How to pray

Al-Fatihah, bowing, prostration, the tashahhud and praying the way the Prophet ﷺ prayed. 17 hadith.

1. Pray as you have seen me prayThe Prophet's own prayer is the model for every Muslim's prayer.Malik ibn al-HuwairithSahih al-Bukhari 631
2. Go back and pray, you have not prayedThe man who prayed in a hurry was told three times to pray again.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 757, Sahih Muslim 397
3. No prayer without al-FatihahReciting Surah al-Fatihah is essential in every rak'ah.Ubadah ibn as-SamitSahih al-Bukhari 756, Sahih Muslim 394
4. The prayer divided between Allah and His servantAllah answers each verse of al-Fatihah as we recite it.Abu HurairahSahih Muslim 395
5. Raising the handsThe Prophet ﷺ raised his hands at the start, before bowing and on rising.Abdullah ibn UmarSahih al-Bukhari 735, Sahih Muslim 390
6. Glorifying Allah in bowing and prostrationIn ruku the Prophet ﷺ said Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim, and in sujud Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la.Hudhaifah ibn al-YamanSahih Muslim 772
7. Glorify in bowing, supplicate in prostrationBowing is for glorifying Allah; prostration is for earnest dua.Abdullah ibn AbbasSahih Muslim 479
8. Closest to Allah in prostrationThe servant is nearest to his Lord when prostrating, so make much dua.Abu HurairahSahih Muslim 482
9. Prostrating on seven partsProstration is on the forehead and nose, both hands, both knees and both feet.Abdullah ibn AbbasSahih al-Bukhari 812, Sahih Muslim 490
10. Every prostration raises a rankProstrate much, for each prostration raises you a rank and removes a sin.ThawbanSahih Muslim 488
11. Help me with much prostrationRabi'ah asked to be with the Prophet ﷺ in Paradise; the answer was to pray much.Rabi'ah ibn Ka'b al-AslamiSahih Muslim 489
12. The tashahhudThe words the Prophet ﷺ taught for the sitting of the prayer.Abdullah ibn Mas'udSahih al-Bukhari 831, Sahih Muslim 402
13. Four refuges before the salamAfter the last tashahhud, seek refuge in Allah from four things.Abu HurairahSahih Muslim 588
14. A dua to say in prayerThe dua the Prophet ﷺ taught Abu Bakr to say in his prayer.Abu Bakr as-SiddiqSahih al-Bukhari 834, Sahih Muslim 2705
15. How to begin a duaStart with praise of Allah, then blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, then ask.Fadalah ibn UbaidJami' at-Tirmidhi 3477, Sunan Abi Dawud 1481
16. When you doubt how many rak'ahsIn doubt, build on what you are sure of and make two prostrations of forgetfulness.Abu Sa'id al-KhudriSahih Muslim 571
17. Do not pass in front of someone prayingWaiting forty would be better than walking in front of a person praying.Abu JuhaimSahih al-Bukhari 510, Sahih Muslim 507