The indivisible elements necessary for an act of worship to be valid are called Fard. There are 14 obligatory components in Salah.

1. Niyyah (Intention)

Niyyah means to intend. It is necessary to intend both that one is performing Salah and which specific Salah is being offered (its name). If it is a Fard Salah, it must be intended as such.

For example, if performing the Dhuhr prayer (midday Salah), it suffices to intend, “I am performing the Dhuhr Fard prayer” (Usalli fard al-zuhr). However, the complete form of intention is:

“Usalli fard al-zuhr arba’a raka’atin mutawajjihan ila al-qiblah ada’an lillahi ta’ala” (I intend to perform four raka’ats of Dhuhr facing the Qibla, fulfilling the obligation for the sake of Allah the Exalted).

Keeping the intention in the heart is obligatory; pronouncing it verbally is Sunnah.

2. Raka’at

Each unit of Salah from standing (Qiyam) to the second Sujud (prostration) is called a Raka’ah. In congregational prayer, if one joins the Ruku (bowing) with the Imam, the Raka’ah is considered valid even without reciting Surah Al-Fatihah individually.

The number of raka’ats per prayer:

• Dhuhr: 4
• Asr: 4
• Maghrib: 3
• Isha: 4
• Fajr: 2

3. Takbiratul Ihram (Opening Takbir)

Saying “Allahu Akbar” at the beginning is called Takbir. Ihram means making previously permissible acts impermissible (like talking or eating).

Takbir must immediately follow the intention.

While saying Takbir:

• Raise both hands to shoulder level.
• Fingers should be relaxed and slightly close together.
• Then place the right hand over the left hand below the chest and above the navel, holding the left wrist.

It is Sunnah to raise the hands again:

• While going into Ruku
• When rising from Ruku
• While rising from the first sitting

From Takbir until Sujud, one’s gaze should remain at the place of Sujud.

Opening Supplication:

“Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fatara al-samawati wal-arda hanifan musliman wama ana min al-mushrikeen. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil ’alameen. La sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimeen.”

(Meaning: I have turned my face sincerely towards the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I am not among the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all worlds. He has no partner. With this I have been commanded, and I am among the Muslims.)

4. Qiyam (Standing)

In Fard Salah, standing is obligatory for those who are physically able.

In Sunnah prayers, it is not obligatory. If standing is not possible, one should:

• Stand with assistance if possible.
• Otherwise, pray sitting.
• If unable to sit, pray lying down, facing the Qibla.
  

In case of extreme illness, even gesturing with the head or merely bringing the prayer into the heart suffices.

5. Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah

The Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Surah Al-Fatihah.”

It must be recited in every unit of every prayer, even if one is praying behind an Imam (unless time does not permit).

Surah Al-Fatihah consists of 7 verses, including “Bismillah” according to the Shafi’i school.

If a new Muslim does not yet know it, they should:

• Recite other Quranic verses,
• Or utter Dhikr,
• Or remain silent for the duration it would normally take.

After completing Surah Al-Fatihah, it is Sunnah to say “Ameen” meaning “O Allah, answer (this prayer).”

In the first two raka’ats, reciting an additional Surah is Sunnah.

Audible Recitation:

• First two raka’ats of Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr,
• Jumu’ah prayer,
• Eid prayers,
• Taraweeh prayer,
• Witr prayer during Ramadan.

6. Ruku (Bowing)

Ruku is bowing so that the hands reach the knees:

• The back and head should be level.
• Hands placed firmly on knees.
• Fingers spread slightly.
• Knees straight.
• Feet slightly apart.

Say three times:

“Subhana Rabbiyal Azim wa bihamdih”

(Glory and praise be to my mighty Lord.)

Those sitting should lean forward so the forehead is level with the knees.

7. I’tidal (Standing Upright after Ruku)

Returning to the standing position after Ruku is obligatory.

Supplication:

“Rabbana laka al-hamd mil’a al-samawati wa mil’a al-ardi wa mil’a ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d.”

(Our Lord, to You belongs all praise, filling the heavens, the earth, and whatever else You will.)

During the Fajr prayer, it is Sunnah to recite Qunoot during the final standing position.

8. Sujud (Prostration)

Two prostrations per Raka’ah are obligatory.

Seven body parts must touch the ground:

• Forehead,
• Both palms,
• Both knees,
• Toes of both feet.

The nose touching is Sunnah.

While in Sujud, say three times:

“Subhana Rabbiyal A’la wa bihamdih”

(Glory and praise be to my most high Lord.)

Men should:

• Keep their arms away from their sides and abdomen.
  

Women should:

• Keep their limbs close together.
  

9. Sitting between the Two Sujuds

It is obligatory to sit briefly between the two Sujuds.

Position:

• Sit on the left foot (placing it flat) and keep the right foot upright.
• Hands resting on the thighs, fingers pointing toward Qibla.

Supplication:

“Allahumma ighfir li warhamni wajburni warfa’ni warzuqni wahdini wa ’afini.”

(O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, correct my faults, elevate me, provide for me, guide me, and grant me wellbeing.)

10. Calmness (Tama’ninah)

Calmness must be observed:

• At every transition between movements.
• No action should be rushed.

Lack of calmness invalidates the prayer.

11. Recitation of Tashahhud (Attahiyyat)

In the final sitting (after all raka’ats), reciting Attahiyyat is obligatory:

“Attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu wattayyibatu. Assalamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu ’alayna wa ’ala ’ibadillahi assalihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah.”

12. Sending Salutations (Salawat) upon the Prophet ﷺ

After Tashahhud in the final sitting, reciting Salawat is obligatory:

“Allahumma salli ’ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ’ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad kama sallayta ’ala Ibrahim wa ’ala ali Ibrahim, wa barik ’ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ’ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad kama barakta ’ala Ibrahim wa ’ala ali Ibrahim, fil alameena innaka hamidun majid.”

13. Taslim (Salam)

The prayer ends by saying:

“Assalamu ’alaykum wa rahmatullah”

(Meaning: Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.)

• First to the right, then to the left.

Saying at least one Salam to the right is obligatory.

14. Maintaining the Proper Sequence

All these obligatory acts must be performed in sequence without altering the order.

Categories of Fard in Salah:

Fard can be divided into three:

• Internal (intention, niyyah),
• Verbal (Takbir, Surah Fatihah, Tashahhud, Salawat, Salam),Physical (the remaining actions).