Prayer (or Salat) is a fundamental pillar of Islam. When I embraced Islam three years ago, one of my first questions was precisely: “How do I perform the Islamic prayer?”. If you’re in the same situation, or if you’re curious, I’ll explain in a simple and friendly way how to perform this spiritual act.
Why is prayer important in Islam?
Prayer is a direct connection with Allah (swt). It reminds us five times a day that we are ephemeral and that everything belongs to Him. It soothes the soul, refocuses our priorities and provides daily discipline. Personally, it’s one of the things that has transformed my life.
What are the prayer times?
In Islam, there are five daily prayers:
- Fajr (before dawn)
- Dhuhr (after zenith)
- Asr (afternoon)
- Maghrib (at sunset)
- Isha (night)
These times vary according to your location, so don’t forget to consult a prayer calendar or an Islamic app that offers prayer times to stay up to date.
How to perform the Islamic prayer: the essential steps
- Performing ablutions (Wudu)
Before praying, you need to be pure. Wudu is a ritual purification that involves washing certain parts of the body, such as the face, hands, arms, head and feet. If you don’t know how to do it, don’t panic, I suggest you watch the explanatory video I’m going to include on this page.
Exceptions to Wudu
If you’re in a state of major impurity (Janaba), you need to perform the Ghusl, which is a major ablution. But for daily prayers, Wudu is sufficient.
- Heading for the Qibla
The Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, in Mecca. You can use a compass or a mobile app to find it. This gesture symbolizes the unity of Muslims around the world.
Why is this important?
This shows our common obedience to Allah, no matter where we are.
- Formulating an intention (Niyyah)
Before you begin, take a moment to concentrate and formulate in your heart the intention to pray for Allah. You don’t need to say it out loud – it’s an act of the heart.
The importance of intention
Every act in Islam is judged by its intention, so take this moment to sincerely connect with Allah.
- Performing the prayer
Here is a summary of the positions and words of the Salat:
- Takbir: Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar”.
- Fatiha and sura: Recite the Fatiha (1st chapter of the Koran) and another sura.
- Ruku: Bow and say “Subhana Rabbiyal Azim” three times.
- Sujud: Prostrate yourself, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times.
- Tashahhud: Sit down and recite the words of the Tashahhud.
Each prayer has a different number of rakaats (prayer units). For example, Fajr has 2 rakaats, while Dhuhr has 4.
Mistakes to avoid
- Recite too quickly.
- Forgetting a position or a word.
- Not concentrating.
And after prayer?
Once the prayer is over, take a moment to make invocations (Dua). This is a special time when Allah listens to your requests.
Now you know how to pray!
Don’t stress if you make mistakes at first. You learn little by little. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from Muslim brothers or sisters, or watch explanatory videos like the ones I’m going to add here.
Conclusion
Learning to pray the Islamic prayer is a wonderful step in your spiritual journey. With a little practice, it will become a natural habit that will enrich your life. If you have any questions or need help, leave a comment or watch the videos below. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you!