TNow that we have covered the essential preconditions for How to Pray Salah for Females, we will delve into the step-by-step process of performing Salah, incorporating guidance specific to women based on scholarly interpretations.
Read More: Sayyidatina Fatima al-Zahra (RA)
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Salah
This guide will primarily follow the Hanafi madhhab, as referenced in one of the provided documents How to Pray Salah for Females, but will also acknowledge differences of opinion where relevant. The key is to approach Salah with khushu’ (humility and concentration), focusing on remembrance of Allah (SWT).
Important Note: Throughout this guide, remember to perform each action with sincerity and mindfulness How to Pray Salah for Females. Salah is not merely a physical exercise; it is a spiritual journey.
1. Niyyah (Intention)
Before commencing Salah, it is crucial to form a clear intention in your heart. This intention should specify which prayer you are about to perform (Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, or Isha), whether it is a Fard (obligatory), How to Pray Salah for Females (recommended), or Nafl (voluntary) prayer, and the number of Raka’at (cycles of prayer) you intend to How to Pray Salah for Females perform. The intention does not need to be spoken aloud; it is sufficient to have it in your heart.
For example, if you are about to perform the 2 Raka’at Fard of Fajr prayer, your intention would be:
“I intend to perform the 2 Raka’at Fard of Fajr prayer, solely for the sake of Allah, facing the Qiblah.”
In Arabic (though remembering it in English is sufficient):
أُصَلِّي فَرْضَ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُتَوَجِّهًا إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
(Usalli farda salati-l fajri rak’atayni mutawajjihan ilal-qiblati lillahi ta’ala)
2. Qiyam (Standing) and Takbirat al-Ihram (Opening Takbir)
Stand upright, facing the Qiblah, with your feet close together. Maintain a How to Pray Salah for Females humble and respectful posture.
Raise your hands to the level of your shoulders, with your palms facing the Qiblah and fingers naturally outstretched. According to some interpretations, women should keep their hands within the cloth sheet, meaning the hands are raised but remain within the confines of their outer garment or hijab. This is a point of difference from how men generally perform this action.
While raising your hands, say the Takbirat al-Ihram (the opening Takbir):
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
(Allahu Akbar)
“Allah is the Greatest.”
This Takbir marks the beginning of the Salah and signifies the transition from worldly activities to a state of prayerful devotion. Pronounce the Takbir loud enough to hear yourself.
After saying the Takbir, lower your hands and place them on your chest. The most How to Pray Salah for Females common practice is to place the right palm on the back of the left hand, resting them on the chest. Focus your gaze on the place where you will prostrate (the spot on the floor where your forehead will touch during Sujud).
3. Recitation (Qira’ah)
After placing your hands on your chest, begin the recitation by first reciting the Thana (Opening Supplication), then Ta’awwudh and Tasmiyah, followed by Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah or verses from the Quran.
- Thana (Opening Supplication):Recite the following Thana in a lowered voice:سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ(Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka-smuka wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk)“Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is due to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god worthy of worship except You.”
- Ta’awwudh (Seeking Refuge):Recite the following Ta’awwudh in a lowered voice:أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ(A’udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajeem)“I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan.”
- Tasmiyah (In the Name of Allah):Recite the following Tasmiyah in a lowered voice:بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ(Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem)“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
- Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter):Recite Surah Al-Fatiha clearly and with proper pronunciation:الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَالرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِمَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِإِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُاهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَصِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ(Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-‘alameen. Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem. Maliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem. Siratal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghairil-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daalleen)“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship and from You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have favored, not those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray.”
- Reciting Another Surah or Verses:After Surah Al-Fatiha, recite another Surah (chapter) from the Quran or a set of verses. Surah Al-Ikhlas is a commonly recited short Surah:قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌاللَّهُ الصَّمَدُلَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ(Qul huwallahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakullahu kufuwan ahad)“Say, He is Allah, the One. Allah is independent, and all things depend on Him. He does not beget, nor is He begotten. And there is none like Him.”
4. Ruku’ (Bowing)
After completing the recitation, say Allahu Akbar and move into the bowing How to Pray Salah for Females position (Ruku’).
Bend forward from the waist, keeping your back as straight as possible. Place your hands on your knees, with your fingers together. The back should be parallel to the ground. Women should bow to the extent that their How to Pray Salah for Females hands reach their knees comfortably, without straining. It is generally agreed that women do not need to create a perfectly flat back like men often do; a comfortable bowing posture is sufficient. Keep your eyes focused on How to Pray Salah for Females your feet.
In Ruku’, recite the following Tasbeeh (glorification) at least three times:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
(Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azeem)
“Glory be to my Lord, the Greatest.”
5. Qawmah (Standing After Ruku’)
After reciting the Tasbeeh in Ruku’, rise from the bowing position, saying:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
(Sami’Allahu liman hamidah)
“Allah hears those who praise Him.”
Stand upright, with your arms at your sides, and recite:
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
(Rabbana wa lakal-hamd)
“Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”
It is also recommended to say:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
(Allahumma Rabbana lakal-hamd)
“O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”
Maintain a focused gaze on the place of prostration.
6. Sujud (Prostration)
Say Allahu Akbar and proceed into Sujud (prostration).
Lower yourself to the ground, placing your knees first, then your hands, and finally How to Pray Salah for Females your forehead and nose. Your How to Pray Salah for Females forehead and nose should be firmly touching the ground. Keep your fingers together, pointing towards the Qiblah.
In Sujud, your elbows should be close How to Pray Salah for Females to your sides, and your thighs should be drawn towards your stomach. This is a point of difference from how men perform Sujud, where they typically keep their elbows How to Pray Salah for Females away from their sides and their stomach raised.
Recite the following Tasbeeh at least three times:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
(Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la)
“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
7. Jalsah (Sitting Between Two Prostrations)
Say Allahu Akbar and rise from Sujud to a sitting position (Jalsah).
Sit with your left foot flat on the ground and your right foot How to Pray Salah for Females upright, with your toes pointing towards the Qiblah. Some scholars permit women to sit with both feet extended to the right side. Place your hands on your thighs, near your knees.
Recite the following Dua (supplication):
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
(Allahummaghfir li warhamni, wahdini, wa ‘afini, warzuqni)
“O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me.”
8. Second Sujud
Say Allahu Akbar and return to Sujud, repeating the same How to Pray Salah for Females actions and recitation as in the first Sujud.
9. Standing Up for the Next Raka’ah
Say Allahu Akbar and rise from the second Sujud to a standing position (Qiyam), ready to begin the next Raka’ah.
If you are performing a prayer with more than two Raka’at, repeat steps 3 through 8 for each Raka’ah. In the second Raka’ah, after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah or verses, proceed directly to Ruku’.
10. Tashahhud (Final Sitting)
In the final Raka’ah of your Salah, after the second Sujud, sit in the Tashahhud position.
Sit with your left foot flat on the ground and your right foot upright, with your toes How to Pray Salah for Females pointing towards the Qiblah, or with both feet extended to the right side. Place your hands on your thighs, near your knees.
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Recite the Tashahhud:
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ،
(At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu, as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, as-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu)
“All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His How to Pray Salah for Females servant and Messenger.”
When you reach the phrase “la ilaha illallahu” (there is no god worthy of worship except Allah), raise your right index finger (while keeping the other fingers folded) as a sign of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah). Lower your finger when you complete the phrase.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
After reciting the Tashahhud, recite the Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him):
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
(Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majeed)
“O Allah, send Your grace and honour upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent grace and honour upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. You How to Pray Salah for Females are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.”
Finally, recite a Dua of your choice. A common Dua is:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
(Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-‘akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘azaban-nar)
“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and How to Pray Salah for Females save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
11. Tasleem (Salutations)
Conclude the Salah by performing the Tasleem.
Turn your head to the right, saying:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
(As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah)
“Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.”
Then, turn your head to the left, repeating the same phrase.
The Tasleem signifies the end of the Salah and is a greeting of peace to the angels and those around you.
السَّلامُ عَليْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ الله
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatuLlah
This is a significantly expanded section, incorporating details from your uploaded files, including specific supplications and variations in practice for women. The Arabic is included, along with transliteration and translation. I have also tried to clarify points where women’s practice differs from men’s, based on common interpretations.
One repents especially for one’s shortcomings in the prayer, makes du’a for what one pleases, recites any supplication from the Qur’ān, or says a supplication related from the Prophet ﷺ like:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلامُ و مِنْكَ السَّلامُ تَبارَكْتَ يَا ذا الجَلالِ و الإكْرام
Allahumma antas-salāmu wa minkas-salāmu tabārakta yā dhāl-jalāli wal-ikrām
Oʾ Allah, You are peace and from You is peace. Blessed are You, Owner of Majesty and Honor.
One also says: SubḥanaLlah thirty-three times (Glory be to Allah), AlhamduLlilah thirty-three times (Praise be to Allah) and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times (Allah is the greatest).
