What we say when we pray

format_quote Originally Posted by Amanda

There was no inconvenience at all! I'm glad I asked and was able to learn about the different ways people have been taught to pray (as I had been under the false assumption that all of it would be exactly the same for everyone... I hadn't known that we can include do'a that might be different than someone else), as well as to learn that my way was not wrong. I greatly appreciate that you looked into it for me as well, and were willing to help me out. Thank you for that, brother.

the most important thing is to follow the prophet's way of salah

format_quote Originally Posted by Amanda

Assalamu alaikum,

I have a question about what to say when praying. After I reverted, my husband (who is Indonesian) bought a book so that I could learn how to pray and what it meant. I've also been checking online, and watching videos and reading stuff about the daily prayers, and I'm a bit confused. In my book, after the niyyat comes a part that goes like this:

Kabirau wal hadulillahi katsirau wasubhanallahi bukrataw waasila inni wajjahtu wajjhiya liladzi-fatharas samawati wal ardlo hanifan musliman wama ana minal musyrikin. Inna sholati wanusuki wamahyaya wamamati lillahi robbil’alamin. Lasyarika lahu wabi dzalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimin.

But, I've never seen it in any of the videos or online resources (except a couple of Indonesian websites, but I can't read them!)... Can someone explain which way is proper?

How to Perform Salaat,
the Islamic Ritual Prayer
Before Salaat

1. Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean.
2. Perform wudu (ritual ablution) if needed.
3. Women are required to cover their hair.
4. Face the Qibla, the direction of Mecca.
5. Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
6. Recite Iqama (private call to prayer):
6a. Here are some sample audiofiles of the Athan (call to prayer) Quicktime, they are very similar to Iqama: Real Audio MP3

Allaahu Akbar (4x)
Ashhadu Allah ilaaha illa-Lah (2x)
Ash Hadu anna Muhamadar rasuulullah (2x)
Hayya' alas Salaah (2x)
Hayya' ala Falaah (2x)
[Fajr only] A-Salaatu Khayrun Mina-Naum (2x)
Qad qaamitis Salaah (2x) [Iqama only - not recited in Athan]
Allaahu Akbar (2x)
Laa ilaaha illa-Lah God is great. (x4)
I bear witness that there none worthy of worship except God. (x2)
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. (x2)
Come to prayer. (x2)
Come to felicity. (x2)
[Fajr only] Prayer is better than sleep. (x2)
[Iqama only] Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now ready. (x2)
God is great. (x2)
There is none worthy of worship except God.

7. Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):
I intend to offer _____ rakats of the ____ prayer, and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.
(For example: "I intend to offer the 4 rakats of the Isha prayer and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.")

Begin Salaat

1. Niyyat: Stand with respect and attention; put the world behind you.
Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes and say (The entire prayer must be recited in Arabic, but for your information we give the English translation next to the Arabic transliteration) :

Allahu Akbar God is great.

2. Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women at chest level;
look at the ground in front of you and recite Opening Supplication

3. Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur'an. MP3 RealAudio

Al-Fatiha

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (1)

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4) Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (5) Show us the straight path, (6) The path of those whom Thou hast favoured. Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (7)

For the first two rakats at any time of prayer, recite an additional short selection from the Qur'an after al Fatiha.

4. Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, palms on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet.

(While bending Allahu Akbar
(While bent Subhanna rabbiyal 'Azeem (3x)
God is great.
Holy is my Lord, the Magnificent.

5. Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides.

While rising Sami' allaahu liman hamidah

(Response from congregation Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd

(Standing straight, pause Allahu Akbar
Allah listens to him who praises Him.

Our Lord, to You is due all praise.


God is great.

6. Sudjood: Prostrate—hands on knees, lower slowly to kneeling position;
touch forehead, nose and palms to ground (but not elbows);
bend toes so tops of feet face the Qibla.

Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3x)

(Pause Allahu Akbar
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.

God is great.

7. Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. Men turn up heel of right foot,
right toes bent; women keep both feet, soles up, under body.

(Pause Allahu Akbar God is great.

8. Sudjood: Prostrate again.

Subhaana rabbiyal 'Alaa (3x)

(Pause Allahu Akbar
Glory to my Lord, the Most High.

God is great.

9. Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position;

pause pause

10. To proceed to the second and fourth rakats:
(While rising Allahu Akbar God is great. Return to standing position recite al-Fateha

Then recite the Fatiha, (if this is the second rakat of any time of prayer, recite another short portion of the Qur'an); continue the second or fourth rakat with Ruku....

11. To complete every second rakat and the last rakat:
Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:1

At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu
As Salaamu 'alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatul laahi wa barakaatuh
As Salaamu 'alainaa wa 'alaa 'ebaadillaahis saaliheen,
(Hands on knees, raise right forefinger Ash hadu allaa ilaah ilallaah
Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa rasuuluh
All greetings, blessings and good acts are from You, my Lord.
Greetings to you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Peace be unto us, and unto the righteous servants of Allah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

To proceed to the third rakat:
(While rising Allahu Akbar God is great. Return to standing position recite al-Fatiha

Recite the Fatiha and continue third rakat with Ruk'u....
At the end of any time of prayer (when all rakats have been completed):
Remain seated, recite At-Tashahhud, and then recite the Salawat:


Allaahumma salli 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin
Kamaa sallaita 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema
Innaka hameedun Majeed
Alaahumma baarik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'alaa ali Muhammadin
Kamaa baarakta 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa ali Ibraaheema
Innaka hameedun Majeed O Allah, bless our Muhammad and the people of Muhammad;
As you have blessed Abraham and the people of Abraham.
Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
O Allah, be gracious unto Muhammad and the people of Muhammad;
As you were gracious unto Abraham and the people of Abraham.
Surely you are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious

To Complete the Prayer: Look over right shoulder (toward the angel recording your good deeds), then the left (toward the angel recording your wrongful deeds); say each time:
As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatulaah Peace and blessings of God be upon you.

Say personal prayers with hands cupped and palms up at chest level.
Wipe face with palms.
If praying in a group, stand and greet each other individually,
saying: "May God receive our prayers."

1At-Tashahhud is a recreation of the conversation held between Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) during the night of the Heavenly Ascent (Miraj)

I Hope Inshallah.. That Is Of Great Benefit inshallah..