Putting it together — one full rakah

You have learned the pieces. Here is the whole rakah in order. A rakah is one full cycle. Different prayers are made of different numbers of rakahs (2, 3, or 4). The cycle itself is the same each time.

One rakah, from start to finish

• Stand facing qibla. Make niyyah in your heart.
• Raise hands. Say Allahu akbar. Bring hands to the chest (right over left).
• (Optional) Say the opening dua (subhanaka Allahumma...).
• Say aoodhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem. Then bismillah ir-rahman ir-raheem.
• Recite Surah al-Fatihah.
• Recite a short surah after Fatihah (al-Ikhlas is a good starting choice).
• Say Allahu akbar. Go into ruku.
• In ruku, say subhana rabbiyal adheem three times.
• Stand up saying sami'a Allahu liman hamidah. When upright, say rabbana wa lakal hamd.
• Say Allahu akbar. Go down into the first sujood.
• In sujood, say subhana rabbiyal a'la three times. Add personal dua if you want.
• Sit up saying Allahu akbar. In the sit, say rabbi ighfir li once or three times.
• Say Allahu akbar. Go into the second sujood. Same as the first.
• Stand up for the next rakah — or if this is the last, go into the final sitting for tashahhud.

That is one rakah. Every word of Arabic above is something you either already know or will know within a week of practising.

Do not try to do this perfectly on day one

Every Muslim started clumsy. Your first few prayers will feel like you are reading from a sheet, because you will be. Print this list out if you need to. Prop it in front of you. There is no shame in that. The Prophet ﷺ himself taught by demonstration, pausing, going back, repeating.

Within a week of daily practice the sequence becomes automatic. Within a month you will not need the sheet at all.

Recommended visual reference

• YouTube: search 'how to pray salah step by step' and find a video from Yaqeen Institute or Bayyinah.
• The book Prayer in Islam by Nuh Ha Mim Keller is short, accurate, and written for English readers.
• A nearby mosque will happily walk you through it in person. Most imams are used to reverts and would consider it an honour.