How to Perform the Daily Islamic Prayer

Throughout the day, Muslims must perform the Salah, or formal prayers. That means 5 regimented times a day, followers must face Mecca and pray to Allah. You should perform each daily prayer according to strict guidelines. The Salah is considered one of the important aspects of Islamic worship.

Things You'll Need

• Scarf or kufi

Instructions

Start the Islamic Daily Prayer

1. Wear clean clothes when praying. You should also pull your hair away from your face by wearing a scarf (for a woman) or a kufi cap (for a man).

2. Pray in a clean space, using a prayer mat to avoid kneeling on the ground.

3. Face Mecca, which lies southeast in the United States. You should verify you are facing the correct direction for your location.

4. Find the proper prayer time by visiting Islamic Finder (see Resources below). All Muslims must pray at the same time, so make sure you have the proper schedule.

5. State your intention to perform the daily prayer and the time of day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset or night). Speak in your native language or Arabic, depending on the one with which you are most comfortable.

6. Raise your hand to your face, with your thumbs touching your ears and your palms facing outward. With your hands by your face, say "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great).

7. Drop your hands, resting them at your side or folding them across your stomach. Recite the key (important phrases meant for prayer), the first chapter of the Qur'an and any other chapters you want to recite. You should recite these in Arabic if possible.

8. Bow down from the waist, keeping the knees straight and placing your hands on your knees. As you bow, say "Allahu Akbar."

9. Say "Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem," or "Glory be to God, the Great." You should remain bowing.

10. Stand up straight while saying "Sami'Allahu Liman Hamidah," or "God responds to those who praise Him."

11. Move quickly into the prostration position (Sujood), saying "Allahu Akbar." To get into the prostration position, drop onto your knees and place your forehead on the floor. Your hair should not touch the floor.

12. Say "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa" or "Glory be to God, the Most High."

13. Sit up on your knees, saying "Allahu Akbar" as you move. Quickly bend forward into the prostration position, repeating "Allahu Akbar." While bending down, say "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa."

14. Stand up, saying "Allahu Akbar" as you do so. This completes the basic prayer.

15. Repeat the basic steps, modifying them according to the time of day. Watch the basic variations of the daily prayers in easy flash movies on Jannah.com (see Resources below). The prayers are explained in English.

Perform the Dawn Prayer

1. Repeat the basic prayer unit a second time, starting by raising you hand to your face. Remain in the sitting position after the second prostration.

2. Pronounce the shahhaadah (First Pillar of Submission). "Ash-Hadu An Laa Elaaha Ellaa Allah, Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lah." (I bear witness that there is no other god beside God. He ALONE is God. He has no partner.)

3. Look to the right and say "Assalaamu Alaikum." Then look to your left and repeat the phrase. This completes the Dawn Prayer.

Perform the Noon, Afternoon and Night Prayers

1. Perform the Dawn Prayer (both sections), making sure to state the correct intention. The Noon and Afternoon prayers are identical to each other. Skip saying "Assalaamu Alaikum" during the initial rendition of the prayer.

2. Repeat the Dawn Prayer again, saying "Allahu Akbar" as you stand up at the beginning. Continue through the entire prayer.

3. Perform the salaams, by turning your head first to the right and then to your left, while saying "Assalaamu Alaikum." This should be done in the sitting position on the fourth run-through of the basic prayer.

Perform the Sunset Prayer

1. Start the Sunset Prayer by stating your intention before you start with the basic prayer steps.

2. Run through three units, saying the shahhaadah at the end of the second and third section.

3. Say the salaams in the last sitting position of the third unit.

Tips & Warnings

• At the end of each prayer, you should hug, kiss or shake hands with those praying near you.

Resources

• Jannah.com for 5 daily prayer instruction.
• Islamic Finder for daily prayer times and the nearest mosques.