Ṣalāh step by step

Stand facing the Qibla. Make the inner intention for the specific prayer (Fajr, Dhuhr, etc.) and number of rak'ahs.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allāhu akbar

“Allah is the Greatest”

Raise both hands to ear-level (men) or shoulder-level (women) and say the takbir. Then place hands on chest — right over left.

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

Subḥānaka-Llāhumma wa bi-ḥamdik, wa tabāraka-smuk, wa taʿālā jadduk, wa lā ilāha ghayruk

“Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name, Most High is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.”

Recite quietly to yourself.

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ۝ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Aʿūdhu billāhi mina-sh-shayṭāni-r-rajīm. Bismillāhi-r-Raḥmāni-r-Raḥīm

“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

Quietly before reciting Al-Fatiha.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ...

Recite the entire Al-Fatiha. This is mandatory in every rak'ah.

In the first two rak'ahs, recite a portion or full surah after Al-Fatiha (e.g., Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, etc.).

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Subḥāna rabbiya-l-ʿaẓīm

“Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great”

Say "Allahu akbar" and bow with hands on knees, back flat. Recite the tasbih ×3.

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ۝ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Samiʿa-Llāhu liman ḥamidah. Rabbanā wa laka-l-ḥamd

“Allah hears whoever praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”

Stand straight and recite.

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ

Subḥāna rabbiya-l-aʿlā

“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”

Say "Allahu akbar," then prostrate with forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touching the ground. Recite ×3.

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbi-ghfir lī

“My Lord, forgive me”

Sit briefly. Then second sujud (same as first).

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi wa-ṣ-ṣalawātu wa-ṭ-ṭayyibāt...

Sit with right index finger raised (in monotheistic gesture) and recite the tashahhud.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad...

In the final tashahhud only.

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh

“Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you”

Turn the head right, then left, completing the prayer.