How to Pray
» Intention to Pray (Niyat) » Performing the Prayer » After the Prayer
Stating your Intention to Pray (Niyat)
Before commencing your prayer, you should first quietly announce your intention to pray. This is a single sentence, which varies slightly according to what prayer you are about to perform. For the five daily prayers, the Niyat can be derived from this table:
| Usholli | fardhaz sunnatan |
fajri zuhri asri maghribi isha-a |
subhi thalatha arba'a |
raka'atin ada'an lillahi t'ala raka'atin ada'an makmuman lillahi ta'ala |
| I intend to pray | fard (obligatory) sunnah (optional) |
Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha |
two three four |
rak'at by the grace of Allah the Highest rak'at in congregation by the grace of Allah the Highest |
For the Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer, the Niyat is Usholli fardhal jumu'ati rak'ataini ada'an makmuman lillahi t'ala
.
For Eid prayers, the Niyat is Usholli sunnatan li idil fitri
(or idil adha) rak'ataini makmuman lilahi t'ala.
Performing the Prayer
Each Rak'at consists of a number of movements, positions and utterances. On the table below, I shall try to explain the correct way to perform a two Rak'ah prayer such as Fajr or Tarawih, along with links to images illustrating the proper way of performing each movement or position (just select the link next to each number to display a pop-up window).
Further help with your prayers is given by the Cyber-Salat program (via archive.org). This is a 'charityware' application, i.e. instead of paying them, the developers request that you donate money to a local charity.
As prayers should be learnt in Arabic as soon as possible, I have typed out a printable sheet with necessary supplications (select the link to open the PDF in a new window, or right-click and select 'Save As...'). This can be laid at the end of your prayer mat as an aid to memory. Please note that the supplications I have quoted are just the basic ones needed to perform prayers. There are other longer ones that can also be used as and when you feel ready to do so.
| 1 | Takbir | The act of raising the hands up the ears and saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest). This is performed at the beginning of the prayer. This action is performed four times during funeral prayers, and is repeated a number of times at the beginning of each Rak'at of Eid prayers. |
| 2 | Qiyam | Standing with the feet slightly apart (about shoulder width), the left hand over the navel, and the right hand covering the left hand. In this position, one recites Surat al-Fatihah (select link to open PDF in new window, or right-click and select 'Save As...') and another chapter from the Qur'an (I have included two of these on the PDF along with Surat Al-Fatihah, namely Surat Al-Ikhlas and Surat Al-Kauthar. These are very important Surat, and are also easily memorised). Then one says Allahu Akbar and assumes the next position. |
| 3 | Ruku | A bowing position, with the hands resting on the knees. Whilst in this position, one says Subhana Robbil al-Azeem (Glory to my Lord, the Great) three times, before saying Sami Allah Huliman Humudah (Allah accepts any who are grateful to Him) and returning to a standing position. |
| 4 | Raf'u | Standing upright with the hands down by your sides, looking downwards. Whilst standing, say Robana Walakal Hamd (Lord, praise be to you), before saying Allahu Akbar and assuming Sujud. |
| 5 | Sujud | A prostrating position, with the feet, knees, hands and forehead touching the ground. Please note that it is disliked to lay the forearms on the ground, as this is how dogs lay on the ground, as Muhammad (SAW) observed. If there is enough room, keep your elbows high and away from the body. Whilst in Sujud, one should say Subhana Robbil Al-A'la (Glory to my Lord, the Highest) three times, before saying Allahu Akbar and rising to the Jalsa position. |
| 6 | Jalsa | This is a sitting position, with the back upright, both hands placed on the knees, the left foot tucked underneath the body and the right foot erect with only the toes touching the ground (this can be uncomfortable at first and will probably take a long time to get used to; it took me almost five years! If you cannot do this, then simply lay the right foot flat on the ground). Whilst in this position, say Robbil-firghli war Humni (Lord forgive and have mercy on me), before saying Allahu Akbar and returning to the Sujud position. |
| 7 | Sujud | As step 5, except return to the Qiyam (standing) position instead of Jalsa (sitting). |
| This completes the first Rak'ah. The second Rak'ah is repeated as above instead after completing step 7, one should assume the Jalsa (sitting) position. | ||
| 8 | Jalsa (1) | Whilst in this position, one recites two separate supplications, the Tashahud and the Salat An-Nabi.
Tashahud All services rendered by words, by acts of worship, and all good things are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants, for when he says this it reaches every upright servant in heaven and earth (and say further): I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. |
| 9 | Jalsa (2) | Salat An-Nabi Allahuma soli ali sayidina Muhammed wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad, kama solata ala sayidini Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim. Wa barik ala sayidina Muhammad wa ala ali sayidina Muhammad, kama barakta ala sayidina syaidina Ibrahim wa ala ali sayidina Ibrahim. Fil alameena inaka hamidun majid. (Oh Allah! Exalt our master Muhammad and the people of our master Muhammad, |
| 10 | Salaam | Whilst still in the Jalsa position, one should give peace greetings by first looking over your right shoulder and saying Assalamu Alaikum (Peace and blessings be upon you), then repeating this over the left shoulder. |
Thus concludes a two-rak'at prayer. For Maghrib prayers (which require three Rak'at), one should stand after the Tashahud (step 8) is completed, then pray one more Rak'at as above but only reciting Surat Al-Fatihah during Qiyam.
For four Rak'at prayers, one should stand after the first Tashahud (step 8) is completed, then pray two more Rak'ah as above but only reciting Surat Al-Fatihah during Qiyam.
Please note that the prayer actions for men and women are virtually identical. If you are physically unable to perform the prayer standing up, or you are unable to perform the bowing, prostrating or sitting movements, it is permissible to prayer whilst seated in a chair or even in bed.
After the Prayer
After completing the prayer by offering Salaam, there are many optional actions or supplications that one can perform. The simplest and one of the best is Dhikr, or remembrance of Allah. This is simply saying Subhanallah (Glory to Allah) 33 times, Alhamdulillah (All praises and thanks to Allah) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) 33 times. If you wish to learn more, simply ask at your local mosque.
Return to Top - © Amir Brooks - 2006 / 1427
- Qiyam: The Holy Qur'an, 2:238 - Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind). (return to 'Qiyam' reference)
- Ruku: The Holy Qur'an, 48:29 - Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. (return to 'Ruku' reference)
- Allahu Akbar: The Holy Qur'an, 56:74 - Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme! (return to 'takbir' reference)
- Raf'u: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 12, Number 764: Narrated Rifa'a bin Rafi Az-Zuraqi:
...The Prophet rose (from bowing) and stood straight till all the vertebrae of his spinal column came to a natural position.
(return to 'raf'u' reference) - Robana Walakal Hamd: The Holy Qur'an, 1:2 - Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds (return to 'robana walakal hamd' reference)
- Sujud: The Holy Qur'an, 96:19 - ...bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)! (return to 'sujud' reference)
- Subhana Robbil A'la: The Holy Qur'an, 87:1 - Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High (return to 'subhana robbil a'la' reference)
- Tashahud: Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith 793 - 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said:...One day the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to us: Verily Allah is Himself Peace. When any one of you sits during the prayer, he should say: 'All services rendered by words, by acts of worship, and all good things are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants, for when he says this it reaches every upright servant in heaven and earth (and say further): I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.' Then he may choose any supplication which pleases him and offer it. (return to 'Tashahud' reference)
- Salat An-Nabi: Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith Number 803 - ...Bashir bin S'ad said: Allah has commanded us to bless you. Messenger of Allah! But how should we bless you? He (the narrator) said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) kept quiet (and we were so much perturbed over his silence) that we wished we had not asked him. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) then said: (For blessing me) say: 'O Allah, bless Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst bless the members of Ibrahim's household. Grant favours to Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst grant favours to the members of the household of Ibrahim in the world. Thou art indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious' and salutation as you know. (return to 'Salat An-Nabi reference)
- Salaam: Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 2, Hadith 992 - Narrated By Wa'il ibn Hujr: I offered prayer along with the Prophet (pbuh). He would give the salutation to his right side (saying): Peace be upon you and mercy of Allah; and to his left side (saying): Peace be upon you and mercy of Allah. (return to 'Salaam reference'
