How to Pray Salah for Women: 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
Sistersbest 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 the way it is taught in the school, with the positions for women. 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 the whole body except the face, hands and feet, face the qiblah and make your intention.
- 2Begin with the takbir
Raise your hands to your shoulders, say Allahu Akbar and place your hands on your chest.
- 3Recite in qiyam
Say the Thana, Ta'awwudh and Bismillah, then al-Fatihah and a short surah.
- 4Bow in ruku'
Bend until your hands reach your knees, arms close to your sides, 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 with your body close together and forearms on the ground, 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
Sit on your left hip, 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.
Learn the Qur'an with a female teacher
One-to-one classes with a female teacher, at times that suit you: from the very basics, or to finish reading the whole Qur'an.
Your first class is free. No payment needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which school of thought does this guide follow?
It follows the Hanafi school, including the positions for women: hands on the chest, a compact sajdah with forearms on the ground, and sitting on the left hip with both feet to the right.
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 brothers?
Yes. There is a separate guide for brothers
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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