Salat – understanding by translation
And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of al-masjid-al-haram (at Mecca), and wheresoever you are, turn your faces towards it (when you pray) so that men may have no argument against you except those of them that are wrong-doers, so fear them not, but fear me! – so that I may complete my blessings on you and that you may be guided
Surah 17 Al-Israa Ayah 110 (the night journey)
Wala tukhafitbiha wabtaghI bayna thalika sabeela
And offer your salat (prayer) neither aloud nor in a low voice, but follow a way between.
A transliteration/translation
Takbeerat
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
Al-Istiftah (supplication of starting)
Recited only in the first circuit of prayer.
Subhana kal-lah hum-ma wabI hamdika
Glory be to you, O Allah, and all praises are due unto You
Wata-bara kasmuka
And Blessed is your Name
Wata'ala jad-duka
And High is your Majesty
Wala ilaha ghyruk
And none is worthy of worship but You
Ta'awwuz (recited only in the first circuit)
A'uzu bil-lahI minash shayta-nir-rajeem
I seek Allah's protection from satan, the accursed (outcast)
Tasmiah
Bismillah hir-rahma nir-raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful
Surah Al-Fatiha
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Alhumdul lil-lahI rab-bil 'alameen
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (all that exists)
Ar rahma nir-raheem
The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
MalikI yawmid-deen
The Master of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een
You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and every thing)
Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem
Guide us to the Straight Way
Siratal lazeena an'amta 'alayhim
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace
Ghai-ril maghdubI 'alayhim
Who have not earned Your Anger
Walad dal-leen
Nor gone astray
Ameen
Surah Ikhlas
Qul huwal lahu ahad
Say: He is Allah, the One
Allah hus-samad
Allah, the Absolute, the Eternal
Lam yalid wa lam yulad
He begets not, nor was He begotten
Wa lam yaku llahu kufawan ahad
And there is none comparable unto Him
Supplication in ruku (bowing):
Recite before going to ruku.
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
While in ruku, recite the following supplication 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or more times (make it an odd number):
Sub-hana rabbi-al 'adheem
Glory to my Lord the Supreme Majesty
Qawmah (standing after ruku):
SamI 'Allah hu liman hamida
Verily Allah listens to one who praises Him
Rab-bana lakal hamd
Oh our Lord, all praises be to You
First sajdah (prostration) before going to the sajdah, recite:
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
While in sajdah, recite the following supplication 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or more times (make it an odd number):
Sub-hana rabbI yal a'la
Glory to my Lord, the most high.
Jalsah (sitting between two sajdah):
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
Sit for a short while and recite the following:
Allah hum maghfirlee war-ham nee
Oh Allah, forgive me, and have mercy on me
Second sajdah recite:
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
While in sajdah, recite the following supplication 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or more times (make it an odd number):
Sub-hana rabbI yal a'la
Glory to my Lord, the most high.
Before starting second circuit:
Allahu-Akbar
Allah is greater
Tashahud (after second circuit):
At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahI was sala-watu wat-tay yibatu
All compliments, prayers and excellent words are due to Allah
As-salamu 'alayka ay-yuhan-nabiy-yuwa rahma tullahI wa bara-katuhu
Peace be upon you, o Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and his blessings
As-salamu 'alayna wa'ala 'ibadil-la his-sali-heen
Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah
Ash hadu al-la ilaha il-lal lahu
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
Wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan'ab-duhu wa rasuluh
And I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and messenger
Alla-hu Akbar
Salat Alan-NabI (darud) - salutation to the Prophet.
Allah humma sal-lI 'ala Muhammadinwa 'ala alI Muhammadin,
Oh Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and on the family (followers) of Muhammad
Kama sal-layta 'ala ibraheemawa'ala alI ibraheema
As you sent grace and honour on Ibrahim and on the family (followers) of Ibrahim
Innaka hameedum majeed
Surely, you are praiseworthy, the great
Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammadinwa 'ala alI Muhammadin
Oh Allah, send your blessing on Muhammad and on the family (followers) of Muhammad
Kama barakta 'ala ibraheemawa 'ala alI ibraheema
As you sent blessings on Ibrahim and on his family (followers)
Innaka hameedum majeed
Surely, you are praiseworthy, the great
Rab bij'alnee muqeemas salatI
Wa minzur-riy yatee rab-bana wata qab-bal du'a
Rab-ba nagh-firlee walI waliday-ya
Wa lil mu-mineena
Yawma yaqumul hisab
Oh my Lord, make me and my children keep up prayers.
Oh my Lord, accept our prayer.
Oh my Lord, forgive me and my parents and all the believers on the day of judgement
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rah-mat-ullah.
Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah (said to those present and angels).
Lost in translation
It should be mentioned that the translation to any language loses at least part of the essence of the meaning of Arabic words in salat.
It is advised to study the various translations so that an individual understanding of the meaning of the words of salat can be achieved. There are many valid translations and a study of the scholarly Tafsir is also recommended to obtain an understanding of the Arabic words. This understanding will deepen with contemplation of the meaning of the Blessed words.