Interactive Prayer Guide
Learn how to perform Salah (Islamic prayer) step by step
About This Guide
This interactive tutorial demonstrates one Rak'ah (unit) of prayer. A complete prayer consists of multiple Rak'ahs depending on the time of day:
- Fajr (Dawn): 2 Rak'ahs
- Dhuhr (Noon): 4 Rak'ahs
- Asr (Afternoon): 4 Rak'ahs
- Maghrib (Sunset): 3 Rak'ahs
- Isha (Night): 4 Rak'ahs
Use the navigation buttons below to go through each step of the prayer at your own pace.
Standing & Takbeeratul-Ihram
🧍 Standing
القيام وتكبيرة الإحرام
Face the Qibla, stand upright, raise your hands to your ears (or shoulders) and say the opening takbeer.
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
Translation: Allah is the Greatest
💡 Tips
- •Keep your feet shoulder-width apart
- •Face the direction of the Ka'bah (Qibla)
- •Raise hands level with ears or shoulders
- •Focus your gaze on the spot where you will prostrate
Opening Supplication (Istiftah)
🧍 Standing
دعاء الاستفتاح
Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest. Recite the opening supplication silently.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk
Translation: Glory be to You O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.
💡 Tips
- •Place right hand over left on chest
- •Recite silently in your heart
- •This supplication is a Sunnah, not obligatory
Ta'awwudh & Basmala
🧍 Standing
التعوذ والبسملة
Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, then recite the Basmala before Al-Fatihah.
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem
Translation: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
💡 Tips
- •Recite silently before Al-Fatihah
- •The Ta'awwudh is recited in the first rak'ah (Sunnah before every rak'ah)
Surah Al-Fatihah
🧍 Standing
سورة الفاتحة
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the Opening chapter). This is an obligatory pillar (rukn) of the prayer.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧﴾
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil 'aalameen. Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem. Maliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem. Siratal-ladheena an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-daalleen.
Translation: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You have blessed, not of those who earned anger, nor of those who went astray.
آمِين
Ameen
Translation: O Allah, accept our supplication.
Say "Ameen" after Al-Fatihah
💡 Tips
- •Recite clearly with proper tajweed
- •Pause briefly after each verse
- •The prayer is not valid without Al-Fatihah
- •Say "Ameen" after finishing
Bowing (Ruku)
🙇 Bowing
الركوع
Say "Allahu Akbar" and bow with your back straight, hands on knees, head aligned with your back.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adheem
Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.
Minimum 3 times; an odd number is recommended
💡 Tips
- •Keep your back straight and level
- •Place hands firmly on knees with fingers spread
- •Keep head aligned with back (don't raise or lower it)
- •Stay calm and still (tuma'ninah) — don't rush
Rising from Ruku
🧍 Standing
الاعتدال من الركوع
Rise from bowing to standing upright, saying the tasmee', then the tahmeed.
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami'allahu liman hamidah
Translation: Allah hears those who praise Him.
Said while rising
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
Translation: Our Lord, to You be all praise.
Said after standing upright
💡 Tips
- •Stand completely upright before proceeding
- •Hands return to sides (or on chest depending on madhab)
- •Pause briefly and be still (tuma'ninah)
Prostration (Sujud)
🤲 Prostrating
السجود
Say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate with seven bones touching the ground: forehead + nose, both palms, both knees, toes of both feet.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la
Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
Minimum 3 times; an odd number is recommended
💡 Tips
- •Seven parts must touch the ground
- •Keep elbows away from the ground and your sides
- •Don't spread arms flat on the ground
- •This is the closest a servant is to Allah — make lots of du'a
Sitting Between Prostrations
🪑 Sitting
الجلوس بين السجدتين
Sit upright between the two prostrations. Sit on your left foot with right foot upright.
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbigh-fir lee, Rabbigh-fir lee
Translation: O my Lord, forgive me. O my Lord, forgive me.
💡 Tips
- •Sit on left foot with right foot upright (toes pointing to Qibla)
- •Rest hands on thighs near the knees
- •Be calm and still (tuma'ninah)
Second Prostration
🤲 Prostrating
السجود الثاني
Say "Allahu Akbar" and perform the second prostration exactly like the first. This completes one rak'ah.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ
Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la
Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
💡 Tips
- •Perform exactly like the first prostration
- •Maintain calmness and stillness
- •After this, one rak'ah is complete
First Tashahhud
🪑 Sitting
التشهد الأول
After the 2nd rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud. Point your right index finger during the shahada.
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
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.
Translation: All greetings, prayers and good things 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 god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
💡 Tips
- •Sit on left foot with right foot upright (iftirash)
- •Place left hand on left knee, right hand on right thigh
- •Point index finger during the shahada and move it slightly
- •In 2-rak'ah prayers (Fajr), proceed to full Tashahhud + Salawat
Salawat Ibrahimiyyah
🪑 Sitting
الصلاة الإبراهيمية
After the final Tashahhud (last rak'ah), recite the Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ and Ibrahim عليه السلام.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahim wa 'ala aali Ibrahim, innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahim wa 'ala aali Ibrahim, innaka Hameedun Majeed.
Translation: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
💡 Tips
- •This is recited in the final sitting of the prayer
- •In 3/4-rak'ah prayers, skip this after the 2nd rak'ah Tashahhud
- •Sit in tawarruk position (left foot under right shin) in the final sitting
Du'a Before Tasleem
🪑 Sitting
الدعاء قبل التسليم
After the Salawat, supplicate with authentic du'as before the closing Tasleem.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi jahannam, wa min 'adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hellfire, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of living and dying, and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal).
💡 Tips
- •This is one of the best positions for personal du'a
- •You may add any personal supplication after the taught ones
- •The Prophet ﷺ would seek refuge from four things (see recitation)
Tasleem (Closing)
🪑 Sitting
التسليم
Turn your head to the right, then to the left, saying the Tasleem to conclude the prayer.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Translation: Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.
Said turning head to the right, then to the left
💡 Tips
- •Turn head to the right first, then to the left
- •Look towards your shoulder each time
- •This formally ends the prayer
You've completed one Rak'ah!
In a full prayer, you would repeat these steps for each Rak'ah, with slight variations in the final sitting position where you recite Tashahhud and send blessings upon the Prophet ï·º.
This is a basic guide. Please consult with a knowledgeable teacher for proper guidance.
May Allah accept your prayers | صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ