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Every position in salah has specific words attached to it. This step gives you the essential phrases — Arabic text, transliteration, and meaning — for each part of the prayer.
The single most important thing to memorize for salah is Surah Al-Fatiha — the opening chapter of the Quran. It is recited in every rak'ah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) taught that salah is not valid without it.
Everything else in this step can be learned gradually over weeks and months. Al-Fatiha comes first.
Quran 1:1–7
Quran 73:4
Each transition in salah is marked by “Allahu Akbar.” Each position has its own dhikr. Here is a complete reference:
Opening Takbir — entering prayer
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
ALLAH is the Greatest
Said at the start of prayer and at every transition between positions.
Qiyam — standing (opening)
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim. Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim.
I seek refuge in ALLAH from the accursed Shaytan. In the name of ALLAH, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Said silently before Al-Fatiha in the first rak'ah.
Qiyam — Surah Al-Fatiha (recited every rak'ah)
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin. Ar-rahmanir-rahim. Maliki yawmid-din. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim. Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin.
All praise is for ALLAH, Lord of all the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have incurred anger nor of those who are astray.
The opening chapter of the Quran. It is recited in every rak'ah. Its recitation is one of the conditions for the validity of salah.
Ruku — bowing
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adheem
Glory to my Lord the Magnificent
Said three times (or more) while bowing.
Rising from Ruku — i'tidal
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.
ALLAH hears those who praise Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
The first phrase is said while rising; the second is said once standing fully upright.
Sujud — prostration
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la
Glory to my Lord the Most High
Said three times (or more) in prostration. You may also make personal du'a in sujud.
Sitting between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me
Said once while sitting briefly between the two prostrations.
The Tashahhud is recited while sitting in the final rak'ah before the closing salam. It is a declaration of faith and a greeting of peace upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) and all righteous believers:
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat
All greetings, all prayers, and all good words are for ALLAH.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of ALLAH and His blessings.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ
As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of ALLAH.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh
I bear witness that there is no god but ALLAH, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
After the Tashahhud, send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) (salawat), then make any personal du'a before closing with the salam.
Learning the Arabic of salah is a process — not something that happens before your first prayer. ALLAH knows your heart and your stage. Begin with Al-Fatiha and the takbir. Add the ruku and sujud phrases. Memorize the Tashahhud over time.
Quran 20:114
Practical sequence: Memorize Al-Fatiha first. Then the phrases of ruku and sujud. Then the Tashahhud. As a beginner, reading transliteration while praying is acceptable during the learning stage — the goal is to learn the Arabic as soon as reasonably possible.
Next Step
You have the sequence and the words. The next step is to pray — not perfectly, but now. Start before you feel ready.
Continue to Step 07 — Your First Prayer PracticeNote: Different madhabs (schools of Islamic law) have minor differences in the wording of some phrases and their placement. This page presents the most widely accepted version. Consult a local scholar or imam if you have questions about specific variations.