Translation of Salah: What are we actually praying?

As Muslims, we may offer Salah five times a day, every day, but do we actually understand the meaning of what we recite during our Salah? Do we know the significance of the words we are actually uttering? It is pertinent for every Muslim to not just know the Arabic recitations of Salah, but to understand what it means as well – you cannot connect with Allah (SWT) and be sincere in your prayer if you do not even know what it is that you are uttering in front of Him. 

Here are the translations of the recitations carried out during Salah to help you establish a deeper bond with Allah (SWT): 

Takbir
 “Allahu Akbar” 
 
Allah (SWT) is the Greatest.

Al-Qayyam
 “Subhanaka Allahuma wa bihamdika wa tabarak asmuka wa ta ala jaduka wa la ilaha ghairuk” 
Glory be to You, O Allah (SWT), and all praises are due unto You, and blessed is Your name and high is Your majesty and none is worthy of worship but You. 

 “Aodhobilah Audhu billahi minash shaitanir rajeem” 
 
I seek Refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. 


“Bismilahi rahmani rahim”
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful


 
 “Alhamdu lillahi rabbil alamin. Ar-rahmanir rahim. Maliki yaumi din. Iyaka na’budu wa iyaka nastain. Ihdina siratal mustaqim. Siratal lazina an amta alaihim Ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa laddalin” 
All the praises are for Allah, the Sustainer of all the worlds, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Lord of the Day of Judgment. You alone do we worship and You alone do we ask for help. Lead us along the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favours, not of those who incurred Your wrath, nor (of those who) went astray. 

 “Qul hu walahu ahad Allahus samad Lam yalid wa lam yulad Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad”
 Say: He is God, the One and the Only God, the Eternal, the Absolute. He begets not. Nor is He begotten. And there is none like Him. 

Ruku
 “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem”
 Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty. 

Qayyam
 “Sami Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana wa lakal hamd”
 God hears those who praise Him. Oh our Lord, all praise is to You. 

Sajdah
 “Subhana Rabbiyal ala”
 Glory be to my Lord, the Most High. 

Tashahhud
 “At taheyatu lil-lahi was salawatu wa taiyibatu As salamu alaika ayuhan nabi Wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu As salamu alaina Wa ala ibadil lahis salihin Ash hadu an la ilaha ilallah Wa ash hadu anna muhamadan abduhu wa rasuluh”
All compliments, prayers and beautiful expressions are for God. Peace be on you, O Messenger, and God's mercy and blessings. Peace be on us and on all righteous servants of God. I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except God. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Envoy. 

Darood Sharif
“Allaahumma salle ‘alaa Muhammadin wa'alaa' aale Muhammadin kama sallaiyta ‘alaa Ibraheema wa 'aAlaa Aale Ibraheema. Innaka Hameedum Majeed. Allaahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa aale Muhammadin kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraheema wa 'alaa Aale Ibraheema. Innaka Hameedum Majeed”
My God, honor Muhammad and Muhammad’s family as you honored Abraham and Abraham’s family Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great My God, bless Muhammad and Muhammad’s family as you blessed Abraham and Abraham’s family Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great. 

Dua’s from the Holy Quran
“Allahumma rabana atena fid dunia hasanatan Wa fil-aherati hasanatan wa kina ‘adhaban-nar Rabbana gfirli wa le waledaya”
 My Allah, our God give us goods in this world and goods in the hereafter and guard us from the torment of fire. 

“Rabbana gfirli wa le waledaya wa lilmomenina Yawma yakumul hisab”
 Our God, forgive me, my parents, and the believers the Day we shall be held accountable.

“Assalamu ‘alai'kum warah'matullaah”
 God's peace and blessings be upon you.

Hopefully, this article can bring more meaning into your daily Salah and help you establish a greater bond with the Almighty, Insha’Allah!
 


For the current Prayer Timings, click here.