🎬 Watch: Complete Guide - How to Pray Step by Step

One of the most beautiful parts of Salah is that Muslims all around the world recite the same words in Arabic, connecting us across time and space. Don't worry if you don't know Arabic - millions of converts have learned these recitations, and so can you!

Important: It's completely okay to read from a paper or phone when you're learning. Allah knows your intention and appreciates your effort!

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

How to perform: Raise your hands to ear level (or shoulders) while saying 'Allahu Akbar'. This transitions you from the ordinary world into a sacred state of prayer. From this moment, you are in conversation with Allah!

📖 Surah Al-Fatiha - The Opening

This is the most important surah and must be recited in every rak'ah of prayer. It's like a conversation between you and Allah!

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۝ 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

Transliteration:

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil 'aalameen All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds

Ar-Rahman ir-Raheem The Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Maaliki yawmid-deen Master of the Day of Judgment

Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help

Ihdinas-siraatal mustaqeem Guide us on the Straight Path

Siraatal-latheena an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril maghdoobi 'alayhim walad-daalleen The path of those who have received Your grace, not of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who have gone astray

Say 'Ameen' (آمين) after finishing!

🙇 Ruku (Bowing)

After reciting, say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow with your back parallel to the ground, hands on your knees:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ۝ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

🤲 Sujud (Prostration)

This is the closest you get to Allah in prayer! Say 'Allahu Akbar' and prostrate with your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

"The closest that a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase your supplications (du'a) therein."

🪑 At-Tashahhud (Sitting Testimony)

After every two rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud. Point your right index finger while reciting:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ ۝ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ ۝ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ ۝ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

🤲 Salawat (In Final Sitting Only)

In the last rak'ah, after Tashahhud, add the Salawat (blessings on the Prophet):

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ۝ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

✨ Tasleem (Ending the Prayer)

To conclude your prayer, turn your head to the right, then to the left, saying:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

🎯 Learning Tips:

1. Start with Al-Fatiha - This is the most important. Learn it first!

2. Use Audio - Listen to recordings while reading. Tap the play button above!

3. Practice daily - Even 10 minutes will help you memorize quickly.

4. Be patient - Millions of converts have learned these. You will too, insha'Allah!