We should take as much as time possible to realize the details of prayer. Do not look at shortcuts, because prayer towards our Lord and creator is the foundation of each and every soul's requirements fulfilled. As Allah mentions in the Qur'an that he gave us many examples to explain us, in order for us to understand, so what is learned from this is we have to teach ourselves the greatness of Allah, controls, and powers and any other example possible. We have to realize that everything we use, from our body to our daily requirements are only fulfilled by Allah. So it is only the five daily prayers performed accurately in the best possible manner, while thinking about improvements, each prayer should improve better than the previous one. 

Please note that prayers (salah) is the most highest obligatory action. Which certifies us to be Muslim, if we pray five times. So by praying we enter Islam, but once we enter Islam what label do we want to have, its up to us. Because the way we have labels from the first grade to the twelfth grade, because of efforts and research we come to higher levels in schools and universities. One should also think about Islam in the same manner, when we are reading prayers, we should learn more and more regarding details of the prayer. The same thing goes with reading the Qur'an, one who just reads the Qur'an in Arabic, and glances the meanings. And there is one who sits back and concentrates one what is being said in the verse, and thinking why, and how it can be applied during our lifetimes. The same thing goes for the hadeeth, the one who just listens to hadeeths in the Friday prayers, or just listens to hadeeth once in a while. But we should sit and focus the lifestyle of the Prophet, whoever tried to implement it in his life, there are differences as we can think deeply. There is a difference between someone who just wishes, and one who makes efforts to get it. And once we get it, then we can enjoy the real benefits of the things we use to just wish. For example there is a difference between one who wishes to get a Mercedes Benz, and one who actually works hard, and earns it. Without efforts one cannot even take a bite of a meal. 

We should research regarding the improvements in our prayer to understand the laws of Allah in the Qur'an, and pray according to the traditions of the Prophet, the way we always think about improvements in our lifestyles. 

Before starting prayers, there are necessary requirements to follow such as performing ablution (wudhu). Click here for further details.

Before starting to perform prayers, first the intention for prayer is required. And the correct time to perform the prayer, such as to perform the fajr (early morning) prayer at the exact time. 

During prayer one must look at the place of prostration (sajdah), and the full concentration must be towards the prayer, and the hands must not move without any important reason.

While focusing on your prayer from beginning to end, raise your hands to the level of your shoulders and say the following:

Allaah is the Greatest

After saying Allah huakbar, meaning Allah is the greatest. Then stand firm, with feet not moving, and if your praying in a congregation (ja'maah), your feet must be tidy and in a straight line with you and the next person. And to listen to what the imam (leader) reads, while he recites verses from the Qur'an, while focusing on the meanings, and if one does not understand then should be focusing towards Allah with fear of Him, and to realize his greatness and to be hungry for his mercy.

After saying Allah huakbar, meaning Allah is the greatest, then place your both hands on your chest. Your right hand must grasp the shoulders of your left hand, with full concentration of standing in front of the king of the kings, Allah. 

Then start by reciting the following:

After reciting what is said above, recite the opening of the book, suratul faitah, starting with:

I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan

After seeking refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan, read the first chapter in the Qur'an, the opening of the book (suratul fatiah) starting in the name of Allah by reciting:

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (1:1)

All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord ^[] of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists). (1:2)

The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (1:3)

The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) (1:4)

You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). (1:5)

Guide us to the Straight Way (1:6)

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). (1:7)

Please accept

The Prophet said: "Not of those who receive (Your) anger, nor of those who go astray", then say "aameen" [for the angels say "aameen" and the imaam says aameen"] (in another narration: when the imaam says "aameen" say "aameen"), so he whose aameen coincides with the aameen of the angels (in another narration: when one of you says "aameen" in prayer and the angels in the sky say "aameen", and they coincide), his past sins are forgiven. In another hadeeth: ... then say aameen; Allaah will answer you.

The Qur'an is a command and law from Allah, so to realize the Qur'an during prayers is very important because we are not suppose to be thinking about anythin else such as matter related to the world. And as one can see the meanings of the opening of the book (suratul fatiah), which explains the entire Qur'an in seven verses. How? 

• Every chapter, except for the ninth (surah tauba), starts with the name of Allah the most gracious and the most merciful.

• Verse number two of the chapter one (surah fatiah): The greatness of Allah, our provider, and sustainer, to realize our creator and sustainer is mentioned also in many places within the Holy Qur'an.

• The third verse explains that Allah is the most merciful and the most beneficent, regardless how his creations disobeys and misbehaves towards him during there lifetimes, we see in many places within the Qur'an how Allah is the most merciful towards his creations.

• The fourth verse reminds us that every soul has to answer there deeds to the owner of the day of Judgment, regarding the day of judgment, we can find many references within the Qur'an, on how Allah is the owner of the day of judgment, how he will take account of our deeds.  

• Fifth verse teaches us that we worship Allah alone, and we seek help alone and only from him. Many places within the Qur'an make reference to seeking help and worshipping Allah alone, to seek help alone from Allah is found in many parts of chapters within the Qur'an.

• The sixth verse makes reference to our creator to show us the straight path, which is the most beneficial to us. The benefits one attains from following the straight path is mentioned in many parts found in the Qur'an.

• The first part of the seventh verse is our request to our creator to keep us with those on whom he bestowed his grace upon. To move around with those on whom he has bestowed his grace upon, meaning they follow his laws, and this reference is found in the Qur'an also. 

The second part of the seventh verse is making reference to keep us away from those who earned Allah's anger, and those who have gone astray. Many places within the Qur'an makes reference to stay away from those who earned the anger of Allah, and forever they will stay in hell.

To understand the details of the first chapter (surah fatiah) is essential for those who are keen to learn the Qur'an and its laws. Because to understand the first chapter (surah fatiah) enables us to understand the verses within the Qur'an in a more powerful manner. 

After realizing the greatness and the powers of Allah, and his controls over us, now we can realize whoever understands the opening of the book (surah fatiah) then he or she enables themselves with the power to understand the entire Qur'an, each and every single verse.

After saying "ameen" "please accept" then, if one is in a congreation behind the imam, then listen to the recitation of the imam, and do not recite the surah with your lips, and concentrate what the imam is reciting. And if you cannot understand the meanings of the chapter (surah), then conentrate about the greatness of Allah, or lets say you are praying yourself, then recite the chapter (surah) at a level that you can hear yourself only, so if another person is performing prayers without congreation then he or she is not disturbed.

The minimal length of the chapter (surah) is three verses (ayah), or a single verse equal to the length of a chapter with three verses, take this chapter for example:

Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) Al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise);

Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).

For he who makes you angry (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)), - he will be cut off (from every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter).

If one is performing prayers individually, then should read a chapter (surah) which he or she knows the best because, we are performing in front of our creator, Allah. And the angels on our right and left side are writing our movement,  performance, behavior, concentration, and the accuracy of our prayer. One can recite the Qur'an as much as one feels like while enjoying it in front of our creator..

After completing the reictation of a chapter (surah) from the Qur'an, pause and take a deep breath, and bow half way while reciting the following:

Allaah is the Greatest

While remembering the greatness of Allah, our provider, controller, sustainer, and the things mentioned above in your mind, which opens our wisdom regarding the greatness of Allah. 

While bowing half way, realize the perfection and supremeness of your Lord by reciting the following three times:

This means that we have accepted the laws of our Lord, and we realized who he is.  

After bowing half way, then stand up in a upright position and say:

(Allaah listens to the one who praises Him).

Then say:

(Our Lord, [and] to You be all Praise).

Then prostrate, making your nose and forehead leveled on the ground.

Then go in the position of prostrating, making your knees touch the ground first, while saying:

Allaah is the Greatest

While remembering the greatness of Allah, our provider, controller, sustainer, and the things mentioned above in your mind, which opens our wisdom regarding the greatness of Allah. 

The correct position of prostrating is your fingers and thumb must be joined together, while facing the qiblah (the direction of the ka'abah), meaning they should be straight. And your hands should be placed at the level of your ears, not to far and not to close. Your elbows must be raised from the ground, and should not be touching your knees and thighs, there should be room between your elbows and knees. Your feet should be firm, while the front of your toes are facing the direction of the qiblah. 

To understand more details, please read the hadeeth (Prophetic sayings) regarding prostration

During prostrations recite the following three times:

Then get up in a sitting position and it is advisable to recite the following:

O my Lord! Forgive me, forgive me.

Then go back in prostration doing exactly what is mentioned above, while reciting:

Allaah is the Greatest

The correct position of prostrating is your fingers and thumb must be joined together, while facing the qiblah (the direction of the ka'abah), meaning they should be straight. And your hands should be placed at the level of your ears, not to far and not to close. Your elbows must be raised from the ground, and should not be touching your knees and thighs, there should be room between your elbows and knees. Your feet should be firm, while the front of your toes are facing the direction of the qiblah. 

To understand more details, please read the hadeeth (Prophetic sayings) regarding prostration

During prostrations recite the following three times:

Then stand up again, saying: 

Allaah is the Greatest

And do what is mentioned above, while standing up. Except starting from reciting the first chapter in the Qur'an (surah fatiah). And after that recite a different Surah, then the one you recited before.

Then complete the same process as mentioned above from standing to prostrations. 

While you are in a sitting position recite the following:

We may learn from what we say five times a day while sitting in prayer, after prostration:

When we sit in prayer, it is a reminder for us on how our beloved Prophet represented himself towards Allah, the All-Mighty. Truly, because one may look at his lifestyle, what he has said in the event of Israa and Miraaj. When our noble Prophet entered in to the Majesty of Allah, what he presented to Allah was, that all sayings, wealth, and the movement of our bodies truly belongs to Allah.

What we understand from this event was that this is another proof of the unlimited truthfulness of our Holy, Noble, and Blessed Prophet, that when the Prophet first approached Allah, he presented to Allah "", instead of saying the common Muslim greeting, Assalamuwalalkum. Due to the unlimited facts, that The Supreme, The Creator, The Master, Allah, is the one who grants us life, and blessings. Obviously their is none who can bless him, but it is from his Unlimited Mercy and Blessings, that not only us, however the whole universe and creations benefit from.

One who claims to be a believer, may realize how are we suppose to be devoted to the Lord of this Universe. And in response, we may see how the Most-Merciful, Allah, replies.

When an individual realizes the truth, Allah, the Most-Merciful and Gracious, responses back.

"Peace be on you, O Prophet, and also the mercy of Allaah and His blessings."

We may see, that if we have the same true behavior towards our Lord, Allah, as the Noble Prophet, May Allah's blessings be upon him, had. Due to the fact, that nothing really belongs to us, we only are users of the facilities provided to us by the Provider, Allah. Without us investing any efforts we benefit, such as breath, thinking, seeing, hearing, feeling, taste, our heartbeat, which we live upon, and the movements of our body. These elements are the most essential for us, and without these blessings, no one will be able to enjoy his life.

We may see how the nation of the Prophet is covered, from this reference we read the next sentence of:

"Peace be on us, and on the righteous slaves of Allaah."

Muslims who pray five times a day they witness this each time they sit down performing sajdah (prostration). When we mention these wordings, as mentioned above, it is a realization for us. We verbally witness truth, that each and everything belongs only to Allah. Due to the fact, that we do not understand what we are saying, therefore our actions are not in conjunction with our words.

It is clear that what we do not have use for should be given in charity, in order to be a benefit for our needy Muslim brothers and sisters, or any other needy individual.

For example, with the blessing of Allah, we have many clothes and shoes sitting at home, which we have no use for. However in contrast, there are many who do not have even a pair of shoes to wear. Or we have extra groceries, and so on, which will be of benefit for others. May Allah grant us the realization of the fear of Allah, may he have mercy on us and guide us.

Peace and Allaah's Mercy be on you