How to Perform Fard Salah

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

• For example, you may say (in your heart, not out loud) "I intend to perform two rakats Fajr salah, seeking nearness to Allah, in obedience to Him".

2. Raise your hands up next to your ears and shoulders, then say Allāhu akbar (الله أَكْبَر). This translates to "Allah is the greatest." Do this while standing (or sitting if you can't stand). The fingers should be spaced when the hands are raised.

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 a difference of opinion between Islamic schools of thoughts. Keep your eyes focused on the ground. It helps to keep your sight fixed on where your head will rest when prostrating later. Do not let your eyes wander.

• Recite the optional Istiftah Du'a (opening prayer):
  
Subhanakal-lahumma
Wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaala
Jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk.
A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem
Bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem

• Follow it with Surah Al-Fatiha (this Surah is recited in each Rak'ah):
  
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een
Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
Siraatal-ladheena an'amta 'alaihim
Ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

• 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

• Reciting a surah after Al-Fatiha is only done in the first 2 units (Rakaa's) of fardh salat while in sunnah mu'akkadah it is done in all units(Rakaa's).

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 focused on the ground and keep your fingers and palm on the knees. Your back and head should be at a 90° 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 Rabbiyal Adheem three times. This translates to, "Glorious is my Lord the most great."

5. Stand back up (raise from ruku). While rising up recite Samiallah Huliman Hamidah with your arms beside you. This means "Allah hears those who praise Him".

• While standing up, recite Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once. You can also add Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubaarakan Feeh (praise which is abundant, excellent and blessed) after.

6. Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate. Place your head, knees and hands on the floor. While "sujood" (prostration) make sure that your forehead and nose touch the ground. This is the position called "sajdah."

• When you are positioned fully, say Subhanna Rabbiyal A'laa (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times.
  
• Your forearms should not be on the floor.
  
• Your fingers should be together.
  

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. You can recite Allahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa 'aafinee war'zuqnee (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me and grant me provision).

• There are other du'as that you can recite in this position, such as Allahuma-ghfirlee twice (O Allah, forgive me).
  
• Return to sajdah and say Subhanna Rabbiyal a'laa three times.
  
• Say Allahu akbar and stand up.
  

8. Repeat steps 3 through 7. This time after the second sajdah, sit on your knee but do not stand up.

• Recite Tashahhud:
At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu



"All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger".
• Recite Durood:
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed


"O Allah, 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 Allah, 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".

9. Finish the prayer with tasleem. After the tashahhud, durood, and any du'a you wish to recite, end the prayer by:

• 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.
  
• 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!
  
• Another variation of the tasleem is by saying As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah.