The pocket prayer card
Everything you say and do in the prayer, on about two printed pages: positions, every phrase in say-it-out-loud form with its meaning, and how many rakʿahs each prayer has. Reading from a card while you learn is completely fine; this is the card.
The prayer, on one card
qadir.com/guides/prayer-cardThe four positions
One rakʿah, in order
Opening takbir, standing, hands raised, then folded
Allāhu akbar
“Allah is the Greatest.”
Standing, recite Al-Fatiha
Bismi-llāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Al-ḥamdu li-llāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds
Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
Māliki yawmid-dīn Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm Guide us to the straight path
Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim, ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned Your anger or of those who are astray.
In the first two rakʿahs, a short surah follows it.
Ruku, bowing×3
Subḥāna Rabbiyal-ʿAẓīm
“Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.”
Rise from ruku, standing
Samiʿa-llāhu liman ḥamidah · Rabbanā wa-lakal-ḥamd
“Allah hears the one who praises Him · Our Lord, and to You is all praise.”
Sujud, prostration×3
Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā
“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
Sit up briefly
Rabbi-ghfir lī
“My Lord, forgive me.”
Second sujud, that completes one rakʿah×3
Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā
“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
Tashahhud, seated, after every two rakʿahs
At-taḥiyyātu li-llāhi waṣ-ṣalawātu waṭ-ṭayyibāt. As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa raḥmatu-llāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ʿibādi-llāhiṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhū wa rasūluh.
“All greetings, 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.”
Salawat, in the final sitting only
Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm; wa bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, fil-ʿālamīna innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd.
“O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your grace upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; and bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, in all the worlds, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
Taslim, head right, then left. Done.
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatu-llāh
“Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah.”
How many rakʿahs?
| Prayer | Obligatory rakʿahs |
|---|---|
| Fajr (dawn) | 2 |
| Dhuhr (midday) | 4 |
| Asr (afternoon) | 4 |
| Maghrib (sunset) | 3 |
| Isha (night) | 4 |
After every two rakʿahs, sit for the tashahhud; in the final sitting add the salawat, then end with the taslim. Per common Sunni practice; details vary a little between communities. · qadir.com
Pray with others
Find a masjid in your city, with its Jumu'ah time.