. Preparation for Salah

Purity (Taharah):

• Wudu (Ablution): Before performing Salah, ensure you are in a state of ritual purity by performing Wudu. This includes washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet.
• Clean Place and Clothes: Ensure that your body, clothes, and the place where you perform Salah are clean.

Intention (Niyyah):

• Form a clear intention in your heart about the specific Salah you are about to perform, whether it is Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, or Isha.

2. The Structure of Salah

Salah consists of a series of units called Rak’ahs. Each Salah has a different number of Rak’ahs:

• Fajr: 2 Rak’ahs (obligatory)
• Dhuhr: 4 Rak’ahs (obligatory)
• Asr: 4 Rak’ahs (obligatory)
• Maghrib: 3 Rak’ahs (obligatory)
• Isha: 4 Rak’ahs (obligatory)

3. Steps to Perform Salah

Step 1: Takbir (Opening)

• Stand facing the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca).
• Raise your hands to the ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).
• This signifies the start of Salah.

Step 2: Qiyam (Standing)

• Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or navel.
• Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (the Opening chapter of the Quran).
• After Surah Al-Fatiha, recite any other Surah or a few verses from the Quran.

Step 3: Ruku (Bowing)

• Say “Allahu Akbar” and bow down, placing your hands on your knees.
• In Ruku, recite “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great) three times.

Step 4: Qaumah (Standing after Ruku)

• Rise from the Ruku while saying “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises Him).
• Stand straight and say, “Rabbana lakal hamd” (Our Lord, all praise is for You).

Step 5: Sujood (Prostration)

• Say “Allahu Akbar” and go down into prostration, placing your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground.
• Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory is to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

Step 6: Jalsah (Sitting between the two Sujoods)

• Rise from Sujood and sit on your legs, saying “Allahu Akbar.”
• Make Du’a (supplication) in this position.

Step 7: Second Sujood

• Perform the second Sujood by saying “Allahu Akbar” and repeat what you did in the first Sujood.

Step 8: Tashahhud (Sitting after completing the last Rak’ah)

• After the last Rak’ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud: “At-tahiyyatu lillahi…” followed by the Salat upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin…”
• If it’s a two-Rak’ah Salah (like Fajr), end the prayer here with Tasleem. For longer Salahs, stand up for the next Rak’ah after reciting the Tashahhud.

Step 9: Tasleem (Concluding Salah)

• Turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).
• Then turn your head to the left and repeat the same.

4. Additional Tips

• Consistency: Perform your Salah regularly at the prescribed times.
• Concentration (Khushoo): Maintain focus and devotion throughout the prayer.
• Dua: After completing Salah, spend a few moments making personal supplications (Dua) to Allah.

5. Salah Timing and Importance

Each Salah has a designated time during the day:

• Fajr: Dawn until sunrise
• Dhuhr: After midday until afternoon
• Asr: Afternoon until just before sunset
• Maghrib: Just after sunset until dusk
• Isha: Dusk until midnight