Explanation

There are 14 pillars of prayer which are as follows:

(1) Standing during obligatory prayers

(2) The opening takbeer (saying “Allahu akbar”)

(3) Reciting al-Faatihah

(4) Rukoo’ (bowing),

(5) Rising from bowing

(6) Standing up straight

(7) Sujood (prostration)

(8) Rising from prostration

(9) Sitting between the two prostrations

(10) Being at ease in each of these physical pillars

(11) The final tashahhud

(12) Sitting to recite the final tashahhud and the two salaams

(13) The two salaams. This means saying twice, “al-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allah"

(14) Follow the pillars in the stated order

[Deliberately prostrating before bowing invalidates the prayer; if done by mistake, one must bow and then prostrate.]