HOW TO PERFORM SALAH (MUSLIM PRAYER) ? Salah Is One of The 5 Pillars Of Islam

Salah is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is incumbent upon all mature Muslims, and highly recommended for children aged ten and over, to complete their five daily prayers according to the method described here in order for them to be valid. It is believed that communication with Allah will bring life to the prayerful and bring them courage. Muslims believe that Allah speaks to us through the Qur'an, and salaah is our means of responding. Whether you're just curious as to how Muslims pray or if you're looking to learn for yourself, it's never too early to start.

1. Make your intention known in your heart.
Before initiating the salat, it is important that you have the intention to pray.

2 Raise your hands up to your ears and say Allahu Akbar (الله أَكْبَر).
 This translates to "Allah is the greatest." Do this while standing (or sitting if you can't stand).

3.Place your right hand over your left hand. 
Place your hands either on your navel, on your chest, or between the two; there's difference of opinion between Islamic schools of thoughts. Keep your eyes focused on the place you are standing. Do not let your eyes wander

A. Recite the optional Istiftah Du'a (opening prayer):

Subhanakal-lahumma
Wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaala Judduka wala ilaha ghayruk.

A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem
Bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem

B. Follow it with Surah Al-Fatiha (this Surah is recited in each Rak'ah):

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een
Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim
Ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

C. Recite any other surah or any part of the Qu'ran, such as Surah Ikhlas:

Qul huwal laahu ahad
Allah hus-samad
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad

4.Say "Allahu Akbar" and bend down.

Bend your body so that your back and neck are as straight as possible and level with the ground, keeping your eyes there. Your back and head should be in a 90 degree angle with your legs. You don't need to make a perfect angle; your body should be relaxed. This position is called ruku.

While bowing, say, Subhanna Rabbi yal Adheem three times. This translates to, "Glorious is my Lord the most great."

5. Stand back up (raise from ruku). 

A) While rising up recite Samiallah Huliman Hamidah. This means "Allah hears those who praise Him".

B) While standing up, recite Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once.

6. Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate.

Place your head, knees and hands on the floor. This is the position called "sajdah."

A) When you are positioned fully, say Subhanna Rabbiyal A'laa (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times.

B) Your forearms should not be on the floor.

7.Rise from sajdah and sit on your knees.

Place your left foot from ball to heel on the floor. Your right foot should be toes on the floor only. Place your hands flat on your knees.

Then Return to sajdah and say Subhanna Rabbiyal a'laa three times.

8.Say Allahu akbar and stand up. 
You have completed one rak'ah.

9. In every second rak'ah, after the second sajdah, sit on your knee again.

A.) Recite: Tashahhud: 

At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa-salaawaatu wa-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-is-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu

( "All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger".)

B) Durood: 

Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed. Allaahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innak hameedun majeed

("O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory".)

10) Finish the prayer with tasleem.

After the tashahhud, durood, and any du'a you wish to recite, end the prayer by:

A) Turning your head to the right and saying,  As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your good deeds is to this side.

B)Turning your head to the left and saying, As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your wrongful deeds is to this side. The prayers have ended!