Prophet Way of Prayer (Salah) according to hadith

Adullâh said:

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Islam is built on five (pillars): Testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing the

Salât, paying the Zakât, pilgrimage to the House, and fasting (during the month of) Ramadân."

Reference: Sahih Muslim 113  

Stand upright facing the direction of Al-Ka'bah.  This position is called Qiyaam (standing) and the direction is called Qiblah in Arabic.

....When you get up for the Salat (prayer), perform the ablution properly and then face the Qiblah.... 

Narrated: Abu Huraira (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6667  

Messenger of Allah said: "Perfect (straighten) the rows, and stand shoulder to shoulder, and leave no gaps, and be gentle with the hands of your brothers, and do not leave gaps for Shaitan. Whoever connects a row, Allah will connect him (with His Mercy), and whoever severs a row, Allah will sever (His Mercy) from him." (Hasan)

Narrated: Abdullãh bin 'Umar (r.a)

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 666

Messenger of Allah said: "Line yourselves up tightly, and be close together, and make (your) necks straight (in one line). For i swear by Him in Whose Hands is my soul, I see Shaiãn enter between the gaps in the rows as if he is a small black goat." (Sahih)

Narrated: Anas bin Mãlik

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 667

The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows or Allah will alter your faces."

Narrated: Abu Hurairah (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 717

Once the Iqama was pronounced and Allah's Messenger faced us and said, "Straighten your rows and stand closer together, for I see you from behind my back."

Narrated: Anas bin Malik (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 719

The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows for I see you from behind my back." Anas added, "Everyone of us used to put his shoulder with the shoulder of his companion and his foot with the foot of his companion."

Narrated: Anas bin Malik (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 725

No second row should start unless the first row is complete

The Messenger of Allah said: "Do you not (wish to) line up just like the Angels line up in front of their Lord?" We asked: "And how do the Angels line up in front of their Lord?" He said: "They complete (and fill up) the first row, and they line up closely in the rows." (Sahih)

Narrated: Jãbir bin Samurah

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 661

Niyah (Intention in your heart)

The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.

Narrated: Umar bin Al-Khattab (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1  

Actions are but by intentions, and each man will have but that which he intended.

Narrated: Umar bin Al-Khattab (r.a)

Reference: Sunan An-Nasai 3467  

NOTE: No need to utter Niyah by mouth, keep intention (Niyah) in your mind. (To make Niyah, i.e., to say Nawaytuan usallia lillahi ta’ala rakatai ...... IS BIDA’H, and therefore must be avoided) 

Takbeer Tahrimah

....When you get up for the Salat (prayer), perform the ablution properly and then face the Qiblah and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar),....

Narrated: Abu Huraira (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6667  

Raising of Hands Till Shoulder or ears

Allah's Messenger used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening As-Salat (the prayer)....

Narrated: Salim bin 'Abdullãh

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 735

Messenger of Allah said the Takbir, he raised his hands until they were level with his ears......

Narrated: Mâlik bin Al-Huwairith

Reference: Sahih Muslim 865

The Messenger of Allah, when he started the prayer, would raise his hands extended.

Narrated: Abu Hurairah 

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 753

NOTE: Touching the earlobe ...... IS BIDA’H, and therefore must be avoided 

Where to place hand during salah 

The people were ordered to place the right hand on the left forearm in As-Salãt (the prayer). Abu Hazim said, "I knew that the order was from the Prophet."

Narrated: Sahl bin Sa'd (r.a) 

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 740

Wail bin Hujr said: "I said: 'I am going to watch how the Messenger of Allah prays.' So I watched him and he stood and said the Takbir, and raised his hands until they were in level with his ears, then he placed his right hand over his left hand, wrist and lower forearm...... (Sahih)

Reference: Sunan An-Nasai 890

It was reported from Sulaiman bin Musa, from Tawus who said: "The Messenger of Allah used to place his right hand on his left hand, then grasp both of them on his chest while he was praying." (Sahih)

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 759

NOTE: The hadith conclude that you should keep first left hand and only the right hand  and you should placed right on the left.

Eyes should point to the spot where the forehead rests in sajdah (Prostration)

The Prophet said, "What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during salat (prayer)?" His tone grew stern while delivering this speech and he said, "They should stop (looking towards the sky during the Salat); otherwise their eyes (or eyesight) would be snatched away."

Narrated: Anas bin Malik (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 750

I asked Allah's Messenger about looking hither and thither in As-salat (the prayer). He replied, "It is a way of stealing by which Satan takes away (a portion) from the Salat (prayer) of a person."

Narrated: Aishah (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 751

NOTE: Closing eyes is makrooh.....

Supplication between the Takbir and Recitation

Allah's Messenger used to keep silent between the Takbir and the recitation of the Qur'an (Surat A1-Fatiha) and that interval of silence used to be a short one. I said to the Prophet, "May my parents be sacrificed for you! What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation?" The Prophet said, "I say, 'Allahumma, ba'id baini wa baina khatayaya kama ba'adta bainalmashriqi wal-maghrib. Allahumma, naqqini min khatayaya kama yunaqqa-athth-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Allahumma, aghsil khatayaya bil ma'i wa th-thalji wal barad [O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the east and west are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.]" (Sahih)

Narrated: Abu Hurairah (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 744, Sunan An-Nasai 896

Messenger of Allah started to pray, he would say Takbir, then say: "Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fataras-samawatiwal-arda hanifan wa ma ana minal-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wamamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimin. Allahumma! Antal-maliku la ilaha illa ant, ana 'abduka zalamtu nafsi wa'taraftu bidhanbi faghfirli dhunubi jami'an, la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta, wahdini liahsanil-akhlaqi, la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta wasrif 'anni sayy'aha la yasrifu 'anni sayy'aha illa anta, labaika wa sa'daika, wal-khairu kulluhu fi yadaika wash-sharru laisa ilaika ana bika wa ilaika tabarakta wa ta'alaita astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaik. (Verily, I have turned my face toward Him Who has created the heavens and the Earth Hanifa (worshipping none but Allah Alone), and I am not of the idolaters'. Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for All, the Lord of the all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign and there is none worthy of worship but You. I am Your slave, I have wronged myself and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me all my sins for no one forgives sins but You. Guide me to the best of manners for none can guide to the best of them but You. Protect me from bad manners for none can protect against them but You. I am at Your service, all goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not to be attributed to You. I rely on You and turn to You, blessed and exalted are You, I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You." (Sahih)

Narrated: Ali (r.a)

Reference: Sunan An-Nasai 898

When the Messenger of Allah started to pray, he would say: 'Subhanakallahumma, wa bihamdika tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk (Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed be Your name and exalted be Your majesty, there is none worthy of worship except You.)'(Hasan)

Narrated: Abu Sa'eed (r.a) & Aishah (r.a)

Reference: Sunan An-Nasai 901, Jami At-Tirmidhi 243

Ta'awwudh (Arabic: تعوذ) 

The term "A`ūdhu billahi min ash-Shaitani R rajīmi" That is an Arabic phrase "So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].

Surah An Nahl : 16:98

Tasmiyah (Arabic: تَسمِیه) 

Anas was asked, "How was the recitation (of the Quran) of the Prophet?" He replied, "It was characterised by the prolongation of certain sounds." He then recited: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,"prolonging the pronunciation of "In the Name of Allah,' 'the Most Gracious,' and 'the Most Merciful'.

Narrated: Qatada

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5046

NOTE: You should not recite tasmiyah loudly it should be avoided

Recitation of the Qur'an (Surat Al-Fatiha) is compulsory for the Imam and the followers, at home and on journey, in all As-Salat (the prayers) whether the recitation is done silently or aloud.

Allah's Messenger said, "Whoever does not recite Surat Al-Fatiha (the first Surah of the Qur'an) in his Salat (prayer), his Salat is invalid."

Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit (r.a)

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 756

NOTE: It is compulsory to recite surah al fatiha

 What to say after the Takbir

The Prophet, Abu Bakr and 'Umar used to start As-Salat (the prayer) with "Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-alamin (All praises and thanks be to Allah the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)."

Narrated: Anas bin Malik

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 743

Note: Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameen, Arrahmani arraheem, Maliki yawmi addeen, Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka nastaAAeen, Ihdina assirata almustaqeem, Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala addalleen. 

(In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians). 

Saying of 'Amin aloud by the followers

Allah's Messenger said, "Say Amin when the Imam says Ghairil-maghdubi 'alaihim walad-dal-lin [not the path of those who earn Your Anger (such as Jews) nor of those who go astray (such as Christians)], all the past sins of the person whose saying (of Amin) coincides with that of the angels, will be forgiven.

Narrated: Abu Hurairah

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 782 

The Prophet said: "When the Imam says 'Amin' then (all of you) say 'Amin.' For whoever's 'Amin' concurs with the 'Amin' of the angels, then his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih)

Narrated: Abu Hurairah

Reference: Jami At-Tirmidhi 250, Sunan Abu Dawud 936, Sunan Ibn Majah 851

To recite only Surat Al-Fatiha in the last two Rak'a during a four Rak'a Salat (prayer)

My father said, "The Prophet used to recite Surat Al-Fatiha followed by another Surah in the first two Rak'a of the Salat (prayer) and used to recite only Surat Al-Fatiha in the last two Rak'a of the Zuhr prayer. Sometimes a Verse or so was audible and he used to prolong the first Rak'a more than the second and used to do the same in the 'Asr and Fajr prayers."

Narrated: Abdullah bin Abi Qatada

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 776

 Rukūʿ (رُكوع‎‎) - Bowing

To raise both hands on saying the first Takbir simultaneously with opening the Salãt (prayer) 

and

What To Say When Raising The Head From Bowing

My father said, "Allah's Messenger used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening As-Salat (the prayer); and on saying the Takbir for bowing. And on raising up his head from bowing he used to do the same and then say 'Sami' Allahu liman hamida, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.' And he did not do that (i.e., raising his hands) in prostrations."

Narrated: Salim bin 'Abdullah

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 735

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the Takbir, say the Takbir, and when he recites, be silent, and when he says: "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)," say: Rabbana lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise)." (Sahih)

Narrated: Abü Hurairah

Reference: Sunan An-Nasai 922, Sunan Ibn Majah 875

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The Imâm is a shield. If he is offering the prayer sitting, then pray sitting. When he says 'Sami'a Allâhu liman hamidah,' then say: 'Allâhumma Rabbanâ lakal-hamd,' for if the words of the people of earth coincide with the words of the inhabitants of heavens, his previous sins will be forgiven for him."

Narrated: Abü Hurairah

Reference: Sahih Muslim 934

The Messenger of Allah said: "The Imâm is appointed to be followed, so when he says the Takbir, then say the Takbir, when he bows, then bow; when he says: 'Sami'a Allâhu liman hamidah,' then say: 'Allâhumma Rabbanâ lakal-hamd.' If he is praying standing, then pray standing, and if he is praying sitting, then you should all pray sitting."

Narrated: Abü Hurairah

Reference: Sahih Muslim 935

It was narrated that  said: "When the Messenger of Allah raised his head from Ruku', he said: 'Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, Allahumma, Rabbana lakal-hamd, mil' as-samawati wa mil' al-ard wa mil' ma shi'ta min shay'in ba'd (Allah hears those who praise Him. O Allah! O our Lord, to You is the praise as much as fills the heavens, as much as fills the earth and as much as You will after that)."' (Sahih)

Narrated: Ibn Abu Awfa

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 878

Putting The Hands On The Knees

"I bowed (in prayer) beside my father, and I put my hands between my knees. He struck my hand and said: 'We used to do that, then we were commanded to put them on the knees.'" (Sahih)

Narrated: Mus'ab bin Sa'd

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 873

 To raise both hands while saying Takbir [on opening As-Salat (the prayer)], and while bowing and on raising up the head (after bowing)

I saw Malik bin Huwairith saying Takbir and raising both his hands [on starting As-Salat (the prayer)] and raising his hands on bowing and also on raising up his head after bowing. Malik bin Huwairith said, "Allah's Messenger did the same."

Narrated: Abu Qilaba

Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 737

Sujud (سُجود‎‎) or sajdah (سجدة‎‎) - Prostration

"I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones.'' (Sahih)

Narrated: Ibn Abbas 
Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 883

The Prophet was ordered (by Allah) to prostrate on seven body-parts and not to tuck up the clothes or hair [while offering Salat (prayers)]'(1). Those parts are: the forehead (along with the tip of nose), both hands, both knees, and (toes of) both feet. 

Narrated: Ibn Abbas 
Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 809,810

*(1) H.809. While offering Salat (prayers) one should not engage in arranging his clothes or removing his hair from his forehead. He should devote himself to the Salat with submissiveness.

The Messenger of Allah said: "I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: The forehead" - and he pointed to his nose - "the hands, the feet and the ends of the feet (toes), and not to tuck up my garment or hair."
Narrated: Ibn Abbas 
Reference: Sahih Muslim 1098

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'When you prostrate, place your palms (on the ground) and raise your elbows."
Narrated: Al-Barâ 
Reference: Sahih Muslim 1104

"The Messenger of Allah said 'Be moderate in prostration; none of you should spread his forearms (along the ground) like a dog."

Narrated: Anas
Reference: Sahih Muslim 1102