAH)

After finishing Al-Fatiha, you can recite another Surah from the Quran (e.g., Surah Ikhlas). Reciting this is Sunnah but highly recommended. You can memorize small to medium Surahs to recite. If that is not possible and you find memorizing difficult, you can repeat the same Surah.

STEP 8: RUKU (BOWING)

Now say Allahu Akbar then, take the Ruku position. In this, you must bow at a 90-degree angle. The back must be perfectly straight, and your head should be level with your body. Place your hands on your knees with a gap between the fingers. Keep your arms straight as shown in the image. Recite this three times:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subḥāna rabbiyal-‘aẓīm

(Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great)

STEP 9: STANDING AFTER RUKU

During the transition of standing back up from Ruku, recite:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami‘a llāhu liman ḥamidah

(Allah hears the one who praises Him.)

Once you are standing fully upright, recite:

رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbanā laka l-ḥamd

(Our Lord, all praise belongs to You.)

One thing you may have noticed is Raf' al-Yadayn, where some people raise their hands before going into Ruku and again after standing up before going into Sajda. This is very common in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools. In the Hanafi and Maliki schools, hands are usually only raised at the start during the opening Takbir.

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STEP 10: SUJOOD (PROSTRATION)

Now say Allahu Akbar then go into Sujood. Once in Sujood, recite this 3 times:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

Subḥāna rabbiyal-a‘lā

(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)

While in prostration, ensure that your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet are touching the ground.

STEP 11: SITTING BETWEEN TWO SUJOODS

After the first Sujood, say Allahu Akbar sit up and recite:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir lī

(My Lord, forgive me)

After this, you can proceed to the second Sujood. Say Allahu Akbar then go back into the sujood.

STEP 12: TASHAHHUD (JALSA POSITION)

Now say Allahu Akbar. sit in the Jalsa position. This is basically the same as how you sit between the two Sujood. Ensure your foot position matches the image shown above. During this time, recite the TASHAHHUD:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَواتُ، وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ. السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.

At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi, waṣ-ṣalawātu, waṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhū wa rasūluh.

(All greetings, prayers, and pure words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.)

Raising or moving the index finger (shahadah finger) during Tashahhud is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. All four Sunni schools agree on using the index finger, but they differ slightly on when and how it is raised or moved.

Hanafi Madhab: During Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh Finger is raised ONLY at “Lā ilāha”. Finger is lowered at “illā Allāh” No movement

Shafi‘i Madhab: At “illā Allāh” Finger is raised once, Remains raised until the end of Tashahhud No movement

Maliki Madhab: From beginning of Tashahhud until Salam. Finger is raised Moved slightly throughout Tashahhud Movement is gentle, not exaggerated.

Hanbali Madhab: Especially during supplications Finger is raised. Moved when making du‘a. Movement is occasional, not constant

This is recited in every second Rak'ah. For example, if you are praying Dhuhr (4 Rak'ah), you recite this after the second Rak'ah, then stand up. You recite it again at the very end of the 4th Rak'ah. If you are in the final Rak'ah, you must recite Durood-e-Ibrahim after the Tashahhud.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

Allāhumma ṣalli ‘alā Muḥammadin wa ‘alā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ‘alā Ibrāhīma wa ‘alā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka ḥamīdum majīd.

Allāhumma bārik ‘alā Muḥammadin wa ‘alā āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ‘alā Ibrāhīma wa ‘alā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka ḥamīdum majīd.

(O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You blessed Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.)

STEP 13: OPTIONAL DUA BEFORE SALAM

In the final Rak'ah, after finishing Tashahhud and Durood-e-Ibrahim, you can recite these optional Duas:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ.

Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min ‘adhābi Jahannam, wa min ‘adhābil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-maḥyā wal-mamāt, wa min sharri fitnatil-Masīḥid-Dajjāl.

(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal.)

OR

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.

Allāhumma innī ẓalamtu nafsī ẓulman kathīran, wa lā yaghfiru adh-dhunūba illā anta, faghfir lī maghfiratan min ‘indika, warḥamnī, innaka anta al-Ghafūru ar-Raḥīm.

(O Allah, indeed I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So forgive me with a forgiveness from You, and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.)

OR

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي. أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ، وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ. لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.

Allāhumma-ghfir lī mā qaddamtu wa mā akhkhartu, wa mā asrartu wa mā a‘lantu, wa mā asraftu, wa mā anta a‘lamu bihi minnī. Antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu’akhkhir. Lā ilāha illā anta.

(O Allah, forgive me for what I have done in the past and what I will do in the future, for what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, for all my excesses, and for that which You know better than I do. You are the One Who brings forward and the One Who delays. There is no god except You.)

STEP 14: SALAM (ENDING SALAH)

The final step. You must perform the Salam. When everything is finished, turn your head to the right and say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh

(Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.)

Then turn your head to the left and say the same.

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh

(Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.)

CONCLUSION

In this way, your Salah is fully completed in the correct manner. Regardless of which of the four Madhabs you follow, all methods are valid and derived from the Quran and Hadith. Just for you to understand. Between each movement in salah you should say Allahu Akbar. Except when you stand back from ruku. You Say Sami‘a llāhu liman ḥamidah. So i hope that through this article, you have learned something new and now understand how to pray. We have used images to show you visually how to perform it. That is all for today. We will meet with a new topic next. Take care of yourself and your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our supplications. Ameen.

Assalamu Alaykum