2.   The Opening Takbir (pronouncing of Allahu Akbar)

·Raise both hands up to the earlobes or shoulders and say:

Allahu akbar


‘Allah is the Greatest.’

Figure 1

·Place your right hand and arm on top of your left and place them both on your chest.

·Do not look around. Keep your eyes focused on the spot where you will prostrate.

Figure 2

3.   Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan

·Say:

A'udhu billahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem


‘I seek refuge with Allah from the Evil One.’

4.  Reciting Surah al-Fatihah,

 Begin with saying:

Bismilla-hir-rahma-nir-raheem


‘I begin with the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.’

·Then recite Surah al-Fatihah.

Alhamdu lil-lahi rab-bil 'alameen


‘Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Ar-rahma-nir-raheem


The Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.

Maliki yawmid-deen


Master of the Day of Judgment.

Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een


You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.

Ihdinas-siratal mostaqeem


Show us the straight path.

Siratal-lazeena an'amta 'alayhim


The path of those whom You have favored;

ghayril maghdubi 'alayhim


Not the (path) of those who earn Your anger

wa-lad-daa-leen


nor of those who go astray.’

·Finally, say:

Aameen


O Allah, please accept.

5.   Bowing

·Raise your hands up to the earlobes or shoulders (as you did in 2. The Opening Takbeer) and say:

Allahu akbar


‘Allah is the Greatest.’

·With your back straight, bend in the bowing posture as shown in the picture, and repeat in a low voice three times:

Subhana rabbi-yal-'azeem


‘How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme!’

Figure 3

6.   Standing up from the bowing posture

·As in the picture, stand up straight from the bowing posture till your back comes to its normal upright position.

·While rising up from the bowing posture, raise your hands up to the earlobes or shoulders again and say:

Sami' allahu liman hamidah


‘Allah listens to the one who praises Him.’

·Then, say:

Rab-bana wa lakal hamd


Our Lord, and to You be all Praise.’

Figure 4

7.   First prostration

·Then go down on the ground to prostrate. While going down, say:

Allahu akbar


‘Allah is the Greatest.’

·Your forehead, nose, both hands, knees, and feet should be touching the ground while in prostration. If doing it for the first time, it may be slightly uncomfortable, depending on how flexible your body is!  You will get used to it pretty soon. Remember the person is closest to Allah in prostration.

·Repeat in a low voice three times:

Subhana rabbi-yal-a'laa


‘How Perfect is my Lord, the Most   High.’