Salah (Prayer) – What to Say in Each Part
Step-by-Step Salah: Section 3.3
Each movement in salah includes specific words of remembrance, praises, supplications, and affirmations of faith. Knowing what to say and understanding its meaning strengthens focus and presence during prayer.
Below is a breakdown of the phrases said in each part of the prayer, including simple transliteration, meaning, and guidance on whether to recite them aloud or silently depending on the prayer.
Opening Takbir (Takbir al-Ihram)
Start of Prayer
“Allahu akbar”
Allah is the Greatest
(Said aloud at the beginning of salah)
Opening Supplication (Optional but Sunnah)
“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabaaraka ismuka, wa taʿala jadduka, wa la ilaaha ghayruk”
Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty. There is no god besides You.
(Said quietly)
Recitation While Standing (Qiyam)
Surah al-Fatihah – Recited in every rakʿah.
“Bismillahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Rahim”
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate“Al-hamdu lillaahi Rabbi-l-ʿaalamin”
All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds“Ar-Rahmaani-r-Rahim”
The Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate“Maaliki yawmi-d-din”
Master of the Day of Judgment“Iyyaka naʿbudu wa iyyaka nastaʿin”
You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help“Ihdina-s-siraata-l-mustaqim”
Guide us to the Straight Path“Siraata-l-ladhina anʿamta ʿalayhim, ghayri-l-maghdoobi ʿalayhim wa la-d-daallin”
The path of those You have favored — not of those who earned Your anger, nor those who are astray
Recitation tone:
Fajr — aloud
Dhuhr & ʿAsr — silent
Maghrib — aloud (1st & 2nd rakʿah)
ʿIshaʼ — aloud (1st & 2nd rakʿah)
Later rakʿahs — silent
After al-Fatihah
Optional Short Surah or Verses
(Required in the first two rakʿahs)
(Recitation tone follows the same rules as above)
Bowing (Rukuʿ)
“Subhaana Rabbiyal-ʿAdheem”
Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great
(Said quietly)
Standing from Rukuʿ
“Samiʿa Allahu liman hamidah”
Allah hears the one who praises Him
(Said quietly)
“Rabbana laka al-hamd”
Our Lord, to You is all praise
(Said quietly)
Prostration (Sujud)
“Subhaana Rabbiyal-Aʿla”
Glory is to my Lord, the Most High
(Said quietly)
Sitting Between the Two Sujuds
“Rabbighfir li”
My Lord, forgive me
(Said quietly)
Tashahhud (Final Sitting)
“At-tahiyyatu lillaahi, wa-s-salawaatu wa-t-tayyibaat”
All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah“As-salaamu ʿalayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh”
Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah“As-salaamu ʿalayna wa ʿala ʿibaadillaahi-s-saaliheen”
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah“Ashhadu an la ilaaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ʿabduhu wa rasuluh”
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
(Said quietly)
Salawat (Sending Peace on the Prophet ﷺ)
“Allahumma salli ʿala Muhammad wa ʿala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ʿala Ibraheem wa ʿala aali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed”
O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.“Allahumma baarik ʿala Muhammad wa ʿala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ʿala Ibraheem wa ʿala aali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed”
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
(Said quietly)
Taslim – Ending the Prayer
“As-salaamu ʿalaykum wa rahmatullah”
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah“As-salaamu ʿalaykum wa rahmatullah”
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah
(Said aloud, first to the right, then to the left)