8. Sitting between the prostrations
·Now you will sit up from the first prostration. Sit all the way back till you sit in a comfortable position. While rising up to sit, say:
Allahu akbar
‘Allah is the Greatest.’
·Repeat, while sitting between the two prostrations:
Rab-bigh-fir lee
‘O my Lord! Forgive me.’
9. Second prostration
·Then go again to the position of prostration. While going down to prostrate, say:
Allahu akbar
‘Allah is the Greatest.’
·Perform this prostration like the first. Repeat in a low voice three times:
Subhana rabbi-yal-a'laa
‘How Perfect is my Lord, the Most High.’
·Steps 4-9 are called one unit or rakah in Arabic.
10. Next unit of prayer (rakah)
·Stand up straight again for the next unit of prayer. While standing up say:
Allahu akbar
‘Allah is the Greatest.’
·Repeat steps 4 to 9 again.
11. Recitation in the sitting position (Tashahud)
·Then come to the sitting position. While sitting up say:
Allahu akbar
‘Allah is the Greatest.’
·When sitting, say At-tahiy-yat…:
At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-tayibatu
All compliments, prayers and good words are due to Allah
As-salamu 'alika ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
O Prophet, and also the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadil-la-his-saliheen
Peace be on us and on the righteous slaves of Allah
Ash-hadu al-la ilaha il-lal-laah
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
wa ash-hadu an-na Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger
12. Recitation in the sitting position (in the final sitting)
·While sitting, continue to recite Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammad:
Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammad
‘O Allah! send prayers on Muhammad
wa 'ala aali Muhammad
and on the family of Muhammad
Kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheem
as you sent prayers on Abraham
wa 'ala aali Ibraheem
and on the family of Abraham
innaka hameedum-majeed
You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory
Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammad
O Allah! send blessings on Muhammad
wa 'ala aali Muhammad
and on the family of Muhammad
Kama barakta 'ala Ibraheem
as you sent blessings on Abraham
wa 'ala aali Ibraheem
and on the family of Abraham;
innaka hameedum-majeed
You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.’
13. Conclusion of prayer (salah)
·Then conclude the prayer by turning your head to the right then left, each time saying,
As-salamu 'alikum wa rahmatullah
‘Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you.’
Description of a 3 unit prayer (Magrib prayer)
In a 3 unit prayer, do steps 1 to 11, and then stand up again while saying Allahu akbar and repeat Steps 4 to 9 and then steps 11 to 13.
Description of a 4 unit prayer (like the Dhuhr, Asr and Isha prayer)
In a 4 unit prayer, do steps 1 to 11, and then stand up again while saying Allahu akbar and repeat Steps 4 to 13.
Words to Memorize
All the words you need to memorize for the prayers have been collected here for your ease. Please take some time out and memorize them. You can also make flash cards and use them to help you say the right words while praying.
(1) Every time you change posture in prayer:
Allahu akbar (except when getting up from bowing)
‘Allah is the Greatest.’
(2) Seeking Refuge from Satan:
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
I seek refuge with Allah from the Evil One.’
(3) Surah al-Fatihah:
Begin with:
Bisimlla-hir-rahma-nir-raheem
‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.’
And then recite the 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…’
After reciting the Surah say:
Aameen
O Allah, please accept.
(4) In the bowing position:
Subhana rabbi-yal-'azeem
‘How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme!’
(5) While you are standing up from the bowing posture:
Sami' Allahu liman hamidah
‘Allah listens to the one who praises Him.’
(6) After you have stood up:
Rab-bana wa lakal hamd
‘Our Lord, and to You be all Praise.’
(7) In the prostrations:
Subhana rabbi-yal-a'laa
‘How Perfect is my Lord, the Most High.’
(8) In between the prostrations:
Rab-bigh-fir lee
‘O my Lord! Forgive me’
(9) When you are sitting in the second, third and fourth unit (rakah), say At-tahiy-yat…:
At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-tayibatu
All compliments, prayers and good words are due to Allah
As-Salamu 'alika ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
O Prophet, and also the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
As salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadil-la-his-saliheen
Peace be on us and on the righteous slaves of Allah
Ash-hadu al-la ilaha il-lal-laah
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
wa ash-hadu an-na Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger
(10) Additional words said in the last unit (rakah) of prayer, Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammad:
Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammad
‘O Allah! send prayers on Muhammad
wa 'ala aali Muhammad
and on the family of Muhammad
Kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheem
as you sent prayers on Abraham
wa 'ala aali Ibraheem
and on the family of Abraham
innaka hameedum-majeed
You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory
Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammad
O Allah! send blessings on Muhammad
wa 'ala aali Muhammad
and on the family of Muhammad
Kama barakta 'ala Ibraheem
as you sent blessings on Abraham
wa 'ala aali Ibraheem
and on the family of Abraham;
innaka hameedum-majeed
You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.’
(11) To conclude salah:
As-salamu 'alikum wa rahmatullah
‘Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you.’
