What to Say in Prayer Islam Step by Step: A Complete Guide 

Prayer serves as a base of every Muslim’s existence. However, whether you are new to Islam or have been praying for a long time, you might still wonder if you are articulating the words accurately or not. This guide explains what to say in prayer in Islam, outlining a step-by-step approach to assist newcomers and recent converts in learning how to perform Salah properly. The instructors at Mecca Academy have compiled essential steps that are crucial to grasp.

What You Need to Know Before You Start Islamic Prayer

Before you say a single word, you need to know the following things before you start Islamic prayer.

• Wudu (Purification): 

Your body must be clean. Perform wudu — washing your hands, face, arms, head, and feet in the correct order. Without wudu, your prayer is not valid.

• Clean clothes and place: 

Your clothing must be clean, and you should pray on a clean surface — a prayer mat works perfectly.

• Facing the Qibla: 

Turn to face the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. This direction is called the Qibla.

• Intention (Niyyah): 

Make your intention in your heart before you begin. You do not need to say it aloud. Simply intend in your heart: “I am praying Fajr (or Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) for the sake of Allah.”

• Know your prayer: 

Different prayers have different numbers of units (rak’ahs). Fajr has 2, Dhuhr and Asr have 4, Maghrib has 3, and Isha has 4. Once these are in place, you are ready to begin.

Step 1: The Opening Takbeer — What to Say and How to Say It?

Every prayer begins with one powerful statement. It is called the Takbeeratul Ihram — the opening Takbeer that brings you into the state of prayer.
What to say:
Allahu Akbar (اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ) Meaning: “Allah is the Greatest.”

How to say it: Stand upright, raise both hands to your earlobes (or shoulders), and say Allahu Akbar clearly. From this moment, you are in prayer.
After the Takbeer, you recite the opening supplication (Du’a al-Istiftah). One common version:

Subhanakal-lahumma wabihamdika, watabarakasmuka, wata’ala jadduka, wala ilaha ghairuk. Meaning: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.”

Then say quietly:

A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem (Seeking protection from Shaytan)

Followed by:

Bismillahir-rahmanir-raheem (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)

Now you are ready to recite.

Step 2: What to Say in Prayer in Islam During Recitation

After the opening, every rak’ah begins with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha. This is compulsory — prayer is not valid without it.

Surah Al-Fatiha:

Alhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘aalameen. Ar-rahmanir-raheem. Maliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem. Siratal-ladhina an’amta ‘alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi ‘alayhim walad-daalleen.

After Al-Fatiha, say Ameen quietly (or aloud in some schools of thought).

Then, in the first two rak’ahs, recite any short Surah or a few verses from the Quran. Popular choices for beginners include:

• Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qul huwa Allahu ahad…)
• Surah Al-Falaq (Qul a’udhu bi rabbil-falaq…)
• Surah An-Nas (Qul a’udhu bi rabbin-naas…)

In the third and fourth rak’ahs, you only recite Surah Al-Fatiha — no additional Surah is required.

Step 3: The Words of Ruku and Sujood Explained Simply

Ruku (Bowing)

After recitation, you bow forward with your back straight, hands on your knees. This position is called Ruku.

What to say in Ruku (say it 3 times):
Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ) Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.”

When rising from Ruku, say:
Sami’Allahu liman hamidah. Meaning: “Allah hears those who praise Him.”

Then say:
Rabbana wa lakal hamd. Meaning: “Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”

Sujood (Prostration)

Now go down into prostration — forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes all touching the ground.

What to say in Sujood (say it 3 times):

Subhana Rabbiyal A’la (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”

Between the two Sujoods, sit briefly and say:

Rabbighfir lee Meaning: “My Lord, forgive me.”

Then perform the second Sujood with the same words.

• Step 4: The Tashahhud and Final Salaam — Completing Your Prayer

At the end of every two rak’ahs (and at the end of the full prayer), you sit and recite the Tashahhud.

Tashahhud:

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-saliheen. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.

Meaning (simplified): All greetings, prayers, and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah. Peace be upon the righteous servants of Allah and upon us. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

After the Tashahhud in the final sitting, add the Salawat (Durood Ibrahim):

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim. Innaka hamidun majeed…

• Then end with the Tasleem (Final Salaam):
• Turn your head to the right and say:
• Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah
• Turn to the left and say the same.

Your prayer is complete.

Common Pronunciation Mistakes in Islamic Prayer and How to Fix Them

Even those who regularly pray sometimes carry small errors without realising. Here are the most common ones:

1. Mispronouncing Arabic letters. 

Arabic has letters with no equivalent in English — like the “ain” (ع), “ghain” (غ), and “qaf” (ق). Replacing them with similar English sounds changes the meaning. Fix: Listen to a qualified teacher or audio recording and repeat slowly.

2. Rushing through Al-Fatiha. 

Speeding through the most important recitation in prayer often leads to skipping letters or merging words. Fix: Slow down. Al-Fatiha has only 7 verses. Give each word its full sound.

3. Forgetting the Madd (elongation). 

Arabic has long vowels that must be stretched. Shortening them is a common mistake. Fix: Learn basic Tajweed rules — even just the elongation rules make a big difference.

4. Saying Ameen too quietly or skipping it. 

Some people forget to say Ameen after Al-Fatiha entirely. Fix: Make it a habit — it is a confirmed Sunnah.

5. Incorrect posture affecting recitation. 

Mumbling into the chest during Ruku or Sujood makes the words unclear. Fix: In Ruku, keep your head in line with your back. In Sujood, make sure your mouth is free to speak clearly.

Tips to Memorise What to Say in Prayer Islam Step by Step 

Learning what to say in prayer in Islam step by step does not have to feel like a chore. Here is how to make it easy:

• Break it into steps: Don’t try to learn everything at once. Master one position before moving to the next.
• Repeat after Salah: Right after each prayer, replay the Arabic phrases in your head or aloud.
• Use audio repetition: Listen to recordings of each du’a while commuting, cooking, or resting.
• Write it down: Writing Arabic phrases by hand helps the memory stick far better than just reading.
• Pray with a friend or family member: Saying the words together builds confidence quickly.
• Set a 2-week target: Focus on one new du’a every two or three days. In two weeks, you will know the full prayer.
• Use transliteration first, then move to Arabic script: Start with Roman letters if Arabic script feels overwhelming — but gradually shift to reading Arabic directly.
• Consistency beats intensity. Small daily practice will always win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I pray in English if I don’t know Arabic yet? 

Many scholars say that a new Muslim may make du’a in their own language while learning, but the core recitations (Al-Fatiha, Tashahhud) must be in Arabic as soon as possible. Seek guidance from a local scholar based on your situation.

Q: What if I forget a word mid-prayer?

If you forget a word, pause briefly, try to recall it, and continue. If you are unsure, complete the prayer and perform the Sujood As-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) at the end.

Q: Is it okay to look at a card or phone while learning to pray? 

Yes — while you are learning. Many scholars allow the use of a reference card for beginners. The goal is to memorise, so use the card as a short-term support.

Q: How long does it take to learn all the prayer words? 

With daily practice, most people learn the full prayer within 2 to 4 weeks. With guided support, even faster.

Q: Do men and women say the same words in prayer? 

Yes — the words are the same. There are some minor differences in posture according to certain schools of thought, but the verbal content is identical.

Learn to Pray Correctly From Day One — Start at Mecca Academy Online

At Mecca Academy, we offer expert-led online Quran and Islamic studies courses for learners of all ages and levels. Whether you are a complete beginner, a parent teaching your child, or someone looking to perfect their recitation, our qualified teachers are here to guide you — one step at a time.

Enroll today and start praying with clarity, confidence, and connection.