In Islamic prayer (salah), there are specific words to say in each position, and you can also add your own heartfelt duas in your own language outside the obligatory parts.

What to say in each part of salah

1. Before and opening the prayer

  • Make a quiet intention in your heart (e.g. “I intend to pray Fajr, 2 rak‘ahs for Allah”).
  • Raise your hands and say:
    • Allahu Akbar – “Allah is the Greatest”.

Many people then say a short opening supplication (thana) such as:

  • Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdik, wa tabarakasmuk, wa ta‘ala jadduk, wa la ilaha ghayruk.
    • “Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise; blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.”

2. While standing (qiyam)

In every rak‘ah, while standing:

  1. Say quietly:
    • A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim – “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.”
  1. Then:
    • Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim – “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.”
  1. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (required in every rak‘ah):
 * Alhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘alamin
 * Ar-Rahmani r-Rahim
 * Maliki yawmi d-din
 * Iyyaka na‘budu wa iyyaka nasta‘in
 * Ihdina s-sirata l-mustaqim
 * Sirata l-ladhina an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayri l-maghdubi ‘alayhim wa la d-dallin.

After Al-Fatiha, you recite another short surah or verses from the Qur’an in the first two rak‘ahs.

3. Bowing (ruku‘)

  • Say Allahu Akbar and bow.
  • In ruku‘, say at least three times:
    • Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim – “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.”

You may add other tasbih, but this is the core phrase.

4. Standing up from ruku‘

  • Rise saying:
    • Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah – “Allah hears those who praise Him.”
  • Once fully standing, say:
    • Rabbana laka l-hamd – “Our Lord, to You is all praise.”

5. Prostration (sujud)

Go down saying Allahu Akbar.

In sujud, say at least three times:

  • Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la – “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”

Sujud is also a place where you can make personal dua in your own words, asking Allah for anything halal, because you are very close to Him in this position.

6. Sitting between the two sujuds

Sit saying Allahu Akbar.

Then say, for example:

  • Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li – “My Lord, forgive me, my Lord, forgive me.”
    You may also add:

  • Warhamni, wahdini, wajburni, warzuqni, wa ‘afini – “Have mercy on me, guide me, mend my affairs, provide for me, and grant me well-being.”

7. The final sitting (tashahhud)

In the last rak‘ah, after the second sujud, you sit and recite the tashahhud, which includes praising Allah and bearing witness to the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad.

A common wording in English meaning is:

“All compliments, prayers, and pure words 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 god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”

In Arabic, part of it is:

  • Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.

After tashahhud, you send blessings on the Prophet (salawat), for example:

  • Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad …
    and complete the Ibrahimic salat ending with:

  • Innaka Hamidun Majid – “Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”

8. Ending the prayer (taslim)

To finish:

  • Turn your head to the right and say:
    • As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah – “Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.”
  • Then to the left and repeat the same phrase.

What can you say in dua (personal prayer)?

Outside the fixed words of salah, you can say:

  • Praises: “Subhanallah” (Glory be to Allah), “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is for Allah), “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah).
  • Asking for forgiveness: “Astaghfirullah” – “I seek Allah’s forgiveness.”
  • Any personal requests: guidance, help with exams, family issues, peace in the heart, relief from stress, etc., in any language.

A simple example for a beginner, in English:

“O Allah, forgive my sins, guide me to the straight path, bless my family, make my heart firm on Islam, and accept my prayer.”

Mini “quick scoop” summary

  • Use Allahu Akbar to start and move between positions.
  • Recite Al-Fatiha in every rak‘ah, plus extra Qur’an in the first two.
  • Say Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim in ruku‘, Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la in sujud (at least three times).
  • Make simple heartfelt duas in sujud and after salah, in any language you understand.

If you’re new, it’s completely fine to learn slowly: start with Al-Fatiha, the ruku‘ and sujud phrases, and the final tashahhud, then add more as you get comfortable.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.