How to Pray Salah for Men: A Step-by-Step Guide
Every step of a two rak'ah prayer, from the first takbir to the salam, with the Arabic and transliteration for everything you say.
Updated 25 October 2026
17 pagesGuide
A4 & US Letterprint at home
Brothersbest for
10 minutes to readtime it takesSalah is the first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgement, and praying it correctly starts with knowing each step.
This guide walks through a complete two rak'ah prayer. Each of the 23 steps shows the position, what to do with your hands, feet and eyes, what to say, and how many times to say it.
Every recitation is given in Arabic with a simple transliteration. Each hadith wording carries its reference, so you can check it for yourself.
Step by step
- 1Get ready
Make wudu, cover correctly, face the qiblah and make your intention.
- 2Begin with the takbir
Raise your hands to your earlobes, say Allahu Akbar and fold your hands below the navel.
- 3Recite in qiyam
Say the Thana, Ta'awwudh and Bismillah, then al-Fatihah and a short surah.
- 4Bow in ruku'
Grip your knees with your back flat and say Subhana rabbiyal azim three times.
- 5Rise from ruku'
Stand straight and say Sami Allahu liman hamidah, then Rabbana lakal hamd.
- 6Make two sajdahs
Prostrate, sit briefly, then prostrate again, saying Subhana rabbiyal a'la three times in each.
- 7Pray the second rak'ah
Stand up and repeat the recitation, ruku' and two sajdahs, then stay seated.
- 8Finish in qa'dah
Recite the Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahimi and a du'a, then give salam to the right and left.
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How to use it
Print it on A4 or US Letter paper and keep it by your prayer mat while you are learning.
Go through one or two steps a day until you know each recitation by heart, and read the Arabic with a teacher at least once to get the pronunciation right.
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Frequently asked questions
Which school of thought does this guide follow?
It follows the Hanafi school, including the positions for men: hands folded below the navel, elbows raised in sajdah, and sitting on the left foot with the right foot upright.
Do I have to recite the surahs shown in the guide?
No. After al-Fatihah you can recite any surah you know, or at least three short ayat. The guide uses al-Kawthar and al-Ikhlas as examples.
Is there a version for sisters?
Yes. There is a separate guide for sisters.
Is the guide free?
Yes. It is free to download, needs no sign-up, and comes in A4 and US Letter sizes.
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