Prayer: How to Pray

This chapter describes how to perform the prayer from beginning to end, covering its pillars (arkan), obligations (wajibat), and recommended acts (sunan), following the Hanbali school and the prophetic practice as preserved in the authentic Sunnah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Pray as you have seen me pray" (Bukhari).

Beginning the Prayer — Takbirat al-Ihram: The prayer begins with the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar) while standing, raising both hands to shoulder or ear level, palms facing forward. This takbir is a pillar of the prayer. One then places the right hand over the left on the chest and recites the opening supplication (du'a al-istiftah) quietly. The most authentic is: "Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk."

Recitation: One then recites the ta'awwudh (seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan) quietly, followed by the basmalah, then recites Surah al-Fatiha. Al-Fatiha is a pillar of every rak'ah. After al-Fatiha, one recites an additional surah or passage, preferably aloud in Fajr and the first two rak'ahs of Maghrib and Isha, and quietly in the others.

Ruku' (Bowing): One says Allahu Akbar while descending into ruku', placing the hands on the knees with fingers spread, keeping the back level, and looking at the place of prostration. One says: "Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) at least three times. On rising from ruku', one says: "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears whoever praises Him), and standing fully upright says: "Rabbana wa lakal-hamd" (Our Lord, and to You is all praise).

Sujud (Prostration): One descends to prostration saying Allahu Akbar, placing the forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the tips of both feet on the ground — seven limbs in total. One says: "Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) at least three times. One then rises to the sitting position between the two prostrations, saying: "Rabb ighfirli" (My Lord, forgive me), then performs a second prostration.

The Final Tashahhud and Taslim: After completing the requisite rak'ahs, one sits for the final tashahhud, reciting the tahiyyat: "Al-tahiyyatu lillah wa al-salawatu wa al-tayyibat..." followed by the Abrahamic prayer (salawat ibrahimiyyah). The prayer is concluded with the taslim: turning the head to the right and saying "Al-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" and then to the left saying the same. Both salams are obligatory in the Hanbali school.

Pillars (Arkan) of Prayer: The Hanbali school lists fourteen pillars: standing with ability, opening takbir, reciting al-Fatiha in every rak'ah, ruku', rising from ruku', prostration on seven limbs, rising from prostration, sitting between the two prostrations, the final tashahhud, the salawat on the Prophet in the final tashahhud, the taslim, sequence (tartib), and tranquility (tuma'ninah) — remaining still for a moment in each pillar.