Islamic Center of Southern California

1. Intention: This is a function of the heart and does not need to be expressed verbally. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Actions are based on intentions and each receives the outcome of his intentions."10

2. The opening statement (Takbir): To start the prayer, one says: Allah U Akbar (Allah is greater "than anything else"). The Prophet (pbuh) was quoted as saying "Purity is the key to prayer and takbir puts one in a venerable state which is terminated by tasleem."11

3. One must stand upright, if at all possible, in all obligatory prayers.

Watch over prayers and (especially) the middle prayer, and stand up devoutly and in humility to worship God. The Quran: 2:238

A person who cannot stand up may pray sitting or stretching on one side. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Pray standing and if you are unable to, pray sitting and if you are unable to, pray lying on your side." (Al-Bukhari) In voluntary prayers one may pray standing or sitting even if he or she is able to stand. However, there is more reward in standing than in sitting.

4. Reciting Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran: This is obligatory in every rak`a (prayer unit) of every prayer. The opening verse of Al-Fatiha may be recited in a loud or subdued voice: In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. If one cannot recite Al-Fatiha then he or she must recite several verses from the Quran. A person who cannot recite any verses from the Quran (because Arabic is a foreign language to this person or because of weak memory or disability) should then recite Tasbeeh: Subhaan Allah (Glory to God), then Tahmeed: Al Hamdu Lillah (all praise is for God), and Tahleel: La Ilaha illa Allah (there is no Deity but Allah). A person who is new to Islam and does not speak Arabic can start out by saying Al Fatiha or Tasbeeh, Tahmeed and Tahleel in his native tongue till he or she learns to recite them in Arabic.

5. Bowing Down (ruk`u): This is done by bending over, resting the hands on the knees in a calm and non hurried way.

You who believe bow down an prostrate yourselves (before Him) and worship your Lord. The Quran: 22:77

6. Standing up straight: After ruk`u in a calm and non hurried way.

7. Prostration (sujood): One prostrates with seven parts of his body touching the ground; The face (forehead and nose), both hands, both knees and both feet. After attaining calmness, one rises to sit till calmness and then prostrates again till calmness. Calmness is attained by staying in a position until the bones and joints are set and still. The minimum time is estimated as that it takes to say Subhaan Allah (Glory be to God). The above acts complete one rak`a which is the unit of prayer.

8. The final sitting and recitation of Al-Tashahud: After performing the intended number of rak`as one sits down and recites the following:

Al-Tahiyyatu Lillahi

Salutations to Allah

Was Salawatu Wat Tayyibat -

and worship and goodness.

Assalamu `Alika Ayyuhan Nabiyyu -

Peace be on you, Oh Prophet,

Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu -

and mercy of Allah and His blessings.

Wa `Ala `Ibadillahi Assalihin -

and on the righteous servants of Allah.

Ash Hadu Al La`ilaha Illal Lahu -

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah.

Wa Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu Wa Rasuluhu -

And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

9. Tasleem (Saying Salaam): This is the concluding act of prayer. One turns his face to the right saying: Assala`mu Alai`kum Wa Rahmatullah (peace and mercy of Allah be upon you) and then turns to the left repeating the same words. The consensus among Muslim jurists is that one salaam is obligatory but two salaams are preferable.