How are the five daily prayers (salah) performed?

The five daily prayers are: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). Each prayer consists of a specific number of units called rak'ahs.

The performance of Salah generally involves the following steps:

1. Purity (Tahara): Before prayer, one must be in a state of ritual purity. This is achieved through wudu (ablution), which involves washing specific body parts, or ghusl (full body bath) if needed. One's clothing and the place of prayer must also be clean. (Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V01/P014–V01/P018)

2. Intention (Niyyah): The worshipper makes a sincere intention in their heart to perform the specific prayer, for the sake of Allah. This intention distinguishes one prayer from another (e.g., Dhuhr from Asr) and differentiates between obligatory and voluntary prayers. (Gazâlî — İhyâü Ulûmi'd-Dîn, s. V01/P151–V01/P153; Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V02/P192–V02/P194)

3. Opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram): The prayer begins with the worshipper raising their hands to shoulder or ear level while saying "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest). This signifies the start of the prayer and entering a state of devotion. (Tirmizî — el-Câmi', s. V05/P486–V05/P489; Gazâlî — İhyâü Ulûmi'd-Dîn, s. V01/P151–V01/P153)

4. Standing (Qiyam) and Recitation: After the opening takbir, the worshipper stands facing the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). The gaze is typically lowered towards the place of prostration to aid concentration. The opening chapter of the Quran, Al-Fatiha, is recited, followed by another chapter or verses from the Quran. (Gazâlî — İhyâü Ulûmi'd-Dîn, s. V01/P151–V01/P153; Şîrâzî — el-Mühezzeb, s. V01/P070–V01/P071)

5. Bowing (Ruku'): The worshipper bows by bending at the waist, placing hands on the knees, with the back and head level. While in ruku', one recites "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Magnificent) at least three times. (Gazâlî — Bidâyetü'l-Hidâye, s. V01/P044–V01/P046; Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V02/P192–V02/P194)

6. Standing Up from Bowing (I'tidal): The worshipper rises from ruku' to a standing position, saying "Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah" (Allah hears those who praise Him). Upon standing fully, they say "Rabbana walakal Hamd" (Our Lord, to You be all praise). (Gazâlî — Bidâyetü'l-Hidâye, s. V01/P044–V01/P046; Tirmizî — el-Câmi', s. V05/P486–V05/P489)

7. Prostration (Sujud): The worshipper prostrates by first placing their knees, then hands, then forehead and nose on the ground. The arms are kept away from the sides, and the stomach away from the thighs. While prostrating, one recites "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) at least three times. (Gazâlî — Bidâyetü'l-Hidâye, s. V01/P044–V01/P046; Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V02/P192–V02/P194)

8. Sitting Between Prostrations (Julus): The worshipper sits briefly between the two prostrations, typically resting on their left foot with the right foot upright. They may recite "Rabbi Ighfirli" (My Lord, forgive me). (Gazâlî — Bidâyetü'l-Hidâye, s. V01/P044–V01/P046)

9. Second Prostration: The worshipper performs a second prostration similar to the first.

10. Sitting for Tashahhud: After the second prostration in each rak'ah (except the last), the worshipper sits for the Tashahhud, a recitation of greetings and testimonies of faith. In the final sitting of the prayer, the Tashahhud is followed by prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and supplications. (Gazâlî — Bidâyetü'l-Hidâye, s. V01/P044–V01/P046; Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V02/P192–V02/P194)

11. Concluding Salutations (Taslim): The prayer concludes by turning the head to the right and then to the left, saying "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh" (Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings). (Kudûrî — el-Muhtasar, s. V01/P027–V01/P029)

The number of rak'ahs varies for each prayer: two for Fajr, four for Dhuhr and Asr, three for Maghrib, and four for Isha. The sources emphasize the importance of performing these actions with tranquility and mindfulness, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that a prayer is not complete without performing its acts with proper composure. (Abdülkâdir Geylânî — el-Gunye, s. V02/P205–V02/P207)