How to perform salah (or solat)?
Learning how to perform salah is one of the most important steps for every Muslim. Salah (also spelled Salat, Solat, or Namaz) is the ritual prayer performed five times daily, the second pillar of Islam and the most direct connection between a believer and Allah. Whether you are a new Muslim, a revert learning for the first time, or someone wanting to perfect their prayer, this is the most comprehensive step-by-step guide available.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Pray as you have seen me praying” (Bukhari). This guide follows that principle, walking you through every position, every word, and every movement as the Prophet ﷺ taught. For the full context of prayer in Islam, see our complete guide to Salah.
Before You Begin: Preparation
Before praying, several conditions must be met for your salah to be valid. For a full breakdown, see our guide on the 9 rules of salah. Here is a summary:
1. Make Wudu (Ablution)
Ritual purity is a prerequisite for prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah does not accept prayer without purification” (Muslim). Perform wudu by washing your hands, rinsing your mouth and nose, washing your face, washing your arms to the elbows, wiping your head and ears, and washing your feet to the ankles, all in order and without long pauses.
2. Dress Appropriately
Your body must be covered properly. For men, the area from the navel to the knees must be covered. For women, the entire body except the face and hands should be covered during prayer. Your clothes and prayer area must also be free from impurities.
3. Face the Qibla
Stand facing the direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah. Allah says: “Turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it” (Al-Baqarah, 2:144). You can use a compass app or our Salah times tool to find the Qibla from your location.
4. Know Your Prayer
Before starting, know which prayer you are performing and how many rakats (units) it requires:
| Prayer | Time | Fard Rakats |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Before sunrise | 2 |
| Dhuhr | After midday | 4 |
| Asr | Late afternoon | 4 |
| Maghrib | Just after sunset | 3 |
| Isha | Night | 4 |
Each rakat follows the same basic sequence: standing → recitation → bowing → prostration. Learn more about each prayer in our guide to the 5 types of Salah. Now let us walk through every step in detail.
Step-by-Step: How to Perform One Rakat
A rakat is a single unit of prayer. Every rakat follows the same core sequence. Master these nine steps, and you can perform any salah.
Make Your Intention (Niyyah)
Make a sincere intention in your heart for the specific prayer you are about to perform (e.g., “I intend to pray Dhuhr”). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Actions are judged by intentions”(Bukhari & Muslim). The intention is made silently in the heart, it does not need to be spoken aloud. From this moment, your entire focus should be on the prayer and nothing else.
Raise Your Hands & Say the Opening Takbir
Stand upright facing the Qibla. Raise both hands to your ears (or shoulder level for women) and say:
Allahu Akbar
Allah is Greater (than everything in existence)
This is called Takbirat al-Ihram , the opening takbir that officially begins the prayer. Once you say these words, you have entered a sacred state. From this point forward, focus entirely on your prayer and ignore all distractions.
Place Your Hands & Recite the Opening Dua
Lower your hands and place your right hand over your left on your chest (or below your navel, according to some schools). Keep your eyes focused on the spot where you will prostrate, the Prophet ﷺ taught that your gaze should always be directed to the place of sujud during prayer.
It is recommended (sunnah) to recite the opening supplication (dua al-istiftah):
Subhanakal-lahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruka
How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.
Seek Refuge & Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
Before reciting Al-Fatiha, seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan:
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir rajim
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan
Then say the Bismillah:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Now recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book” (Bukhari & Muslim). Al-Fatiha must be recited in every single rakat:
Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil 'alamin
Ar-Rahmanir Rahim
Maliki yawmid-din
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
Ihdinas-siratal mustaqim
Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim
Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Master of the Day of Judgment
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help
Guide us on the straight path
The path of those whom You have blessed
Not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray
After reciting Al-Fatiha, say “Ameen” (O Allah, answer our prayer). In the first two rakats of every prayer, it is sunnah to recite an additional surah or verses from the Quran after Al-Fatiha. In the third and fourth rakats, only Al-Fatiha is recited.
Bow Down (Ruku)
Say “Allahu Akbar” as you bow down. Place your hands on your knees with your fingers spread, keeping your back straight and parallel to the ground. Your head should be in line with your back, neither raised nor lowered.
In this position, say three times:
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem
How Perfect is my Lord, the Magnificent
Rise from Ruku
Rise back to a fully upright standing position while saying:
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah
Allah hears the one who praises Him
Once standing straight, say:
Rabbana wa lakal hamd
Our Lord, to You is all praise
First Prostration (Sujud)
Say “Allahu Akbar” and go down into sujud (prostration). This is the most honored position in prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said: “The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in sujud, so increase your supplication” (Muslim).
Seven body parts must touch the ground: your forehead and nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. Keep your arms away from your sides, do not rest your forearms on the ground.
In this position, say three times:
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
How Perfect is my Lord, the Most High
You may also make personal dua (supplication) in any language while in sujud, as this is when you are closest to Allah.
Sit Between Prostrations
Say “Allahu Akbar” and rise from sujud to a sitting position. Sit on your left leg with your right foot upright and your toes pointed toward the Qibla. Place your hands on your knees.
In this position, say:
Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li
O my Lord, forgive me. O my Lord, forgive me.
Second Prostration
Say “Allahu Akbar” and perform a second sujud exactly like the first, same position, same supplication (Subhana Rabbiyal A'la three times).
You have completed one full rakat! Say “Allahu Akbar” and rise to standing to begin the next rakat.
After Every Two Rakats: The Tashahhud
At the end of every second rakat (and the final rakat of the prayer), instead of standing up after the second sujud, you remain seated. This sitting is called the Tashahhud. Sit on your left leg with your right foot upright. Raise your right index finger, this is the gesture of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah).
Recite the At-Tahiyyat:
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
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 on the righteous slaves of Allah
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger
If this is not the final rakat (e.g., after the 2nd rakat of a 4-rakat prayer), you say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up for the next rakat. If this is the final rakat, continue to the Salawat Ibrahimiyyah below.
The Final Sitting: Salawat Ibrahimiyyah
In the very last rakat of the prayer, after reciting At-Tahiyyat, add the Salawat Ibrahimiyyah (blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ):
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad
Kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka Hamidun Majid
Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad
Kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka Hamidun Majid
O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad
as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim
Verily, You are full of Praise and Majesty
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad
as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim
Verily, You are full of Praise and Majesty
Ending the Prayer: The Tasleem
After the Salawat Ibrahimiyyah, end the prayer with the Tasleem, the greeting of peace that formally concludes your salah:
- Turn your head to the right and say: “As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)
- Turn your head to the left and say: “As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)
Your prayer is now complete. May Allah accept it from you.
Putting It All Together: The Five Daily Prayers
Now that you know how to perform a single rakat and the Tashahhud, here is how each of the five daily prayers is structured:
Fajr, 2 Rakats
- Rakat 1: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah
- Rakat 2: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah → Tashahhud → Salawat Ibrahimiyyah → Tasleem
Dhuhr, 4 Rakats
- Rakat 1: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah
- Rakat 2: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah → Tashahhud (first sitting)
- Rakat 3: Stand and recite Al-Fatiha only
- Rakat 4: Al-Fatiha only → Tashahhud → Salawat Ibrahimiyyah → Tasleem
Asr, 4 Rakats
Same structure as Dhuhr.
Maghrib, 3 Rakats
- Rakat 1: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah
- Rakat 2: Full rakat with Al-Fatiha + additional surah → Tashahhud (first sitting)
- Rakat 3: Al-Fatiha only → Tashahhud → Salawat Ibrahimiyyah → Tasleem
Isha, 4 Rakats
Same structure as Dhuhr. After Isha, it is highly recommended to pray Witr (an odd-numbered voluntary prayer, minimum 1 rakat).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing through positions: Each position must be held with calmness and tranquility (tuma'ninah). The Prophet ﷺ told a man who rushed his prayer: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed” (Bukhari & Muslim).
- Not straightening your back in ruku: Your back should be flat and parallel to the ground, not curved.
- Forgetting Al-Fatiha: Al-Fatiha must be recited in every rakat. Skipping it invalidates that rakat.
- Looking around during prayer: The Prophet ﷺ warned against looking up or around during prayer. Keep your eyes on the place of sujud.
- Resting forearms on the ground in sujud: The Prophet ﷺ prohibited resting the forearms on the ground like a dog resting. Keep your arms raised and away from your sides.
- Not ensuring all seven body parts touch the ground in sujud: Forehead with nose, both palms, both knees, and toes of both feet must all make contact.
Tips for Beginners
- Start by memorizing Al-Fatiha. This is the most essential recitation. Until you memorize it, scholars permit reading from a paper or phone.
- Learn one step at a time. Do not try to memorize everything at once. Practice each position until it feels natural before adding the next.
- Pray behind someone experienced. Following an imam or experienced Muslim helps you learn the flow and timing naturally.
- Focus on sincerity over perfection. Allah rewards effort and intention. Even if your pronunciation is imperfect, your sincere prayer is accepted and beloved to Allah.
- Use the five daily prayers as anchors. Structure your day around the prayer times. Our Salah times tool shows you the exact times for your location.
You now have everything you need to perform salah correctly. Deepen your understanding of its significance by reading about what is the Sala for Muslims , the spiritual meaning behind the physical prayer. And to understand the essential conditions, see the 9 rules of salah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to perform salah?
A single prayer typically takes 5–10 minutes. Fajr (2 rakats) is the shortest, while Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha (4 rakats each) take slightly longer. The duration depends on how much Quran you recite and how much time you spend in sujud and ruku.
Can a beginner read Al-Fatiha from a paper or phone?
Most scholars allow beginners who have not yet memorized Al-Fatiha to read it from a paper or phone as a temporary measure. The priority is to pray on time while working to memorize it as quickly as possible.
What do you say during sujud (prostration)?
During sujud, you say 'Subhana Rabbiyal A'la' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times. You may also make personal dua (supplication) in any language, as the Prophet ﷺ said you are closest to Allah during prostration.
What is the difference between the first and last tashahhud?
The first tashahhud (after the 2nd rakat in a 3 or 4-rakat prayer) includes only At-Tahiyyat. The final tashahhud (at the end of the prayer) includes At-Tahiyyat plus the Salawat Ibrahimiyyah (blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ), and is followed by the tasleem.
Do you recite an additional surah in every rakat?
No. An additional surah or Quranic verses are recited after Al-Fatiha only in the first two rakats of every prayer. In the third and fourth rakats, you recite only Al-Fatiha.
What happens if you make a mistake during salah?
If you make a minor mistake (such as forgetting whether you prayed 3 or 4 rakats), you complete the prayer based on what you are most certain of, then perform two extra prostrations (sujud as-sahw) before the tasleem. This compensates for unintentional errors.