How the Prophet ﷺ Performed Salah: Step by Step from Takbir to Tasleem

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Final success belongs to the righteous, and there is no transgression except against the wrongdoers. As-Salaamualaikum Wa Rah'matullahi Wa Barakaat'u! We have covered the obligations, conditions, pillars, and voluntary aspects of Salah. Now we turn to the heart of it: how the Prophet ﷺ performed Salah. He ﷺ said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 631, 6008, 7246; Sunan Ad-Darimi 1288; Musnad Imam Ahmad 20530) This is not our invention; it is his guidance. Let’s walk through Salah from Takbir to Tasleem, with key evidence from his ﷺ Sunnah. 1. Takbir al-Ihram: The Opening “Allahu Akbar” Raise the hands to the shoulders or ears, saying “Allahu Akbar” with intention in the heart. Evidence: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raise his hands to his shoulders when he started the prayer, when he said Takbir for bowing, and when he raised his head from bowing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 735, 738, 739; Sahih Muslim 390) Reflection: Everything worldly is left behind until Tasleem. Pause, focus, and leave distractions. 2. Placing the Right Hand on the Left The Prophet ﷺ placed his right hand over the left on the chest. Evidence: Waʾil ibn Hujr رضي الله عنه reported: “He placed his right hand over his left on the chest.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 809, Sahih) Symbol: Humility, focus, and devotion. 3. Opening Supplication (Duʿaʾ al-Istiftaḥ) After Takbir, recite a short opening dua before Al-Fatihah. Evidence: Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه narrated: “The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O Allah! Set me apart from my sins as the East and West are set apart, and wash me from sins as a white garment is washed from dirt.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 744; Muslim 598) Purpose: Opens the heart to humility and readiness for worship. 4. Reciting Al-Fatihah Every rakʿah begins with Surah Al-Fatihah. Evidence: ʿUbada ibn As-Samit رضي الله عنه: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 756; Sahih Muslim 394) Reflection: Let the heart follow the tongue; ponder each word. 5. Reciting After Al-Fatihah  Recite another Surah or verses in the first two rakʿahs. Evidence: ʿUbadah ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنه: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us and recited in the first two rakʿahs.” (Sahih Muslim 451) Say “Amin” after Al-Fatihah: “Whoever’s Amin coincides with the Amin of the angels will have his previous sins forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 780; Muslim 410) 6. Rukuʿ (Bowing) Raise hands for Takbir, bow with hands on knees, back straight, and say: “Subhana Rabbiyal ʿAzim” three times or more. Evidence: “Place your palms on your knees, spread your fingers, and remain still until every bone returns to its place.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 874, sahih) Reflection: Bowing is submission; linger until the heart follows the body. 7. Rising from Rukuʿ Raise your head, saying: “Samiʿa Allahu liman ḥamidah” and then: “Rabbana wa lakal ḥamd”. (Sahih al-Bukhari 795) 8. Sujud (Prostration) Say Takbir, then prostrate on seven bones: forehead/nose, palms, knees, toes. Evidence: Ibn ʿAbbas رضي الله عنه: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 812) Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه: “Put your hands down before your knees, do not kneel like a camel.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 840, sahih) Say: “Subhana Rabbiyal Aʿla” three times or more. Reflection: The closer a servant is to Allah, the calmer and more present. 9. Sitting Between Sujuds Sit upright, say: “Rabbighfir li” (My Lord, forgive me), then perform the second sujud. (Sahih Muslim 772) 10. Tashahhud, Salawat, and Tasleem Recite Tashahhud in the final sitting: “At-tahiyyatu lillahi waṣ-ṣalawatu wat-yayyibatu… Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasuluh.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 831) Send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ: “Allahumma ṣalli ʿala Muhammadin wa ʿala ali Muḥammadin…” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370) Finally, Tasleem: Turn right and left, saying: “As-Salamu ʿAlaikum wa Rahmatullah.” “The key to prayer is purification, its opening is Takbir, and its closing is Tasleem.” (Sunan Abu Dawud 61, sahih) Pause and Reflect: Do we pray as the Prophet ﷺ prayed, or as we prefer? Is our Salah a mirror of his Sunnah, or a collection of habits? Every movement, every recitation, every breath: does it align with his guidance? Salah is accepted when it matches his guidance, in form, spirit, and presence. What Comes Next In the next article, In Shaa Allah, we will explore what can nullify Salah, even during prayer, and how to fix it. If you have feedback, send us an email: support@nurquest.com May Allah make our Salah the same as the Prophet’s ﷺ in form, spirit, and acceptance.