Phonetic Prayer Guide
What to Say During Islamic Prayer
Complete Phonetic Guide
Learning what to say during Islamic prayer is one of the first challenges every new Muslim faces. The Arabic words feel unfamiliar, the steps seem complex. This complete phonetic guide gives you every word — step by step — so you can pray with confidence from day one.
How to use this guide: Each step shows the Arabic text, the phonetic pronunciation in English, and the meaning. Read the phonetic text out loud as you practice. Over time, the words will become natural.
Before You Begin — Niyyah (Intention)
N
Before Prayer
Niyyah — The Intention
Nawaytu an usalli
"I intend to pray"
💡 The intention is in the heart — you do not need to say this out loud. Allah knows your heart and intention.
The 12 Prayer Steps
Complete Step-by-Step Phonetic Guide
1
Standing · Qiyam
Opening Takbeer
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest"
💡 Raise both hands to your ears. This marks the official beginning of your prayer.
2
Standing · Qiyam
Seeking Refuge — 1st rakat only
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
A'oothu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem
"I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed"
💡 Recite silently before Al-Fatiha. Only in the first rakat.
3
Standing · Qiyam
Surah Al-Fatiha — Every Single Rakat
💡 Al-Fatiha must be recited in every single rakat of every prayer. It is the most important recitation in salah.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil-aalameen
"All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds"
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Ar-rahmanir-raheem
"The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Maaliki yawmid-deen
"Master of the Day of Judgment"
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nastaaeen
"You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help"
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Ihdinas-siraatal mustaqeem
"Guide us to the straight path"
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Siraatal-latheena anamta alayhim, ghayril-maghdoobi alayhim wa lad-daalleen
"The path of those You have blessed — not of those who earned anger, nor those who went astray"
آمِينَ
Ameen
"O Allah, accept our prayer"
3b
Standing · After Al-Fatiha
Short Surah — 1st and 2nd rakat only
💡 After Al-Fatiha, recite a short surah in the 1st and 2nd rakat. Surah Al-Ikhlas is perfect for beginners.
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwa Allahu ahad
"Say: He is Allah, the One"
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allahu As-Samad
"Allah, the Eternal, Absolute"
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
"He begets not, nor was He begotten"
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
"And there is none comparable to Him"
4
Bowing · Rukoo
Going Into Bowing
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest"
💡 Say as you bow, hands on knees.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhaana Rabbiyal Adheem (x3)
"Glory be to my Lord, the Great" — repeat 3 times
5
Rising from Rukoo
Standing Up from Bowing
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami Allahu liman hamidah
"Allah hears those who praise Him" — as you rise
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana wa lakal hamd
"Our Lord, to You be all praise" — once standing upright
6
Prostration · Sujood
First Prostration
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest" — as you go down
💡 7 body parts touch the floor: forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, both feet.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa (x3)
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High" — repeat 3 times
7
Sitting Between Prostrations
Brief Sitting
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest" — as you sit up
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbighfirlee (x3)
"O my Lord, forgive me" — repeat 3 times
8
Second Prostration · Sujood
Second Prostration
اللَّهُ أَكْبَر
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest" — second prostration
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa (x3)
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High" — repeat 3 times
💡 This completes ONE rakat. Check your rakat counter — continue or proceed to Tashahhud.
After the 2nd prostration: if you have more rakats, stand up and return to Step 1. If this is your final rakat, remain seated for Tashahhud.
9
Sitting · Final Rakat
Tashahhud — The Declaration
💡 Raise your right index finger from "Ash-hadu" onward. Recited in the final rakat, and also in the 2nd rakat of prayers with 3 or 4 rakats (without Salawat).
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu
"All greetings, prayers and good things are for Allah"
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
As-salamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
"Peace be upon you O Prophet and the mercy of Allah and His blessings"
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ
As-salamu alayna wa ala ibadillahis-saliheen
"Peace be upon us and all the righteous servants of Allah"
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger"
10
Sitting · Final Rakat Only
Salawat — Blessings on the Prophet
💡 Recite after the Tashahhud in the FINAL rakat only.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad
"O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad"
كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Kamaa sallayta ala Ibraheem wa ala ali Ibraheem. Innaka Hameedun Majeed
"As You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and family of Ibrahim. Verily You are Praiseworthy, Glorious"
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma barik ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad
"O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad"
كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Kamaa barakta ala Ibraheem wa ala ali Ibraheem. Innaka Hameedun Majeed
"As You blessed Ibrahim and family of Ibrahim. Verily You are Praiseworthy, Glorious"
11
Ending the Prayer
Salaam — Turn Right then Left
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
"Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah"
💡 Turn your head to the RIGHT and say this, then turn to the LEFT and repeat. Your prayer is complete. ✓
Quick Reference
All Recitations at a Glance
| Step | Phonetic | When |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Allahu Akbar | Raise hands — start of prayer |
| Seeking refuge | A'oothu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem | Silently, before Al-Fatiha, 1st rakat only |
| Al-Fatiha | Bismillah... (full surah) | Every rakat, every prayer |
| Short surah | Qul huwa Allahu ahad... (Al-Ikhlas) | 1st and 2nd rakat only |
| Going to Rukoo | Allahu Akbar | As you bow down |
| In Rukoo | Subhaana Rabbiyal Adheem (x3) | While bowing |
| Rising from Rukoo | Sami Allahu liman hamidah | As you rise |
| After rising | Rabbana wa lakal hamd | Standing upright |
| Going to Sujood | Allahu Akbar | As you prostrate |
| In Sujood | Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa (x3) | While prostrating |
| Between Sujood | Allahu Akbar · Rabbighfirlee (x3) | Sitting briefly |
| Tashahhud | At-tahiyyatu... (full text) | Final rakat sitting |
| Salawat | Allahumma salli ala Muhammad... | After Tashahhud, final rakat only |
| Salaam | As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah | Turn right then left — end of prayer |
Tips for Memorization
3 Tips to Learn the Recitations Faster
1. Use a Phonetic Prayer Mat
The fastest way to learn what to say during prayer is to have the words right in front of you — literally beneath your feet. A phonetic prayer mat prints every recitation in English letters directly on the mat, so you can follow along without memorizing anything first.
2. Listen While You Read
Use Quran.com or the Muslim Pro app to listen to each recitation being pronounced. Hearing the words while reading the phonetic text trains your ear and mouth simultaneously.
3. Start With Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha is recited in every single rakat — which means you say it 17 times every day. Memorize it first. The repetition makes it natural very quickly.
"The one who reads the Quran beautifully will be with the noble angels, and the one who reads it with difficulty will have double the reward."— Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) · Bukhari
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Right Beneath Your Feet.
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