Salah is the second pillar of Islam and the most visible expression of a Muslim’s submission to Allah. Performed five times daily, it is both a spiritual dialogue and a physical act of worship that connects the believer to the divine. Yet many Muslims—especially new reverts and the younger generation—feel uncertain about the finer points of performing Salah exactly as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught. This guide walks you through every posture, recitation, and intention in meticulous detail, referencing authentic hadith and scholarly consensus so you can stand before Allah with confidence.
Understanding Salah According to the Sunnah
The word “Salah” linguistically means “supplication” and technically denotes the prescribed, ritual prayer offered at fixed times. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Pray as you have seen me praying” (Bukhārī). Therefore, performing Salah “according to the Sunnah” means aligning every movement, word, and intention with how the Prophet ﷺ and his companions practiced it.
Conditions (Shurūṭ) That Must Be Met Before Starting
- Ṭahārah (Purification): Both minor (wuḍū) and, when required, major (ghusl).
- Ṣiwāk: Brushing the teeth is recommended.
- Covering ʿAwrah: Men: navel to knees; Women: entire body except face and hands.
- Facing the Qiblah: Direction of the Kaʿbah.
- Time Validity: Each prayer has a defined window.
- Intention (Niyyah): Silent determination in the heart; wording it aloud is an innovation.
Adhā& Iqāmah
Before the congregational prayer, a single person gives the adhā (call to prayer). Just before the prayer begins, the iqāmah is recited. Both are Sunnah for men; women may recite them softly within a female-only gathering according to some scholars.
Key Components of Salah
Each unit (rakʿah) follows a fixed sequence. Below is the breakdown for a two-rakʿah Fajr prayer, with notes on differences for three and four-rakʿah prayers.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Standing (Qiyām):
Face the Qiblah, feet shoulder-width apart for men, slightly less for women. Raise hands to earlobes, thumbs parallel to earlobes, fingers spread. Say “Allāhu Akbar” audibly, initiating the prayer. Place right hand over left, below the chest but above the navel. Open with Duʿā al-Istiftāḥ (e.g., Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa bi ḥamdika…). Surah al-Fātiḥah:
Recite silently in non-audible prayers, audibly in Fajr, first two rakʿahs of Maghrib & ʿIshā. Pause briefly after each āyah, elongate “Āmī”. Additional Surah:
After Fātiḥah, recite any surah (minimum three short āyāt). Common choices: al-Ikhlāṣ, al-Falaq, an-Nās. Rukūʿ (Bowing):
While saying “Allāhu Akbar”, bow to a 90-degree angle, palms on knees, fingers spread. Back must be flat, head in line with spine. Recite “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm” three or five times. Standing from Rukūʿ (Iʿtidāl):
Raise up, saying “Samiʿa Allāhu li-man ḥamidah, Rabbana wa laka al-ḥamd”. Sujūd (Prostration):
Say “Allāhu Akbar”, descend to ground. Seven body parts must touch: forehead & nose (count as one), palms, knees, toes. Recite “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” three or five times. Keep elbows off the ground, fingers facing the Qiblah. Julūs (Sitting between Sujūds):
Sit on left foot, right foot upright, toes facing Qiblah. Recite “Rabbi ghfir lī” once or more. Second Rakʿah:
Repeat steps 2–7. After second sujūd, sit for Tashahhud. Tashahhud, Ṣalāt ʿAlan-Nabiyy, Taslīm:
Recite “At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi…” to “wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh”. Send ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ (Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā…). End with “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh” to the right, then left.
Tables: Differences Across Daily Prayers
| Prayer | Rakʿāt | Audible (Jahr) / Silent (Sirr) | Witr After | Sunnah Before / After |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | Both rakʿahs audible | – | 2 + 2 |
| Ẓuhr | 4 | All silent | – | 4 + 2 (before) + 2 (after) |
| ʿAṣr | 4 | All silent | – | 4 (sunnah ghayr mu’akkadah) |
| Maghrib | 3 | First 2 audible, 3rd silent | – | 2 (after) |
| ʿIshā | 4 | First 2 audible, last 2 silent | 1 or 3 | 2 (after) + Witr |
Benefits and Importance
Spiritual Benefits
- Direct Connection: Each posture symbolizes humility, submission, and gratitude.
- Shield Against Sin: Five daily prayers act like a river washing away minor sins (Muslim).
- Peace of Mind: The rhythmic recitations calm the heart and lower stress hormones.
Social and Ethical Benefits
- Community Cohesion: Congregational prayer fosters brotherhood and sisterhood.
- Moral Compass: Regular ṣalāh curtails unethical behavior by constant self-reminder.
- Time Management: Structured prayer times create discipline in daily routines.
Practical Applications
Finding the Right Direction (Qiblah)
Use a reliable compass app calibrated for magnetic declination, or look up the local mosque’s orientation. When traveling, the Prophet ﷺ allowed facing the Qiblah approximately if exact direction is impossible.
Combining Prayers (Jamʿ)
Under specific conditions—rain, travel, or severe illness—Ẓuhr & ʿAṣr or Maghrib & ʿIshā may be combined. The method is either Jamʿ Taqdīm (early) or Jamʿ Ta’khīr (late), always with one adhāand two separate iqāmahs.
Women’s Considerations
Women do not recite aloud even in audible prayers. They may pray while seated during menses, performing only the verbal parts of ṣalāh, though actual prayer is suspended until purity returns.
Common Mistakes & Corrections
| Mistake | Sunnah Correction | Proof (Hadith) |
|---|---|---|
| Looking around | Fix gaze on sujūd spot | “He ﷺ used to incline his head…” (Bukhārī) |
| Raising hands at every takbīr | Only at opening, rukūʿ rise, after two sujūds | “He raised his hands…” (Abū Dāwūd) |
| Reciting Qur’an too fast | Pause briefly after each āyah | “Read the Qur’an slowly…” (Bukhārī) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I realise I missed a rakʿah in congregation?
Remain seated until the imam finishes taslim, then stand and complete the missed rakʿah alone. Your first rakʿah is whatever the imam’s last rakʿah was. For example, if you joined in the last rakʿah of Ẓuhr, you owe three more.
How do I make up years of missed prayers?
According to the majority of scholars, you must perform every fard prayer you missed, in order if possible, but chronology is not obligatory. Create a sustainable schedule: e.g., make up one day’s missed prayers after each current ṣalāh. Keep a written log to stay consistent.
Is it necessary to say the intention out loud?
No. The Prophet ﷺ never verbalized the niyyah. The heart’s resolve suffices
Post Comment