How to Perform Prayer (Salah): Complete Step-by-Step Guide
There is a quiet kind of love in the way most of us first learned Prayer (Salah) — standing barefoot beside our mothers, copying every movement long before we understood the meaning behind it. That love is enough to carry a prayer through, but it often leaves small gaps: a hand placed slightly wrong, a posture rushed through without ever knowing the beauty hidden inside it. This guide is written to fill those gaps gently, walking through every single movement and recitation of Salah in the exact order it happens, including the postures that belong specifically to women, so that nothing is ever left to guesswork again. For a deeper look at which of these steps are obligatory and which are simply the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, see our companion guide on the necessary acts and Prophetic Practices of Salah.
How to Perform Salah — Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Infographic)
Quick Answer
Salah begins with facing the Qibla and making the intention (Niyyah), followed by the opening Takbeer, Thana, recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha and another chapter, Bowing (Ruku), Prostration (Sujood), the Testimony of Faith (Tashahhud), blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ (Durood), a closing supplication, and finally the Salutation (Salam) to end the prayer.
Every effort has been made to present the Arabic wording below with its correct diacritics (Harakat). If, despite this care, any unintentional error in a vowel mark or symbol has slipped through, we ask Allah Almighty to forgive the oversight. If a reader notices any such error, she is kindly encouraged to recite the words in their correct, authentic form rather than relying on the printed marks alone.
How to Begin Salah: Standing, Intention, and the Opening Takbeer
Before a single word is spoken, the body needs to be positioned correctly, since the posture at the very start sets the tone for the entire prayer. After completing Ablution (Wudu), stand facing the direction of Prayer (Qibla) with the feet spaced about four fingers apart, and form the intention (Niyyah) in the heart, which may be expressed in words such as:
"I intend to offer ... Rakat of prayer for the sake of Allah, with my face turned towards the Sacred Kaaba." The number and name of the prayer are mentally filled in according to which Salah is being performed.
Raise both hands up to the level of the shoulders, taking care not to bring them outside the edge of the outer wrap or shawl (Chador) being worn. The fingers should be left in their natural resting position — neither pressed tightly together nor spread wide apart. With the palms facing the Qibla, say "Allah is Greatest" (Allahu Akbar) while lowering the hands, taking care not to bow the head during this Takbeer. As soon as the Takbeer is finished, fold the hands immediately: the left palm rests below the chest, and the right hand is placed over its back — not gripping the wrist, which is the grip used by men rather than women.
Many women rush through this opening sequence because it feels like a formality before the "real" recitation begins. In reality, this is where the heart settles into the prayer — taking even two or three unhurried seconds here, rather than snapping straight into Al-Fatiha, tends to carry a calmer presence into the rest of the unit (Rakat).
Once the hands are folded, recite the opening praise (Thana):
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is Yours. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You.
What to Recite After Takbeer: Ta'awwuz, Tasmiyah, and Surah Al-Fatiha
After the opening praise (Thana), the prayer moves into its recitation. Seek refuge (Ta'awwuz) first:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.
Then recite the opening formula (Tasmiyah):
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Recite the Opening Chapter (Surah Al-Fatiha), and say "Ameen" quietly once it is complete. After this, recite any chapter (Surah) of the Quran, or at least three short verses, or a single verse of equivalent length. If this recitation is the first Surah being started, recite Bismillah before it as well; if it is a continuation rather than the beginning of a fresh chapter, this repetition is not required.
How to Perform Bowing (Ruku) Correctly
Once the recitation is complete, say "Allahu Akbar" and move into Bowing (Ruku) — the Takbeer should begin exactly as the body starts bending, and finish once the Ruku position is reached. Bend only far enough that the hands reach the knees; there is no need to straighten the back into a perfectly flat line as men are instructed to do, and no need to press down firmly on the knees — simply rest the hands there. Keep the fingers of the hands joined together, the arms drawn in close to the sides of the body, and the feet held in a slightly bent rather than a fully straightened position, avoiding the fully extended stance used by men. Recite the following at least three times while in this posture:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Glory is to my Lord, the Magnificent.
A common habit, especially when praying quickly, is to bow only halfway or to skip the moment of stillness in Ruku altogether. Pausing here — even briefly, for the time it takes to say the glorification once with attention rather than rushed — is what keeps this posture from becoming a formality rather than an act of worship.
Rising From Bowing (Ruku) and Entering Prostration (Sujood)
Rise from Bowing (Ruku) while saying:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Allah hears whoever praises Him.
Once standing fully upright, say:
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Our Lord, all praise belongs to You.
Then, saying "Allahu Akbar," move into Prostration (Sujood) in this order: first place both knees on the ground, then both hands, then bring the head down between the hands. It is not sufficient for only the forehead to touch the ground while the tip of the nose barely grazes it — both the forehead and the nose must be firmly and clearly resting on the ground together. Recite the following at least three or five times while in Sujood:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.
How a Woman's Prostration (Sujood) Differs From a Man's
The posture of Prostration (Sujood) is one of the clearest places where a woman's Salah is distinct from a man's, and it is easy to unknowingly copy the male posture simply from watching men pray without ever having the difference pointed out.
The arms should be drawn in and kept close against the sides of the body, rather than held away from the torso.
The stomach should rest against the thighs, rather than being held raised and separated from them.
The thighs should rest against the shins, and the shins should rest on the ground.
Both feet should be spread flat on the ground, rather than raised up on the toes the way men are instructed to position them.
The fingers of the hands should point toward the Qibla throughout the posture.
After completing the first Prostration (Sujood), raise the head, move both feet toward the right side, and sit on the left hip rather than kneeling upright. Place the right hand on the right thigh and the left hand on the left thigh, keeping the fingers joined together with their edges resting near the knees, facing the Qibla. Then, saying "Allahu Akbar," go into the second Prostration (Sujood) and perform it in exactly the same manner as the first.
Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (Sujood) and Beginning the Second Rakat
Once both prostrations (Sujood) of the first unit are complete, rise for the second Rakat by pushing up on the toes while resting the hands on the knees, rather than placing the hands flat on the ground to push up.
What Changes in the Second Rakat
The second unit of prayer follows a slightly shorter opening than the first. Do not repeat the opening praise (Thana) or the seeking of refuge (Ta'awwuz) in this unit — recite only Bismillah, followed directly by Surah Al-Fatiha. After Al-Fatiha, recite another chapter or three verses as before, then perform Bowing (Ruku) and Prostration (Sujood) exactly as they were performed in the first unit. Once both prostrations (Sujood) of the second Rakat are complete, move both feet to the right side once again and sit in the same posture used for sitting between the two prostrations (Sujood) of the first Rakat.
How to Recite Tashahhud and the Finger Movement at "La ilaha"
While seated after the second Rakat, recite the Testimony of Faith (Tashahhud):
اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
All greetings, 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 upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
Nothing should be added to or omitted from this wording. When the recitation reaches the word "La" in "La ilaha," form a circle with the middle finger and thumb of the right hand, folding the small finger and the ring finger next to it into the palm. Raise the index finger at the word "La," but do not move or shake it. Lower it again at the word "illa," and immediately straighten all the fingers back to their normal position.
Rising for Additional Rakats (Three or Four Rakat Prayers)
If the prayer being performed has more than two units, rise for the third Rakat without placing the hands on the ground — push up using the knees instead. If a genuine difficulty makes this impossible, there is no harm in using the hands for support. In an obligatory (Fard) prayer, it is not necessary to add another chapter after Al-Fatiha in the third and fourth units; reciting Al-Fatiha alone is sufficient in those units.
Durood Sharif and the Closing Supplication (Dua)
The final sitting is the one after which the prayer will end with the Salutation (Salam). In this sitting, after reciting the Tashahhud, recite the following blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ (Durood Sharif):
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
After the Durood, recite the following supplication (Dua):
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, and none forgives sins except You. So grant me forgiveness from Yourself, and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.
If this particular Dua has not been memorised, any other supplication that has been reliably passed down from earlier scholars and pious elders may be recited instead. One widely known alternative is the Quranic supplication:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201
Ending Salah With Salam
To conclude the prayer, turn the face toward the right shoulder and say:
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.
Then turn the face toward the left shoulder and say the same words again. The turn should be enough that the cheek becomes visible to someone standing beside, but the chest itself should not be turned along with the face.
(Reference: Dur Mukhtar, Radd al-Muhtar, and other classical Hanafi Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) manuals)
Remembrance (Adhkar) to Recite After Salah
Once the Salutation (Salam) is complete, it is well established practice to remain seated for a short while and continue with a brief sequence of remembrance (Adhkar) before rising from the prayer mat.
After every prayer, seek forgiveness (Istighfar) three times, then recite Ayat al-Kursi once, followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad), Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas, once each.
After reciting these, pass both hands gently over the face.
Then recite "SubhanAllah" (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times, "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is for Allah) thirty-three times, and "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
I seek forgiveness from Allah.
It is recorded in the noble Hadith that whoever recites these words regularly after every prayer does not remain deprived.
This sequence is short enough to complete in under two minutes, yet it is often the first thing skipped when a woman is rushing between household duties. Keeping even a shortened version of it — the three Istighfars and the wiping of the face — helps preserve the habit on busier days, rather than dropping it altogether.
Understanding Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Mustahab Within This Method
Everything described above forms the physical and verbal body of Salah, but not every part carries the same weight in Islamic law. Some of these actions are obligatory (Fard), meaning the prayer simply does not take place without them. Some are necessary (Wajib) — deliberately leaving one out is sinful and the prayer must be repeated, while leaving one out by mistake is corrected with the Prostration of Forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw). Some are confirmed Prophetic Practice (Sunnah Mu'akkadah), where making a habit of omitting them is sinful even though the prayer itself remains valid. And some are simply recommended (Mustahab) — performing them brings extra reward, while leaving them out carries no sin at all.
This distinction matters in daily life more than it might seem, especially when a woman realises mid-prayer that she has forgotten something and needs to know whether to correct it immediately, continue and fix it at the end, or simply let it go. Our detailed breakdown of exactly which acts of Salah fall into each of these four categories covers this point by point, including what to do the moment a mistake is noticed.
Bringing This Together in Daily Practice
Reading through every movement in one sitting can feel like a lot to hold in mind at once, but Salah is not learned in a single reading — it is learned the same way it has always been learned, through repetition, five times a day, until the sequence stops requiring conscious thought. A useful approach is to focus on one or two corrections at a time during actual prayer, rather than trying to fix every posture simultaneously, and to revisit sections of this guide as specific questions come up rather than trying to memorise the entire sequence in advance.
Salah was never meant to be perfected on the first attempt — it was given to us as a standing appointment with Allah, five times a day, a quiet return that steadies the heart a little more with every repetition. Every hand that folds a little more correctly, every sajdah held a little more mindfully, is a small act of love finding its proper shape. If even one detail here brought clarity to something that had felt uncertain for a long time, let it not stop with you — pass it gently to another sister who may be quietly carrying the same unspoken question.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. A woman keeps her body drawn in during prostration — arms close to the sides, stomach resting on the thighs, thighs resting on the shins, and both feet spread flat on the ground rather than raised on the toes, unlike the more open posture used by men.
The worshipper raises both hands to the shoulders, says Allahu Akbar while lowering them, then immediately folds the hands with the left palm below the chest and the right hand resting over its back, before reciting the opening praise (Thana).
No. Neither the opening praise (Thana) nor the seeking of refuge (Ta'awwuz) is repeated in the second unit. Only Bismillah is recited before Al-Fatiha.
At the word "La" in "La ilaha," the middle finger and thumb of the right hand form a circle, the ring and small fingers fold into the palm, and the index finger is raised without moving it. It is lowered at "illa," after which all fingers are straightened immediately.
She should rise on her toes using her knees for support rather than placing her hands on the ground, unless a genuine difficulty makes this impossible, in which case there is no harm in using the hands.
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