The importance of the prayer in Islam cannot be understated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned after mentioning the testimony of faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allah has declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allah spoke directly to Moses, He said,

"And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance." [Taha 13-14]

Once a man asked the Prohpet (peace be upon him) about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the most virtuous deed is the prayer. The man asked again and again. The first three times, the Prophet (peace be upon him) again answered, "The prayer," then on the fourth occasion he stated, "Jihad in the way of Allah." [This is form a hadith recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibban. According to al-Albani, the hadith is hasan. Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, Sahih al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb (Beirut: al-Maktab al-Islami, 1982), vol. 1, p. 150]

The importance of prayer is demonstrated in the many of the Prophet’s statement. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.

As for the Hereafter, Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure is closely related to the prayers. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
"Allah has obligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, completes their bows, prostrations and khushu` [Khushu` in the prayer is where the person’s heart is attuned to the prayer. This feeling in the heart is then reflected on the body. The person remains still and calm. His gaze is also lowered. Even his voice is affected by this feeling in the heart. For more details on this concept (as well as the difference between it and khudhu`), see Muhammad al-Shaayi, al-Furooq al-Laughawiyyah wa Atharahaa fi Tafseer al-Quran al-Kareem (Riyadh: Maktabah al-Ubaikaan, 1993), pp. 249-254.] has a promise from Allah that He will forgive him. And whoever does not do that has no promise from Allah. He may either forgive him or punish him." [Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’I and others. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 616.] ]

:::Click here to read more about the salaat:::

QIBLAH

Wherever a person is in the world, he should face towards the Kabah when he is going to pray. The Kabah is in the sacred mosque of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Facing towards Qiblah (Kabah) is a very important condition of performance of Salat. However, if the person is in a place such as a desert, jungle, unknown strange city or a place where he does not know the direction of the Qiblah, he should try his best to find out the direction of Qiblah from others. However, if it is not possible then he should use his judgment and face in a direction which he thinks is that of Qiblah and Allah will accept his Salat.

It is important to start the Salat facing the direction of Qiblah and it does not matter if his direction changes while he is praying e.g. in a ship, a train or an airplane, etc.

Note: Nowadays, a compass is available which gives the direction of Qiblah. In strange places and airplanes it is a useful instrument to possess.

1- Intention

The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say:

All actions are by intention, and every man shall have what he intended.
Note: You shouldn't say the intention by mouth  cause it is Innovation.
Make it in your heart

2- Takbeer

The First step to enter the prayer is Takbeer .. the prophet peace be upon him used to say:

اللّهُ أكبر Allaahu Akbar This means: Allah is the greatest Notes : 1- You should raise your hands with the takbeer. Look at the picture 2- Then you should place your right arm on you left arm and place it overy our chest. 3- You should place the right arm on the back of your  left palm, wrist and forearm 4- Then you should incline your head during prayer and fix your sight towards the ground .... as  the  Prophet peace be upon him do.... 5- Be careful: When you start to pray don't look at the sky because it is forbidden as the Prophet peace be upon him said :" People must refrain from looking up at the sky in prayer, or their sight will not return to them (and in one narration: or their sight will be plucked away)

3- Opening Supplications

The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say one of this opening Supplications, You can choose the easiest one for you:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ  Subhana Kallah humma wabi hamdika watabara kasmuka wata 'ala jad-duka wala ilaha ghayruk This means: You are Glorified, O Allaah, and Praised; Your Name is Blessed; Your Majesty is Exalted, and none has the right to worshipped but You. OR "اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ، كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَ بْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ بِالثَّلْجِ وّالْمَاءِ وَالْبَرَدِ". Allah humma ba'id baynee wa bayna khatayana kama ba'adta baynal   mashriqi  wal maghribi, Allah humma naq-qinee  min khatayaya kama yunaq-qath thuwabul abyadu minad  danasi , Allah hum maghsilnee min khatayaya bil maee wath thalji wal bardi This means: O Allaah! Separate me (far) from my sins as you have separated (far) the East and West. O Allaah! Cleanse me of my sins as white cloth is cleansed from dirt. O Allaah! Wash me of my sins with water, ice and snow.

4- Recitation of Suratul Fatiha:


 

  أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيم

A'uzu bil-llahi minash shayta nir-rajeem

This means: I seek refuge with Allaah from the Evil One, the Rejected
 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ 

Bisimllah hir-rahman nir-raheem

This means: In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
 

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ 

Alhamdu lil-lahi rab-bil 'alameen

This means: Praise is only for Allah, Lord
 

الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Ar-Rahma nir-raheem

This means: The Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
 

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ 

Maliki yawmid-deen

This means: Master of the Day of Judgment
 

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ 

Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een

This means: You alone we worship and u to you alone we pray for help
 

اِهْدِنَا الصِّراطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Ihdinas siratal mostaqeem

This means: Show us the straight way
 

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّيِنَ 

Siratal lazeena an'amta 'alayhim ghayril maghdubi 'alayhim walad dal-leen

This means: The way of those whom you have blessed .. Who have not desrved your anger, Nor gone astray
 

Ameeen

This means: Oooh Allah please accept

Notes:

1- The Prophet peace be upon him said : "No prayer is acceptable without the recitation  of Fathiha"

2- Abu Hurairah reported that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: "If anyone observes prayer in which he does not read Umm-ul-Quran (Fatihah), it is deficient, it is deficient, it is deficient, and not complete. It was said to Abu Horairah: :What should we do when we are behind an Imam?" He, (Abu Horairah) replied, "Read it in silence..." (Muslim)

3- If you are praying in Jama'a then you should raise your voice when you are saying "Ameen "

4- Becarful : Ubadah bin Samit said: "We were behind the Prophet (pbuh) in the Fajr prayer, and he recited a passage from the Quran, but the recitation became difficult for him. Then when he finished he said, "Do you recite behind your Imam?" We replied, "yes, Allah's Messenger (pbuh)." Then Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said "Do not recite anything (behind the Imam) except Fatihah-tul-Kitab (Surah Fatihah) because he who does not include it in his recitation in prayer, his Salat is not valid." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)

5- Recitation after Suratul Fatiha:

The Prophet  (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would recite another soorah after al-Faatihah, making it long sometimes, and on other occasions making it short because of travel, cough, illness or the crying of infants

Let's take two examples of short Suras you can pray with the both every prayer till you learn another Sura's

Surat Al-Ikhlas (Number 112)


 

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم 

A'uzu bil-llahi minash shayta nir-rajeen

This means: I seek refuge with Allaah from the Evil One, the Rejected
 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ 

Bisimllah hir-rahman nir-raheem

This means: In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
 

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ 

Qul howa Allahu ahad

This means: Say : he is Allah, the only one.
 

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ 

Allah hus-samad

This means: Allah helps and does not need help
 

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ 

Lam yalid wa lam yulad

This means: He does not produce a child, and he was not born of anyone
 

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ 

Walam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad

This means: There is no one equal to him

Surat An-Nas (Number 114)


 

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم 

A'uzu bil-llahi minash shayta nir-rajeem

This means: I seek refuge with Allaah from the Evil One, the Rejected
 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ 

Bisimllah hir-rahman nir-raheem

This means: In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
 

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ 

Qul a'uzubi rab-bin nas

This means: Say : I seek refuge in the Sustainer of Mankind
 

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ 

Malikin nas

This means: The Owner of Mankind
 

إِلَهِ النَّاسِ

Ila hin-nas

This means: Lord of Mankind
 

مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ 

Min shar-ril waswa sil khan-nas

This means: From the evil of the sneaking whisperer
 

الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ 

Allazi yuwaswisu fee sudu rin-nas

This means: Who whispers in the hearts of Mankind
 

مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ

Minal jin-nati wan-nas

This means: (Whether he be) from among jinns or mankind

Notes :

1- You have to read Sura after the Fatiha only in the first two Rak'a in the Zuhr or Asr  but in Fajr,Maghrib and E'sha you just hear the Imam and you should't say it with him. No other Surah should be read after surah Fatiha in the third and fourth Rak'ahs of any fard salah.

2- If you tried to memorize this two Suras but you failed .. then there is a permission to read Al-Fatiha only .. and in-Shaa-Allah your prayer is right

6- Bowing (Rukoo')

After completing his recitation, the prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would pause for a moment, then raise his hands in the way described earlier , say takbeer

الله أكبر

Allaahu Akbar

This means: Allah is the greatest

Notes :

1- You should raise your hands with the takbeer. (up to the level of the shoulders or near to the lobes of his ears, while pronouncing "Takbirat Al-Ihram")
2- Be careful: When you start to pray don't look at the sky because it is forbidden as the Prophet peace be upon him said :" People must refrain from looking up at the sky in prayer, or their sight will not return to them (and in one narration: or their sight will be plucked away)

Then .. you make Ruku' and say : سُـبْحَانَ رَبِّـَى الْعَظيِمِ Subhana Rabbi yal azim This means: How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme! Note : Be careful: The Prophet said : Verily, I have indeed been forbidden from reciting the Qur'aan in rukoo' or sujood. In the rukoo', therefore, glorify the Supremity of the Lord, Mighty and Sublime, in it; as for the sujood, exert yourselves in supplication in it, for it is most likely that you will be answered ...so it is forbidden to read Quran in Rukoo' or Sujood

7-Straightening up from Rukoo':

The prophet  (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would straighten up his back out of rukoo', saying :

سَمِـعَ اللهُ لِمَـنْ حَمِـدَه Sami' Allah hu liman hamidah This means: Allaah listens to the one who praises Him Then .. while he is still standing he would say : رَبَّنـا وَلَكَ الحَمْـدُ Rab-bana wa lakal hamd This means: Our Lord, to You be all Praise Note : When you Straightening up from Rukoo': you would raise your hands like what we discribed early in the Takbeer. (raise his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears with palms facing outwards and fingers stretched to the earlobes. And then he should lower his hands to his sides or the worshipper is advised to put his hands on his chest, as he had done before he bowed. Both Wa'il Ibn Haggar and Sahl Ibn Sai'yd reported that this was the manner of the Prophet when he used to raise his head up after bowing)

8-Prostration (The sujud):

The prophet  (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would say takbeer:

الله أكبر Allaahu Akbar This means: Allah is the greatest & go down into sajdah saying : سُبْـحانَ رَبِّـيَ الأَعْلـى Subhana Rabbi yal a'la This means: How Perfect is my Lord, the Most High

Note :

1- You should say Subhana Rabbi yal a'la three times on each Sujud .
2- The right postion of Sujud:
a) You would support yourself on your palms [and spread them]
b) put his fingers together
c) point them towards the qiblah
d) Make your nose touch the ground cause the prophet said : There is no prayer for the one whose nose does not feel as much of the ground as the forehead
e) Put your knees and toes down firmly and point with the front of the toes towards the qiblah and put your heels together and keep your feet upright.
f) These are the seven limbs on which he (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would prostrate: the palms, the knees, the feet, and the forehead and nose.

9-Rising from Sajdah:

The prophet  (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)   would raise his head from prostration while saying :

الله أكبر

Allaahu Akbar

This means: Allah is the greatest

Then you will sit in a specific postition and say: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي Rabb ighfirlee wa irhamnee This means: O my Lord! Forgive me, and have mercy on me Notes : 1- The right position of sitting down: The Prophet peace be upon him would lay his left foot along the ground and sit on it [relaxed]. 2- You should stay a while in this sitting, cause the prophet peace be upon would sit straight on his left foot, upright, until every bone returned to its position.

10-The second Sajdah:

The prophet  (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would say takbeer:

الله أكبر Allaahu Akbar This means: Allah is the greatest & go again to Sujud postition saying : سُبْـحانَ رَبِّـيَ الأَعْلـى Subhana Rabbi yal a'la This means: How Perfect is my Lord, the Most High

Notes :

1- You should say Subhana Rabbi yal a'la three times on each Sujud .
2- The right postion of Sujud:
a) You would support yourself on your palms [and spread them]
b) put your fingers together
c) point them towards the qiblah
d) Make your nose touch the ground cause the prophet said : There is no prayer for the one whose nose does not feel as much of the ground as the forehead
e) Put your knees and toes down firmly and point with the front of the toes towards the qiblah and put your heels together and keep your   feet upright.
f) These are the seven limbs on which he (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would prostrate: the palms, the knees, the feet, and the forehead and nose.

11- The Second Rak'a:

The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say Faatihah which we teach you how to say it in step number 3

& then do all the steps which the prophet peace be upon him did in the first Rak'a

Note :

When you rise up from Sujud to the second Rak'a you can rise up supporting one self with hand .

12- The First Tashahud:

The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would sit for Tashhud after finishing the second rak'ah and say :

التَّحِيّـاتُ للهِ وَالصَّلَـواتُ والطَّيِّـبات ، السَّلامُ عَلَيـكَ أَيُّهـا النَّبِـيُّ وَرَحْمَـةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـاتُه ، السَّلامُ عَلَيْـنا وَعَلـى عِبـادِ كَ الصَّـالِحـين . أَشْـهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ الله ، وَأَشْـهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمّـداً عَبْـدُهُ وَرَسـولُه . At-Tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-tay yibatu, As-Salamy 'alika ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahma tullahi wa barakatu, As salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadil-la his-saliheen ,  Ash hadu  al la ilaha illal lahu, wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh This means: All compliments, all physical prayer , and all monetary worship are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of Allah . I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him ) is his slave and Messenger. Notes : 1- What is the right sit position in The first Tashahud? : In the Fajr there is only one Tashahud so it there is no first or second Tashahud so in the first Tashahud on the other prayers and in Al-Fajr Tashahud you would sit as you are setting between the two sujud, but if you can't sit in this way you can sit in any way you can, but this is the way the prophet used to sit. 2- the worshipper sits at the first Tashahud, with his right foot erect, sitting on his left foot laid down, putting his right hand on his right thigh, all his fingers close-fisted save the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign for his monotheistic belief, and his left hand is put on his left thigh.

13- The Second Tashahud

The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would sit for the second Tashhud after finishing the last rak'ah and would say the first Tashuhud which is in step 12 and then say :

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ عَلَى آلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إئبْرَاهِيمَ وَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهَيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, Kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheema wa 'ala aali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed, wa barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, Kama barakta 'ala Ibraheema wa 'ala aali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed This means: O Allah, send Grace and Honour on Muhammad (peace be upon him) and on the family and true followers of Muhammad (peace be upon him) just as you sent Grace and Honour on Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Surely, you are praiseworthy, The Great . O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad (peace be upon him) and on the family and true followers of Muhammad (peace be upon him) just as you sent blessings on Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Surely, you are praiseworthy, The Great.

Note :

1- What is the right sitting position in The second Tashahud ? : In the prayers like Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and 'eisha, in the last rak'a you should sit in a position called "Iftirash" click here to see how you can sit in this position ... but if you can't sit in this way you can sit as you feel comfortable ...
2- the worshipper sits at the second Tashahud, with his right foot erect, sitting on his left foot laid down, putting his right hand on his right thigh, all his fingers close-fisted save the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign for his monotheistic belief, and his left hand is put on his left thigh.

14-Salution of Peace (The Tasleem):

Next, The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would salute to his right saying: اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ As-Salamu 'alikum wa Rahmatul lah This means: Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah. Next, The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would salute to his left saying: اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ As-Salamu 'alikum wa Rahmatul lah This means: Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah.