learning

to
pray
and the coolness of my eyes is in prayer.
Contents
Purpose of Booklet Page 01
Section 1 Virtues of the Prayer & its Obligation Page 02
Section 2 Conditions of the Prayer Page 03
Section 3 The 5 Prayers Page 06
Section 4 The Call to Prayer (Athaan) Page 07
Section 5 Purification in Islam Page 09
Section 6 Ablution (Wudoo) Page 10
Section 7 How to Perform Wudoo? Page 10
Section 8 The Complete Bath (Ghusl) Page 14
Section 9 How to Perform Ghusl? Page 14
Section 10 How to Pray Page 15
Section 11 Remembrance of Allah (After the Prayer) Page 25
Section 12 Difficulties in Praying Page 26
Cannot remember the different things to say? Page 26

Cannot stand, bow or prostrate in prayer? Page 27

Section 13 Prayer Summary Page 28
Section 14 Voluntary Prayers Page 29
Section 15 Short Chapters from the Quran Page 30
01

Introduction Purpose of Booklet

This project, Learning to Pray, has been launched to assist new

Muslims in performing the most important pillar of Islam after the
declaration of faith.

The prayer of our beloved prophet, Muhammad , has been

described in this booklet in a basic manner, making it easy to learn for
new Muslims.

This booklet forms part of the Free Gift Pack distributed by New Muslim
Support to new Muslims.

We strongly recommend that new Muslims attend circles, or any other

setting in which they may receive assistance in performing this act of
worship, to perfect their prayer.

Other learning aids may include audio playback of the supplications in

prayer. This can be found on our website and downloaded for personal
use.

A smaller, though less detailed, Pocket Prayer Guide has been

produced to allow for easy learning while at work or on the move.
This can also be found on our website www.newmuslim.co.uk

We hope that, with the grace of Allah, these products benefit and help
our new brothers and sisters in Islam in Learning to Pray.

We thank the My Prayer Project whose illustrations we have used. We

ask Allah to reward abundantly all those who have contributed to the
completion of this booklet, to bless this project and to accept it from
us and all those who contribute to its success.
 02

Section 1 Virtues of the Prayer

and its Obligation
The prayer is a gift and a blessing from Allah to His creation, a source of
guidance, protection and purification for our hearts. In the time of ease, it is
our gratitude, and in the time of difficulty, it is our sanctuary and strength. It
was the first act of worship to be bestowed upon the Muslims, and it is the
first thing we will be questioned about in the hereafter.

It was during the miraculous night journey and ascension into the heavens
that Prophet Muhammad received the command from his Lord to
establish the prayer, originally numbering 50 prayers throughout the day
and night. Fearing that this would be too burdensome for his followers,
Muhammad appealed to Allah to reduce the number several times.
Eventually, Allah the Most Merciful reduced the obligation to 5 prayers
decreeing them to be equal to 50 in reward, whereupon the Messenger
was too shy to ask for a further decrease.

The only act of worship to be enjoined in the heavens directly from Allah to
his Messenger , and without any intermediary, the prayer is the
connection between us and our Creator. With its standing, bowing and
prostration, it symbolises the complete devotion and humble submission of
the Muslim before his God, the Mighty and Majestic.

The Prophet said:

What do you think if there was a river by the door of any one of you and he bathed in it
five times a day, would there be any trace of dirt left on him? They said, No trace of dirt
would be left on him. He said, That is like the five daily prayers, by means of which
Allaah erases sin.
03

Section 2 Conditions of the Prayer

Upon whom is it obligatory?
The prayer is obligatory upon a person who is:

1. Muslim
2. An Adult (reached puberty)
3. of Sound Mind

A person is considered to have reached puberty in any one of four

circumstances:

1. Reaching 15 (lunar) years of age

2. Growth of pubic hair
3. Ejaculation of seminal fluid
4. Menstruation or conception (women only)

Exemption: Women are exempt from the prayer whilst on their

menstrual cycle (period), or whilst experiencing post-natal bleeding.
There is no requirement to make up for the missed prayers when the
bleeding has stopped.
 04

Pre-requisites

1) Praying the prayer in its correct time

Allah has enjoined upon Muslims five prayers to be offered in one day and
one night. These five prayers and their times are explained in Section 3.

2) Purification

a. Physical A persons body needs to be cleaned of any impurity

before praying. This includes:

1. Washing the private parts after using the bathroom.

2. Washing away any prostatic (pre-seminal) fluid.
3. Cleaning large/ significant amounts of blood.

NB: When using water, it should be poured with the right hand while using
the left to clean away impurities.

b. Ritual A person must be in a state of ritual purification for prayer.

1. Ablution (Wudoo) this is required to remove the lesser

spiritual impurities. See Section 6
2. Complete bath (Ghusl) this is required to remove major
spiritual impurities. See Section 8

The Prophet said:

Allaah does not accept the prayer of one of you if he becomes ritually impure, unless
he does wudoo.
05

3) Correct Clothing

a. The clothes must be free from impurity. See Section 5

b. They must cover the intimate parts of the body (awrah)

1. Children: their awrah is only their private parts.

2. Men: their awrah is from the navel (belly button) to the knees.
3. Women: their awrah is their entire body except for the face & hands.

4) Place of prayer

a. Generally, the prayer can be offered anywhere.

The Prophet said: The earth has been made for me a masjid and
a means of purification.
b. The place of prayer must be clean of impurities See Section 5.
c. Prayer is prohibited in:

1. places in which there are images of animate beings;

2. bathrooms;
3. graveyards;
4. the middle of roads or places where you will be an obstruction to others

(5) Facing the Qiblah (towards the Kabah in Makkah)

Allah says in the Quran: Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah that shall
please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-al-Haram.
[al-Baqarah 144]

Al-Masjid-al-Haram is the Sacred Masjid, the Kabah in Makkah. The

direction can be determined with the use of a compass.
 06

Section 3 The 5 Prayers

Each of the five prayers has a specified time within which it must be prayed.

Points of benefit
Dhuhr
- An obligatory prayer cannot be prayed before
its time has begun, nor should it be delayed
until after its time has ended.
Asr
- It is best to offer prayers in their earliest times.
- A prayer delayed due to sleep or forgetfulness
Maghrib must be prayed as soon as the person wakes up
Fajr
or remembers.
- The precise times for the prayers vary
throughout the year as the days become longer
Ishaa and shorter. It is useful to use a calendar from
your local masjid to help keep track of prayer
times.

Fajr (The Dawn Prayer)

Fajr is the early-morning prayer which begins at day-break, when
light first appears, and ends at sun-rise. This is a 2-unit prayer.

Dhuhr (The Noon Prayer)

Dhuhr begins at mid-day, after the sun passes its peak, and ends
at the time of the mid-afternoon prayer. This is a 4-unit prayer.

Asr (The Mid-Afternoon Prayer)

Asr begins in the middle of the afternoon, mid-way between the
noon and sunset prayers, and ends at sunset. This is a 4-unit prayer.

Maghrib (The Sunset Prayer)

Maghrib begins at sunset and ends when the evening twilight
disappears. This is a 3-unit prayer.

Ishaa (The Night Prayer)

Ishaa begins after the twilight disappears and ends at mid-night,
mid-way between the times of sunset and sunrise. This is a 4-unit prayer.

Allah says in the Quran:

Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. [al-Nisa 4:103]
07

Section 4 The Call to Prayer (Athaan)

Muslims use the human voice to announce the times of prayer to the
community. The call to prayer is given in the masjid to signal the beginning
of the time of an obligatory prayer; Muslims are called to congregate and
pray together.
The Athaan:





Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar
Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the greatest
4 times

Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha illallaah
Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha illallaah
I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah
2 times

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolullaah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolullaah
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
2 times

Hayya 'alas-Salaah
Hayya 'alas-Salaah
Hasten to the prayer
2 times

Hayya 'alal-Falaah
Hayya 'alal-Falaah
Hasten to success
2 times

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the greatest
2 times

Laa ilaaha illallaah
There is no god worthy of worship except Allah
1 time
 08

Responding to the Athaan

Repeat each statement of the athaan as you hear it, except when you
hear Hayya 'alas-Salaah and Hayya 'alal-Falaah here you should say:

Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah
There is no might nor power except with Allah

After the completion of the athaan, say:

Allaahumma rabba haathihid-dawatit-taammati was-salaatil-qaa-imah
aati Muhammadanil-waseelata wal-fadheelah
wab-ath-hu maqaaman mahmoodanil-lathee waadtah
O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer,
grant Muhammad the intercession and favour,
and raise him to the honoured station you have promised him.
09

Section 5 Purification in Islam

Purification holds an important status in Islam, and is an essential part of
the prayer.

This involves purifying ones soul through sincerity in seeking the reward of
Allah, and certainty in His promise of the hereafter.

Physical Impurity

The more familiar aspect of purification is in physical cleanliness. The body,

clothes and place of prayer need to be cleansed of all physical impurities
before the prayer is offered. The common method of cleaning is with
water.

The following are considered impurities which need to be removed:

Human urine and faeces

Urine and dung of animals that are not allowed to be eaten i.e. cats,
dogs and mice
Pre-seminal fluid
Menstrual blood (even if it is a small amount)
Blood from cuts (if it is considered a large amount)

Ritual Impurity

A further ritual purification is required before one can pray. Ritual impurity
refers to a state of intangible impurity which arises through actions such as
passing wind, sleeping and sexual intercourse.

Ordinarily, removing ritual impurity will simply mean performing ablution,

but may in some circumstances mean performing the complete bath.

Allah says in the Quran:

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify
themselves. [al-Baqarah: 222]
 10

Section 6 Ablution (Wudoo)

The Prophet said:
My people will come on the Day of Resurrection with radiant faces, hands and feet
from the traces of Wudoo. If any of you can extend his brightness, let him do so.

What actions require you to perform wudoo?

Excretion of urine or faeces
Passing wind
Deep sleep whereby you lose awareness of your surroundings
Unconsciousness
Touching the sexual organ with the hand without any covering
Discharge of pre-seminal fluid

The following occurrences also invalidate wudoo, but require the

complete bath:
Ejaculation
Sexual intercourse, regardless of whether ejaculation takes place
Menstrual or post-natal bleeding

Section 7 How to Perform Ablution

(Wudoo)
Allah says in the Quran:
Oh you who believe! When you rise to offer the prayer, wash your faces and your hands
to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. [al-Maidah 6]

Step 1 - Intention

Form the intention in your heart that you are

performing ablution and purifying yourself.
11

Then say:

Bismillaah
In the name of Allah
NB: Allahs name should not be mentioned in places of impurity i.e.
bathrooms with toilets, in which case Bismillah should be said in the heart.

Step 2 Washing your hands

Wash your hands including the wrists

and between the fingers. Begin with the
right hand.
3 times

Step 3 Rinsing the mouth

Rinse your mouth, swirling the water inside

your mouth. Use your right hand.
3 times

Step 4 Rinsing the nose

Enter the water into your nose with the right

hand, and blow it out using the left hand.
3 times

Step 5 Washing the face

Wash your face from the hairline

to the chin and from ear to ear.
3 times
Brothers: Men should run wet fingers through their beard.
 12

Step 6 Washing the forearms

Wash your arms from the finger tips up to and

including the elbows. Begin with the right arm.
3 times

Step 7 Wiping the head

Wipe your head with wet hands. Begin from

the top of the forehead, bring your hands to
the back of your head and then bring them
back to the hairline all in one motion.
1 times
Sisters: Women should wipe her hair whether it is loose or braided
from the front of her head to the roots of the hair at the back
(nape) of her neck. She does not have to wipe the entire length
of her hair.

Step 8 Wiping the ears

Wipe the insides of your ears with the index fingers

and wipe the back of the ears with your thumbs.
1 times

Step 9 Washing the feet

Wash your feet up to and including the ankles

inserting a finger in between the toes to ensure water
reaches that area. Begin with the right foot.
3 times

This is the completion of your Wudoo

The Prophet said:

Whoever does wudoo as I have done it, then prays two units of prayer in which he
focuses completely on his prayer, his previous sins will be forgiven.
13
Supplications after completing Wudoo

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa
shareeka lahu.
Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu
wa rasooluhu.
I bear witness that there is no god worthy of
worship except Allah alone, Who has no
partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is
His servant and Messenger.

Allaahummajalnee minat-tawwaabeena,
wajalnee minal-mutatahhireen.
O Allah, make me among those who turn to
You in repentance, and make me among
those who purify themselves.

Concession: Wiping over the socks

As an ease and concession, it is permissible to wipe over the socks with
wet hands in place of washing the feet. This allowance is very practical
and makes performing wudoo a lot easier when at work or college.

Simply wet your hands and wipe over the top of your socks from
the toes to the ankles in a single motion. 1 time

Points to observe when wiping over the socks:

Socks must be put on after you have already performed wudoo
having washed your feet.
The socks must cover the ankles.
The bottom of the socks should not be wiped.
You may only wipe over them for the purpose of wudoo (not for
the complete bath).
You may continue wiping over the socks for a period of 24 hours
from the first time you wipe over them.
 14
Section 8 The Complete Bath
(Ghusl)
What actions require you to perform the ghusl?
Accepting Islam
Sexual intercourse, regardless of whether ejaculation takes place
Ejaculation, whilst asleep (wet dream) or awake
Upon completion of menstruation or post-natal bleeding
Attending the Friday (Jumuah) congregational prayer

If you are in a state of Janaabah (sexual impurity) purify yourselves. [al-Maidah 6]

Section 9 How to Perform Ghusl?

The most basic requirement of performing the complete bath is that you
make water reach all parts of the body, including rinsing the mouth and nose.
The complete manner of performing the complete bath is as described by
Aishah, the wife of the Prophet .

Whenever the Prophet took a bath from janaabah (sexual impurity) he started by washing his
hands, then he would pour water with his right hand on his left and wash his sexual organ. He
would then perform ablution. After that he would take some water and rub the roots of his hair
with his fingers, and then pour three handfuls of water over his head and then pour water all
over his body. Then he washed his feet.

Step 1 - Intention Form the intention in your heart that you are performing the
complete bath and purifying yourself.
Step 2 - Bismillah Then say: Bismillaah In the name of Allah
NB: Allahs name should not be mentioned in places of impurity i.e. bathrooms with toilets, in which case Bismillah should be said in the heart.

Step 3 Wash your hands

Step 4 Washing the private parts and anywhere else the impurity has reached
Pour water from your right hand onto your left, using the left hand to clean yourself.
Step 5 Perform ablution as described above

Step 6 Rub the roots of your hair with wet fingers

Step 7 Pour water over your head 3 times

Step 8 Pour water all over the rest of your body

15

Section 10 How to Pray

The Prophet said:
When you get up to pray, perform the ablution perfectly, then face the Qiblah and say:
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). Then recite a convenient portion of the Quran; then
bow and remain calmly in that position for a moment, then rise up and stand erect; then
prostrate and remain calmly in that position for a moment, then rise up and sit calmly, then
prostrate and remain calmly in that position for a moment; then do that throughout your

Step 1 - Intention

Begin by facing the Qiblah (the direction of

Makkah) with your shoulders and feet. You should
form the intention in your heart that you are
performing the particular prayer that is at hand
and worshipping Allah, the Lord and Creator of

Step 2 - Opening Takbir (Allaahu Akbar)

Raise your hands up to your shoulders or ears,
with your palms facing the Qiblah, and say:


Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest

Step 3 - Place Right Hand On The Left

Put the right hand on top of the left, and place them
above the navel (belly button).
Praise Allah saying:

Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi hamdika,
wa tabaarakasmuka, wa taaalaa jadduka,
wa laa ilaaha ghayruka.
Glory is to you Oh Allah, and Praise. Blessed is Your
name and exalted is Your majesty. There is none
worthy of worship but You.
NB: It is not obligatory to begin with a supplication here, but it is recommended. There are many
different praises and supplications found in hadiths (sayings of the prophet )that may be said here,
not just this one.
 16
Step 4 - Recition of the Quran

Begin by Seeking Refuge in Allah

Aoothu billaahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.

Recite the Opening Chapter of the Quran:

Al-Fatihah:

1) Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful


2) Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil-aalameen.
All praise and thanks is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds


3) Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful


4) Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
Owner of the Day of Recompense

5) Iyyaaka nabudu wa iyyaaka nastaeen
You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help


6) Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem
Guide us to the Straight Path



7) Siraatal-latheena anamta alayhim
The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace


Ghayril-maghdoobi alayhim
Not the path of those who earned Your anger

Wa lad-daalleen.
Nor the path of those who went astray.

Then say: Aameen

Oh Allah! Answer our prayer.
17

Recite another chapter from the Quran

Recite another chapter in the 1st and 2nd

units (rakat) of prayer. For the 3rd and 4th
rakat, it is sufficient to only recite al-Fatihah.

Al-Ikhlaas (The Purification):

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful

1) Qul huwal-laahu ahad
Say: He is Allah, the One

2) Allaahus-samad
Allah, the Eternal Refuge

3) Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
He begets not, nor was he begotten

4) Wa lam lakul-lahu kufuwan ahad.
And there is none comparable unto Him.

NB: Other short chapters for following rakat (units of prayer)

can be found at the back of the booklet.
 18
Step 5 - Go into the bowing position (Rukoo)

Takbir (Allaahu Akbar)

Raise the hands as done at the opening of the prayer and say:

Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Rukoo (The Bowing)
Bow down keeping your back and
neck as straight as you are able, place
your palms on your knees and say:



Subhaana Rabbiyal-Atheem
Glory be to my Lord, the Exalted
3 times

[The Prophet ]would spread his back and make it level, such that if water were
poured on it, the water would not run off. (al-Tabarani)

Step 6 - Rising from Rukoo

Return to the standing position and

raise your hands.Whilst rising from the
bowing position, say:

Samiallaahu li man hamidah
Allahu listens to the one who praises Him

After straightening up, say:

Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd
Our Lord, To You be all praise
19
Step 7 - Prostration (Sujood)

Descend into the prostration position while saying:

Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
In prostration say:

Subhaana Rabbiyal aalaa
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
3 times

In prostration, you need to ensure that the following are all touching the ground:
The nose and forehead
The palms with the fingers together pointing to the Qiblah
The knees
The toes with the feet upright and not laying on the floor

Step 8 - Sitting between the two prostrations

Come up into the sitting position while saying:

Allaahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest

In this position, sit on your left foot which

should be flat on the ground pointing to
the right foot. The right foot should be
upright with the toes pointing to the
qiblah. Place your hands on your knees.

Rabbighfirlee (Rab-bigh-fir-lee)
My Lord, forgive me
2 times
 20
Step 9 - The Second Prostration

You should prostrate as in step 7. While going into prostration, say:

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest

In prostration say:

Subhaana Rabbiyal aalaa
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High
3 times

The first unit of prayer is now complete

Step 10 - The Second Unit (Rakat)

Stand up for the second rakat saying:

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest

Then follow steps 4 to 9 to complete the 2nd rakat.

21

Step 11 The Tashahhud (Testimony)

After the second prostration, sit up on your left foot

(as in step 8) saying:

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest

Raise the index finger on your right hand and say:

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaatu.
All greetings of humility, prayers and goodness are for Allah.

Assalaamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi
wa barakaatuh
Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and
His blessings

Assalaamu alaynaa wa alaa ibaadil-laahis-saaliheen
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah.

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah
I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except
Allah

Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and
Messenger.
 22
Whats the next step?
This will depend on which prayer you are praying.

Fajr (Morning) Prayer - 2 rakat prayer:

If you are praying the Fajr Prayer, or any other voluntary 2-unit
prayer, you need to go on to the next step (Step 12) and complete the prayer.

Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer - 3 rakat:

If you are praying the Maghrib. You need to stand again
to complete the final unit of prayer.
i) Upon standing for the 3rd unit, raise your hands and say:

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest

ii) Complete steps 4 9 to pray the third unit

(you only need to recite al-Fatihah without
an additional chapter).

iii) Sit for the Tashahhud (Step 11) and then

carry on to the next step (Step 12) and
complete the prayer.

Dhuhr (Noon), Asr (Mid-afternoon), or Ishaa (Night) Prayers - 4 rakat:

You need to complete another 2 units just as described above.

i) Upon standing for the 3rd unit, raise your hands and say:

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest

ii) Complete the remaining two rakats

(Steps 4 11). You only need to recite
al-Fatihah in these two units, without an
additional chapter.

iii) Carry on to the next step (Step 12) and

complete the prayer.
23

Step 12 - Send blessings and salutions upon the Prophet

Continue on from the Tashahhud and say:

Allaahumma salli alaa Muhammad
Oh Allah, bestow your favour upon Muhammad


Wa alaa aali Muhammad
And upon the family of Muhammad


Kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraaheem
As You have bestowed Your favour upon Ibrahim


Wa alaa aali Ibraaheem
And upon the family of Ibrahim

Innaka Hameedun Majeed.
You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

Allaahumma baarik alaa Muhammad
Oh Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad


Wa alaa aali Muhammad
And upon the family of Muhammad


Kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraaheem
As You sent Your blessings upon Ibrahim


Wa alaa aali Ibraaheem
And upon the family of Ibrahim

Innaka Hameedun Majeed.
You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
 24
Step 13 Completing The Prayer

Supplication

Allaahumma innee aoothu bika min
athaabil-qabr, wa min athaabi jahannam, wa
min fitnatil-mahyaa wal-mamaat, wa min sharri
fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal.
Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from the punishment
of the grave, and from the punishment of Hell-fire,
and from the trials of life and death, and from the
evil of the trial of the false messiah.
NB: It is not obligatory to end with a supplication such as this, but it is
recommended. There are many different supplications found in hadiths
(sayings of the prophet )that may be said here, not just this one.

Tasleem
Finally, turn your face to the right and say:

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaah
May Allahs peace and mercy be upon you

Then turn your face to the left and say:

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaah
May Allahs peace and mercy be upon you

I used to see the Messenger of Allah (saw) when he pronounced the Tasleem on his right and
on his left until I could see the whiteness of his cheek. (Muslim)

This is the completion of your prayer

NB: You mustnt speak during the prayer, nor laugh out loud, nor move excessively unnecessarily. These acts
invalidate the prayer.
25

Section 11 Remembrance of Allah

(After the Prayer)
After completion, sit in your place of prayer and say:

Astaghfirullaah, Astaghfirullaah, Astaghfirullaah
(As-tagh-fi-rul-laah) 3 times
I seek Allahs forgiveness

Allaahumma antas-salaam wa minkas-salaam. Tabaarakta
yaa thal-jalaali wal-ikraam.
Oh Allah, you are Peace, and from you comes peace. Blessed
are you, Owner of majesty and honour.

Subhaanallaah Alhamdu lillaah Allaahu Akbar
Glory be to Allah All Praise be to Allah Allah is the Greatest
33 times 33 times 33 times

Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu,
lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa alaa kulli shay-in
qadeer.
There is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, He
has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and
He is able to do all things.

NB: This remembrance is not obligatory, but is recommended and from the actions of the Prophet . There are
many different remembrances found in hadiths (sayings of the prophet) that may be said here, not just these.
 26

Section 12 Difficulties in Praying

Cannot Remember the Different Things to Say?

Points of benefit
Try to say the different words of remembrance in the prayer in Arabic.
If you have not yet learnt these, there is a concession and you are only
required to say:

- To begin the prayer and during each change

of position.

Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Most Great

- Whilst in each position i.e. in the standing,

bowing, prostrating and sitting positions.

subhaanallaah, walhamdu lillaah, wa laa
ilaaha illallaah, wallaahu akbar
Glory be to Allah, praise and thanks be to
Allah, there is no god worthy of worship
except Allah, Allah is the Most Great
- To complete the prayer at the end of the
final sitting position.

Assalaamu alaykum Peace be upon you

If you can only remember some, but not all, of the different sayings and
supplications, then replace anything you cannot remember with the
words above accordingly.

Keep learning the different parts of the prayer and pray with whatever
parts you learn until you have learnt the prayer completely! Start with
learning al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran).

If it is difficult and takes a long time to learn the prayer, dont worry be
patient and persistent. Allah knows your intention and He knows the effort
you are making; He wants for you ease and will not hold you to account
for that which you are not capable of.
27

Cannot Stand, Bow or Prostrate in Prayer?

The one of poor health should do what he is able to of the essential parts of
the prayer and does not have to do what he is unable to do.
Standing, bowing and prostrating are essential parts of the prayer. Whoever
can do them, it is obligatory for him to do them in the prescribed manner.
Whoever is not able to do them, or it is very difficult for him because of poor
health, or he is sick and it is feared that the sickness may become worse by
standing; he may sit on the ground or on a chair.
The threshold of difficulty here is that which takes away proper focus and
peace of mind.

Cannot Stand?
If you are able to stand for a few seconds when starting the prayer then
you must do so before sitting down.
If you cannot stand it is permissible to sit on a chair or on the ground
cross-legged, depending on what is easy for you.
If you cannot sit, then you may pray lying down on you back with your feet
pointed towards the qiblah (Makkah).

Cannot Bow?
If you are able to stand, but cannot bow properly, then remain standing
and lean forward as much as is easy for you and place your hands on your
knees.
If you cannot stand then lean forward slightly whilst sitting down and place
your hands on your knees.

Cannot Prostrate?
If you cannot prostrate with your head, but are able to kneel and put your
hands on the ground then you must do so.
If you cannot kneel, but can sit on the floor and touch the ground with
your hands then you must do so.
If you cannot do the above then sit down and lean forward more than you
did when bowing. Place your hands on your knees.

The Prophet said:

Pray standing, and if you cannot, then sitting, and if you cannot, then (lying) on your side.
 28

Section 13 Prayer Summary

Dhuhr

Asr

Fajr Maghrib

Ishaa

Fajr

Early Morning

Dhuhr

Noon

Asr

Mid- afternoon

Maghrib

Sunset

Ishaa

Night

NB: Quiet recitation means to recite in a low voice, just enough for you to hear yourself, without disturbing the
person next to you.
29

Section 14 Voluntary Prayers

The Prophet said:
Whoever prayers 12 (voluntary) units of prayer in a day and a night, a house will be
built for him in Paradise due to them.
Make the last of your prayer at night Witr (an odd number).

The time of these sunnah prayers (the 12 units and the Witr prayer) are
connected to the obligatory prayers.
2 before the Fajr (morning) prayer
4 before the Dhuhr (noon) prayer [pray this in twos: 2 + 2)
2 after the Dhuhr (noon) prayer
2 after the Maghrib (sunset) prayer
2 after the Ishaa (night) prayer
Witr the final prayer of the night
There are many different voluntary prayers that may be offered, but these
12 units and the Witr are from the most virtuous prayers that the Prophet
regularly offered.

Prayer Sunnah Before Compulsory Sunnah After

Fajr (Morning) 2 2
Dhuhr (Noon) 2+2 4 2
Asr (MidAfternoon) 4
Maghrib (Sunset) 3 2
Ishaa (Night) 4 2 +3 (Witr)

The Witr Prayer

This prayer is commonly prayed as 3 continuous units of prayer.
Complete steps 1-9 as described in Section 13: How to Pray
Stand up for the second rakat saying Allaahu akbar, then follow steps
4 9 to complete the second rakat
Stand up for the third rakat saying Allaahu akbar, then follow steps 4
9 to complete the third rakat.
Sit up and follow steps 11-13 to complete the prayer.

NB: There are other ways that the Witr prayer was prayed by the Prophet ( ;)these can be learned later.
 30

Section 15 Short Chapters from

the Quran
Surah al-Asr (Time) Surah al-Kawthar (The Abundance)

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
In the Name of Allah, the Most In the Name of Allah, the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful Gracious, the Most Merciful

1) Wal-Asr 1) innaa aataynaakal-kawthar
By time Indeed we have granted you the
Abundance.




2) innal-insaana la fee khusr
2) Fa salli li rabbika wanhar
Verily, man is in loss
So pray to your Lord and
sacrifice.



3) illal-latheena aamanoo wa
amilus-saalihaati
3) inna shaaniaka huwal-abtar
Except those who believe and
Indeed your enemy is the one cut off.
do righteous good deeds

Watawaasaw bil-haqqi
And advise one another other
to truth


Watawaasaw bis-sabr
And advise one another to
patience.
31

Surah al-Falaq (The Daybreak) Surah an-Naas (Mankind)

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
In the Name of Allah, the Most In the Name of Allah, the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful Gracious, the Most Merciful

1) Qul aoothu bi rabbil-falaq 1) Qul aoothu bi rabbin-naas
Say: I seek refuge in the
Say: I seek refuge in the
Lord of mankind
Lord of the daybreak




2) Malikin-naas
2) Min sharri maa khalaq
The King of mankind
From the evil of what
He has created
3) Ilaahin-naas

The God of mankind
3) Wa min sharri ghaasiqin ithaa waqab
And from the evil of the darkness

when it settles 4) Min sharril-waswaasil-khannaas
From the evil of the

retreating whisperer
4) Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-uqad

And from the evil of those who
5) Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas
practice witchcraft when they blow
Who whispers in the
in the knots breasts of mankind

5) Wa min sharri haasidin ithaa hasad. 6) Minal-jinnati wan-naas
And from the evil of the envier From among the jinn and mankind
when he envies.

This booklet is only intended as initial learning and the new Muslim will come across some variations in the
non-obligatory actions and undoubtedly learn more as time goes by.
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