How to pray (Salah) & Wudu

1. 1
   Intend in your heart to make Wudu for worship, and say Bismillah.
2. 2
   Wash both hands up to the wrists — three times, starting with the right.
3. 3
   Rinse your mouth three times.
4. 4
   Rinse your nose three times (sniff a little water and blow it out).
5. 5
   Wash your face three times — from the forehead to the chin, and ear to ear.
6. 6
   Wash your right arm to the elbow three times, then the left arm three times.
7. 7
   Wipe your head once with wet hands (masah).
8. 8
   Wipe your ears once.
9. 9
   Wash your right foot to the ankle three times, then the left foot three times.

The obligatory (fard) acts of Wudu are: washing the face, the arms to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet to the ankles. Wudu is broken by things such as using the toilet, passing wind, and flowing blood or pus leaving the body.

1. 1
   Stand facing the Qibla with a clean place, and make the intention in your heart for the prayer you are praying.
2. 2
   Opening Takbir: raise your hands to your ears and say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar), then fold your hands (men below the navel, women on the chest).
3. 3
   Recite quietly: the opening praise (Thana), then A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim, then Bismillah…, then Surah al-Fatihah, then another short surah.
4. 4
   Ruku (bowing): say Allahu Akbar and bow, placing hands on the knees, saying Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adhim three times.
5. 5
   Stand up saying Sami'Allahu liman hamidah, then Rabbana lakal-hamd.
6. 6
   Sujud (prostration): say Allahu Akbar and prostrate on seven parts (forehead, nose, hands, knees, toes), saying Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la three times.
7. 7
   Sit briefly between the two prostrations, saying Allahumma-ghfir li.
8. 8
   Second sujud, then stand for the second rak'ah and repeat: Fatihah, a surah, ruku, and two sujuds.
9. 9
   Sit for Tashahhud and recite At-tahiyyatu lillahi…, then the Durud (Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad…), then a dua such as Rabbana atina….
10. 10
    Salam: turn your face to the right saying Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, then to the left.

• Not being still and calm in ruku and sujud (tumaninah) — rushing through the prayer.
• Skipping Surah al-Fatihah, which is essential in every rak'ah.
• Not facing the Qibla, or praying before the time has entered.
• Covering the body properly (awrah) — men from navel to knee, women the whole body except face and hands.
• Talking, looking around, or letting the mind wander too much.
• Not making sure the place and clothes are clean.

This guide follows the mainstream Hanafi method and is for learning. Details can differ slightly — to be sure, learn from a qualified teacher, or watch Ahkam e Shariat.

Watch Ahkam e Shariat on YouTube