The Sunnah Method of Performing Salah According to Authentic Ahadith

This article is adapted from the book "Salah of Mustafa (Peace Be Upon Him)" authored by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

❖ Introduction​

The noble method of Salah taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encompasses cleanliness, facing the Qiblah, and fulfilling each action with sincerity and devotion. This guide compiles authentic narrations to present the correct practice of Salah.

❖ Standing (Qiyam)​

After ensuring physical cleanliness and the correctness of prayer time, the worshipper stands facing the Qiblah.

• Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Shortened Prayers, Hadith: 99
  

❖ Intention (Niyyah)​

The intention should be made internally in the heart without verbal pronouncement, as declared by the Prophet ﷺ:
"Actions are judged by intentions."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Faith and Vows, Hadith: 6689

Key Points:

• Intention resides in the heart, not the tongue.
• Verbalizing the intention is not reported from the Prophet ﷺ, his companions, or the four Imams.

Statements from Scholars:

• Ibn Taymiyyah: "Verbal intention is not legislated among Muslim scholars."
• Ibn al-Qayyim: Declared verbal intention as innovation (Bid'ah).
• Anwar Shah Kashmiri: "Intention is an internal matter."
  

❖ Takbeer al-Tahrimah​

With the gaze directed at the place of prostration, say "Allāhu Akbar" while raising both hands to the level of the shoulders or earlobes.

• Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Adhan, Hadith: 735
  

❖ Raising the Hands (Raf’ al-Yadayn)​

• Hands should be raised naturally with fingers neither tightly closed nor overly spread.
• No authentic report supports touching the ears while raising hands.
• No distinction in Raf’ al-Yadayn between men and women.
  

❖ Placing Hands on the Chest​

After Takbeer, place the right hand over the left on the chest.

• Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 479

Scholarly Consensus:

• Ibn Hajar, Imam Nawawi, and others have classified these narrations as Hasan (good) and authentic.

❖ No Difference Between Men and Women in Salah​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Pray as you have seen me praying."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Adhan, Hadith: 231

All actions in Salah — including standing, bowing, and prostrating — are the same for both genders.

❖ Supplication at Opening (Du’a al-Istiftah)​

After Takbeer, it is Sunnah to recite an opening supplication such as:
"Subḥānak Allāhumma wa bi ḥamdik, wa tabārak asmuk, wa ta‘ālā jadduk, wa lā ilāha ghayruk."

or
"Allāhumma bā‘id baynī wa bayna khaṭāyāya..."

❖ Seeking Refuge (Ta'awwudh)​

Before reciting Al-Fātiḥah, seek Allah’s protection from Shayṭān by reciting:

"A‘ūdhu billāhi min al-shayṭān al-rajīm."

❖ Recitation of Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah​

Recite Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah completely, including Bismillāh. Recitation must move the lips and tongue.

❖ Saying Ameen Loudly​

After reciting Al-Fātiḥah, say "Āmīn" aloud during audible prayers, as was practiced by the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.

❖ Bowing (Rukū‘)​

• Say "Allāhu Akbar" while going into Rukū‘.
• Place hands firmly on the knees with back straightened.
• Say "Subḥāna Rabbiyal-‘Aẓīm" three times or more.
  

❖ Rising from Rukū‘​

• Say "Sami‘a Allāhu liman ḥamidah" while rising.
• Upon standing, say "Rabbana wa laka al-ḥamd."

❖ Prostration (Sujūd)​

• Say "Allāhu Akbar" and prostrate with the seven body parts touching the ground.
• Say "Subḥāna Rabbiyal-A‘lā" three times or more.

❖ Sitting Between the Two Prostrations​

• Sit on the left foot while keeping the right foot upright.
• Supplicate:
  
  "Rabbi ighfir lī, warḥamnī, wa‘āfinī, warzuqnī."
  

❖ Final Sitting (Tashahhud)​

• Sit properly and recite the Tashahhud:
  
  "Al-Taḥiyyātu lillāhi..."
  
  
• Raise the index finger and move it throughout the supplication.
  

❖ Sending Salutations on the Prophet ﷺ​

Recite Durood Ibrahimi after Tashahhud.

❖ Concluding the Prayer​

After completing Tashahhud, supplications, and Salawat, end the prayer by turning your face to the right and left saying:
"As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh."

❖ Important Rulings​

• No congregational du'a immediately after Fard Salah is legislated.
• Personal supplication and Dhikr after Salah are highly recommended.
• Following the exact Sunnah is the true way to blessings.

❖ Conclusion​

True success lies in adhering strictly to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in all aspects of Salah. Innovations and unfounded practices must be abandoned in favor of what has been authentically reported.