Hadith 1054

Narrated by Rifa'ah ibn Rafi', may Allah be pleased with him: A man came and prayed in the mosque, then greeted the Prophet, peace be upon him. The Prophet said, "Repeat your prayer, for you have not prayed." The man said, "Teach me, O Messenger of Allah, how to pray." The Prophet said, "When you face the Qiblah, say Takbir, then recite Umm al-Quran (Surah Al-Fatihah) and whatever Allah wills you to recite. When you bow, place your palms on your knees and make your bowing firm, straighten your back. When you rise, straighten your spine and raise your head until your bones return to their joints. When you prostrate, make your prostration firm. When you rise, sit on your left thigh. Do this in every Rak'ah and prostration until you are at ease." This is the wording in Al-Masabih. Abu Dawud reported it with slight variation, and Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nasa’i reported its meaning.