The Prophet's Prayer Described.
Learn the broad sequence of Salah as taught and demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, from the opening takbir through the final taslim.
Learning objectives
Follow the example
Recognize why the Prophet’s ﷺ example matters when learning Salah.
Know the sequence
Identify standing, bowing, rising, prostrating, sitting and concluding prayer.
Check the evidence
Read Sahih al-Bukhari 631 and Sahih Muslim 498 in their full context.
1. Why follow the Prophet's prayer?
The Qur'an describes the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as an excellent example (Qur'an 33:21 ↗). Malik ibn al-Huwayrith narrated the instruction to pray as he had seen the Prophet ﷺ pray (Sahih al-Bukhari 631 ↗).
Knowledge of Salah should be based on revelation and reliable reports, learned carefully rather than through guesswork.
2. The basic prayer sequence
- Preparation: Verify the prayer time, purification, appropriate covering and qiblah direction. Make the intention for the prayer.
- Opening takbir: Begin the prayer with the takbir, "Allahu Akbar."
- Standing and recitation (qiyam): Recite al-Fatihah and any additional recitation prescribed for that place in the prayer.
- Bowing (ruku'): Bow in humility and perform the prescribed remembrance.
- Rising: Return to an upright standing posture and perform the prescribed remembrance.
- Prostration (sujud): Prostrate, then sit calmly between the two prostrations, then prostrate again.
- Continue the rak'ahs: Rise and repeat the appropriate actions for the remaining units of the particular prayer.
- Tashahhud: Sit and recite the prescribed testimony at the relevant points in prayer.
- Taslim: Conclude with the salutations of peace.
Exact recitations, posture details, and which actions are obligatory or recommended must be studied with qualified teachers; the list above is a learning outline.
3. Hadith describing the prayer
This narration describes beginning the prayer with takbir, recitation, proper bowing and standing upright after bowing, sitting between prostrations, and the tashahhud.
Read Sahih Muslim 498 ↗The Prophet ﷺ directed companions to pray as they had seen him pray.
Read Sahih al-Bukhari 631 ↗4. Learning with care and sincerity
Seek calmness in every movement and learn the recitations accurately. A person new to Islam may need patient teaching and practice. Scholars differ on some details of hand placement, postures and other secondary matters; treat such differences with respect while prioritizing authentic sources and qualified instruction.
Further reading: Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani’s The Prophet's Prayer Described is one study resource. Consult a reliable edition and compare its cited reports with the primary hadith collections under scholarly guidance.
5. Check your understanding
1. What is the opening takbir?
The takbir at the beginning of Salah: "Allahu Akbar."
2. What is ruku'?
The bowing position in prayer.
3. What should happen after ruku' before prostration?
One returns to an upright standing posture.
4. What happens between the two prostrations?
One sits calmly before the next prostration.
5. What is the tashahhud?
A prescribed testimony and supplication recited while seated during prayer.
6. Which authentic narration instructs Muslims to pray as the Prophet ﷺ prayed?
Sahih al-Bukhari 631.
Independent study
Read Qur'an 33:21, Sahih al-Bukhari 631, and Sahih Muslim 498. Write down the prayer movements in order. Practice the sequence with a knowledgeable teacher, and ask for help with Arabic pronunciation and distinctions between required and recommended actions.
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