As-Salah: In the Arabic language it means du’aa’ (Invocation).

As-Salah: Islamically it means to worship Allaah through certain known and prescribed sayings and actions starting with Takbeer (saying Allaahu Akbar Allaah is the Greater), and ending with Tasleem (saying: as-salaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatul-lahi wabarakaatuh may Allaah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you). [reference: www.understanding-islam.net]

What Is To Be Done Before Performing Salah

1. Ritual Purity (Wudhu’ or Ghusl depending on the state of impurity; see File on Wudhu on the site www.understand-islam.net)
2. Clean place.
3. Men to perform Obligatory Salah at the Mosque (except for a legal excuse; illness, etc.); rest of prayers at home.
4. Women to perform Salah in the innermost places at home (they are allowed to pray at the Mosques, but not mandatory).
5. Wearing loose clothes that does not shape the private parts for men (and extend down until above the ankle), while women cover their entire bodies except face and hands.
6. Standing close to a Sutrah in front of the Musalee (person in prayer) [Sutrah: an object like a pillar, sticking or laying down on the ground, set so that no human or animal can walk in front of the person performing Salah].

General Guidelines:

1. Learn direction of Qiblah & times of prayer in your location (contact closest Sunni Mosque)
2. Learn the movements and shorter sentences. Practice what is to be said in prayers.
3. Work to learn the Recitation of the Opening Chapter in the Qur’an (the Faatiha).

Click here for a description on the performance of Salah from beginning to the end with illustration and audio. This is an excellent site recommended for everyone to learn and perfect aspects of their prayers.