What is said, and what it means

How to pray, lesson 7 of 8

These lessons are shared with the GABLVM app. Where a lesson mentions the app, this site has the same tools: Prayer Times, Qibla Finder, and the Quran Player.

These are the words in the order you meet them. Learn Al Fatiha first and the Tashahhud second. The rest come on their own within a few weeks of praying.

Allahu Akbar. God is greatest. Said at every change of position.

Audhu billahi minash shaytanir rajeem. I seek refuge in God from the cursed devil. Said once, before the first Al Fatiha of the prayer.

Al Fatiha, the opening. Seven lines.

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem. In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful.

Alhamdu lillahi rabbil alameen. All praise is for God, Lord of all the worlds.

Ar Rahman ir Raheem. The most gracious, the most merciful.

Maliki yawmid deen. Master of the day of judgment.

Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nastaeen. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.

Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem. Guide us along the straight path.

Siratal ladheena an amta alayhim, ghayril maghdoobi alayhim wa lad dalleen. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who earned anger, nor of those who went astray.

Then quietly, Ameen. Ameen is not part of the chapter. It is a word of agreement said after it.

Listen to Al Fatiha in the Quran player

Al Ikhlas, a short chapter often read after Al Fatiha. Four lines.

Qul huwa Allahu ahad. Say, He is God, the one.

Allahus samad. God, the eternal, on whom all depend.

Lam yalid wa lam yulad. He does not give birth, and was not born.

Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad. And there is nothing like Him.

Listen to Al Ikhlas in the Quran player

In the bow. Subhana rabbiyal adheem. Glory to my Lord, the magnificent.

Rising from the bow. Sami Allahu liman hamidah. God hears whoever praises Him. Then, Rabbana wa lakal hamd. Our Lord, to You is all praise. Many people add the fuller wording, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih, much good and blessed praise.

In prostration. Subhana rabbiyal aala. Glory to my Lord, the most high.

Sitting between prostrations. Rabbi ghfir li. My Lord, forgive me.

The Tashahhud, said sitting after every second unit and at the end.

At tahiyyatu lillahi was salawatu wat tayyibat. All greetings, prayers and good things are for God.

Assalamu alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Peace be on you, O Prophet, and the mercy of God and His blessings.

Assalamu alayna wa ala ibadillahis saliheen. Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of God.

Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah. I bear witness that there is no god but God.

Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

The blessing on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said at the final sitting only, after the Tashahhud.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad. O God, send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

Kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa ala ali Ibrahim. As You sent blessings on Abraham and the family of Abraham.

Innaka hameedun majeed. You are praiseworthy, glorious.

Allahumma barik ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad. O God, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

Kama barakta ala Ibrahim wa ala ali Ibrahim. As You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham.

Innaka hameedun majeed. You are praiseworthy, glorious.

Closing. Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah. Peace be on you and the mercy of God. Once to the right, once to the left.

Sources

Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are authenticated collections. Other hadith show their grading and who graded them.