Preparation

Stand upright facing the Qiblah (direction of Mekkah) and recite the adhan and iqama. Please note that all the recitations during the prayer must be in Arabic.  Although approximate transliteration has been given below for each recitation, it is best to try and learn the Arabic script and pronunciations.

Niyyah : Form the following solemn intention in your mind: “I offer this ____  (name of a particular prayer) prayer, of ____ (number of units) rak`ahs seeking closeness to God.”

The First Rak`ah

Takbiratul Ihram : Lift both hands up to the ears and say:

Allaahu Akbar.

God is Greatest.

This sentence, the Takbir, will be repeated several times during the prayer.

Qiyam : Remain in the standing position while performing the recitations in the next step, Qira’ah.

Qira'ah : Initially, recite the first Sura of the Holy Qur’an,  al-Fatiha.

Bismillaahi’r-Rahmaani’r-Raheem.

Al-hamdu lillaahi rabbil-`aalameen,

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Praise belongs to God, Lord of the World, the Merciful, the Compassionate, Master of the Day of Judgement;

We worship only You, and from You alone do we seek help.

Lead us on the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed, not of those on whom is [Your] Wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.

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Second, recite another complete Sura of the Holy Qur'an (we choose the short Sura 112, al-Ikhlas).

Bismillaahi’r-Rahmaani’r-Raheem.
Qul huwallaahu ahad,
Allaahus samad,
Lam yalid walam yoolad
Wa lam yakullahu kufuwan ahad.

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Say: ‘He is God, the One,

God the Eternal and Besought of all,

Neither begetting nor begot, Nor is there anything comparable or equal to Him.

Ruku` : After completing the second Sura, the worshipper would say the Takbir (see above) and then bow down until the hands can be placed on the knees. The following dhikr (glorification) should be recited once in this position:

Subhaana rabbiy al-`azeemi wa bihamdih.

Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise belongs to Him.

Resume the standing position and recite:

Sami`allaahu liman hamidah.

God hears the one who praises Him.

Say Takbir, then go into Prostration (sujud).

Sujud means that one should place one's forehead on earth in a special manner, with the intention of humility before God.

While performing the sujud, it is obligatory that both the palms and the knees, and both the big toes be placed on the ground. The following dhikr should be recited in the sujud once:

Subhaana rabbiy al-a`laa wa bihamdih.

Glory be to my Exalted Lord, and praise belongs to Him.

After first sujud, raise the forehead and sit up in a kneeling position with the ankle of the right foot in the sole of the left foot, with hands resting on the thighs and say Takbir, optionally followed by:

Astaghfirullaaha rabbee wa atoobu ilayh.

I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn towards Him.

followed by Takbir again. Repeat the sujud again and then sit up in a kneeling position and say Takbir.

Sit up for a moment and then rise while (optionally) saying:

Bihawlillaahi wa quwwatihi aqoomu wa aq`ud.

With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit.

Second Rak`ah

After regaining the upright posture, recite Sura al-Fatiha and another Sura of the Holy Qur'an as in the first rak`ah. Then say Takbir, and then do Qunut.

Qunut : Keep your hands in front of your face, turning the palms facing upwards, and keeping both the hands and the fingers close together. Recite the following:

Rabbanaa aatinaa fi’d-dunyaa hasanatan, wa fi’l-aakhirati hasanatan, wa qinaa `adhaab an-naar.

O our Lord! Bestow upon us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the fire.

[Qur’an, Sura 2, verse 201]

[Note: Qunut is an optional step]

Say Takbir, followed by the ruku`, then the two sujud, both as described for the first rak`ah.

Tashahhud  : After the second prostration resume the kneeling position, and recite:

Ash hadu al laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah,

wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluh.

Allaahumma salli `alaa Muhammadin wa Aali Muhammad.

I bear witness that there is no god apart from Allah, Who is unique and without partners.

 I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Prophet.

O God, bl ess Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad.

If you are performing the Fajr (Dawn) prayer, please skip the rest and go to section entitled Completion.

If you are performing the Duhr ( Midday ), `Asr (Afternoon), Maghrib (Dusk), or `Isha (Night) prayer, continue by standing up for the third unit while reciting Bihawlillahi…. as described at the end of the section First Rak`ah.

Third Rak`ah

At-Tasbihat al-Arba`ah : After regaining the upright posture, either recite Sura al-Fatiha, or recite al-Tasbihat al-Arba`ah three times, as follows:

Subhaanallaahi wa’l hamdu lillaahi wa laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu Akbar.

Glory be to God, and praise be to God; there is no god but Allah, and Allah is Greater.

Perform the ruku`, stand up momentarily and then do the two sujud. This is exactly as described under section First Rak`ah. If you are performing the Maghrib (Dusk/Post Sunset) prayers, recite the Tashahhud next. Then skip the rest and go to Completion.

If you are performing the Duhr ( Midday ), `Asr (Afternoon), or `Isha (Night) prayer, continue by standing up for the fourth rak`ah while reciting Bihawlillahi…. as described at the end of the section First Rak`ah.

Fourth Rak`ah

This is identical to the third rak`ah. After the second prostration resume the kneeling position, and recite the Tashahhud.

Completion

After reciting the Tashahhud of the final rak`ah, recite the Taslim (Salutation) which completes your prayer:

Assalaamu `alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

Assalamu `alaynaa wa `alaa `ibaadil laahis saaliheen.

Assalamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and God’s mercy and blessing.

Peace be upon us, and upon the righteous servants of God.

Peace be upon you [all], and God’s mercy and blessing.

Thereafter (optionally) say Takbir three times.