Introduction: What this guide covers and why words matter in prayer
Prayer in Islam, known as salat, is more than a routine ritual. It is a daily, intimate conversation with Allah that has structure, intention, and a depth of remembrance (dhikr) and supplication (duʿā’). In every unit of prayer, the worshipper can connect with their creator through recitation, prostration, and tongue and heart remembrance.
This article offers a comprehensive, practical guide to what to say in Islamic prayer, with an emphasis on duas (supplications), dhikr (remembrance of God), and blessings (salutations upon the Prophet and his family). It provides variations to reflect scholarly differences, cultural practice, and personal preferences, while preserving the essential etiquette and authenticity of the duas that are commonly taught and practiced by Muslims around the world.
You will find clear examples, transliterations for non-Arabic speakers, and practical notes on when to say each phrase. The goal is to help you cultivate focus, sincerity, and linguistic variety so that your prayer feels meaningful in every situation.
Foundations: Duas, Dhikr, and Blessings in the framework of prayer
In Islam, duas are supplications that call upon God for guidance, mercy, forgiveness, protection, and blessings. Dhikr is the remembrance of God through praise and glorification. Blessings (often called durood or salawat) are prayers sent upon the Prophet Muhammad and his family, which Muslims recite to honor him and to seek Allah’s blessings for the Prophet’s intercession.
Duas in the prayer (duas within the rakʿahs): these are often made in moments of humility, reverence, and supplication, particularly in rukuʿ (bowing) and sujūd (prostration) and sometimes in the standing portion after Surah al-Fātiḥa.
Dhikr during the prayer (adhkar): while one’s heart is focused on God, certain phrases are particularly emphasized in the bowing and prostrating positions, such as Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm and Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā.
Blessings and salutations (durood): these are recited in the sitting positions, especially in the tashahhud, and can be extended or varied to reflect personal devotion and scholarly tradition.
The article below organizes the content by the stages of prayer, but it also presents practical lists of phrases you can memorize and adapt. All phrases are given in transliteration with translations, and bold emphasis highlights the essential words to remember.
The Structure of Salah and Where Duas Fit
A typical rakʿah (unit) of prayer consists of a sequence of actions and words. The core requirement in each rakʿah is the recitation of Al-Fātiḥah in the standing position, followed by a short or longer Qur’anic passage (sūrah). The remaining actions—rukuʿ (bowing) and sujūd (prostration)—are moments when supplications are often recited, either silently or aloud depending on the tradition.
Overview of the rakʿah sequence
Takbīr (saying Allāhu akbar to begin) and niyyah (intention).
Qiyām (standing) with the recitation of Al-Fātiḥah and a short sūrah or verses.
Rukūʿ (bowing) with adhkār such as Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaḍīm (glory to my Lord, the Magnificent).
Sujūd (prostration) with adhkār such as Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā (glory to my Lord, the Most High).
Jalāsah (sitting) between the two prostrations and the tashahhud (testimony).
Tashahhud (testification of faith) and, in the later rakʿahs, durood and supplications.
Salām to conclude the prayer, turning the head first to the right and then to the left.
While the basic structure is common across schools, the exact wording of some supplications and the number of rakʿahs may vary for specific prayers (e.g., Fajr has two rakʿahs, Maghrib has three, Isha typically four). The important point is to maintain focus, humility, and reverence while entering the phrases that demonstrate faith, gratitude, and supplication.
Takbir to begin: Allāhu akbar (God is the Greatest).
Opening supplication (optional but common in some traditions): Allāhummaftahli abwāba ḥukmika wa ḥikmatikika (Oh Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy and wisdom) – transliterations vary widely; the essential idea is to begin with reverence and humility.
In the standing position, recite Al-Fātiḥah in every rakʿah:
Followed by a short surah or verses, such as Surah al-Ikhlāṣ or any other permissible portion from the Qur’an.
Wording for the rukūʿ and sujūd (bowing and prostration)
Rukūʿ (bowing) dhikr:
Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent) — typically said three times.
Optional longer duʿā’ during or after rukūʿ, such as Rabbana walakal-ḥamdu (Our Lord, to You is the praise).
Sujūd (prostration) dhikr:
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) — typically said three times or more.
In some traditions, after the first sujūd you rise briefly and then return to the second sujūd with similar adhkār.
The tashahhud and giving salutations in the sitting position
Attahiyyat (the salutations) in the sitting position:
At-tahiyyātu lillāhi wassalāwātu wat-tayyibātu (All greetings, prayers, and good things are for God).
Assalāmu ʿalayka ayyuhannabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh (Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of God).
Assulāmu ʿalaynā wa ʿalā ibādillāhi ṣ-ṣāliḥīn (Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of God).
Ashhadu an la ilāha illallāh (I bear witness that there is no deity but God) and Ashhadu anna Muḥammad rasūlu llāh (and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God).
Durood (blessings upon the Prophet) in the tashahhud:
Allahumma salli ʿala Muḥammadin wa ʿala ali Muḥammadin kama salla ta ʿala Ibrāhīma wa ʿala ali Ibrāhīm innaka ḥamīdun majīd (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim; You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious).
Variations exist, such as shorter versions or parallel formulations used by different scholars or in different cultures.
Dua after the tashahhud (optional, depending on tradition):
Allahumma inni aʿūdhu bika min ʿadhābin-nār wa min ʿadhābil-qabri wa min fitnatil-maḥyā wa al-mamāt (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the Fire, from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death).
Rabbī ɡhfirli wa liwalidayya wa lil-mu’minīna yawma yaqumul-ḥisāb (My Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day of Judgment).
Ending the rakʿah: Taslīm (salutation) and closing duas
Assalāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatu-llāh (Peace and mercy of God be upon you) to the right, and then to the left.
After concluding the prayer, many Muslims continue with a few additional supplications and remembrance, such as duʿā’ al-istikhārah when seeking guidance, or general supplications like those below.
Dua Variations: Common and beloved supplications to say in prayer
The following lists present commonly recited phrases, with variations to reflect different scholarly schools and cultural practices. Use what resonates with you and what your community teaches, while staying within the traditional framework.
In the standing position after Al-Fātiḥah
Rabbana ātina fiddunya hasanatan wa fiddākhirati hasanatan wa qina ʿadhāban-nār (Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the hereafter [that which is] good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire).
Other valid formulations include: Rabbanaā ātinā fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa fil-ākhirati hasanatan wa qina ḍhāban-nār (slight transliteration differences reflect dialects and schools).
Alternative short supplications after Al-Fātiḥah sometimes include personal duʿā’s focused on guidance, mercy, and relief from hardship.
Duʿā’ during sujūd or after prostration
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) — typically said three times or more in each sujūd.
Extended form used by some: Subḥāna rabbīl-aʿlā wa biḥamdihi (Glory to my Lord, the Most High, and praise be to Him).
Anyone who desires to supplicate between the two prostrations may utter additional sincere prayers such as: Rabbi ighfirli warhamni wa-ʿafni wa-ufʿanni wa-ḥdi-ya qalbi (My Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, grant me safety, and show goodness to my heart).
Durood (blessings) on the Prophet: variations you can use in tashahhud
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahim wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy and Glorious).
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahim wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid (another common variation with spacing and punctuation adjustments).
Other regional or school-based variants exist; the essential spirit is to send blessings upon the Prophet and his family with reverence and gratitude.
General supplications after the final taslīm
Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from God) — often repeated in sets, sometimes 3, 7, or 70+ times according to personal devotion or a recommended daily routine.
La ilaha illallāh (There is no deity but God) with reflection on tawḥīd (the oneness of God).
Allāhumma ʿanīnā bi-l-ʾilm (Oh God, grant us knowledge and wisdom) — a short, flexible dua used in many contexts outside of the formal prayers as well.
Dhikr and remembrance outside the formal prayer: daily practice
While this article centers on what to say during formal prayer, a substantial part of a Muslim’s daily dhikr happens outside the prayer. Integrating Dhikr into daily life strengthens spiritual focus, gratitude, and patience.
Subḥāna-llāh (Glory be to God) — often recited as a quick remembrance during any moment of pause or during daily activities.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh (All praise is due to God) — a phrase of gratitude echoed in every success and trial alike.
Allāhu ʾakbar (God is the Greatest) — used to acknowledge God’s greatness in all circumstances.
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billāh (There is no power nor strength except with God) — a reminder of reliance on God in difficult moments.
Dhikr may be recited in silence or aloud, and can be organized as short phrases repeated in a set pattern or as spontaneous remembrance in response to events in daily life.
Etiquette, accuracy, and practical tips for use
Intention and khushu’ (humility and focus) are essential. Before beginning, declare your intention for the prayer and seek concentration.
Pronunciation matters for the Arabic phrases you use; if you are unsure, learn the phonetics slowly and ask a knowledgeable teacher or community member for guidance.
Consistency over complexity—start with a core set of duas you feel comfortable reciting and gradually add more phrases as you become confident.
Context and choice—some duas are recommended for specific occasions or personal needs; you may select among options to reflect your circumstances and your level of knowledge.
Respect for community practice—in a congregation, follow the imam’s recitation and voice level, and maintain reverence and decorum in the field of worship.
A practical, ready-to-use guide: sample sequences you can memorize
Below are compact, practical sequences you can adapt for daily prayers. They are designed to be straightforward while offering depth through variations.
Beginning and Qiyām:
Intention and Takbir: Allāhu akbar.
Recite Al-Fātiḥah and a short sūrah (e.g., Surah al-Ikhlāṣ).
Alternative short duʿā’ in Qiyām (optional): Rabbana ātina fiddunya hasanatan wa fiddākhirati hasanatan wa qina ḍhāban-nār.
Rukūʿ and Sujūd:
In rukūʿ: Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm (3x).
In sujūd: Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā (3x or more); recite a short duʿā’ after sujūd if desired, such as Rabbi ighfirli (O my Lord, forgive me).
Tashahhud and durood:
Recite Attahiyyātu lillāhi wassalāwātu wat-tayyibātu, then Ashhadu an la ilāha illallāh and Ashhadu anna Muḥammad rasūlu llāh.
Offer durood: Allahumma salli ʿala Muḥammadin wa ʿala ali Muḥammadin (and its variations).
Duʿā’ after tashahhud (optional):
General supplication: Allahumma ighfirli warhamni wa-ṛfqa ʿanī (a concise supplication for forgiveness, mercy, and relief).
Protection and guidance: Hasbī Allāhu wa-nī’mal-wakīl (Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs).
Salām and post-prayer dhikr:
End with Salām to the right and left.
Then perform additional dhikr such as Subḥāna-llāh, Al-ḥamdu li-llāh, Allāhu akbar in sets to complete the remembrance.
Blessings and prophetic salutations: how and when to recite them
Blessed salutations on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) carry spiritual merit and are widely practiced across Islamic traditions. They are most commonly recited in the sit‑ting position after the tashahhud, but many Muslims also include short durood phrases in other parts of the prayer.
Durūd al-Ibrāhīmī formula: Allahumma salli ʿala Muḥammadin wa ʿala ali Muḥammad kama sallayta ʿala Ibrāhīma wa ʿala ali Ibrāhīma innaka ḥamīdun majīd.
Durūd al-Nawawi variant: Allahumma salli ʿala Muḥammadin wa ʿala āli Muḥammad kama sallayta ʿala Ibrāhīma wa ʿala āli Ibrāhīma innaka ḥamīdun majīd.
Variations exist; the core idea is to honor the Prophet and seek blessings for him, his family, and the community.
Common pitfalls and etiquette to keep in mind
Do not rush through duʿā’ or dhikr; give each phrase a moment of contemplation.
Avoid repeating phrases mechanically without understanding their meaning or intention. Strive for sincerity.
Respect privacy and concentration in a group setting; follow the imam’s lead and maintain quiet, introspection, and reverence during the prayer.
Consistency with intent—even if you vary phrasing, the intention to worship and seek guidance remains central.
Putting it all together: a daily practice plan
If you want a structured approach to incorporate these phrases into everyday prayer, try the following plan. It is designed to build familiarity gradually while preserving reverence.
Week 1: Memorize and recite Al-Fātiḥah and one short surah (e.g., Surah al-Ikhlāṣ) in every rakʿah; practice the basic Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm and Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā in rukūʿ and sujūd.
Week 2: Add the tashahhud text and one durood variation; recite the common dua after the tashahhud and a short astaghfar (forgiveness) at the end of the prayer.
Week 3: Increase the range of adhkār in sujūd and rukūʿ; add a longer dua after the final salam, such as Hasbiyallāhu wa-nī’mal-wakīl.
Week 4 and beyond: Introduce alternate durood phrases and short duas for personal needs (guidance, mercy, protection), maintaining attention and humility in every rakʿah.
Remember, the goal is depth of faith, not length of words. A few sincere phrases, uttered with focus and heart, are often more valuable than long recitations done without mindfulness.
Translations: understanding the spirit behind the words
For readers who are seeking clarity, here are concise translations of the core phrases mentioned above. The translations capture the intent of the words without replacing the beauty of the original Arabic.
Allāhu akbar — God is the Greatest.
Subḥāna rabbiyal-ʿaẓīm — Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.
Subḥāna rabbiyal-aʿlā — Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
Al-Fātiḥah — Opening chapter of the Qur’an, praising God and seeking His guidance and mercy.
Ashhadu an la ilāha illallāh — I bear witness that there is no deity but God.
Ashhadu anna Muḥammad rasūlu llāh — I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
Allahumma salli ʿala Muḥammadin wa ʿala ali Muḥammadin — O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
Rabbana ātina fiddunya hasanatan wa fiddākhirati hasanatan wa qina ḍhāban-nār — Our Lord, grant us in this world [that which is] good and in the hereafter [that which is] good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
The practice of duas, dhikr, and blessings in prayer is a gateway to a deeper relationship with God. It is not merely a set of words to be recited but a path toward reflection, humility, and gratitude in every moment of life. By learning a repertoire of authentic phrases, respecting the sequence of the prayer, and mixing personal supplications with the classic formulas, you can transform ordinary prayer into a profound spiritual discipline.
If you are studying with others, do not hesitate to ask a knowledgeable teacher for guidance on regional variations, authentic narrations (hadith references) for specific duas, and how to tailor the invocations for special occasions, hardship, or gratitude. This guide aims to equip you with a broad and practical foundation so that your prayer becomes a living conversation with the Divine—rich in meaning, diverse in expression, and consistent in devotion.
