How to Pray

Next recitation is called Ta'awwuz
(Also recited only in the first Rakaʿah)

Transliteration: A'uzu bil-lahi minash Shayta-nir-rajeem
I seek Allah's protection from Satan who is accursed.

After this, recite the Tasmiah (Should be recited in every Rakaʿah before starting a Surah)

Bismillah hir-Rahma nir-Raheem
In the name of Allah, the most Kind and the most Merciful.

Surah Fatiha (Recited in every Rakaʿah, very important to memorize)

Alhamdul lil-lahi rab-bil 'alameen, Ar rahma nir-raheem, Maliki yawmid-deen, Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een, Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem, Siratal Lazeena an'amta 'alayhim, Ghai-ril maghdubi 'alayhim, Walad dal-leen. Ameen
Praise is only for Allah, Lord of the Universe. The most Kind, the most Merciful. The master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship and to you alone we pray for help. Show us the straight way, The way of those whom you have blessed. Who have not deserved your anger, Nor gone astray.

After Surah Fatiha - recite any Surah from the Quran.

Please note that the surah recited in the first Rakaʿah should be longer than the one recited in the second Rakaʿah.

We have used Surah Ikhlas as an example

Qul huwal lahu ahad. Allah hus-Samad. Lam yalid walam yulad. Walam yakun-lahu Kufuwan ahad.
Say: He is Allah, the only one. Allah helps and does not need help. He does not produce a child, and He was not born of anyone. There is no one equal to Him.

Supplication in Ruku (Bowing)

Recite Alla-hu Akbar before going to Ruku.
While in Ruku, recite the following supplication 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or more times.
Make it an odd number.
Sub-hana Rabbi-al 'atheem.
Glory to my Lord the Exalted.

Jalsah (Sitting between two Sajdah)

To rise and sit from the first Sajdah, recite Alla-hu Akbar. Sit for a short while and recite the following:

Allah hum maghfirlee war-ham nee
Oh Allah, forgive me, and have mercy on me

Before starting second Rakaʿah, say Alla-hu Akbar while standing up.

Now, you have completed 'one Rakaʿah'. Then recite Tasmiah and Surah Fatiha. After Fatiha, recite tasmiah and another surah and proceed to Ruku by saying Alla-hu Akbar. Carry on the acts till the second Sajdah. After second Sajdah, say Alla-hu Akbar, but sit down for reciting Tashahud, Darud and some supplications before finishing the prayer with salam.

Tashahud

At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was sala-watu wat-tay yibatu, As-salamu 'alayka ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahma tullahi wa bara-katuhu. As-salamu 'alayna wa'ala 'ibadil-la his-sali-heen.

Ash hadu al-la ilaha il-lal lahu wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan 'ab-duhu wa rasuluh.

All compliments, all physical prayer, and all monitary worship are for Allah. Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blesings. Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of Allah.

I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you are offering 3 Rakaʿah of salah (as in Maghrib), then after Tashahud in second Rakaʿah, you say Alla-hu Akbar and stand up. Then you recite Tasmiah, Fatiha and other supplications. Note that a surah after Fatiha is only recited in the first two Rakaʿahs. Carry on till second Sajdah in the normal manner and sit for second Tashahud in the third Rakaʿah. After that, you are to recite the following three supplications and finish the prayer.

If you are offering 4 Rakaʿah of salah, then don't sit for Tashahud in the third Rakaʿah. Simply stand up after second Sajdah in the third Rakaʿah by saying Alla-hu Akbar. Carry on till second sajdah and sit for Tashahud in the fourth Rakaʿah. Recite the following three supplications to finish the prayer.

Salat Alan-Nabi (Darud) - Salutation to the Prophet

Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheema Wa'ala ali Ibraheema innaka Hameedum Majeed
Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama barakta 'ala Ibraheema Wa 'ala ali Ibraheema innaka Hameedum Majeed.
Oh Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and On the family and true followers of Muhammad just as you sent Grace and Honour on Ibrahim as you sent blessings on Ibrahim and his true followers Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.

After Salat Alan-Nabi, recite the following:

Rab bij'alnee muqeemas salati wa min zur-riy yatee rab-bana wata qab-bal du'a, rab-ba nagh-firlee wali waliday-ya wa lil mu-mineena yawma yaqumul hisab.
Oh Lord, make me and my children keep up prayers, Our Lord, accept our prayer, Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and all the Believers on the Day of Judgement.

Finishing the prayer

Now, it's time to finish the prayer by saying Salam. Look towards your right shoulder and say it once then look towards your left shoulder and say it once again. Then you are finished!

As-salamu 'alaykum wa rah-matul lah
Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah.

Say after prayer

Alhumdulillah (x3), then Astaghfirallaah (x3).
I seek foregiveness from Allah, I seek foregiveness fron Allah, I seek forgiveness from Allah.

Duah after prayer

Allaahumma antas-salaamu wa minkas-salaamu; Tabaarakta yaa dhal-jalaali wal-ikraam
Oh Allah, you are free from perfections and from you comes peace; blessed are you, the possesor of Majesty and Generosity.