How to Perform Salat

Prayer in Islam is a required task, for both men and women, the disabled, the sick; it is required for nearly every Muslim to perform salah.

There are 13 different prayers in Islam, but fall into 4 categories: Fard, Waajib, Fard Kifaayah, and Naafilah. Don't be too overwhelmed by the number of prayers that are listed, only 1 Category is truly a daily requirement, Fard.  And also, most prayers follow a mold. That mold is the most important prayer of the 13, Fajr.

This is the 1st of the Fard (sin if not done) daily prayers.  It is also the most important, and the mold for most other prayers.  This Prayer contains 2 Rak'ats (units).

[facing the Qibla--direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  If unsure of direction, face in the direction you feel is the Qibla, if you truly are unsure, any direction will work until the Qibla is known.]

[inaudibly] Allahu Akbar [known as Takbeer] [God is Great]

[picture shows Qiyam] [inaudibly say] Subhannaka Allahummah Wa Bihamdika Wa Tabrasmuka Wa T'allah jadduka Wa laa-ilaaha ghairuk [Known as Thanaa'a] A'uzu Billahi minash shaitan-ir-rajeem Bismillah Ar-Rahman ir-Rahim Alhamdulillah Rabill Alameen Ar-Rahman ir-Rahim Maahlikee Yomideen Eeyakaah nabadu Wa eeyakaah nasta'een Ih-dinas siratal musta'qeem Siratal ladzina an-amta alaheem Ghairil maghduubi alaheem Walad-daaleen [Known as al-Fatiha] [inaudibly recite another verse or chapter from the Qur'an] Some suggestions English Translation

[say inaudibly]  Allahu Akbar [say once]  Subhanah Rahbbiyal-Azeem [this line three times]  [God is Great  Glory be to my Lord, The Almighty]

[picture shows Quama]  [while going into Quama--standing up say audibly]  Sami'allahu liman hamidah [Once in Quama say audibly]  Rabanna Lakal Hamd [God hears those who Praise Him  Our Lord, Praise be to Thee.]

[Picture is example of Sujuud]  [while going from Quama to Sujuud say audibly]  Allahu Akbar [Once in Sujuud say inaudibly]  Subhanna Rabiyal-A'alah [three times]  [God is Great  Glory be to my Lord, The Most High]

[picture shows Jalsah]  [while going fro, Sujuud to Jalsah say audibly]  Allahu Akbar [once in Jalsah say inaudibly]  Rabigfir-lee [God is Great  O Lord, forgive me.

[This completes 1 unit, or Rak'at]

[Perfom another Rak'at]
 
 

[you are now into qa'adah akheerah--final sitting]  [inaudibly say]  [this part known as 1st part of tashahud]  At-tahiyaatu lil laahi Was-salawaatuh Wat-tayibaatu Asalaamu alaika Ayyuhan Nabiyyi Wa Ramutallah Wa Barakatuh! Asalaamu Alaina Wa alaa ibidallahis Saaliheen [raise forefinger for the rest of first part]  Ashahadu al-laah ilaah, ilal-laah Wa ashahadu anna  Muhammadan abduhu Wa Rasuuluhu [inaudibly say the 2nd part of tashahud]  Allahumma! Salli alaa Muhammned Wa alaa ali Muhammed Kamaa sallaita alaa Ibrahim Wa alaa ali Ibrahim Wa baarik alaa Muhammed Wa alaa ali Muhammed Kamaa barakta alaa Ibrahim Wa alaa ali Ibrahim Innaka Hameedun Majeed  English Translation

	[The next two sections are known as tasleem] [say audibly - looking over right shoulder] Asalaamu Alaikoum Wa Rahmatullah [Peace be upon you and God's blessings]
	[say audibly over the left shoulder] Asalaamu Alaikoum Wa Rahmatullah [Peace be upon you and God's blessings]

Second daily prayer.  Perfomed about noon.  4 Rak'ats. Perfomed exactly like Fajr except:

All portions of salah are inaudible.For the first qa'adah akheerah, only say the first part of tashahud, then rise to start third Rak'at. The third and fourth Rak'at do NOT have an additional Qur'anic passage.

Third daily prayer.  Perfomed about 2-3 hours after Zuhr.  4 Rak'ats.  Perfomed exactly like Zuhr.

Fourth daily prayer.  Shortly after Sunset.  Three Rak'ats.  Performed exactly like Zuhr except:

The 3rd Rak'at of Maghrib is the same as the 4th Rak'at of Zuhr..  The first two Rak'at are performed exactly like Fajr, third Rak'at is perfomed like Zuhr.

Last of the daily prayers. About 1-2 hours after Maghrib. Four Rak'ats. Performed exactly like Zuhr except:

The first two Rak'ats are audible.
 

This is the first of two Waajib Prayers.  Waajib means necessary, not as important as Fard, but these must be done, if at all possible.  Witr is either 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 Rak'ats.  To perfom this is similar to Fajr; however, you do not say tashahud at anytime except for the last Rak'at. One exception to that is if you do Witr with 3 Rak'atss, then it is to be perfomed exactly like Maghrib. All recitations are audible and you recite a passage from the Qur'an after al-Fatiha (as in most prayers).

Friday Prayer is a congregational prayer that is done every Friday at the Mosque, or a small group of Muslims.  Jummah has two parts: Khutbah, or surmon, and salah.  The Khutbah is perfomed by the Imaam (religious leader elected by the community). The surmon may be about any subject, and usually about 30 minutes long.  After the Khutbah, salah is perfomed, it is led by the Imaam.  Jummah replaces Zuhr for Friday. The salah is done exactly like Fajr, yes it has only 2 Rak'ats, but all recitations are audible (Imaam says all the recitations).

Janaazah Prayer is the first of the Fard Kifaayah Prayers.  What this means is that it is a duty for all Muslims to pray; however, if a group of Muslims pray,then that is considered as all Muslims praying, and the duty is disolved for the rest of the Ummah (community).  The Prayer for Janaazah is unique--here is how it is to be perfomed (w/o pictures)

Face Qibla
Make intention
Raise hands and say audibly Allahu Akbar [God is Great]
Then recite Thanaa'a and al-Faatihah
Raise hands and say audibly Allahu Akbar [God is Great]
Recite the second part of tashahud

Allahu Akbar [God is Great]
Make any suplication for the dead (here are some suggestions)

Allahu Akbar [God is Great]
Tasleem to the right side only
 

There is no Khutbah, 7 Takbeers are said after Thaan'a and 5 Takbeers after rising from Sujuud in the 2nd Rak'at.

The prayer has 2 Rak'ats.
In the first Rak'at, you recite an unusually long Qur'anic passage
Before going into Sujuud, you recite some more passages from the Qur'an.
Perfom the 2nd Rak'at the same as the 1st, but with different passages.
All recitations are audible.
Other than listed above, the prayer is exactly like Fajr.
 

During times of droughts we must ask for Mercy from God, and ask for rain.  The prayer is exactly like Eid Prayers. The time for the prayer is 20 minutes after sunrise.