PRONUNCIATION NOTES

Examples

DH      the voiced  th of "this."          

ADHAAN

TH       the unvoiced  th of "thing."

KAWTHAR

D         a very soft d.

FARD

Z          a very soft th

AZIIM

T          middle-palate t. Rounds following vowel, otherwise indistinguishable for English speakers.

TARIQA

S          middle-palate s. Same difference.

SABR

H         emphatic aspirated h.

 AHAD

'           a stop in the back of the throat. In this transliteration ( ' ) stands for both 'ayn and hamza.

GH      a gargled g, close to a French r

MAGHDUUBI ALAYHIM

KH      as in German ach, Yiddish challah

AL-AKHIRIIN

SH       as in the word 'shop'

SHAYYIN

¨      Double vowels (AA) extend the duration of syllables.  Where there is no long syllable, stress all syllables in aword equally. (Generally very slight emphasis on first.)

¨      Arabic elides words frequently, running them together into a single flow of sound. Thus Fl AD-DUNYA would be pronounced FIDDUNYA.  Where necessary, this elision has been indicated by the mark.

            i.e. FI2D-DUNYA.

¨      A hyphen between words (AN-NAAS, BI-KA) attaches a word to a short preposition or a variation of the definite article AL, "the."

¨       1.   ADHAAN  (Standing facing qiblah,hands up- palms up-  face forward;  thumbs behind ears for men, hands at shoulder level for women.)

The Call to Prayer

ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR (2X)

God is most Great

ASHSHADU  AN  LAA  ILAHA  ILAA2LLAAH (2X)

I bear witness that there is no god but God

ASHSHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASUULULLAAH (2X)

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God

HAYYA ALA2S-SALAAT, HAYYA ALA2S-SALAAH

Come to prayer

HAYYA ALA2L-FALAAH (2X)

Come to felicity

ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR (2X)

God is most great

LAA ILAHA ILAA2LLAAH

There is no god but God

¨         2.   NIIYA (Hands down at sides)

Intention 

"FOR ALLAH'S SAKE I INTEND TO MAKE THE (two/three/FOUR) RAK'ATS OF THE (SUNNAT/fard)OF THE (dawn/NOON/afternoon/sunset/night)  PRAYER"  

ASTAGHFIRULLAH (3X)

I ask God's forgiveness

ALLAAHU AKBAR(with hands up as in adhan)

¨       3.   SUBHANAKA (Then, hands down, folded right over left, under navel for men, over chest for women)

SUBHANAKA ALLAAHUMMA WA BI-HAMDIKA

Glory and praise to Thee, O God

WA TABARRAKA2SMUKA WA TA'AALAA JADDUKA

Your name is blessed, Your might exalted

WA LAA ILAHA ILA GHAYRUK

and there is no god other than Thee

A'UUDHU BILLAAHI MIN ASHSHAYTAN IR-RAJIIM

I seek refuge with  Allah from Satan the Accursed

¨       4.  FATIHA 

"Opening"

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

In the name of God, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful

AL-HAMDU  LILLAAHI  RABB  IL-'AALAMIIN

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds

AR-RAHMAAN  IR-RAHIIM

Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

MAALIKI  YAWM2ID-DIIN

Possessor of the Day of Judgment

IYYAAKA NA'BUDU WA  IYYAAKA NASTA'IIN

You we serve and to You we turn for help

IHDINA2S-SIRAT AL-MUSTAQIIM

Guide us on the straight path

SIRAATA2LLADHIINA AN'AMTA 'ALAYHIM

The path of those with whom You are pleased

GHAYRI2L-MAGHDUUBI 'ALAYHIM

Not those with whom You are angry

WA  LAA2D DAALLIIN

AAMIIN

Nor those who go astray.

¨       5.   Surahs (recite one)

a.   MAA'UUN 

Small Kindnesses 

BISMILLAAH  IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

A RA'AYTA  ALLADHII  YUKADHIBU  BI-D-DIIN

Have you seen the one who belies religion?

FA  DHAALIKA   ALLADHII   YADU'U2L-YATIIM

That is he who repels the orphan

WA LAA YAHUDDU  'ALAA TA'AAMI2L-MISKIIN

And does not encourage the feeding of the needy

FA-WAYLUN LIL-MUSALLIINA

So woe to those who pray

ALLADHIINA HUM  'AN  SALAATIHIM  SAAHUUN

Who are heedless of their prayer

ALLADHIINA HUM YURA'AA'UUN

Those who wish to be seen

WA  YAMNA'UUNA2L-MAA'UUN

But refuse small kindnesses

b.    KAWTHAR 

Abundance 

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

INNA A'TAYNAAKA2L-KAWTHAR

Indeed we have given you Abundance

FA-SALLI  LI-RABBIKA  WA2NHAR

So pray to your Lord and sacrifice

INNA  SHAANI 'AKA  HUWA2L-ABTAR

Indeed, it is your tormentor who is cut off.

c.    KAAFIRUUN 

Disbelievers

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

QUL YAA AYYUHA2L-KAAFIRUUNA

Say:  O you who disbelieve

LAA A'BUDU MA TA'BUDUUNA

I do not serve what you serve

WA LAA ANTUM  'AABIDUUNA MA  A'BUDU

And you are not worshippers of what I serve

WA LAA ANA 'AABIDUN MA 'ABADTUM

And I will not be a worshipper of what you serve

WA  LAA ANTUM  'AABIDUUNA MAA A'BUDU

And you will not be worshippers of what I serve

LAKUM  DIINUKUM  WA  LIYA  DIIN

To you your religion and to me mine.

d.    NASR 

Help 

BISMILLAAH   IR-RAHMAAN   IR-RAHIIM

IDHA   JAA'A   NASRU2LLAHI   WA2L-FATHU

When the help of God comes, and victory

WA   RA'AYTA­2N-NAASA   YADKHULUUNA   FI DIINI2LLAHI  AFWAAJAN

And you see humanity entering the religion of God in crowds

FA-SABBIH   BI-HAMDI   RABBIKA  WA2STAGHFIRHU 

Then glorify by praise of- your Lord and ask His forgiveness

INNAHU   KAANA   TAWWAABA

Surely He is Ever-Merciful

e.     IKHLAS 

Purity 

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

QUL HUWA2LLAHU AHAD

Say:  He is Allah, the One

ALLAHU2S-SAMAD

Allah, upon which everything depends

LAM  YALID  WA  LAM  YUULAD

He does not beget and is not begotten

WA  LAM  YAKUN  LAHU  KUFUWAN  AHAD

Arid there is nothing comparable to Him

f.     FALAQ 

Daybreak

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

QUL A'UUDHU BI-RABB  IL-FALAQ

Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak

MIN SHARRI MAA KHALAQ

From the evil of what He has created

WA  MIN  SHARRI GHASIQIN   IDHA  WAQAB

And from the evil of darkness when it overspreads

WA  MIN  SHARRI  NAFATHATI  FII2L-'UQAD

And from the evil of blowers upon knots

WA  MIN SHARRI  HAASIDIN  IDHA  HASAD

And from the evil of the envious one when he envies

g.    NAAS 

Humanity 

BISMILLAAH  IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

QUL    A'UUDHU    BI-RABB    IN-NAAS

I seek refuge with the Lord of Humanity

MALIK   IN-NAAS

The King of Humanity

ILAH2IN-NAAS

The God of Humanity

MIN SHARR  IL-WASWAAS   IL-KHANNAAS

From the evil of the sneaking whisperer

ALLADHII   YUWASWISU   FII   SUDUUR   IN-NAAS

Which whispers in the hearts of humanity

MIN   AL-JINNATI   WA2N-NAAS

From the jinn, and humanity.

(after recitation of Surah, say) 

¨       6.   ALLAAHU AKBAR

God is most Great

¨       7.   RUKU' (bend at right angles from waist, hands on knees)

Bending

SUBHANA  RABBII  AL-AZIIM (3X)

Glory to my Lord, the Tremendous

ALLAAHU AKBAR

(rise to standing position, hands down at sides, reciting while rising:)

(in standing position recite)

RABBANAA  LAKA2L-HAMD

Our Lord, Yours is the praise

ALLAAHU AKBAR

¨       8.  SAJDA   (keeping feet in same place, prostrate, first right knee then left knee, right hand then left hand, forehead and nose between hands on the floor)

Prostration

SUBHANA RABBII2AL-‘ALAA (3X)

Glory to my Lord, the Most High

ALLAAHU AKBAR

(sit back on heels long enough to say Subhanallah; repeat Sajda)

SUBHANA RABBII2AL-‘ALAA (3X)

Glory to my Lord, the Most High

ALLAAHU AKBAR

(rise to standing without moving feet or-lifting oneself with hands. Fold hands again and repeat Fatiha and one more (different) Quranic Verse/Surah followed by another Sajda.

After second Sajda, instead of standing up, sit on knees and recite:  at-Tahiyyatu.

¨       9.  AT-TAHIYYATU 

AT-TAHIYYATU-LILLAAHI WA2S-SALAWAATU 

WA2T- T AYYIBATU

All greetings, blessings, and good acts belong to Allah

AS-SALAAMU'ALAYKA AYYUHA2N-NABIIYYU

Peace unto you, O Prophet

WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU

and the mercy and blessing of Allah

WA2S-SALAAMU 'ALAYNAA WA 'ALAA 'IBAADI2LLAAHI2S-SALIHIIN

Peace be unto us, and unto the righteous servants of Allah

ASHHADU AN LAA ILAHA ILAA2LLAAH

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah

WA2SHHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN  'ABDUHU  WA RAASUULUH

And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

ALLAAHU AKBAR

(stand and repeat third Fatiha, and a different Surah. Continue with Ruku’ and Sajda. Repeat fourth Fatiha and a different Surah, continue with Ruku’ and Sajda.  On fourth sajda, repeat at-Tahiyyatufollowed by "Salawat")

[N.B. -- This is a Sunnet, or optional prayer, thus all four Ruku’s are to be preceded by both Fatiha and also some selected verses/Surah from the Qur’an. By contrast, for the Fard, or obligatory prayers, the selected Surah/verses from the Qur’an are recited only after each of the first two Fatihas; for the fard of the afternoon prayer, the second two Ruku’s follow immediately after the Fatiha and “Amin.” ]** see end note 

For the Sunnet prayers (which may be either two or four ruku’s)  both or all four of the Ruku’s are preceded by verses from the Qur’an

¨       10.  SALAWAAT 

ALLAAHUMMA SALLI   'ALA   SAYYIDINAA MUHAMMADIN WA 'ALA AAHLI MUHAMMADIN

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

KAMAA SALLAYTA 'ALAA  IBRAHIIMA WA 'ALAA 'AALI 'IBRAHIIMA

as You have blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham

INNAKA HAMIIDUN MAJIID

Surely You are Praiseworthy, Glorious

ALLAAHUMMA BARIK 'ALAA MUHAMMADIN WA  'ALA AAHLI MUHAMMADIN

Allah, be gracious unto Muhammad and unto the family of Muhammad

KAMAA BARAKTA 'ALA IBRAHIIMA WA 'ALAA 'AAHLI IBRAHIIMA

As You were gracious unto Abraham and unto the family of Abraham

INNAKA HAMIIDUN MAJIID

Surely You are Praiseworthy, Glorious

¨       11. RABBANA A’TAYNA 

RABBANA A’TAYNAA FI2D-DUNYA HASANATAN

FII L-AKHIRATI HASANATAN

Our Lord, grant us good in this world good in the next world,

WA KINAA ‘ADHABA2N-NAAR

and protect us from the torment of the fire

WA2DHAABI2L-QABRI

and the suffering of the grave

BI-RAHMATIKA

by Your Mercy

YAA ARHAM2AR-RAHIMIIN

O Most Compassionate of the Compassionate

¨       12. RABBANAA   AGHFIR   LII 

RABBANAA  AGHFIR  LII  WA  LI  WALIDAYA  WA  LIL-MU'MINIINA YAWMA YAKUUM UL-HISAAB

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day of Accounting

RABBANAA WA2GHFIR LANA BI-FADLIKA

Our Lord, forgive us by Your Grace

YAA RAHMAANU YA RAHIIM

O Beneficent, O Compassionate One.

¨       13.  SALAAM ( turning head once to the right. . .

AS-SALAAMU  'ALAYKUM  WA  RAHMATU2LLAH

. . . once to the left)

AS-SALAAMU  'ALAYKUM  WA  RAHMATU2LLAH

ASTAGHFIRULLAH (3X)

ALLAAHUMMA ANTA2S-SALAAM

WA MINKA2S-SALAAM

O Allah, You are Peace and peace is from You

TABAARAKTA  YAA   DHA2L-JALAALI  WA2L-IKRAAM

Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.

(wipe face with both hands, forehead to chin)

Stand and repeat Intention, substituting “ . . .THE FOUR RAK'ATS OF THE FARD OF THE NOON PRAYER”  Then continue with two rak’ats including Surahs/Verses from the Qur’an before the first "at-tahiyyatu. The second two rak’ats of the fard  do not include Surahs/Verses after the Fatiha.

Stand and repeat Intention,  substituting “ . . . THE TWO RAK’ATS OF THE NOON PRAYER.” Continue through at’tahiyyatu then to Salawat, etc. to end the prayer.

(After the final Salaams of the last two-Rak’at  Sunnat prayer, recite:)

ALLAHUMMA SALLI  'ALAA SAYYIDINAA  MUHAMMADIN WA 'ALAA  AAHLI MUHAMMADIN WA SAHBIHI WA SALLIM

O Allah, blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad and his companions, and peace

SUBHAN ALLAAH, WA2L-HAMDU LILLAAH

Glory to Allah, the praise is Allah's

LA ILAAHA ILAA2LLAH WA ALLAAHU AKBAR

There is no god but Allah and Allah is Most Great

WA LAA HAWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILA BILLAAH2IL-'ALII UL-'AZIIM

And there is no power nor strength save in Allah the Exalted, the Tremendous.

¨       14.  AYAT UL-KURSI

"The Verse of the Throne"

BISMILLAAH IR-RAHMAAN IR-RAHIIM

ALLAHU  LAA  ILAHA  ILAA  HUWA2L-HAYY UL-QAYYUM

Allah! There is no god save He the Living, the Eternal

LAA  TA'KHUDHUHU  SINNATUN  WA  LAA   NAWM

Slumber does not overtake Him, nor sleep

LAHU MAA FII2SAMAWATI WA MAA FI2L-ARD

To Him belongs what is in the heavens and the earth

MAN  DHA2LLADHII   YASHFA'U   'INDAHU   ILLA  BI-IDHNIH

Who is it that intercedes with Him except by His permission?

YA’-LAMU MAA  BAYNA  AYDIIHIM  WA  MAAKHALFAHUM WA LA YAHIITUUNA BI-SHAYIN  MIN 'ILMIHI ILLA  BI-MA SHAA'A

He knows what is before them arid what is behind then, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except as He willed.

WASI 'A KURSIYYUHU2S-SAMAWATI WA2L-ARD  WA LAA YA'UUDUHU  HIFZUHUMA

His throne extends over the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire Him

WA  HUWA2L-'ALII  UL-'AZIIM

And He is the Exalted, the Tremendous.

¨       15.  TASBIH

DHU   J-JALAALI WA2L-KAMAALI

SUBHANALLAH

Possessor of Majesty and Perfection Glory to Allah

(recite 33 times SUBHANALLAH)

SUBHANA   L-KARIIM

AL-HAMDU LILLAAH

Glory to the Generous,

The praise belongs to Allah

(recite 33 times AL-HAMDU LILLAAH

RABB IL-'ALAMIIN TA'AALAA SHA' NUHU

ALLAAHU AKBAR

Lord of the Worlds, exalted is His action

Allah is Most Great

(recite 33 times ALLAAHU AKBAR)

ALLAAHU  AKBAR  ADHAN  KABIIRA

LAA  ILAHA ILLAA  LLAAHU

There is no god but Allah

WAHDAHU  LAA  SHARIKA  LAH

Alone, without a partner

WA LAHU2L-MULK WA 

LAHU2L-HAMDU

and His is the sovereignty and

His is the praise

WA  HUWA  'ALAA  KULLI  SHAYYIN  QADIIR

and He is Able to do all things

¨       16. Du’a (Two hands open, palms up,  raised.)

Private Prayers  (Supplication)

¨       17.  Closing

AS-SALAATU WA2S-SALAMU  'ALAYKA

YA RASUUL ALLAAH

Blessing and peace unto you

O Messenger of God

AS-SALAATU WA2S-SALAAMU 'ALAYKA

YA HABIIB ALLAAH

Blessing and peace unto you

O Beloved of God

AS-SALATU WA2S-SALAAMU 'ALAYKA YA SAYYIID AL-AWWALIIN WA2L-AKHIRIIN

Blessing And peace unto you O Master of the First and the Last

WA2L-HAMDU  LILLAAHI RABB IL-'ALAMIIN

And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds

Recite FAAtiha 

¨       WITR  PRAYER (After 2 rak'ats, in the third rak'at, recite Fatiha and one surah, then raise hands and sayALLAAHU AKBAR.  Fold hands again.  Say:  Qunut 

      Qunut  

ALLAAHUMMA INNA NASTA'INUKA

O Allah, surely we ask Your help

WA NASTIGHFIRUKA

we ask Your forgiveness

WA  NASTAHDIKA

we ask Your guidance

WA  NU'MINU BI'-KA

and we are faithful to You

WA  NATUUBU ILAYKA

we turn to you

WA  NATAWAKKULU  'ALAYKA

and we trust in You

WA  NUTHNII  'ALAYKA2AL-KHAYRA  KULLAHU

and we praise You with all good

NASHKARUKA

we are thankful to You

WA  LAA  NAKFURUKA

and not ungrateful to You

WA NAKHLA'U WA NATRUKU MAN YAFJURUKA

and we renounce and abandon the one who offends You with sins.

ALLAAHUMMA  IYYAKA  NA'BUDU

O Allah, You we serve

WA  LAKA  NUSALLI  WA  NASJUDU

and to You we pray and prostrate

WA  ILAYKA  NAS'AA  WA  NAHFIDU

and to you we run

NARJÛ  RAHMATAKA

we hope for Your mercy

WA  NAKHSHA  ADHAABAKA

and fear Your punishment

INNA  ADHAABAKA   BIL-KUFFAARI  MULHIQ

surely Your punishment will overtake those who disbelieve

Arabic name

English

consists of . . .

Fajr prayer

Morning

2 rak’ats of sunnat prayer; 2 rak’ats of fard prayer

Zuhr prayer

Noon

4 rak’ats of sunnat prayer; 4 rak’ats of fard prayer; 2 rak’ats of sunnat prayer

‘Asr prayer

Afternoon

4 rak’ats of sunnat prayer; 4 rak’ats of fard prayer

Maghrib prayer

Sunset

3 rak’ats of fard prayer; 2 rak’ats of sunnat prayer

‘Ishaa’ prayer

Night

4 rak’ats of sunnat prayer; 4 rak’ats of fard prayer; 2 rak’ats of sunnat; 3 rak’ats of WITR prayer**