al-Fātiḥah in its proper order, deliberately and consecutively (1). If he interrupts it with an unprescribed remembrance or silence for a lengthy interval, or if he omits a doubled consonant or even a single letter, then—unless he is following an imam—he must repeat it.

He then says, “Āmīn,” aloud in prayers that are recited aloud, after which he recites another surah: at the Dawn Prayer from the long section of the mufaṣṣal, at the Sunset Prayer from its short section, and in the remaining prayers from its middle section (2).

The prayer is invalid if the recitation departs from the ʿUthmānic codex.

Next he bows, saying “Allāhu akbar,” raising his hands, placing them on his knees with the fingers spread, keeping his back and head level, and says:

“Subḥāna rabbiy al-ʿaẓīm” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Majestic”), the minimum complete form being three times.

He then raises his head and his hands (3). The imam and anyone praying alone say:

“Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah” (“Allah hears the one who praises Him”),

and once upright they add:

“Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd, mil’a al-samāʾ (4) wa mil’a al-arḍ, wa mil’a mā shiʾta min shayʾin baʿd” (“Our Lord, to You belongs all praise—filling the heavens, filling the earth, and filling whatever else You will besides”).

A follower, on rising, says only: “Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd.”

Then he goes down into prostration, pronouncing the takbīr, placing his knees first, then his hands, then his forehead and nose; he rests on the tips of his toes, keeps his upper arms away from his sides, his belly clear of his thighs, and his thighs clear of his calves, spreads his knees, and it is disliked to prevent the forehead from making direct contact with the ground.