How to Pray
Salah (Islamic prayer) in English — clear, step by step
Why Pray in Your Language?
Prayer connects you to Allah. When you understand every word you say, your heart can fully engage. Arabic is beautiful and sacred, but if you don't yet understand it, praying in English helps you mean what you say. You can grow into Arabic over time while building a sincere, meaningful practice now. The goal is presence and devotion—not performance.
Select prayer
2 units
Begin (Takbir)Takbir: Saying Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) — marks the start of prayer
Allah is the Greatest (Allahu Akbar)
Opening (Thana)Thana: Opening praise — glorifying Allah at the start of prayer
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You.
Seeking Refuge (Istiadhah)Istiadhah: Seeking refuge — asking Allah to protect from Satan before reciting
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Surah Al-FatihaFatiha: The Opening — the first chapter of the Quran, recited in every unit
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path — the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who have gone astray. (Ameen)
Bowing (Ruku)Ruku: Bowing — bending at the waist with hands on knees
Allah is the Greatest
In RukuRuku: Bowing — bending at the waist with hands on knees
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great. (×3)
Rising
Allah hears the one who praises Him. / Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
Prostration (Sujud)Sujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Allah is the Greatest
In SujudSujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (×3)
Between prostrations (Jalsah)Jalsah: Sitting — the brief sit between the two prostrations in each unit
O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, enrich me, give me health, grant me sustenance, and elevate my rank.
Second SujudSujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (×3)
Surah Al-FatihaFatiha: The Opening — the first chapter of the Quran, recited in every unit
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path — the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who have gone astray. (Ameen)
Bowing (Ruku)Ruku: Bowing — bending at the waist with hands on knees
Allah is the Greatest
In RukuRuku: Bowing — bending at the waist with hands on knees
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great. (×3)
Rising
Allah hears the one who praises Him. / Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
Prostration (Sujud)Sujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Allah is the Greatest
In SujudSujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (×3)
Between prostrations (Jalsah)Jalsah: Sitting — the brief sit between the two prostrations in each unit
O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, enrich me, give me health, grant me sustenance, and elevate my rank.
Second SujudSujud: Prostration — forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes on the ground
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. (×3)
TashahhudTashahhud: The sitting testimony — declaration of faith and greetings to the Prophet
All greetings, prayers, and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
SalawatSalawat: Blessings upon the Prophet — sending peace and blessings on Muhammad
O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your grace upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
Final supplication (Dua)Dua: Supplication — personal prayer asking Allah for help, forgiveness, or guidance
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the punishment of the Hellfire, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah.
Salam (right)Salam: Peace — the greeting that ends the prayer, turning right and left
Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.
Salam (left)Salam: Peace — the greeting that ends the prayer, turning right and left
Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.