Duas and Surahs in Salah: Complete Arabic Guide

Duas and Surahs Recited in Salah: Complete Arabic Guide

Learning the duas and Surahs recited in Salah is easier when they are arranged in the order they are read during prayer. Salah includes Quranic verses, words of praise, supplications, and greetings. This guide provides the Arabic text, transliteration, and English meanings of commonly recited phrases, from the opening Takbeer to the final Salam.

The exact practice can differ between Islamic schools of thought, especially in some details of congregational prayer. Follow the guidance of a trusted scholar from your school when you need a ruling on a specific practice.

1. Takbeer-e-Tahrimah

Salah begins with Takbeer-e-Tahrimah, in which the worshipper says:

Arabic:

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar.

Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.

This opening Takbeer marks the beginning of Salah.

2. Sana (Opening Supplication)

A commonly recited opening supplication is known as Sana. It praises Allah at the beginning of prayer.

Arabic:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

Transliteration:

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.

Meaning:

Glory and praise belong to You, O Allah. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god besides You.

Sana is recited according to the prayer practice a person follows. Different opening supplications are also reported in the hadith literature.

3. Ta’awwudh and Bismillah

Before beginning Quranic recitation, the following words are commonly recited.

Ta’awwudh

Arabic:

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

Transliteration:

A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim.

Meaning:

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected.

Bismillah

Arabic:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Transliteration:

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim.

Meaning:

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Bismillah appears at the beginning of Surah Al-Fatihah in the written Quran. The details of its recitation within Salah can vary according to the school of thought followed.

4. Surah Al-Fatihah

Surah Al-Fatihah is the opening chapter of the Quran. It is central to the recitation in Salah.

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۞ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ۞ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ۞ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ۞ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ۞ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۞ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Transliteration:

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim.

Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin.

Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim.

Maliki yawmid-din.

Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in.

Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim.

Siratal-ladhina an’amta ‘alayhim, ghayril-maghdubi ‘alayhim wa lad-dallin.

Meaning:

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment.

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not those who have incurred anger or those who have gone astray.

Source: Quran.com — Surah Al-Fatihah

After Al-Fatihah, the word Ameen is commonly said. Ameen is a supplication, not part of the Quranic text of Surah Al-Fatihah.

5. A Short Surah After Al-Fatihah

In prayer, a short Surah or Quranic passage may be recited after Al-Fatihah in the relevant rak’ahs, according to the prayer being performed and the school of thought followed.

Surah Al-Ikhlas is one example.

Surah Al-Ikhlas

قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ ۞ اللّٰهُ الصَّمَدُ ۞ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۞ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Transliteration:

Qul huwallahu ahad.

Allahus-samad.

Lam yalid wa lam yulad.

Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.

Meaning:

Say, “He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there any equivalent to Him.”

Source: Quran.com — Surah Al-Ikhlas

Other short Surahs include Al-Kawthar, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas. The choice of a Surah depends on the recitation and prayer practice being followed.

6. Tasbih in Ruku

Ruku is the bowing position in Salah. A commonly recited phrase is:

Arabic:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Transliteration:

Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim.

Meaning:

Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.

This phrase praises Allah during bowing. The number of repetitions and related details should not be presented as one universal rule for every school of thought.

7. Words Said When Rising From Ruku

When rising from Ruku, the following phrases are commonly used in Salah.

While rising

Arabic:

سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Transliteration:

Sami’Allahu liman hamidah.

Meaning:

Allah hears whoever praises Him.

After standing upright

Arabic:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Transliteration:

Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

Meaning:

Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.

The exact practice can differ between a person praying alone and someone praying behind an imam, as well as between schools of thought.

8. Tasbih in Sujood

Sujood is the prostration position. A commonly recited phrase is:

Arabic:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

Transliteration:

Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la.

Meaning:

Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

The phrase praises Allah while the worshipper is in prostration. Avoid treating a particular repetition count as a universal requirement unless the relevant ruling and evidence have been established.

9. Dua Between the Two Prostrations

When sitting between the two prostrations, the following supplication is reported in Sunan Ibn Majah.

Arabic:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Transliteration:

Rabbighfir li.

Meaning:

My Lord, forgive me.

Sunan Ibn Majah 897 reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said “Rabbighfir li” between the two prostrations. The narration is graded Sahih by Darussalam on Sunnah.com.

Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 897

10. Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat)

The Tashahhud is recited while sitting during Salah. The following is a commonly used form.

Arabic:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللّٰهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration:

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.

Meaning:

All greetings, prayers, and pure words belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon the righteous servants of Allah and upon us. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Different wordings of Tashahhud are reported in the hadith literature. Learn the form taught by a reliable teacher or followed in your school.

11. Durood Ibrahim

After Tashahhud in the final sitting, Durood Ibrahim is commonly recited.

Arabic:

اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

اللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Transliteration:

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum Majid.

Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidum Majid.

Meaning:

O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

12. Dua Before the Final Salam

A Quranic supplication often recited before ending Salah is the dua from Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201.

Arabic:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Transliteration:

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.

Meaning:

Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Source: Quran.com — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201

This is a Quranic dua. The supplications recited before Salam may vary, so it should not be described as the only dua permitted at this point.

13. Tasleem (Ending Salah)

Salah is concluded with Tasleem. A commonly recited greeting is:

Arabic:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ

Transliteration:

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

Meaning:

Peace and the mercy of Allah be upon you.

The usual practice includes turning the head to the right and left while giving Salam. Follow the instructions of a qualified teacher for the precise method practiced in your school.

Conclusion

Learning the duas and Surahs recited in Salah helps you understand the words you say during prayer. This guide covers common recitations, including Sana, Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, the phrases of Ruku and Sujood, Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim, and a Quranic dua before Salam.

Use the Arabic text alongside reliable recitation and guidance from a qualified teacher. Transliteration can help with learning, but it cannot fully represent every Arabic sound. For accurate pronunciation and school-specific rulings, refer to a trusted Islamic teacher and verified Quran and hadith sources.