What do I say in each position of the prayer?
Each position of the prayer has its own short words. You say "Allahu Akbar" at every movement, recite Al-Fatiha while standing, "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" while bowing, "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" in prostration, and you end with the Tashahhud and "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah".
By Benjamin · Last updated
Standing
After "Allahu Akbar", recite Al-Fatiha, then in the first two rakat a short surah.
Opening and every movement
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Bowing and rising
Bowing (ruku), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great
Rising from ruku
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 is all praise
Prostration and sitting
Prostration (sujud), three times
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A'la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
Sitting between the two prostrations
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfir li
My Lord, forgive me
The final sitting
Recite the Tashahhud, then the salawat. The short salawat below is enough to begin; later you can learn the full Durood Ibrahim.
The short salawat
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad
Ending the prayer
Ending the prayer, to the right and then the left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah
Prayer times today: London · Birmingham · Manchester · Bradford · All UK towns
Common questions
Can I say them in my own language?
The fixed words of the prayer are said in Arabic. While you learn them, say what you know and keep learning; every school has mercy for the beginner.
How many times do I say the words in ruku and sujud?
Three times is the common practice. Saying them once is enough while you are learning.
Practise it with audio
Revertly walks you through this with a recitation for every word, at your own pace. Can't afford the app? Ask for a free code.