Learn Salah

1. 01

   Intention

   النية

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Stand facing the qiblah and intend in your heart which prayer you are about to perform. Nothing is said aloud.

   If you cannot do this

   If you cannot stand, you may sit — and if you cannot sit, you may pray lying on your side. Your prayer is complete either way.

   Hadith

   Narrated by `Imran bin Husain

   I had piles, so I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about the prayer. He said, "Pray while standing and if you can't, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray Lying on your side

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ طَهْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي الْحُسَيْنُ الْمُكْتِبُ، عَنِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَتْ بِي بَوَاسِيرُ فَسَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ صَلِّ قَائِمًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ ‏"‏‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by 'Umar bin Al-Khattab

   I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ ، يَقُولُ : سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، يَقُولُ : " إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

   Common mistakes

   • Reciting the intention aloud as a formula. It belongs in the heart.
2. 02

   Opening takbir

   تكبيرة الإحرام

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Raise your hands to about shoulder or ear height, then say the takbir. From this moment you are in prayer, and ordinary speech and movement end.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   The takbir

   Pillarركن

   Liturgical transcription

   اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

   Allāhu akbar

   “Allah is greater.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   You begin by declaring that Allah is greater — greater than whatever you have just walked away from, and greater than whatever is waiting for you afterwards. It is the sentence that closes the door on the world for a few minutes.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

   The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   If you cannot do this

   If you cannot raise your hands, the takbir alone is enough. If you cannot speak it aloud, saying it inwardly is sufficient.

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

   The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Beginning to recite before finishing the takbir.
   • Raising the hands after saying it rather than with it.
3. 03

   Standing and reciting

   القيام

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Stand with your hands placed on your chest or below it, eyes toward the place of prostration. Recite Al-Fatihah, then any passage of the Quran you know.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   Surah Al-Fatihah

   Pillarركن

   Quran

   بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

   In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

   Quran

   ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

   [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -

   Quran

   ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

   The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

   Quran

   مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

   Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.

   Quran

   إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

   It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

   Quran

   ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

   Guide us to the straight path -

   Quran

   صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

   The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

   Why am I saying this?

   Al-Fatihah is a conversation. You praise Allah, then you ask for the one thing everything else depends on: to be kept on the straight path. It is the only part of the prayer you cannot leave out, and it is a request repeated at least seventeen times a day.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by 'Ubada bin As-Samit

   Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ‏"‏‏.‏

   If you cannot do this

   If standing is painful or not possible, pray sitting. The Prophet ﷺ was asked directly about this by a man who could not stand, and told him to pray sitting, and if not, lying on his side.

   Hadith

   Narrated by `Imran bin Husain

   I had piles, so I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about the prayer. He said, "Pray while standing and if you can't, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray Lying on your side

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ طَهْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي الْحُسَيْنُ الْمُكْتِبُ، عَنِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَتْ بِي بَوَاسِيرُ فَسَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ صَلِّ قَائِمًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ ‏"‏‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by 'Ubada bin As-Samit

   Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ‏"‏‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Rushing Al-Fatihah so that the words run together.
   • Looking around rather than keeping the eyes toward the place of prostration.
4. 04

   Bowing

   الركوع

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Say the takbir, then bow so your back is level and your hands rest on your knees. Settle — do not rush through it.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   The tasbih of bowing

   Sunnahسنة

   Liturgical transcription

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

   Subḥāna Rabbiya al-‘Aẓīm

   “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   Your body is lowered and your words say why: the One you are bowing to is greater than you. The posture and the sentence are saying the same thing at the same time.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   If you cannot do this

   Sitting down, bowing is a slight lean forward from the waist. It does not need to look like a standing bow.

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Abu Huraira

   Once the Prophet (ﷺ) entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَدَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏ فَصَلَّى، ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثَلاَثًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ، ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ، ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا ‏"‏‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Not straightening the back, so the bow is closer to a stoop.
   • Moving into the next position before the body has settled.
5. 05

   Rising from bowing

   الاعتدال

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Rise until you are standing upright again, and be still before moving on.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   On rising

   Sunnahسنة

   Liturgical transcription

   سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ · رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

   Sami‘a Allāhu liman ḥamidah · Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd

   “Allah hears the one who praises Him · Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   You say that Allah hears those who praise Him — and then immediately praise Him. It is a reminder that you are not speaking into empty air.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by Abu Huraira

   Once the Prophet (ﷺ) entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَدَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏ فَصَلَّى، ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثَلاَثًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ، ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ، ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا ‏"‏‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Abu Huraira

   Once the Prophet (ﷺ) entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَدَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏ فَصَلَّى، ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثَلاَثًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ، ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ، ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا ‏"‏‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Going straight into prostration without standing upright first.
6. 06

   Prostration

   السجود

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Say the takbir and go down so that seven parts touch the ground: the forehead together with the nose, both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   The tasbih of prostration

   Sunnahسنة

   Liturgical transcription

   سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

   Subḥāna Rabbiya al-A‘lā

   “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   This is the lowest your body goes, and the words name Allah as the Highest. It is also the position in which you are closest to Him — which is why supplication here is encouraged.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   If you cannot do this

   If you cannot reach the ground, bend forward as far as you comfortably can, lower than your bow. There is no need to place an object under the forehead to prostrate on.

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   A man from (the tribe of) 'Abs narrated from Hudhaifah that:He came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and stood by his side, and he said: "Allahu Akbar Dhul-malakut wal-jabarut wal-kibriya' wal 'azamah (Allah is Most Great, the One Who has all sovereignty, power, magnificence, and might.)" Then he recited Al-Baqarah, then he bowed, and his bowing lasted almost as long as his standing, and he said when bowing: 'Subahana Rabbial-'azim, Subhana Rabbial-'azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty, Glory be to my Lord Almighty)." When he raised his head he said: "Li Rabbial-hamd, Li Rabbial-hamd (To my Lord be praise, to my Lord be praise)." And when he prostrated he said: "Subahana Rabbial-A'la, Subahna Rabbial-A'la (Glory be to my Lord Most High, glory be to my Lord Most High)." And between the two prostrations he would say: "Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me)

   ▸Show original Arabic

   أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ، سَمِعَهُ يُحَدِّثُ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، مِنْ عَبْسٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، أَنَّهُ انْتَهَى إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَامَ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ذُو الْمَلَكُوتِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ بِالْبَقَرَةِ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَكَانَ رُكُوعُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ فَقَالَ فِي رُكُوعِهِ ‏"‏ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ حِينَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ‏"‏ لِرَبِّيَ الْحَمْدُ لِرَبِّيَ الْحَمْدُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِهِ ‏"‏ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ ‏"‏ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Resting the forearms on the ground rather than keeping them raised.
   • Letting the nose lift away from the ground.
7. 07

   Sitting between the prostrations

   الجلسة بين السجدتين

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Say the takbir, sit up on your left foot with the right foot upright, settle, then prostrate a second time.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   Between the prostrations

   Sunnahسنة

   Liturgical transcription

   رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

   Rabbi ighfir lī

   “My Lord, forgive me.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   Three words, in the middle of the prayer, asking for the thing you most need. It is deliberately short — the prayer keeps returning you to it.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by Rifa'ah ibn Rafi'

   A man entered the mosque...... He then narrated the tradition like the one narrated in (No.855). This version is as follows: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The prayer of anyone is not perfect unless he performs ablution perfectly; he should then utter the takbir, and praise Allah, the Exalted, and admire Him; he should then recite the Qur'an as much as he desires. He should then say: "Allah is Most Great". Next he should bow so that all his joints return to their proper places. Then he should say: "Allah listens to the one who praises Him", and stand erect. He should then say:"Allah is most great," and should prostrate himself so that all his joints are completely at rest. Then he should say: "Allah is most great"; he should raise his head (at the end of prostration) till he sits erect. Then he should say: "Allah is most great"; then he should prostrate himself till all his joints return to their proper places. Then he should raise his head and say the takbir. When he does so, then his prayer is completed

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ خَلاَّدٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ قَالَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ لاَ تَتِمُّ صَلاَةٌ لأَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ فَيَضَعَ الْوُضُوءَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي مَوَاضِعَهُ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ وَيُثْنِي عَلَيْهِ وَيَقْرَأُ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَيَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيُكَبِّرُ فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ تَمَّتْ صَلاَتُهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Rifa'ah ibn Rafi'

   A man entered the mosque...... He then narrated the tradition like the one narrated in (No.855). This version is as follows: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The prayer of anyone is not perfect unless he performs ablution perfectly; he should then utter the takbir, and praise Allah, the Exalted, and admire Him; he should then recite the Qur'an as much as he desires. He should then say: "Allah is Most Great". Next he should bow so that all his joints return to their proper places. Then he should say: "Allah listens to the one who praises Him", and stand erect. He should then say:"Allah is most great," and should prostrate himself so that all his joints are completely at rest. Then he should say: "Allah is most great"; he should raise his head (at the end of prostration) till he sits erect. Then he should say: "Allah is most great"; then he should prostrate himself till all his joints return to their proper places. Then he should raise his head and say the takbir. When he does so, then his prayer is completed

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ خَلاَّدٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ قَالَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ لاَ تَتِمُّ صَلاَةٌ لأَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ فَيَضَعَ الْوُضُوءَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي مَوَاضِعَهُ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ وَيُثْنِي عَلَيْهِ وَيَقْرَأُ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَيَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيُكَبِّرُ فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ تَمَّتْ صَلاَتُهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Rising into the second prostration before sitting has settled.
8. 08

   The final sitting

   التشهد

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   After the second prostration of the final rak‘ah, sit and recite the tashahhud, with the right index finger raised in pointing.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   The tashahhud

   Pillarركن

   Liturgical transcription

   التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

   At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi wa-ṣ-ṣalawātu wa-ṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhā-n-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhi-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā-llāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh.

   “All greetings, prayers and good things belong to 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.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   The prayer ends by returning to where Islam begins: the testimony of faith. Notice the order — greeting, then peace for the Prophet ﷺ, then peace for yourself and every righteous servant of Allah, and only then the declaration. You are placed inside a community before you speak as an individual.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by Shaqiq bin Salama

   `Abdullah said, "Whenever we prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to recite (in sitting) 'Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, peace be on so and so. Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) looked back at us and said, 'Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, at-Tahiyatu li l-lahi wa ssalawatu wa t-taiyibat. As-salamu `alalika aiyuha n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu l-lahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu `alaina wa `ala `ibadi l-lahi s-salihin. (All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us an on the pious subjects of Allah). (If you say that, it will reach all the subjects in the heaven and the earth). Ash-hadu al-la ilaha illa l-lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `Abduhu wa Rasuluh. (I testify that there is no Deity [worthy of worship] but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ شَقِيقِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا خَلْفَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْنَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَى جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَى فُلاَنٍ وَفُلاَنٍ‏.‏ فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ السَّلاَمُ، فَإِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَقُلِ التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ‏.‏ فَإِنَّكُمْ إِذَا قُلْتُمُوهَا أَصَابَتْ كُلَّ عَبْدٍ لِلَّهِ صَالِحٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Shaqiq bin Salama

   `Abdullah said, "Whenever we prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to recite (in sitting) 'Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, peace be on so and so. Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) looked back at us and said, 'Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, at-Tahiyatu li l-lahi wa ssalawatu wa t-taiyibat. As-salamu `alalika aiyuha n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu l-lahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu `alaina wa `ala `ibadi l-lahi s-salihin. (All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us an on the pious subjects of Allah). (If you say that, it will reach all the subjects in the heaven and the earth). Ash-hadu al-la ilaha illa l-lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `Abduhu wa Rasuluh. (I testify that there is no Deity [worthy of worship] but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ شَقِيقِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا خَلْفَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْنَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَى جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَى فُلاَنٍ وَفُلاَنٍ‏.‏ فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ السَّلاَمُ، فَإِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَقُلِ التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ‏.‏ فَإِنَّكُمْ إِذَا قُلْتُمُوهَا أَصَابَتْ كُلَّ عَبْدٍ لِلَّهِ صَالِحٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

   Common mistakes

   • Moving the finger continuously. It is raised in pointing, not waved.
9. 09

   The closing salam

   التسليم

   Pillarركن

   What to do

   Turn your head to the right and give the salam, then to the left and give it again. The prayer is now complete.

   Agreed upon by all four schools

   What to recite

   The salam

   Pillarركن

   Liturgical transcription

   السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

   As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh

   “Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.”

   Written here as it is recited. The narration establishing it is cited below.

   Why am I saying this?

   You leave the prayer the way you would leave any gathering — by greeting those around you with peace. Even alone, the prayer ends outward, not inward.

   Sabeel — educational summary

   Hadith

   Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

   The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

   Evidence for this position

   Hadith

   Narrated by Malik

   We came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and stayed with him for twenty days and nights. We were all young and of about the same age. The Prophet (ﷺ) was very kind and merciful. When he realized our longing for our families, he asked about our homes and the people there and we told him. Then he asked us to go back to our families and stay with them and teach them (the religion) and to order them to do good things. He also mentioned some other things which I have (remembered or [??] ) forgotten. The Prophet (ﷺ) then added, "Pray as you have seen me praying and when it is the time for the prayer one of you should pronounce the Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayer

   ▸Show original Arabic

   حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، أَتَيْنَا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ شَبَبَةٌ مُتَقَارِبُونَ، فَأَقَمْنَا عِنْدَهُ عِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا وَلَيْلَةً، وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَحِيمًا رَفِيقًا، فَلَمَّا ظَنَّ أَنَّا قَدِ اشْتَهَيْنَا أَهْلَنَا أَوْ قَدِ اشْتَقْنَا سَأَلَنَا عَمَّنْ تَرَكْنَا بَعْدَنَا فَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ ارْجِعُوا إِلَى أَهْلِيكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا فِيهِمْ وَعَلِّمُوهُمْ وَمُرُوهُمْ ـ وَذَكَرَ أَشْيَاءَ أَحْفَظُهَا أَوْ لاَ أَحْفَظُهَا ـ وَصَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي، فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَكْبَرُكُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏

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