How to Perform Ramadan Prayers

There are precise steps that should be followed when performing Muslim prayers.

Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. On this month, Muslims all over the world stop excessive eating, drinking, smoking, and anything else that is deemed unnecessary from dawn until the sun sets. Islamic prayers, called salat, is a ritual prayer that is done five times a day. The salat is considered the most important act of worship and is done throughout the year, including during Ramadan. There are precise steps that should be followed when performing salat.

Things You'll Need

• Quran
• Proper prayer time table
• Copies of prayer

Instructions

Preparation Before Prayers

1. Find the correct times to perform the Islamic prayers. There are different times of the days that you will need to perform these Islamic prayers. In addition, the times your recite these prayers differ during the different times of the days. There is the dawn prayer (2 prayers), the noon prayer (4 prayers), the mid-afternoon prayer (4 prayers), the nightfall prayer (4 prayers) and the sunset prayer (3 prayers.) Specific times for these prayer can be obtained at your local Islamic center.

2. Wash yourself. It is mandatory that you wash yourself before you begin prayer. Washing your face, arms, elbows, head, feet and ankles are necessary.

3. Locate the direction of the holy mosque in Mecca. When praying, it is important to face in the direction of the holy mosque in Mecca.

Complete First Prayer

1. Raise your hands above your head and lower them saying "Allahu Akbar." This saying means "God is great."

2. Read the first verse of the qur'an. This is called Al-fatihah and is what is used to recite for Muslim prayers. Although the qur'an you are using may be in English, the prayers are done in Arabic.

3. Bow after reciting prayers while saying "Allahu Akbar." Once fully bowed, you should say "subhanna rabbiyal Azeem" three times. This means "my Lord, the magnificent." You should then return to upright standing position and say "Allahu Akbar."

4. Kneel slowly to the ground and bow down. Once your knees and forehead are touching the ground you should say "Subhaana rabbiyal Alaa" three times. After this, you should say "Allahu Akbar" and return to a standing position.

Complete Additional Prayers

1. Repeat the steps above for all other required prayers for that time of day.

2. Look over your right shoulder and say "As Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatulaah." This should be done after you've completed your last prayer and are still kneeling. The saying means "peace and God's blessings be upon you." Then you should turn to your left shoulder and repeat the recital.

3. Conclude the prayer session with a personal prayer. After all prayers have been completed, you should remain kneeling and say a prayer for yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many mosques and local Islamic centers locations to be found around the world. It is always best to sit with a member in one of these centers to help you perform these prayers to the best of your ability.

References

• Sunna: The Basics of Muslim Prayers