Many of us can say salah by heart. But do we know what the words mean? This guide shows what we say in salah, step by step, with the meaning of each part in easy English.
Each table gives the words in English letters, so you can read them even if you cannot read Arabic yet. In Urdu, people ask for namaz ka tarjuma, and this is the same: the words first, then what they mean. Each part comes with its Quran or hadith reference. This guide gives meanings, not rulings. For a ruling, ask a teacher or imam (prayer leader).
Why Does the Meaning of What We Say in Salah Matter?
We learn what we say in salah so that our hearts are in the prayer, and not only our tongues. Allah says the believers have succeeded: those who are humble as they pray (Quran 23:1-2). The Quran also came down so that people think about its verses (Quran 38:29). Quran meanings here are based on Saheeh International.
The companion Ibn Abbas told us how the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught the tashahhud. He taught it the same way he taught a surah (Sahih Muslim 403a). The tashahhud is the set of words we say when sitting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said to pray as you have seen him pray (Sahih al-Bukhari 631).
What Is the Order of Salah?
A man prayed in the mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him three times to go back and pray again. So the man asked to be taught. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him the order. Say the takbir, and recite from the Quran. Bow calmly, stand straight, prostrate calmly and sit calmly. Do the same in all your prayers (Sahih al-Bukhari 757; Sahih Muslim 397a).
We follow that order below, step by step. Each part has its words, then its meaning.
What Do We Say at the Start of Salah?
Salah starts with the takbir. The takbir is the words Allahu akbar, and they mean Allah is the Greatest. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said it to start the prayer and when he bowed. He also said it when he prostrated and when he raised his head from prostration (Sahih al-Bukhari 789).
| Part | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Start, bowing, prostrating | Allahu akbar | Allah is the Greatest |
What Does Al-Fatiha Mean, Ayah by Ayah?
Al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran. It has 7 ayahs (verses). In the common count, ayah 1 is the Bismillah.
Here are the 7 ayahs in English letters, with an easy meaning (Quran 1:1-7, meaning based on Saheeh International):
| Ayah | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim | In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind |
| 2 | Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin | All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds |
| 3 | Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim | The Most Merciful, the Most Kind |
| 4 | Maliki yawmid-din | Master of the Day of Judgement |
| 5 | Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in | You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help |
| 6 | Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim | Guide us to the straight path |
| 7, first part | Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim | The path of those You blessed |
| 7, second part | Ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin | Not of those who earned Your anger or went astray |
The Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke about Al-Fatiha. He said there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it (Sahih al-Bukhari 756; Sahih Muslim 394a). Schools differ on reciting it behind an imam. Ask a teacher or imam.
Does Allah Reply When We Say Al-Fatiha?
A hadith in Sahih Muslim tells us that He does. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Allah has divided the prayer between Himself and His servant. His servant will receive what he asks. Allah's replies start with "All praise is for Allah" (Sahih Muslim 395a). They go like this:
- You say "All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds". Allah says "My servant has praised Me".
- You say "The Most Merciful, the Most Kind". Allah says "My servant has lauded Me".
- You say "Master of the Day of Judgement". Allah says "My servant has glorified Me".
- You say "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help". Allah says "This is between Me and My servant".
- You say the last two ayahs, which start with "Guide us to the straight path". Allah says "This is for My servant".
So when you say Al-Fatiha, you speak to Allah, and the hadith tells us He replies. That is one more reason to know what the words mean.
What Do We Say in Ruku, After Ruku and in Sujud?
Ruku is the bow. Sujud is when the forehead is on the ground. Hudhaifa described a night when he prayed with the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet said one phrase in the bow, two on rising and one in sujud. These are in Sahih Muslim 772 and Sahih al-Bukhari 789. Here they are, in order:
| Part | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ruku, the bow | Subhana Rabbiyal Azim | Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great |
| Rising from the bow | Sami' Allahu liman hamidah | Allah hears the one who praises Him |
| Standing straight | Rabbana laka l-hamd | Our Lord, all praise is Yours |
| Sujud, forehead on the ground | Subhana Rabbiyal A'la | Glory be to my Lord, the Most High |
Take the first and last phrases one word at a time. Subhana means glory be. Rabbi means my Lord. Al-Azim means the Most Great, and Al-A'la means the Most High.
What Do We Say in Salah When Sitting?
When we sit in salah, we say the tashahhud. Ibn Masud said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught it (Sahih al-Bukhari 831; Sahih Muslim 402a). He said the line about Allah's good servants reaches every good servant of Allah in the heavens and the earth.
For the two lines of the greeting, we give the English meaning only. Your teacher will say the Arabic with you. The tashahhud has five parts:
| Part | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Praise | At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat | All greetings, prayers and good words are for Allah |
| To the Prophet | Learn with a teacher | Peace be on you, O Prophet, with Allah's mercy and blessings |
| For all of us | Learn with a teacher | Peace be on us and on Allah's good servants |
| Faith, first part | Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah | I bear witness that there is no god but Allah |
| Faith, second part | Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh | And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger |
A second Sahih wording exists, from Ibn Abbas (Sahih Muslim 403a). It adds the word blessed to the first line. It ends with "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah". Schools prefer different wordings. Ask a teacher or imam which one your family follows.
What Do the Blessings on the Prophet Mean?
Ka'b ibn Ujrah told how the companions asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) how to send blessings on him. He taught them these words (Sahih al-Bukhari 3370; Sahih Muslim 406a). We learn them after the tashahhud. The words come in two halves:
| Part | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mercy | Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad | O Allah, send Your mercy on Muhammad and on his family |
| Like Ibrahim | Kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim | As You sent it on Ibrahim and on his family |
| Blessings | Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad | O Allah, send Your blessings on Muhammad and on his family |
| Like Ibrahim | Kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim | As You sent them on Ibrahim and on his family |
| End of each half | Innaka Hamidun Majid | You are Most Praised, Most Glorious |
The first half asks for mercy, and the second asks for blessings. Each half ends the same way. The two books word it a little differently. The table follows Sahih al-Bukhari 3370.
How Does Salah End?
Salah ends with the greeting of peace. A companion saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) give it to his right and to his left. This is in Sahih Muslim 582.
Schools differ on whether it is said to one side or to two. Ask a teacher or imam which way your family follows.
| Part | Words | Easy meaning |
|---|---|---|
| To the right and the left | Learn with a teacher | The greeting of peace: peace be on you |
How Can You Learn the Meaning of Salah?
The meaning grows a little at a time. These habits help:
- Learn one part at a time. Start with the takbir and Al-Fatiha, then add the next part.
- Say the Arabic, then say the meaning in your own language.
- Say each part slowly, and think of its meaning as you say it.
- Ask a teacher to listen. English letters miss some Arabic sounds, and a teacher can put yours right.
Our guide on how to teach a child to pray gives a plan to follow at home. This post covers the meaning of the words, and that guide covers how to teach them.
Learn Salah With Its Meaning at Salam Campus
At Salam Campus we teach this in every course, as part of Tarbiyah, or Islamic upbringing. Your child does not only say salah by heart. Your child also learns what it means.
In our prayer lessons, the tutor says each phrase slowly and gives its meaning. Each lesson is one-to-one and lasts 30 minutes, with a male or a female teacher, as you prefer.