The Sunnah in prayer refers to the recommended actions and sayings that the Prophet ﷺ regularly performed. They are not obligatory, but following them perfects your prayer and increases its reward.
1. Before and at the Start
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Intention (Niyyah): Form your intention in your heart before the first Takbir.
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Takbir al-Ihram: Say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer.
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Opening Du’a: Optional phrases like “Subhanak Allahumma wa bihamdika” or “Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise”.
2. During Recitation
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Seeking Refuge and Basmala: Say “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim” and “Bismillah” before Surah al-Fatiha.
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Saying “Ameen” after al-Fatiha, especially in congregational prayers.
3. Ruku (Bowing)
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Tasbeeh: Say “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” at least three times.
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Raising the head: Say “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” and “Rabbana lakal hamd”.
4. Sujud (Prostration)
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Tasbeeh: Say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” at least three times.
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Proper posture: Forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes firmly on the ground.
5. Sitting Between Two Sujud
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Supplication: Say “Rabbighfir li, warhamni” or any other recommended du’a.
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Proper posture: Sit humbly on your legs.
6. Tashahhud
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Middle Tashahhud (in 4-unit prayers): Recite Tashahhud after the second unit.
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Final Tashahhud: Recite complete Tashahhud with Salat on the Prophet ﷺ.
7. Ending Prayer
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Taslim: Turn the head right then left saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”.
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Post-prayer supplication: Seek forgiveness, dhikr, or make personal du’a.
8. Additional Sunnah
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Focus and humility (Khushu’) throughout the prayer.
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Lengthen Ruku and Sujud like the Prophet ﷺ sometimes did.
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Recite short surahs after al-Fatiha in the first two units.
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Raise hands when beginning prayer, bowing, and standing.