A companion to your prayer
Salah, with understanding.
A step-by-step guide, with meaning and gentle guidance for every recitation.
पूरी गाइड हिंदी में पढ़ें ↗Before you reciteA short pronunciation key
These English sound cues support listening and practice with a qualified teacher. Qur’anic notes follow Ḥafṣ; use one taught recitation consistently for vowel lengths and stopping.
- AA · EE · OO
- Long vowels, normally two counts. Capitals draw attention to a sound; they do not mean “shout” or add English word stress. Follow any specific extension noted in the phrase.
- Doubled letters
- Give both parts of a doubled consonant their time. A doubled n or m has a gentle two-count nasal hum (ghunnah).
- ‘ · ’
- ‘ marks ʿayn (ع), a voiced middle-throat sound. ’ marks hamzah (ء), a brief closure in the voice. They are different sounds.
- ḥ · kh · gh · th · dh
- Ḥ (ح) is breathy from the middle throat. Kh (خ) and gh (غ) use the upper throat; kh is unvoiced and gh voiced. Th (ث) is like thin; dh (ذ) like this.
- ṣ · ḍ · ṭ · ẓ · q
- These mark the full Arabic sounds ص ض ط ظ ق. English spelling is only an approximation; listen closely to their articulation.
- Stopping & joining
- A practice phrase is not automatically a place to stop. Follow the muṣḥaf’s stop signs. Long vowels before a final consonant may take two, four, or six counts at a stop; this does not apply to every word ending.
Study alongside Quran.com recitations and Understand Al-Qur’an Academy’s tajweed lessons.
Adhan (The Call to Prayer)
हिंदी में पढ़ें ↗Recitation
Allahu Akbar (4 times)
Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah (2 times)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah (2 times)
Hayya 'alas-salaah (2 times)
Hayya 'alal-falaah (2 times)
As-salaatu khayrum-minan-nawm (2 times, Fajr only)
Allahu Akbar (2 times)
Laa ilaaha illallaah (1 time)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Come to prayer
Come to success
Prayer is better than sleep (2 times - Fajr only)
Allah is the Greatest
There is no deity but Allah
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh
Recite as ash-ha-du al-LAA i-LAA-ha il-lal-LAAH
Keep sh and h separate in ash-hadu. In connected an lā, n merges into l without a nasal hold: allā. Give each doubled l its full articulation and make the long AA vowels clear.
Ash-hadu anna Muḥammadar-rasūlullāh
Recite as ash-ha-du an-na mu-ḥam-ma-dar-ra-SOO-lul-LAAH
Give doubled n and m a two-count nasal hum. Use a breathy ḥ in Muḥammad. Tanwīn merges into r without a hum, giving Muḥammadar-rasūlullāh in connected speech.
Ḥayya ʿalaṣ-ṣalāh
Recite as ḥay-ya ‘a-laṣ-ṣa-LAAH
Use a breathy ḥ and a doubled y, keeping ay short. Articulate ʿayn, then connect ʿalā into the doubled, full ṣ. End on h when stopping.
Ḥayya ʿalal-falāḥ
Recite as ḥay-ya ‘a-lal-fa-LAAḤ
Keep the doubled y distinct and join ʿalā into al-falāḥ. The l before f is audible. Finish with breathy ḥ (ح), which differs from the ordinary h at the end of ṣalāh.
Aṣ-ṣalātu khayrum-minan-nawm · Fajr only
Recite as aṣ-ṣa-LAA-tu khay-rum-mi-nan-NAWM
Double ṣ and hold LAA. Kh is unvoiced upper-throat friction. Tanwīn joins m with a nasal hum in khayrum-min; join min into an-nawm with a doubled n. Nawm has an aw sound. Use the repetitions shown in the recitation above.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Lā ilāha illallāh
Recite as LAA i-LAA-ha il-lal-LAAH
Keep the three long AA vowels distinct and connect illā into Allāh smoothly. Do not omit the short ha in ilāha. Finish on the final h when pausing.
Meaning & reflection
Allahu Akbar
- Allahu
- Allah
- Akbar
- Greatest (Kabir = Great, Akbar = Greater/Greatest)
Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah
- Ash-hadu
- I bear witness
- an
- that
- la
- no
- ilaaha
- deity / god
- illaa
- except / but
- Allah
- Allah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah
- Ash-hadu
- I bear witness
- anna
- that
- Muhammadan
- Muhammad
- rasool
- messenger
- Allah
- of Allah
Hayya 'alas-salaah
- Hayya
- Come / hasten
- ala
- to
- as-salaah
- the prayer
Hayya 'alal-falaah
- Hayya
- Come / hasten
- ala
- to
- al-falaah
- the success
As-salaatu khayrum-minan-nawm (Fajr only)
- As-salaatu
- The prayer (salah with definite article)
- khayrun
- better / greater good
- min
- than / from
- an-nawm
- the sleep
Laa ilaaha illallaah
- Laa
- No
- ilaaha
- deity / god
- illaa
- except / but
- Allah
- Allah
Iqamah (The Second Call to Prayer)
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (2 times)
Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah (1 time)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah (1 time)
Hayya 'alas-salaah (1 time)
Hayya 'alal-falaah (1 time)
Qad qaamatis-salaah (2 times)
Allahu Akbar (2 times)
Laa ilaaha illallaah (1 time)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Come to prayer
Come to success
The prayer has been established
Allah is the Greatest
There is no deity but Allah
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh
Recite as ash-ha-du al-LAA i-LAA-ha il-lal-LAAH
Keep sh and h separate in ash-hadu. In connected an lā, n merges into l without a nasal hold: allā. Give each doubled l its full articulation and make the long AA vowels clear.
Ash-hadu anna Muḥammadar-rasūlullāh
Recite as ash-ha-du an-na mu-ḥam-ma-dar-ra-SOO-lul-LAAH
Give doubled n and m a two-count nasal hum. Use a breathy ḥ in Muḥammad. Tanwīn merges into r without a hum, giving Muḥammadar-rasūlullāh in connected speech.
Ḥayya ʿalaṣ-ṣalāh
Recite as ḥay-ya ‘a-laṣ-ṣa-LAAH
Use a breathy ḥ and a doubled y, keeping ay short. Articulate ʿayn, then connect ʿalā into the doubled, full ṣ. End on h when stopping.
Ḥayya ʿalal-falāḥ
Recite as ḥay-ya ‘a-lal-fa-LAAḤ
Keep the doubled y distinct and join ʿalā into al-falāḥ. The l before f is audible. Finish with breathy ḥ (ح), which differs from the ordinary h at the end of ṣalāh.
Qad qāmatiṣ-ṣalāh
Recite as qad QAA-ma-tiṣ-ṣa-LAAH
Give the silent d a small release without adding a vowel, then form q at the back of the tongue. Join qāmati into the doubled ṣ. Keep both AA vowels long; repeat this phrase twice.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Lā ilāha illallāh
Recite as LAA i-LAA-ha il-lal-LAAH
Keep the three long AA vowels distinct and connect illā into Allāh smoothly. Do not omit the short ha in ilāha. Finish on the final h when pausing.
Meaning & reflection
Allahu Akbar
- Allahu
- Allah
- Akbar
- Greatest (Kabir = Great, Akbar = Greater/Greatest)
Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah
- Ash-hadu
- I bear witness
- an
- that
- la
- no
- ilaaha
- deity / god
- illaa
- except / but
- Allah
- Allah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah
- Ash-hadu
- I bear witness
- anna
- that
- Muhammadan
- Muhammad
- rasool
- messenger
- Allah
- of Allah
Hayya 'alas-salaah
- Hayya
- Come / hasten
- ala
- to
- as-salaah
- the prayer
Hayya 'alal-falaah
- Hayya
- Come / hasten
- ala
- to
- al-falaah
- the success
Qad qaamatis-salaah
- Qad
- Indeed / already
- qaamati
- has been established / stands
- as-salaah
- the prayer
Laa ilaaha illallaah
- Laa
- No
- ilaaha
- deity / god
- illaa
- except / but
- Allah
- Allah
Before you begin
Four things to settle before you stand. Get these right and the prayer itself is straightforward.
Be in Wudu
Perform Wudu if you have broken it since the last time.
If you are still in Wudu from an earlier prayer, you do not need to repeat it.
Prayer without Wudu is not valid, so this comes first.
Cover the Awrah
Wear clean clothes.
For men, at minimum from the navel to the knees.
For women, the whole body except the face and hands.
Clothing should not be transparent or so tight that it outlines the body.
Find a clean place
The spot where you pray must be free of impurity.
A prayer mat is customary but not required. Clean ground is enough.
Pick somewhere you will not be walked in front of if you can.
Face the Qiblah
Turn towards the Kaaba in Mecca.
A compass, a phone app, or the direction the mosque faces will give you this.
If you genuinely cannot work it out, pray towards your best estimate. The effort counts.
How to perform Wudu
Ten steps, in order. The washing parts are done three times each unless noted; the wiping parts once.
1. Niyyah (Intention)
Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for prayer.
It is not spoken aloud. Deciding to do it, knowing why, is the intention.
2. Bismillah
Recitation
Bismillah
Meaning
In the name of Allah
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Bismillāh
Recite as bis-mil-LAAH
Keep bis-mi short and connected. The l in Allāh is light after i; hold AA for two counts and finish gently on h.
Meaning & reflection
Bismillah
- bi
- with, by means of
- ism
- name (root s-m-w, to be elevated, to stand above)
- Allah
- Allah
3. Wash the hands
Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times.
Work the water between the fingers.
Start with the right.
4. Rinse the mouth
Take water into the mouth and swill it around, three times.
Use the right hand to bring the water up.
5. Clean the nose
Sniff water into the nose and blow it out, three times.
Sniff in with the right hand, blow out with the left.
6. Wash the face
Wash the whole face three times.
From the hairline to the chin, and from ear to ear.
If you have a thick beard, run wet fingers through it.
7. Wash the arms
Wash each arm up to and including the elbow, three times.
Right arm first, then the left.
Make sure no part stays dry.
8. Wipe the head
Wipe wet hands over the head once.
Go from the front hairline back, then return to the front.
This is a wipe, not a wash. No pouring.
9. Wipe the ears
Wipe the inside of each ear with the index fingers and the back with the thumbs, once.
Done with the same water as the head, no fresh water needed.
10. Wash the feet
Wash each foot up to and including the ankle, three times.
Right foot first, then the left.
Run a finger between the toes.
Wudu is now complete.
Niyyah (Intention)
Stand straight facing the Qiblah.
Make the intention in your heart for the specific prayer you are performing (e.g., 2 Rakat of Fajr).
You do not need to say it out loud.
How to Lead Namaz (Jama'ah)
In a congregation one person leads (the Imam) and the rest follow (the Ma'mum). Six things change.
1. Intention
The Imam intends to lead the prayer.
Each follower intends to pray this prayer behind this Imam.
Without that intention on both sides it is not a congregation, just people praying near each other.
2. Positioning
The Imam stands alone at the front, centred.
Followers form straight rows directly behind, shoulder to shoulder, filling each row before starting the next.
With only one follower, he stands to the Imam's right, level with him.
3. Takbir
The Imam says 'Allahu Akbar' aloud for every change of position.
The followers say it quietly to themselves.
The Takbir is the signal, which is why only one voice carries it.
4. Recitation (Qira'at)
Fajr, Maghrib and Isha: the Imam recites Al-Fatiha and a second Surah aloud in the first two Rakats.
Dhuhr and Asr: the Imam recites silently throughout.
Followers listen when the recitation is aloud.
5. Rising from Ruku
The Imam says 'Sami'allahu liman hamidah' aloud as he rises.
The followers answer with 'Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd' quietly.
This is the one moment where the two sides say different words. It is a call and a response.
Recitation
Sami'allahu liman hamidah (Imam, aloud)
Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd (Followers, quietly)
Meaning
Allah hears the one who praises Him
Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Samiʿallāhu liman ḥamidah
Recite as sa-mi-‘al-LAA-hu li-man ḥa-mi-dah
The ‘ is ʿayn: a voiced sound from the middle throat, not a silent apostrophe. Flow into Allāhu, then keep the n of liman clear before the breathy ḥ. Stop gently on the final h.
Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd
Recite as rab-ba-NAA wa la-kal-ḤAMD
Give the doubled b its full articulation. Stretch NAA for two counts, connect la-kal, and finish ḥamd without an extra vowel after d.
Meaning & reflection
Sami'allahu liman hamidah
- sami'a
- heard, and in this sense answered. Root s-m-'
- Allahu
- Allah
- liman
- li... for, man... the one who
- hamidahu
- hamida... praised, hu... Him
Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd
- Rabbanaa
- rabb... Lord, na... our
- wa
- and
- laka
- la... belonging to, ka... You
- al-hamdu
- al... the, hamd... praise
- Why it answers
- The Imam says Allah hears the one who praises. The follower supplies the praise being heard
6. Following the Imam
Never move before the Imam. Move after he has started, not with him.
If you arrive late, join immediately in whatever position he is in and make up the missed Rakats after he gives Salam.
If the Imam makes a mistake in recitation, a follower behind him may prompt him.
1. QIYAM (Standing)
The first pillar of Salah is the opening Takbir followed by standing and reciting the Quran.
Raise your hands to your ears (or shoulders for sisters).
Say 'Allahu Akbar'.
Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or belly.
Keep your eyes fixed on the place of prostration (where your head touches the ground).
Takbirat al-Ihram
Recitation
Allahu Akbar
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Allahu Akbar
- Allahu
- Allah
- Akbar
- Greatest (Kabir = Great, Akbar = Greater/Greatest)
Opening Supplication (Sana)
Recitation
Subhaanakallahumma wa bihamdik
wa tabaarakasmuk
wa ta'aalaa jadduk
wa laa ilaaha ghayruk
Meaning
Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours.
Blessed is Your name.
Exalted is Your Majesty.
And there is no deity worthy of worship except You.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Subḥānakallāhumma wa biḥamdik
Recite as sub-ḤAA-na-kal-LAA-hum-ma wa bi-ḥam-dik
Keep ḥ breathy and stretch ḤAA. Join subḥānaka into Allāhumma, giving the doubled m a gentle nasal hum. Finish biḥamdik with a short ik, without an extra vowel.
Wa tabārakasmuk
Recite as wa ta-BAA-ra-kas-muk
Hold BAA for two counts. Join tabāraka into ismuk so the phrase becomes kas-muk, with no new i between the words.
Wa taʿālā jadduk
Recite as wa ta-‘AA-LAA jad-duk
Articulate ʿayn between ta and AA. Both AA vowels are long. Double d in jadduk; keep the vowels of jad-duk short.
Wa lā ilāha ghayruk
Recite as wa LAA i-LAA-ha ghay-ruk
Make the long AA vowels clear, then form gh from the upper throat. Ghay has an ay sound, not a long ee. Finish on k without an added vowel.
Meaning & reflection
Subhaanakallahumma
- Subhaanaka
- Subhan... glory/perfection, ka... You
- Allahumma
- Allah... Allah, umma... O
wa bihamdik
- wa
- and
- bi
- with
- hamdika
- hamd... praise, ka... your
wa tabaarakasmuk
- wa
- and
- tabaaraka
- tabaraka... blessed be, barakah... blessing
- ismuka
- ism... name, ka... your
wa ta'aalaa jadduk
- wa
- and
- ta'aalaa
- ta'ala... exalted, ali... height/high
- jadduka
- jaddu... majesty/effort/grandfather, ka... your
wa laa ilaaha ghayruk
- wa
- and
- la
- no
- ilaaha
- ilaha... god/deity
- ghayruka
- ghayru... besides, ka... you
Seeking Refuge
Recitation
A'oodhu billahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
Meaning
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Aʿūdhu billāhi
Recite as a-‘OO-dhu bil-LAA-hi
Articulate ʿayn before the long OO. DH is voiced, like th in this. Keep the l in billāhi light after i and hold AA for two counts.
Minash-shayṭānir-rajīm
Recite as mi-nash-shay-ṬAA-nir-ra-JEEM
Join min into the doubled sh, use a full ṭ, and hold ṬAA. Join nir into the doubled r. When stopping, finish JEEM smoothly without a final i.
Meaning & reflection
A'oodhu billahi
- A'oodhu
- a... I, udhu... seek refuge
- bi
- in
- Allahi
- Allah
minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
- min
- from
- ash-shaytaani
- the Satan
- ar-rajeem
- the outcast/stoned
Bismillah
Recitation
Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Meaning
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Bismillāhir-raḥmānir-raḥīm
Recite as bis-mil-LAA-hir-raḥ-MAA-nir-ra-ḤEEM
Keep the l of billāh light after i. Join hir-raḥ and nir-ra with doubled r sounds. Both ḥ letters are breathy from the middle throat. LAA and MAA are two counts; at a stop, ḤEEM can take two, four, or six counts.
Surah Al-Fatiha 1:1–7
Recitation
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-'aalameen
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Maaliki yawmid-deen
Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een
Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem
Siraatal-ladheena an'amta 'alayhim
Ghayril-maghdoobi 'alayhim wa lad-daalleen
Meaning
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds -
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path -
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor,
Not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-ʿālamīn
Recite as al-ḤAM-du lil-LAA-hi rab-bil-‘AA-la-MEEN
Keep the l in al-ḥamdu audible, and make ḥ a breathy throat sound. The l in lillāhi is light after i. Double the b in rabbi, articulate ʿayn, and give AA two counts. At the verse end, MEEN may be held for two, four, or six counts when stopping.
Ar-raḥmānir-raḥīm
Recite as ar-raḥ-MAA-nir-ra-ḤEEM
The article joins the r in both names: ar-raḥ and nir-ra. Keep the ḥ distinct from ordinary h. MAA is two counts; use your chosen stopping length on ḤEEM.
Māliki yawmid-dīn
Recite as MAA-li-ki yaw-mid-DEEN
In this Ḥafṣ reading, MAA is long: two counts. Yawm has an aw sound, not a long oo. Join mid-DEEN with a doubled d; do not insert al between the words.
Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn
Recite as iy-YAA-ka na‘-bu-du wa iy-YAA-ka nas-ta-‘EEN
Double the y in both iyyāka and hold YAA for two counts. Give each ʿayn its own throat articulation in naʿbudu and nastaʿīn; do not swallow it or turn it into a long vowel.
Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm
Recite as ih-di-naṣ-ṣi-RAA-ṭal-mus-ta-QEEM
Start with a short ih. In connected reading, ihdinā joins the doubled ṣ without a stretched nā. Make ṣ and ṭ full sounds, and form q from the back of the tongue. Keep RAA long.
Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim
Recite as ṣi-RAA-ṭal-la-DHEE-na an-‘am-ta ‘a-lay-him
Double the l in alladhīna. DH is voiced, like th in this, with the tongue at the upper teeth. Keep the n clear before ʿayn in anʿamta and articulate the next ʿayn in ʿalayhim. This phrase continues into the next line.
Ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn
Recite as ghay-ril-magh-ḌOO-bi ‘a-lay-him wa laḍ-ḌAAL-LEEN
Form gh near the top of the throat and ḍ with the side of the tongue against the upper molars. Join wa lā into the doubled ḍ. The AA of ḍāllīn is six counts before the doubled l; the final EEN takes your chosen stopping length.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-'aalameen
- Alhamdu
- Al... the, hamdu... praise
- lillahi
- li... for, Allahi... Allah
- rabbil
- rabbi... lord, al... the
- 'aalameen
- alam... world, in... plural
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
- Ar-Rahmaani
- Ar... the, rahman... the most beneficent (root r-h-m)
- Ar-Raheem
- Ar... the, rahim... the most merciful (root r-h-m)
Maaliki yawmid-deen
- Maaliki
- maalik... owner, the one who holds it. Long aa. Hafs, the recitation almost everyone uses, reads it this way. The short form malik would mean king, which is the Warsh reading and a different word
- yawmid
- yawm... day, al... the (the l assimilates into the d of din)
- deen
- din... judgment/religion/way of life
Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een
- Iyyaaka
- Iyya... alone, ka... you
- na'budu
- na... we, abd/budu... worship
- wa
- and
- nasta'een
- na... we, sta'in... seek help
Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem
- Ihdinaa
- ihdi... guide, na... us
- as-siraatal
- as... the, sirat... path
- mustaqeem
- mustaqim... straight
Siraatal-ladheena an'amta 'alayhim
- siraatal
- path
- ladheena
- of those who
- an'amta
- you have bestowed favor
- 'alayhim
- upon them
Ghayril-maghdoobi 'alayhim wa lad-daalleen
- ghayril
- not (of)
- maghdoobi
- those who earned anger
- 'alayhim
- upon them
- wa laa
- and nor (of)
- ad-daalleen
- those who go astray
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214
Recitation
Am hasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata wa lammaa ya'tikum mathalul-ladheena khalaw min qablikum
massat-humul-ba'saa'u wad-darraa'u wa zulziloo hattaa yaqoolar-rasoolu wal-ladheena aamanoo ma'ah
"mataa nasrullah?" Alaa inna nasrallahi qareeb
Meaning
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?
They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?"
Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Am ḥasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata
Recite as am ḥa-sib-tum an tad-khu-lul-jan-na-ta
Keep ḥ breathy and the m in am clear. Conceal the n of an before t with a two-count nasal hum. Give the silent d a small release, then form kh at the upper throat. Hum on the doubled n in jannata.
Wa lammā yaʾtikum
Recite as wa lam-MAA ya’-ti-kum
Give the doubled m a two-count hum and MAA its two-count vowel. Make a brief hamzah closure at ya’; do not replace it with a long yaa.
Mathalul-ladhīna khalaw min qablikum
Recite as ma-tha-lul-la-DHEE-na kha-law min qab-li-kum
Use unvoiced th in mathal and voiced dh in alladhīna. Khalaw ends in aw. Conceal n before q with a nasal hum; form q at the back of the tongue and release the silent b without adding a vowel.
Massat-humul-baʾsāʾu waḍ-ḍarrāʾu
Recite as mas-sat-hu-mul-ba’-SAA’-u waḍ-ḍar-RAA’-u
Double s, and retain the brief hamzah inside baʾsāʾ. Both SAA and RAA precede hamzah in the same word, requiring the taught connected-madd length, commonly four or five counts. Give ḍ its full lateral-tongue sound.
Wa zulzilū ḥattā yaqūlar-rasūlu
Recite as wa zul-zi-loo ḥat-TAA ya-QOO-lar-ra-SOO-lu
Keep both z sounds light. Give oo and TAA their natural lengths. Double t in ḥattā, then join yaqūla into the doubled r of ar-rasūl without inserting al.
Wal-ladhīna āmanū maʿah
Recite as wal-la-DHEE-na AA-ma-noo ma-‘ah
Double l, pronounce voiced dh, and hold the natural long vowels for two counts. Give ʿayn in maʿah a clear throat articulation. If continuing into matā, retain the final u: maʿahu matā.
Matā naṣrullāh
Recite as ma-TAA naṣ-rul-LAAH
Hold TAA, give ṣ its full sound, and join naṣru to Allāh with a full l after u. When continuing into alā, retain the ending i: naṣrullāhi alā.
Alā inna naṣrallāhi qarīb
Recite as a-LAA in-na naṣ-ral-LAA-hi qa-REEB
Alā before hamzah takes the taught separated-madd length when joined. Hum on doubled n, make ṣ full, and connect naṣra into Allāh. Stop on qarīb with the chosen two-, four-, or six-count EE, then a small b release.
Meaning & reflection
Am hasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata
- am
- or (rhetorical opener)
- hasibtum
- you thought (hasiba... to assume, tum... you plural)
- an
- that
- tadkhulul
- you enter (dakhl... entry, ul... plural marker)
- al-jannata
- the Garden/Paradise
wa lammaa ya'tikum mathalul-ladheena khalaw min qablikum
- wa lammaa
- and/while not yet
- ya'tikum
- comes to you (ya... he, ti... come, kum... to you)
- mathalu
- example/condition/like
- al-ladheena
- those who
- khalaw
- passed away
- min
- from
- qablikum
- before you (kum... you plural)
massat-humul-ba'saa'u wad-darraa'u
- massat
- touched/struck
- hum
- them
- al-ba'saa'u
- hardship from outside (difficulty/pressure)
- wa
- and
- ad-darraa'u
- inner hardship/suffering
wa zulziloo
- wa
- and
- zulziloo
- shaken violently (zalzala... quake)
hattaa yaqoolar-rasoolu wal-ladheena aamanoo ma'ah
- hattaa
- until
- yaqoola
- says
- ar-rasool
- the Messenger
- wa
- and
- al-ladheena
- those who
- aamanoo
- believed
- ma'ah
- with him
mataa nasrullah
- mataa
- when
- nasru
- help
- Allah
- Allah
Alaa inna nasrallahi qareeb
- ala
- unquestionably (attention marker)
- inna
- indeed
- nasra
- help
- allahi
- of Allah
- qareeb
- near/close/approaching
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256 — No Compulsion
Recitation
Laa ikraaha fid-deeni
qat-tabayyanar-rushdu minal-ghayy
faman yakfur bit-taaghooti
wa yu'mim-billaahi
faqadis-tamsaka bil-'urwatil-wuthqaa
lan-fisaama lahaa
wallaahu Samee'un 'Aleem
Meaning
There is no compulsion in religion. The right course has made itself clear from the wrong. So whoever rejects false authority and puts his trust in Allah has taken hold of the most trustworthy handhold, one that will not even crack. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Lā ikrāha
Recite as LAA-ik-RAA-ha
Give lā its long vowel, then a short, clear ik. K is formed with the back of the tongue; do not add a bounce or an extra vowel. Lā before the next word’s hamzah has a connected-reading extension: commonly four or five counts in Ḥafṣ via ash-Shāṭibiyyah. Follow one taught recitation consistently. The AA in ikrāha is two counts.
Fid-dīn
Recite as fid-DEEN · continuing: fid-DEE-ni
The l of the article merges into d, giving a doubled d. The long vowel of fī drops in this connection: say fid-DEEN as one joined phrase. If continuing, retain the final short ni.
Qat-tabayyana
Recite as qat-ta-BAY-ya-na
The d of qad merges completely into t: qat-ta, without a separate d bounce. Give the doubled y its full sound in bay-ya, without stretching ay into a long vowel. When joining the next phrase, continue tabayyanar-rushdu.
Ar-rushdu minal-ghayy
Recite as ar-RUSH-du mi-nal-GHAYY
Double r, keep sh clear, and connect mi-nal straight into ghayy. Gh (غ) comes from the upper throat with gentle friction. Finish on the doubled y when pausing; when continuing, retain the final i: ghayyi fa…
Famay-yakfur
Recite as fa-may-yak-fur
The n of man merges into y with a two-count nasal hum (idghām with ghunnah). The hum belongs to that joining sound, not an extra long vowel. Then complete yak-fur evenly.
Biṭ-ṭāghūti
Recite as biṭ-ṬAA-ghoo-ti
Merge the article into the doubled, full ṭ (ط). Hold AA and oo for two counts each. Form gh from the upper throat without forcing it, and keep the last ti short.
Wa yuʾmim-billāh
Recite as wa yu’-mim-bil-LAAH · continuing: bil-LAA-hi
Make a brief hamzah closure at yu’. Before b, the final n becomes a concealed m sound with a two-count nasal hum (iqlāb); keep the lips relaxed. The l in billāh is light because it follows i. Retain hi when continuing.
Faqadis-tamsaka
Recite as fa-qa-dis-tam-sa-ka
Keep the syllables measured and even. The connecting i after qad leads straight into stamsaka, with no new i before the s. Do not stretch the short vowels.
Bil-ʿurwatil-wuthqā
Recite as bil-‘ur-wa-til-wuth-QAA
Articulate ʿayn at ʿur. Connect til-wuth, and use an unvoiced th, like thin, with the tongue at the upper teeth. Q is formed at the back of the tongue; hold final QAA for two counts.
Lan-fiṣāma lahā
Recite as lan-fi-ṢAA-ma la-HAA
In lā infiṣāma, the connecting hamzah drops and the words join as lan-fiṣāma. Conceal n before f with a two-count nasal hum (ikhfāʾ). Give ṣ a full sound and hold both AA vowels for two counts.
Wallāhu samīʿun ʿalīm
Recite as wal-LAA-hu sa-MEE-‘un ‘a-LEEM
Use a full l in wallāhu after a. Articulate both ʿayns and keep the n of samīʿun clear before the next ʿayn. When stopping on ʿalīm, hold EEM for two, four, or six counts, consistently with your chosen stopping length.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Laa ikraaha fid-deeni
- The laa
- laa an-naafiyah lil-jins... the laa that deletes a whole category, not one instance. Not there is no compulsion here, but compulsion in religion is not a thing that exists
- Grammar
- The noun after it takes fatha with no tanwin: ikraaha. Exactly the build of laa ilaaha illallaah, and of laa infisaama later in this same verse
- Root: k-r-h
- kariha... to hate. ikraah is form IV, making someone do the very thing they hate. The word itself defines force
- Root: d-y-n
- daana... to owe, to be bound. dayn is a debt, Yawm ad-Deen is the day accounts settle. Deen is not a box on a form, it is the way you are bound to live
- Why you say fid and not fil
- fee + ad-deen. Daal is a sun letter, so the laam of al- is not pronounced at all... it disappears into the daal and doubles it. The same rule gives you yawmid-deen, ar-rushd, at-tayyib and ad-dallin
- Why it ends in -i
- fee is a preposition, so the noun after it is genitive and carries a kasra: fid-deeni. You drop that kasra only if you stop there. The mushaf marks this spot as better to carry on, so you say fid-deeni and run straight into qad
- Why it sticks
- A debt signed at knifepoint is not a debt owed. Force and deen cancel each other out
qat-tabayyana
- qad
- placed before a past verb it means already, it is done. A report, not a promise
- Root: b-y-n
- bayna... between. bayyana... to open a gap between two things so each is seen on its own. bayyinah... a clear proof
- Morphology
- tabayyana is form V, the reflexive. It made itself clear. Nobody had to force the difference into view
- Why it sticks
- This clause is the reason for the first one. If truth already stands apart on its own, force adds nothing to it
ar-rushdu minal-ghayy
- Root: r-sh-d
- rashada... to have sound sense, to be on the mature path. Ar-Rasheed is one of the Names
- Root: gh-w-y
- ghawaa... to go wrong while chasing a desire
- The pairing
- dalaal is being lost. ghayy is walking off while you can see. That is why it is set against rushd (sense) and not against ilm (knowledge)
- Why it sticks
- The gap being described is a gap in judgement, not in information. Nobody here lacks the map
faman yakfur bit-taaghooti
- Root: k-f-r
- kafara... to cover, to bury. A farmer burying seed is a kaafir in plain Arabic. Kufr is covering something that is there
- Root: t-gh-y
- taghaa... to overflow, to burst a limit. The Quran uses it for floodwater: lammaa taghal-maa
- Taaghoot
- anything that broke its bound and got obeyed anyway... an idol, a ruler, a crowd, a craving
- Why it sticks
- Both words are physical pictures. You put a cover over the thing that overflowed
wa yu'mim-billaahi
- Root: a-m-n
- amina... to be safe. amaanah... a trust handed to you. Iman is not agreeing with a statement, it is handing yourself over and being safe in it
- Morphology
- yu'min is form IV... to give safety, to entrust
- Order matters
- Rejection is named first, belief second. Same shape as laa ilaaha (empty it) then illallaah (fill it). You cannot pour into a full cup
faqadis-tamsaka bil-'urwatil-wuthqaa
- Root: m-s-k
- masaka... to hold. istamsaka is form X, which adds seeking and effort. Not a hand resting on it, a hand clamped on it
- al-'urwah
- the loop or handle... the strap you actually push your fingers through. A real object, not a poetic one
- Root: w-th-q
- wathiqa... to trust. meethaaq... a binding covenant. wuthqaa is the superlative, feminine to agree with urwah... the most trustworthy one there is
- Why it sticks
- The picture is a bucket over a well. You are the one holding on, and the handle is rated
lan-fisaama lahaa
- Root: f-s-m
- fasama... to crack or snap. Arabic keeps fasm apart from qasm: qasm splits a thing in two, fasm is the crack that starts without coming apart
- Grammar
- The laa of absolute negation again, twice in one verse. Not even the beginning of a crack
- Why it sticks
- He did not say the handle will not break. He said it will not even start to
wallaahu Samee'un 'Aleem
- Morphology
- Both are the fa'eel pattern, the intensive. A settled quality, not something done now and then
- Samee'
- catches the tongue
- Aleem
- catches the heart
- Why it closes the verse
- Force can produce a sentence He hears. It can never produce a heart He knows. So the opening four words were never a policy, they were a fact about the limits of force
How you say it, not how it is spelt
- fid-deeni
- keeps its kasra, because you carry straight on into qad rather than stopping
- qad + tabayyana
- the daal does not survive. It merges completely into the taa, so you say qat-tabayyana. The mushaf shows this with a shadda sitting on the taa
- yu'min + billaahi
- the nuun becomes a meem before baa, held with a light hum. You say wa yu'mim-billaahi. The small meem printed above the nuun is the instruction to do it
- faqad + istamsaka
- the alif of istamsaka is a joining hamza and drops away. The daal then takes a kasra so two silent letters do not collide: faqadis-tamsaka
- laa + infisaama
- same joining hamza, same disappearance: lan-fisaama, not laa infisaama
- Where you may stop
- after minal-ghayy, after lahaa, and at the end of the verse. Those are the only marked stops. If you stop anywhere else you break a clause in half
- If you do stop
- drop the final short vowel. fid-deeni becomes fid-deen, Samee'un becomes Samee'. That is the one rule behind every pausal form on this page
Surah Al-Asr 103:1–3
Recitation
Wal-'asr
Innal-insaana lafee khusr
Illal-ladheena aamanoo wa 'amilus-saalihaati wa tawaasaw bil-haqqi wa tawaasaw bis-sabr
Meaning
By the time,
Indeed, mankind is in loss,
Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Wal-ʿaṣr
Recite as wal-‘AṢR
Keep the l audible before ʿayn. Give ṣ its full sound and finish ṣr without slipping a vowel between the two consonants. There is no long aa in ʿaṣr.
Innal-insāna lafī khusr
Recite as in-nal-in-SAA-na la-FEE KHUSR
Hum on the doubled n of inna for two counts. Conceal the n before s in insāna with ghunnah; keep SAA and FEE long. Kh is unvoiced upper-throat friction. Stop on khusr without adding an ending vowel.
Illal-ladhīna āmanū
Recite as il-lal-la-DHEE-na AA-ma-noo
Join illā into alladhīna without extending the joining a. Double the l, use voiced dh, and give DHEE, AA, and oo their natural two counts.
Wa ʿamiluṣ-ṣāliḥāti
Recite as wa ‘a-mi-luṣ-ṢAA-li-ḤAA-ti
Articulate ʿayn, then join ʿamilū into the doubled ṣ without holding the connecting u. Keep ṣ full and ḥ breathy. Both AA vowels remain long.
Wa tawāṣaw bil-ḥaqqi wa tawāṣaw biṣ-ṣabr
Recite as wa ta-WAA-ṣaw bil-ḤAQ-qi wa ta-WAA-ṣaw biṣ-ṢABR
Keep WAA long but ṣaw short, with an aw sound. Double q in ḥaqqi, then connect biṣ-ṣabr with a doubled ṣ. At the end, close on br without inserting a vowel.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Wal-'asr
- wa
- by (oath sense)
- al-'asr
- the time/era/squeezed moments
Innal-insaana lafee khusr
- inna
- indeed/truly
- al-insaana
- the human being/mankind
- lafee
- surely in
- khusr
- loss (continuous loss)
Illal-ladheena aamanoo
- illaa
- except
- al-ladheena
- those who
- aamanoo
- believed (uu... plural ending)
wa 'amilus-saalihaati
- wa
- and
- amilu
- did/worked (amal... action)
- as-saalihaati
- righteous deeds (salah... goodness)
wa tawaasaw bil-haqqi
- wa
- and
- tawaasaw
- mutually recommended/advised
- bil-haqqi
- with/to the truth (haqq... truth/right)
wa tawaasaw bis-sabr
- wa
- and
- tawaasaw
- mutually encouraged/advised
- bis-sabr
- with/to patience (sabr... endurance/restraint)
Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1–4
Recitation
Qul huwallahu ahad
Allahus-samad
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
Wa lam yakullahoo kufuwan ahad
Meaning
Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One,
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Qul huwallāhu aḥad
Recite as qul hu-wal-LAA-hu a-ḤAD
Make q at the back of the tongue and keep qul short. Connect huwa into Allāhu with a full l. At the stop, release final d with a small qalqalah, without adding da or du.
Allāhuṣ-ṣamad
Recite as al-LAA-huṣ-ṢA-mad
When starting this verse, pronounce Allāhu clearly. Join its u into the doubled ṣ of ṣamad. The a in ṣa is short; finish d with a small release when stopping.
Lam yalid wa lam yūlad
Recite as lam ya-lid wa lam YOO-lad
Keep both m sounds clear before y. The first yalid has short vowels; only YOO in yūlad is long. Give each silent d a small release without creating an extra syllable.
Wa lam yakul-lahū kufuwan aḥad
Recite as wa lam ya-kul-la-HOO ku-fu-wan a-ḤAD
The n of yakun merges into l without a nasal hold, so say yakul-lahū. Extend HOO for two counts in connected reading. Keep the n in kufuwan clear before hamzah, then end aḥad with a small d release.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Qul huwallahu ahad
- qul
- say (command)
- huwa
- He is
- llahu
- Allah
- ahad
- One (single unit)
Allahus-samad
- Allahu
- Allah
- as-samad
- the Eternal/Absolute/Self-sufficient (solid/complete)
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
- lam
- did not (negates past)
- yalid
- beget/give birth (walada... to beget)
- wa
- and
- lam
- not
- yoolad
- be born/begotten
Wa lam yakullahoo kufuwan ahad
- wa
- and
- lam
- not
- yakun
- be (kana... to be)
- lahoo
- for Him
- kufuwan
- equal/equivalent/match
- ahad
- any one
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285–286 — Amanar-Rasul
Recitation
Verse 285
Aamanar-rasoolu bimaa unzila ilayhi mir-rabbihee wal-mu'minoon
Kullun aamana billahi wa malaa'ikatihee wa kutubihee wa rusulih
Laa nufarriqu bayna ahadim-mir-rusulih
Wa qaaloo sami'naa wa ata'naa ghufraanaka rabbanaa wa ilaykal-maseer
Verse 286
Laa yukallifullahu nafsan illaa wus'ahaa
Lahaa maa kasabat wa 'alayhaa maktasabat
Rabbanaa laa tu'aakhidhnaa in naseenaa aw akhta'naa
Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil 'alaynaa isran kamaa hamaltahoo 'alal-ladheena min qablinaa
Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih
Wa'fu 'annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa
Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa 'alal-qawmil-kaafireen
Meaning
[Verse 285]
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers.
All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers,
[saying], 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.'
And they say, 'We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'
[Verse 286]
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.
It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned.
'Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.
Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.
Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear.
And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us.
You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.'
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
285 · Āmanar-rasūlu bimā unzila ilayhi
Recite as AA-ma-nar-ra-SOO-lu bi-MAA un-zi-la i-lay-hi
Join āmana into ar-rasūl with a doubled r. Bimā before hamzah takes the taught separated-madd length in connected reading. Conceal the n in unzila before z with a two-count nasal hum; lay is an ay sound.
Mir-rabbihī wal-muʾminūn
Recite as mir-rab-bi-hee wal-mu’-mi-NOON
The n of min merges into r without a nasal hold. Double b in rabbihī and extend its pronoun hī for two counts when connected. Make the hamzah in muʾminūn distinct. Use your chosen stopping length on NOON.
Kullun āmana billāhi
Recite as kul-lun AA-ma-na bil-LAA-hi
Double l in kullun and keep its final n clear before hamzah. Āmana begins with a two-count AA. The l in billāhi is light after i; do not thicken it.
Wa malāʾikatihī wa kutubihī wa rusulih
Recite as wa ma-LAA’-i-ka-ti-hee wa ku-tu-bi-hee wa ru-su-lih
Keep the hamzah in malāʾika distinct after its extended AA; this is a same-word madd before hamzah. In connected reading the pronoun endings hī in malāʾikatihī and kutubihī extend for two counts. Stop rusulih on h.
Lā nufarriqu bayna aḥadim-mir-rusulih
Recite as LAA nu-far-ri-qu bay-na a-ḥa-dim-mir-ru-su-lih
Double r in nufarriqu. Tanwīn before m joins with a two-count hum: aḥadim-min. Then min merges into r without a hum: mir-rusulih. Keep bay as ay, not a long ee.
Wa qālū samiʿnā wa aṭaʿnā
Recite as wa QAA-loo sa-mi‘-NAA wa a-ṭa‘-NAA
Give the long vowels their natural two counts and articulate both ʿayns clearly. Keep ṭ in aṭaʿnā full; do not turn it into a light t.
Ghufrānaka rabbanā wa ilaykal-maṣīr
Recite as ghuf-RAA-na-ka rab-ba-NAA wa i-lay-kal-ma-ṢEER
Form gh at the upper throat, double b in rabbanā, and join ilayka into al-maṣīr. Keep ṣ full. When stopping, finish on r after the chosen length of EE.
286 · Lā yukallifullāhu nafsan illā wusʿahā
Recite as LAA yu-kal-li-ful-LAA-hu naf-san il-LAA wus-‘a-HAA
Double l in yukallifu and join its u into Allāh with a full l. Keep the n of nafsan clear before hamzah. Articulate ʿayn in wusʿahā; hold final HAA for two counts.
Lahā mā kasabat wa ʿalayhā maktasabat
Recite as la-HAA MAA ka-sa-bat wa ‘a-lay-HAA mak-ta-sa-bat
Keep HAA and MAA long while the vowels in kasabat stay short. Begin ʿalayhā with ʿayn. In connected reading the joining hamzah in iktasabat drops, giving maktasabat.
Rabbanā lā tuʾākhidhnā
Recite as rab-ba-NAA LAA tu’-AA-khidh-NAA
Double b and make a brief hamzah closure after tu. Hold AA after it for two counts. Distinguish unvoiced kh from voiced dh; do not replace khidh with kiz.
In nasīnā aw akhṭaʾnā
Recite as in-na-SEE-NAA aw akh-ṭa’-NAA
Merge the n of in into the following n with a two-count nasal hum. Nasīnā before aw has a separated-madd extension when joined. Keep aw short, ṭ full, and the hamzah in akhṭaʾnā distinct.
Rabbanā wa lā taḥmil ʿalaynā
Recite as rab-ba-NAA wa LAA taḥ-mil ‘a-lay-NAA
Give ḥ its breathy throat sound in taḥmil, and start ʿalaynā with a clear ʿayn. Keep the l of taḥmil audible. The final nā extends before the hamzah of the next phrase when joined.
Iṣran kamā ḥamaltahū ʿalal-ladhīna min qablinā
Recite as iṣ-ran ka-MAA ḥa-mal-ta-hoo ‘a-lal-la-DHEE-na min qab-li-NAA
Conceal the tanwīn before k in iṣran kamā with ghunnah. Extend the pronoun hū in connected reading. Join ʿalā into alladhīna with a doubled l. Conceal n before q in min qablinā and give silent b a small release.
Rabbanā wa lā tuḥammilnā
Recite as rab-ba-NAA wa LAA tu-ḥam-mil-NAA
This is tuḥammilnā with a doubled m, unlike the earlier taḥmil. Give that m a two-count nasal hum while keeping ḥ distinct and breathy.
Mā lā ṭāqata lanā bih
Recite as MAA LAA ṬAA-qa-ta la-NAA bih
Keep ṭ full and q at the back of the tongue. Each written AA is a natural long vowel here. When stopping, bih ends on h; when joining waʿfu, the pronoun is bihī with a two-count ī.
Waʿfu ʿannā
Recite as wa‘-fu ‘an-NAA
Articulate the first ʿayn before f and the next one at ʿannā. Hum for two counts on the doubled n, then hold NAA for two counts.
Waghfir lanā warḥamnā
Recite as wagh-fir la-NAA war-ḥam-NAA
Join wa straight into ghfir with no added a. Gh is voiced upper-throat friction. Keep the r of ghfir light after i, and distinguish the breathy ḥ in warḥamnā.
Anta mawlānā fanṣurnā
Recite as an-ta maw-LAA-NAA fan-ṣur-NAA
Conceal n before t in anta and before ṣ in fanṣurnā with two-count nasal hums, shaped for the following letter. Maw is an aw sound. Keep ṣ full and the long AA vowels steady.
ʿAlal-qawmil-kāfirīn
Recite as ‘a-lal-qaw-mil-KAA-fi-REEN
Start with ʿayn, join ʿalā into al-qawm, and keep q deep and k light. Qaw has aw, while KAA is two counts. Close the verse with your chosen stopping length on REEN.
Meaning & reflection
Aamanar-rasoolu
- aamana
- believed
- ar-rasoolu
- the Messenger
bimaa unzila ilayhi mir-rabbihee
- bi
- in
- ma
- what
- unzila
- was revealed
- ilayhi
- to him
- mir-rabbihee
- from his Lord
wal-mu'minoon
- wa
- and
- al-mu'minoon
- the believers
Kullun aamana billahi wa malaa'ikatihee
- kullun
- all
- aamana
- believed
- billahi
- in Allah
- wa
- and
- malaa'ikatihee
- His angels
wa kutubihee wa rusulih
- wa kutubihee
- and His books
- wa rusulihee
- and His messengers
Laa nufarriqu bayna ahadim-mir-rusulih
- la
- not
- nufarriqu
- we make distinction
- bayna
- between
- ahadim
- anyone
- mir-rusulihee
- of His messengers
Wa qaaloo sami'naa wa ata'naa
- wa qaaloo
- and they said
- sami'naa
- we heard
- wa
- and
- ata'naa
- we obeyed
ghufraanaka rabbanaa wa ilaykal-maseer
- ghufraanaka
- Your forgiveness
- rabbanaa
- our Lord
- wa
- and
- ilayka
- to You
- al-maseer
- the [final] destination
Laa yukallifullahu nafsan illaa wus'ahaa
- la
- not
- yukallifu
- burdens / charges
- allahu
- Allah
- nafsan
- a soul
- illaa
- except
- wus'ahaa
- its capacity
Lahaa maa kasabat wa 'alayhaa maktasabat
- lahaa
- for it
- ma
- what
- kasabat
- it gained / earned (good)
- wa
- and
- 'alayhaa
- upon it / against it
- ma
- what
- iktasabat
- it earned (evil)
Rabbanaa laa tu'aakhidhnaa in naseenaa aw akhta'naa
- Rabbanaa
- our Lord
- la
- do not
- tu'aakhidhnaa
- blame us / take us to task
- in
- if
- naseenaa
- we forget
- aw
- or
- akhta'naa
- we err / make a mistake
Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil 'alaynaa isran
- wa laa
- and do not
- tahmil
- lay / place
- 'alaynaa
- upon us
- isran
- a heavy burden
kamaa hamaltahoo 'alal-ladheena min qablinaa
- kamaa
- like what
- hamaltahoo
- You laid it
- 'alal-ladheena
- upon those who
- min qablinaa
- before us
Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih
- wa laa
- and do not
- tuhammilnaa
- make us bear / burden us
- ma
- what
- la
- no
- taaqata
- ability / strength
- lanaa
- for us
- bih
- with it
Wa'fu 'annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa
- wa'fu
- and pardon
- anna
- from us
- waghfir
- and forgive
- lanaa
- for us
- warhamnaa
- and have mercy on us
Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa 'alal-qawmil-kaafireen
- anta
- You
- mawlaanaa
- our protector / our master
- fansurnaa
- so give us victory / help us
- 'alal-qawmi
- over the people
- al-kaafireen
- the disbelieving
Surah Al-Maidah 5:100 — The Equalizer
Recitation
Qul laa yastawil-khabeethu wat-tayyib
wa law a'jabaka kathratul-khabeeth
fattaqullaaha yaa ulil-albaab
la'allakum tuflihoon
Meaning
Say: the impure and the pure are not equal, even if the abundance of the impure amazes you. So fear Allah, O people of understanding, so that you may succeed.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Qul lā yastawil-khabīthu waṭ-ṭayyib
Recite as qul LAA yas-ta-wil-kha-BEE-thu waṭ-ṬAY-yib
Keep lā and BEE long. Kh is unvoiced upper-throat friction; th is the sound in thin. Double ṭ and y in ṭayyib, without turning ay into a long vowel. If continuing, say ṭayyibu wa…
Wa law aʿjabaka kathratul-khabīth
Recite as wa law a‘-ja-ba-ka kath-ra-tul-kha-BEETH
Law has a short aw sound. Articulate ʿayn in aʿjabaka and unvoiced th in kathra. Join tul-khabīth; keep the final th audible when stopping. When continuing, retain thi.
Fattaqullāha yā ulil-albāb
Recite as fat-ta-qul-LAA-ha YAA u-lil-al-BAAB
Double t and join qu into Allāh with a full l. The yā before the next hamzah needs the taught separated-madd length in connected reading. Join ulī into al-albāb as u-lil-al; if continuing, retain the final bi.
Laʿallakum tufliḥūn
Recite as la-‘al-la-kum tuf-li-ḤOON
Give ʿayn its own sound and double l. Keep the m clear before t. Make ḥ breathy, and use two, four, or six counts on the final OON when stopping.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
qul
- Morphology
- command form (amr) from qaala... to say. Singular imperative - addressed to the Prophet
laa yastawil-khabeethu
- Morphology
- laa... negation particle; yastawee... present tense, 3rd person singular from istawaa... to be equal, to be level
al-khabeethu wat-tayyib
- Root: kh-b-th
- khabeeth... from khabatha... to be corrupt, foul
- Root: ṭ-y-b
- tayyib... from taaba... to be good, pure
- Grammar
- Both are sifa (adjectives used as nouns here)
fattaqullaaha yaa ulil-albaab
- wa
- conjunction
- law
- even if (concessive)
- a'jabaka
- amazed you (a'jaba... to amaze, to impress; ka... you singular, accusative)
kathratul-khabeeth
- Morphology
- kathra... abundance, multitude from kathura... to be many
- Grammar
- Mudaaf (first part of idaafa) - "abundance of the impure"
fattaqullaaha
- fa
- consequence marker (so/therefore)
- ittaqoo
- plural command from taqwa... God-consciousness, fear/awareness of Allah (root: waqaa... to protect, to guard)
yaa ulil-albaab
- yaa
- vocative particle (O)
- ulee
- possessors of / people of (used only in construct/idaafa)
al-albaab
- Morphology
- plural of lubb... core, essence, intellect
- Definition
- Those with deep understanding, people of reason
la'allakum
- la'alla
- particle of hope/purpose (perhaps, so that)
- kum
- you plural
tuflihoon
- Morphology
- present tense plural from aflaha... to succeed, to prosper
- Root: f-l-ḥ
- falaha... to cultivate, to flourish
2. RUKU (Bowing)
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and bow your back.
Place your hands on your knees with fingers spread.
Keep your back straight (like a table) and your neck in line with your spine.
Fix your gaze between your feet.
Bowing Supplication
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhaana rabbiyal-'azeem (3x)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm
Recite as sub-ḤAA-na rab-bi-yal-‘a-ẒEEM
Keep ḥ breathy, double b in rabbi, and articulate ʿayn before ẓ. The ẓ (ظ) is a full, voiced dental sound with the tongue at the upper teeth, not an ordinary z. Repeat three times as indicated above.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Subhaana rabbiyal-'azeem
- Subhaana
- subhan... glory/perfection, root s-b-h meaning to swim/drift (far from flaws)
- rabbiyal
- rabbi... lord, i... my, yal... connective sound
- 'azeem
- azim... magnificent/mighty, root a-z-m meaning greatness and strength
Rising from Ruku
Rise back up to a standing position.
While rising, say 'Sami'allahu liman hamidah'.
Once standing, say 'Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd'.
Pause for a moment, standing straight (calmness is mandatory).
Recitation
Sami'allahu liman hamidah
Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd
Meaning
Allah hears the one who praises Him
Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Samiʿallāhu liman ḥamidah
Recite as sa-mi-‘al-LAA-hu li-man ḥa-mi-dah
The ‘ is ʿayn: a voiced sound from the middle throat, not a silent apostrophe. Flow into Allāhu, then keep the n of liman clear before the breathy ḥ. Stop gently on the final h.
Rabbanā wa lakal-ḥamd
Recite as rab-ba-NAA wa la-kal-ḤAMD
Give the doubled b its full articulation. Stretch NAA for two counts, connect la-kal, and finish ḥamd without an extra vowel after d.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Sami'allahu liman hamidah
- Sami'a
- sami'a... hears/heard
- Allahu
- Allah
- liman
- li... for/the one, man... who
- hamidah
- hamida... praises, h... Him
Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd
- Rabbanaa
- Rabb... Lord, na... our
- wa
- and
- laka
- la... for, ka... You
- al-hamdu
- al... the, hamdu... praise
3. SUJUD (Prostration)
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and go down for Sujud.
Ensure 7 bones touch the ground: forehead & nose, both palms, both knees, and toes of both feet.
Keep your elbows away from your sides (don't lay them on the floor like a dog).
Point your toes toward the Qiblah.
Sujud Supplication
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhaana rabbiyal-a'laa (3x)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā
Recite as sub-ḤAA-na rab-bi-yal-a‘-LAA
Keep ḥ breathy from the middle throat and double the b in rabbi. Say the ʿayn in aʿlā distinctly; it is not an extra aa. Hold the final LAA for two counts. Repeat three times as indicated above.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
Subhaana rabbiyal-a'laa
- Subhaana
- glory/perfection
- rabbiyal
- the, y... connective sound from rabbi in recitation
- al
- the
- ala
- most high, a... height, laa... loftiness... elevation
Sitting between two Sujoods
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and sit on your legs.
Recite: 'Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee' (My Lord, forgive me, my Lord, forgive me).
This is a pause for mercy before another bow.
Sit on your left foot (lay it flat) and keep your right foot upright with toes facing Qiblah (this is called Iftirash).
Place your hands on your thighs/knees.
Keep your back straight. Pause for a moment (calmness is wajib).
Do not rush; this sitting is a separate pillar of Salah.
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (sitting up)
Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee
Or the fuller form:
Allahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee,
wajburnee, wa 'aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa'nee
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.
O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me,
mend me, grant me wellbeing, provide for me, and raise me.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Rabbighfir lī · repeat twice
Recite as rab-bigh-fir LEE
Double b and connect rabbi straight into ghfir. Gh is voiced upper-throat friction. Keep the r light after i, then hold LEE for two counts.
Allāhummaghfir lī · fuller form
Recite as al-LAA-hum-magh-fir LEE
Give the doubled m a gentle hum, then join Allāhumma straight into ghfir. Do not insert a new i before gh. Keep LEE long.
Warḥamnī wahdinī
Recite as war-ḥam-NEE wah-di-NEE
Distinguish breathy ḥ in warḥamnī from ordinary h in wahdinī. Keep the inner short vowels even; extend the ending NEE in each word.
Wajburnī wa ʿāfinī
Recite as waj-bur-NEE wa ‘AA-fi-NEE
Keep j and b distinct in wajbur without adding a vowel between them. Begin ʿāfinī with a clear ʿayn and extend AA and NEE.
Warzuqnī warfaʿnī
Recite as war-zuq-NEE war-fa‘-NEE
Form q at the back of the tongue in warzuqnī. Articulate ʿayn before n in warfaʿnī. Keep each final NEE long.
Meaning & reflection
Rabbighfir lee
- Rabbi
- rabb... lord, i... my
- ghfir
- ghfir... forgive, maghfirah... forgiveness
- li
- li... for, i... me
Allahummaghfir lee warhamnee...
- Allahumma
- Allah... Allah, umma... O
- aghfir
- aghfir... forgive
- li
- li... for, i... me
- warhamni
- wa... and, arham... have mercy, ni... me
- wahdini
- wa... and, ahdi... guide, ni... me
- wajburni
- wa... and, ajbur... mend/restore/console, ni... me
- wa 'afini
- wa... and, aafi... grant wellbeing/health, ni... me
- warzuqni
- wa... and, arzuq... provide/sustenance, ni... me
- warfa'ni
- wa... and, arfa'... raise/elevate, ni... me
Second Sujud
Say 'Allahu Akbar' and go down for the second Sujud.
Perform exactly as the first Sujud.
Ensure 7 bones are touching the ground again.
Recite 'Subhaana rabbiyal-a'laa' 3 times.
This ends the Rakat. What happens next is in the section below.
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (Going down)
Subhaana rabbiyal-a'laa (3x)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā
Recite as sub-ḤAA-na rab-bi-yal-a‘-LAA
Keep ḥ breathy from the middle throat and double the b in rabbi. Say the ʿayn in aʿlā distinctly; it is not an extra aa. Hold the final LAA for two counts. Repeat three times as indicated above.
4. COMPLETING THE RAKAT
The second Sujud ends one Rakat. Everything above this point is a single Rakat, and most prayers are more than one.
What you do next depends on which Rakat you have just finished and which prayer you are praying.
How many Rakats
These are the Fard (obligatory) counts:
Fajr: 2
Dhuhr: 4
Asr: 4
Maghrib: 3
Isha: 4
Sunnah and Nafl Rakats are prayed separately, before or after the Fard, and are not counted in the numbers above. Witr is its own prayer after Isha.
Standing for the next Rakat
Say 'Allahu Akbar' as you push up from the second Sujud.
Come up to standing and fold your hands as you did at the start.
Do not repeat the opening supplication (Sana) or 'A'oodhu billahi'. Those are said once, at the very beginning of the prayer.
Say Bismillah and go straight into Al-Fatiha.
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (rising to stand)
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
What you recite in each Rakat
Rakat 1 and Rakat 2: Al-Fatiha, then a second passage of the Quran.
Rakat 3 and Rakat 4: Al-Fatiha only. No second passage.
Al-Fatiha is the one thing recited in every single Rakat, without exception.
The bowing, prostrating and sitting are identical in every Rakat. Only the recitation changes.
The middle sitting (after Rakat 2)
This applies to Maghrib and to every four-Rakat prayer. Fajr skips it, because Fajr ends at Rakat 2.
After the second Sujud of Rakat 2, sit as you sit between prostrations.
Recite At-Tahiyyat, and nothing more.
Do not recite the Durood here. That belongs to the final sitting.
Say 'Allahu Akbar', stand up, and begin Rakat 3.
The final sitting
This is the sitting after the second Sujud of your last Rakat.
Recite At-Tahiyyat.
Then the Durood Ibrahimi.
Then your supplications before Salam.
Then give the Salam, right and then left, and the prayer is finished.
Many follow the Prophet's ﷺ practice of sitting differently here, slipping the left foot out to the right and resting the hips on the floor. That posture is called Tawarruk. Schools differ on when it applies, so follow what you are taught locally.
The next sections cover this sitting in order.
5. TASHAHHUD (Sitting)
You reach this sitting twice in a three or four Rakat prayer. In the middle sitting you recite At-Tahiyyat and then stand again. In the final sitting you carry on into the Durood and the supplications below.
Sit in the same position as between Sujuds (Iftirash).
Left foot flat under buttocks, right foot upright.
Hands on knees/thighs. Fingers resting naturally.
When reaching 'Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha...', raise your right index finger.
Look at your lap or your finger.
At-Tahiyyat
Recitation
Allahu Akbar (Sitting)
At-tahiyyaatu lillahi
was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat
As-salaamu 'alayka
ayyuhan-nabiyyu
wa rahmatullahi
wa barakaatuh
As-salaamu 'alaynaa
wa 'alaa 'ibaadillahis-saaliheen
Ash-hadu allaa
ilaaha illallaah
wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammadan 'abduhoo
wa rasooluh
Meaning
Allah is the Greatest (Sitting)
All compliments are for Allah,
and all prayers and pure deeds.
Peace be upon you,
O Prophet,
and the mercy of Allah
and His blessings.
Peace be upon us
and on the righteous servants of Allah.
I bear witness that
there is no deity except Allah,
and I bear witness that
Muhammad is His servant
and His messenger.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhu akbar
Recite as al-LAA-hu ak-bar
Give the doubled l a full sound and hold AA for two counts. Keep ak-bar short and clear; do not stretch the opening a or add a vowel after the final r.
At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi
Recite as at-ta-ḥiy-YAA-tu lil-LAA-hi
Double t and y while keeping ḥ breathy. Hold YAA and LAA. The l of lillāhi is light because it follows i.
Waṣ-ṣalawātu waṭ-ṭayyibāt
Recite as waṣ-ṣa-la-WAA-tu waṭ-ṬAY-yi-BAAT
Connect each wa into its following article. Double the full ṣ and ṭ, then double y in ṭayyibāt. Keep ay short and the AA vowels long. If continuing, retain the final tu.
As-salāmu ʿalayka
Recite as as-sa-LAA-mu ‘a-lay-ka
Double s, stretch LAA, and begin ʿalayka with a voiced ʿayn. Lay is an ay sound; the final ka is short.
Ayyuhan-nabiyyu
Recite as ay-yu-han-na-biy-yu
Give both doubled y sounds their full articulation. Join ayyuhā into an-nabiyyu as han-na, with a gentle nasal hum on doubled n.
Wa raḥmatullāhi
Recite as wa raḥ-ma-tul-LAA-hi
Keep ḥ breathy and join raḥmatu into Allāh with a full l after u. Hold LAA and keep final hi short.
Wa barakātuh
Recite as wa ba-ra-KAA-tuh
Only KAA is a long vowel here when stopping. Finish on h; when continuing to as-salāmu, retain the final u.
As-salāmu ʿalaynā
Recite as as-sa-LAA-mu ‘a-lay-NAA
Double s, articulate ʿayn, and stretch LAA and NAA. Keep lay as ay and avoid turning it into lee.
Wa ʿalā ʿibādillāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn
Recite as wa ‘a-LAA ‘i-BAA-dil-LAA-hiṣ-ṢAA-li-ḤEEN
Give both ʿayns their own sound. Keep the l in ʿibādillāh light after i. Join hi into the doubled ṣ of ṣāliḥīn, then use breathy ḥ.
Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāh
Recite as ash-ha-du al-LAA i-LAA-ha il-lal-LAAH
Keep sh-h separate in ash-hadu. The n of an merges into l without a hum: allā. Keep the short ha of ilāha audible and join illā into Allāh smoothly.
Wa ash-hadu anna
Recite as wa ash-ha-du an-na
Retain the opening a of ash-hadu after wa. Give doubled n in anna a gentle two-count nasal hum; keep its ending a short.
Muḥammadan ʿabduhū
Recite as mu-ḥam-ma-dan ‘ab-du-hoo
Use breathy ḥ and a gentle hum on doubled m. Keep the final n of Muḥammadan clear before ʿayn. In connected reading extend the pronoun hū for two counts.
Wa rasūluh
Recite as wa ra-SOO-luh
Hold SOO for two counts. When stopping, finish on h without an extra u; retain the u if continuing.
Word by word
Meaning & reflection
At-tahiyyaatu lillahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat
- Attahiyyatu
- at... the, tahiyyatu... greetings, tahiyyah... greeting... honor, hayy... to live... to greet, atu... plural feminine ending
- lillahi
- li... for, Allahi... Allah, Allah... Allah, i... genitive ending
- wa ssalawatu
- wa... and, as... the, salawatu... prayers, salah... prayer, aatu... plural ending
- wa ttayyibat
- wa... and, at... the, tayyibat... pure words... good things, tayyib... pure... wholesome, aat... plural feminine ending
As-salaamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
- as-salaamu
- as... the, salam... peace, u... nominative ending
- 'alayka
- ala... on, yka... you, ka... you
- ayyuhan
- ayyu... O you, han... calling particle
- nabiyyu
- nabi... prophet, yyu... nominative ending
- wa rahmatullahi
- wa... and, rahmatu... mercy, rahmah... mercy, u... nominative ending, Allahi... of Allah, i... genitive ending
- wa barakaatuh
- wa... and, barakat... blessings, barakah... blessing, tu... plural sense, h... his
As-salaamu 'alaynaa wa 'alaa 'ibaadillahis-saaliheen
- as-salaamu
- as... the, salam... peace, u... nominative
- 'alaynaa
- ala... on, yna... us, na... us
- wa
- wa... and
- ala ibadillahi
- ala... on, ibadi... servants, abd... servant, ii... plural form, Allahi... of Allah, i... genitive
- ssalihin
- as... the, salihin... righteous, salih... righteous, iin... plural masculine ending
Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhoo wa rasooluh
- ash-hadu
- ashhadu... I bear witness, shahida... to witness, ashhadu... present tense first person
- allaa
- an... that, la... no
- ilaaha
- ilah... deity, a... accusative ending
- illallaah
- illa... except, Allah... Allah
- wa
- wa... and
- ash-hadu
- ashhadu... I bear witness
- anna
- anna... that
- Muhammadan
- Muhammad... Muhammad, an... accusative ending because it follows anna
- 'abduhoo
- abd... servant, u... nominative, hu... his
- wa rasooluh
- wa... and, rasul... messenger, u... nominative, h... his
6. DUROOD IBRAHIMI
Continue sitting in the same respectful position.
Part 1
Recitation
Allahumma
salli 'alaa Muhammadin
wa 'alaa aali Muhammad
Kamaa
sallayta 'alaa Ibraaheema
wa 'alaa aali Ibraaheem
Innaka Hameedum-Majeed
Meaning
O Allah,
send blessings/mercy upon Muhammad
and upon the family of Muhammad,
As
You sent blessings/mercy upon Ibrahim
and upon the family of Ibrahim,
Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma
Hold AA for two counts. Give the doubled m a gentle nasal hum for two counts, then release into ma.
Ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin
Recite as ṣal-li ‘a-LAA mu-ḥam-ma-din
Make ṣ full, double l, and articulate ʿayn before LAA. Use breathy ḥ and a gentle hum on doubled m. If joining the next wa, the final tanwīn blends into w with ghunnah.
Wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad
Recite as wa ‘a-LAA AA-li mu-ḥam-mad
Keep ʿayn in ʿalā distinct from the start of āli. Hold the long vowels and double m in Muḥammad. At a stop, finish on d; in connected reading the ending is Muḥammadin.
Kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma
Recite as ka-MAA ṣal-lay-ta ‘a-LAA ib-RAA-HEE-ma
Hold MAA, double l in ṣallayta, and keep lay short. Articulate ʿayn in ʿalā. In connected reading Ibrāhīma retains its final short ma.
Wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm
Recite as wa ‘a-LAA AA-li ib-RAA-HEEM
Keep ʿayn in ʿalā distinct from the hamzah beginning āli. Do not lose either word at the join. Give the long vowels their proper length and finish Ibrāhīm on m when stopping.
Innaka ḥamīdum-majīd
Recite as in-na-ka ḥa-MEE-dum-ma-JEED
Hum on doubled n for two counts. Use breathy ḥ, hold MEE, and merge the tanwīn of ḥamīdun into m with a nasal hum: dum-ma. Finish majīd on d without adding a vowel.
Meaning & reflection
Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa aali Muhammad
- Allahumma
- Allah... Allah, umma... O
- salli
- sal... send mercy, li... command form, salla... to bless or to send grace
- ala
- ala... upon
- Muhammadin
- Muhammad... Muhammad, in... grammatical marker for being after a preposition
- wa ala
- wa... and, ala... upon
- aali
- al... family, ali... people of, aal... lineage, i... genitive ending
- Muhammad
- Muhammad... Muhammad
Kamaa sallayta 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa aali Ibraaheem
- kamaa
- ka... as, ma... that
- sallayta
- salla... you sent mercy, ayta... you, ta... second person ending
- ala
- ala... upon
- Ibraaheema
- Ibrahim... Abraham. After ala you would expect a kasra, but it takes fatha. Foreign names like Ibrahim are diptote (mamnu min as-sarf) and refuse both the tanwin and the kasra
- wa ala
- wa... and, ala... upon
- aali
- aal... family, i... genitive
- Ibraaheem
- Ibrahim... Abraham
Innaka Hameedum-Majeed
- innaka
- inna... indeed, ka... you
- Hameedun
- hamid... praiseworthy, un... nominative ending
- Majeed
- majid... glorious, root m-j-d meaning honour and nobility
Part 2
Recitation
Allahumma
baarik 'alaa Muhammadin
wa 'alaa aali Muhammad
Kamaa
baarakta 'alaa Ibraaheema
wa 'alaa aali Ibraaheem
Innaka Hameedum-Majeed
Meaning
O Allah,
bless Muhammad
and the family of Muhammad,
As
You blessed Ibrahim
and the family of Ibrahim,
Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma
Hold AA for two counts. Give the doubled m a gentle nasal hum for two counts, then release into ma.
Bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin
Recite as BAA-rik ‘a-LAA mu-ḥam-ma-din
Hold BAA, keep rik short, and begin ʿalā with ʿayn. Use breathy ḥ and a gentle hum on doubled m. When joining the next wa, blend final tanwīn into w with ghunnah.
Wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad
Recite as wa ‘a-LAA AA-li mu-ḥam-mad
Keep the words ʿalā and āli distinct at the join. Hold the AA vowels and double m. Stop Muḥammad on d, or retain the ending in when continuing.
Kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma
Recite as ka-MAA BAA-rak-ta ‘a-LAA ib-RAA-HEE-ma
Hold MAA and BAA but keep rak-ta short and even. Articulate ʿayn in ʿalā; keep the final ma of Ibrāhīma short in connected speech.
Wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm
Recite as wa ‘a-LAA AA-li ib-RAA-HEEM
Keep ʿayn in ʿalā distinct from the hamzah beginning āli. Do not lose either word at the join. Give the long vowels their proper length and finish Ibrāhīm on m when stopping.
Innaka ḥamīdum-majīd
Recite as in-na-ka ḥa-MEE-dum-ma-JEED
Hum on doubled n for two counts. Use breathy ḥ, hold MEE, and merge the tanwīn of ḥamīdun into m with a nasal hum: dum-ma. Finish majīd on d without adding a vowel.
Meaning & reflection
Allahumma baarik 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa aali Muhammad
- Allahumma
- Allah... Allah, umma... O
- baarik
- barik... bless, baraka... blessing, command form
- ala
- ala... upon
- Muhammadin
- Muhammad... Muhammad, in... genitive
- wa ala
- wa... and, ala... upon
- aali
- aal... family, i... genitive
- Muhammad
- Muhammad... Muhammad
Kamaa baarakta 'alaa Ibraaheema wa 'alaa aali Ibraaheem
- kamaa
- ka... as, ma... that
- baarakta
- barak... you blessed, ta... you
- ala
- ala... upon
- Ibraaheema
- Ibrahim... Abraham. Fatha instead of the expected kasra, because Ibrahim is diptote
- wa ala
- wa... and, ala... upon
- aali
- aal... family, i... genitive
- Ibraaheem
- Ibrahim... Abraham
Innaka Hameedum-Majeed
- innaka
- inna... indeed, ka... you
- Hameedun
- hamid... praiseworthy, un... nominative
- Majeed
- majid... full of glory
Short Durood (Alternative)
Recitation
Allahumma salli wa sallim
'alaa nabiyyinaa Muhammad
Meaning
O Allah, send blessings and peace
upon our Prophet Muhammad
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma ṣal-li wa sal-lim
Hum gently on doubled m in Allāhumma. Distinguish full ṣ in ṣalli from light s in sallim. Both words have a doubled l.
ʿAlā nabiyyinā Muḥammad
Recite as ‘a-LAA na-biy-yi-NAA mu-ḥam-mad
Articulate ʿayn, then give doubled y its full sound in nabiyyinā. Hold NAA and use breathy ḥ with doubled m in Muḥammad. Stop on d.
Meaning & reflection
Allahumma salli wa sallim 'alaa nabiyyinaa Muhammad
- Allahumma
- O Allah
- salli
- send blessings
- wa sallim
- and send peace
- ala
- upon
- nabiyyinaa
- our Prophet
- Muhammad
- Muhammad
7. Supplications Before Salam
After finishing the Durood, it is highly recommended to make personal supplications before ending the prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from four things especially.
Protection from Four Evils
Recitation
Allahumma innee a'oodhu bika min 'adhaabi jahannam,
wa min 'adhaabil-qabr,
wa min fitnatil-mahyaa wal-mamaat,
wa min sharri fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal
Meaning
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell,
and from the punishment of the grave,
and from the trials of life and death,
and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal).
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma in-NEE a-‘OO-dhu bi-ka
Give doubled m and n gentle nasal hums. Articulate ʿayn before OO and use voiced dh, like th in this. Keep bi-ka short.
Min ʿadhābi jahannam
Recite as min ‘a-DHAA-bi ja-han-nam
Keep n clear before ʿayn and use voiced dh in ʿadhāb. Hold DHAA and hum on doubled n in jahannam. If continuing, retain the ending a: jahannama.
Wa min ʿadhābil-qabr
Recite as wa min ‘a-DHAA-bil-qabr
Keep n clear before ʿayn, then join ʿadhābi into al-qabr. Make q at the back of the tongue and finish br without an extra vowel. When continuing, retain the final i.
Wa min fitnatil-maḥyā wal-mamāt
Recite as wa min fit-na-til-maḥ-YAA wal-ma-MAAT
Conceal n before f with a nasal hum. Join til-maḥyā, use breathy ḥ, and hold YAA. Finish mamāt on t at a stop, or retain ti when continuing.
Wa min sharri fitnatil-masīḥid-dajjāl
Recite as wa min shar-ri fit-na-til-ma-SEE-ḥid-daj-JAAL
Conceal n before sh with a nasal hum and double r in sharri. Keep ḥ distinct, connect ḥid-da, and give the doubled j its full sound before the long JAAL.
Meaning & reflection
Protection from Four Evils
- a'oodhu
- a... I, udhu... seek refuge
- bika
- bi... in, ka... You
- min
- from
- 'adhaab
- punishment
- fitnah
- trial/test
- mahyaa
- life
- mamaat
- death
The Comprehensive Forgiveness Dua
Recitation
Allahumma innee zalamtu nafsee zulman katheeraa,
wa laa yaghfirudh-dhunooba illaa Ant,
faghfir lee maghfiratam-min 'indika warhamnee,
innaka Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem
Meaning
O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself,
and no one forgives sins but You,
so grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy on me.
Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma innī ẓalamtu nafsī
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma in-NEE ẓa-lam-tu naf-SEE
Hum gently on doubled m and n. The ẓ in ẓalamtu is a full voiced dental sound, not a light z. Hold SEE for two counts.
Ẓulman kathīrā
Recite as ẓul-man ka-THEE-RAA
Keep ẓ full. Conceal tanwīn before k with a nasal hum in connected reading. TH is unvoiced, as in thin. At a stop, kathīran becomes kathīrā with a two-count final AA.
Wa lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā ant
Recite as wa LAA yagh-fi-rudh-dhu-NOO-ba il-LAA ant
Form gh from the upper throat and join the article into doubled voiced dh. Hold NOO and LAA. Finish anta on t when stopping; retain its final a when continuing.
Faghfir lī maghfiratam-min ʿindika
Recite as fagh-fir LEE magh-fi-ra-tam-min ‘in-di-ka
Keep the r in faghfir light after i. Merge tanwīn into m with a nasal hum, but keep n in min clear before ʿayn. Conceal the n inside ʿindika before d with ghunnah.
Warḥamnī
Recite as war-ḥam-NEE
Use breathy ḥ from the middle throat and keep m clear before n. Hold NEE for two counts.
Innaka antal-ghafūrur-raḥīm
Recite as in-na-ka an-tal-gha-FOO-rur-ra-ḤEEM
Hum on doubled n in innaka. Join anta into al-ghafūr and then rur into the doubled r of ar-raḥīm. Keep gh and ḥ distinct and finish on m when stopping.
Meaning & reflection
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi...
- zalamtu
- zalam... wronged, tu... I
- nafsee
- nafs... self, i... my
- zulman
- wrong/oppression
- katheeraa
- great/abundant
- yaghfir
- forgives
- dhunoob
- sins
- maghfirah
- forgiveness
- Ghafoor
- Extreme Forgiver
- Raheem
- Always Merciful
8. ENDING SALAM
Turn your face to the right, looking over your shoulder, and say the Salam.
Then turn your face to the left, looking over your shoulder, and say the Salam.
This signals the completion of your meeting with Allah.
Turn right
Recitation
As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Meaning
May peace and mercy of Allah be upon you
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh
Recite as as-sa-LAA-mu ‘a-lay-kum wa raḥ-ma-tul-LAAH
Double the s, stretch LAA, and articulate ʿayn at the start of ʿalaykum. Join raḥmatu directly into llāh with a full l sound after u. When stopping, finish on h without adding a final i.
Turn left
Recitation
As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
Meaning
May peace and mercy of Allah be upon you
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh
Recite as as-sa-LAA-mu ‘a-lay-kum wa raḥ-ma-tul-LAAH
Double the s, stretch LAA, and articulate ʿayn at the start of ʿalaykum. Join raḥmatu directly into llāh with a full l sound after u. When stopping, finish on h without adding a final i.
Meaning & reflection
As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
- as-salaamu
- as... the, salam... peace, u... nominative ending
- 'alaykum
- ala... upon, ykum... you all, kum... plural you
- wa
- wa... and
- rahmatullah
- rahmat... mercy, rahmah... compassion, u... nominative link, llah... of Allah, Allah... Allah
9. Handling Mistakes (Sujud as-Sahw)
If you make a mistake, you do not have to start the whole prayer again. Two extra prostrations cover it.
When it applies
Excess: you added a part unintentionally (an extra Ruku, an extra Sujud, an extra Rakat).
Deficiency: you skipped a mandatory part unintentionally.
Doubt: you are unsure how many Rakats you have prayed.
It covers unintentional slips only. Skipping a pillar on purpose breaks the prayer and it must be repeated.
How to perform it
1. Continue the prayer to the final sitting as normal.
2. After Tashahhud and Durood, perform two extra prostrations, saying 'Allahu Akbar' going into each and rising from each.
3. These go either before or after the final Salam, depending on the case and the school you follow.
4. Then give the Salam and the prayer is complete.
Nullifiers (Mubtilat) of Salah
These break your prayer. If one happens, stop and start the prayer again from the beginning.
Talking
Speaking intentionally, even a single word, even briefly.
Eating or drinking
Any amount, however small, including swallowing something already in the mouth.
Large movements
Moving three times consecutively, or any movement that would make an onlooker think you had stopped praying.
Laughing
Laughing out loud. A silent smile does not break the prayer.
Losing Wudu
Passing wind, or anything else that invalidates your state of purity.
Turning from the Qiblah
Turning your chest significantly away from the direction of prayer. Glancing with the eyes does not break it.
Uncovering the Awrah
If the parts of the body that must be covered are exposed for a noticeable duration.
Missing a pillar
Intentionally skipping a mandatory part such as Ruku or Sujud. Unintentional slips are handled by Sujud as-Sahw instead.
Post-Prayer Adhkar (Sunnah)
After the final Salam, it is Sunnah to stay seated for a moment and recite these.
Astaghfirullah (3x)
Recitation
Astaghfirullah (3 times)
Meaning
I seek the forgiveness of Allah
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Astaghfirullāh · three times
Recite as as-tagh-fi-rul-LAAH
Begin with a short as. Form gh with voiced upper-throat friction. Join the u of astaghfiru into Allāh with a full l, hold AA, and finish on h.
Meaning & reflection
Astaghfirullah
- Morphology
- form X of the root gh-f-r, which adds seeking. Not I am forgiven, but I ask to be
- Root: gh-f-r
- ghafara... to cover, to shield. The mighfar is the helmet a soldier wears. Forgiveness here is a covering placed over the fault
- Why it comes first
- You end a meeting with Allah by apologising for how you kept it
Allahumma antas-Salaam
Recitation
Allahumma antas-Salaam
wa minkas-salaam
tabaarakta yaa Dhal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam
Meaning
O Allah, You are Peace,
and from You comes peace.
Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour.
How to recite
Practise one phrase at a time, then join them. Phrase divisions are learning aids, not prescribed stopping places.
Allāhumma antas-salām
Recite as al-LAA-hum-ma an-tas-sa-LAAM
Give doubled m a gentle nasal hum. Join anta straight into the doubled s of as-salām. Keep LAA long; at a stop finish on m, or retain mu when continuing.
Wa minkas-salām
Recite as wa min-kas-sa-LAAM
Conceal n before k with a nasal hum, then join ka into as-salām with a doubled s. Hold LAA and finish on m at a stop.
Tabārakta yā dhal-jalāli wal-ikrām
Recite as ta-BAA-rak-ta YAA dhal-ja-LAA-li wal-ik-RAAM
Keep BAA long and rak-ta short. DH is voiced, like th in this. Join dhal-jalāli, then keep the l and short ik audible in wal-ikrām. End on m after the long RAA.
Meaning & reflection
antas-Salaam wa minkas-salaam
- as-Salaam
- one of the Names. Not peaceful, but Peace itself
- Root: s-l-m
- salima... to be whole, to be free of defect. The same root gives salam, islam and taslim. Peace in Arabic is soundness, not just quiet
- The move
- First what He is (antas-Salam), then what reaches you (wa minkas-salam). Source, then gift
tabaarakta yaa Dhal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam
- tabaarakta
- root b-r-k. baraka is growth that keeps giving. Form V here belongs to Allah alone
- Dhal-Jalaali
- dhu... possessor of, jalal... majesty, the awe that keeps you at a distance
- wal-Ikraam
- and generosity, the kindness that draws you back in
- Why the pair
- Jalal and Ikram are held together on purpose. Awe without generosity is terror, generosity without awe is familiarity
Beginner's Glossary of Terms
The words this guide uses, grouped by what they describe.
Rulings and units
Rakat: One unit of prayer: standing, bowing, and two prostrations.
Fard: Obligatory. Leaving it out invalidates the prayer.
Wajib: Mandatory, one step below Fard.
Sunnah: The way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Rewarded, not obligatory.
Nafl: Optional, voluntary prayer.
Niyyah: The intention, made in the heart, not spoken aloud.
Sujud as-Sahw: The two prostrations that repair an unintentional mistake.
Positions and postures
Qiyam: The standing position.
Ruku: The bowing position.
Sujud: The prostration.
Jalsa: The short sitting between the two prostrations.
Iftirash: Sitting on a flat left foot with the right foot upright. Used between prostrations and in the first Tashahhud.
Tawarruk: Sitting with the left foot slipped out to the right and the hips on the floor. Used in the final sitting of longer prayers.
Practical terms
Wudu: The ritual washing done before prayer.
Qiblah: The direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
Awrah: The parts of the body that must stay covered.
Adhan: The public call to prayer.
Iqamah: The second, shorter call given immediately before the prayer starts.
Takbir: Saying 'Allahu Akbar'. The opening one is the Takbirat al-Ihram.
Tashahhud: The testimony of faith recited while sitting.
Durood: The blessings sent on the Prophet ﷺ during the sitting.
Salam: The final salutation, given right then left, that ends the prayer.
Jama'ah: Congregational prayer.
Imam: The one who leads the prayer.
Ma'mum: One who follows the Imam.