Islamic Dunniyan

The five daily obligatory prayers are required for adult, sane Muslims. Children are taught progressively. Menstruating and postpartum women do not perform Salah during those periods and do not make up those missed prayers.

Ensure body, clothes and prayer place are free from ritual impurities. Perform wudu; ghusl is needed in cases of major ritual impurity. Cover the awrah according to applicable fiqh; dress modestly.

Make intention, say Bismillah, wash hands, rinse mouth and nose, wash face, wash arms through elbows, wipe head and ears, and wash feet through ankles. Wash thoroughly without wasting water. Obligatory details and sequence differ by school.

When required, wash the entire body so water reaches all necessary areas; include mouth and nose according to Hanafi fiqh. Remove barriers that prevent water reaching the skin.

When water is unavailable or its use is genuinely harmful, dry purification may be permitted. The method and conditions differ across schools; learn the ruling applicable to your situation.

Confirm the prayer time, face the qiblah, make intention in the heart, and ensure purity and proper covering. A clean, stable space helps concentration.

2 Sunnah before 2 Fard. Fajr is before sunrise; do not pray after its time has ended without following the rules of qada.

Common Hanafi practice: 4 Sunnah before, 4 Fard, 2 Sunnah after, and optional 2 Nafl.

4 Fard; 4 non-emphasized Sunnah before are practiced in the Hanafi tradition.

3 Fard after sunset, followed by 2 Sunnah and optional Nafl.

4 Fard, followed by 2 Sunnah and optional Nafl; Hanafi practice includes 3 Witr (wajib), plus optional Sunnah/Nafl.

Stand facing the qiblah, intend the specific prayer in your heart, raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar. Hand position varies by school.

Place hands according to your school. In Hanafi practice begin with Thana (Subhanaka Allahumma…), then seek refuge and say Bismillah quietly. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah or verses in the first two rak'ahs as applicable.

Say Allahu Akbar, bow with hands on knees and a level back where physically possible. Say Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim, commonly three times.

Rise fully and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah; say Rabbana lakal-hamd, with details differing between imam, follower and individual worshipper.

Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate with forehead and nose, hands, knees and toes positioned appropriately. Say Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la, commonly three times.

Sit calmly and say Rabbighfir li (My Lord, forgive me). Do not rush the pause.

Perform the second prostration, then rise for the next rak'ah with Allahu Akbar.

Repeat the standing recitation, ruku and two sujud. After the second rak'ah sit for Tashahhud (At-tahiyyatu lillahi…). In a two-rak'ah prayer, continue with salawat and dua before salam.

For three- or four-rak'ah Fard prayers, stand after the first sitting and complete remaining rak'ahs. Recitation requirements vary between Fard, Sunnah and Nafl prayers.

In the final sitting recite Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim and a supplication; turn to the right and left saying Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah. Exact wording and movements vary by school.

Allahu Akbar — Allah is Greatest. Ruku: Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim — Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent. Sujud: Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la — Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

Learn the full Arabic text with a qualified teacher and check correct pronunciation. The full Quran reading and audio section is the appropriate place for verified recitation.

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat… Learn the complete authentic Arabic text and pronunciation with a teacher; avoid relying on an abbreviated transliteration.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad… Learn the complete text from a verified source.

A well-known supplication is Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar (Quran 2:201).

Follow the imam without preceding their movements. Rules for late arrivals, recitation behind the imam and rows differ across schools.

Friday congregational prayer replaces Dhuhr for those obligated to attend; it includes the khutbah and 2 Fard rak'ahs. Consult your local mosque for timing and applicable exemptions.

Witr is treated as wajib in Hanafi fiqh and as an emphasized Sunnah by other schools. Hanafi Witr is commonly 3 rak'ahs with Dua Qunoot in the third.

Tarawih is prayed in Ramadan after Isha. Eid prayers have additional takbirs and school-specific methods; attend a local congregation and follow the imam.

Travellers may qualify for shortened prayers; combining prayers and other concessions depend on the school and circumstances. A person unable to stand may pray seated or as physically able.

Make up missed obligatory prayers according to the applicable rulings. Sajdah al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is governed by detailed fiqh rules; do not improvise.

Salat al-Janazah is a communal obligation with standing and takbirs, without ordinary ruku or sujud. Follow the imam and your school's method.

Avoid rushing, neglecting stillness in ruku/sujud, missing the prayer time, unclear recitation and distracting others. Ask a qualified scholar about mistakes affecting validity.