Salat - Prayer

Salat

In Muslim communities, people are reminded of the salat by the daily calls to prayer, known as adhan. The adhan are delivered from mosques by a muezzin, the mosque’s designated caller of prayer. When praying believers will face the Ka'aba. There are 5 daily prayers:

    Fajr: Sunrise prayer; it is performed before sunrise. (2 Rakat)

    Dhuhr*: Noon prayer. (4Rakat)

    Asr: Late afternoon prayer. (4 Rakat)

    Maghrib: Sunset Prayer- Just after the sun goes down (3 Rakat)

    Isha: Late Evening Prayer (4 Rakat)

    *Jumu’ah – Friday, community prayer, following the Khutba.

For a detailed accounting of all prayers, download this chart.

View our SFMCC prayer schedule:

Du'a

In Islam, Du'a refers to the act of supplication or invocation to God (Allah). It's a personal prayer, a way for Muslims to communicate directly with Allah, seeking His help, guidance, forgiveness, or expressing gratitude. 

Supplication and Invocation:
Dua is a form of worship where Muslims call upon Allah, asking for their needs and desires. 

Direct Communication:
It's a direct line of communication between the believer and Allah, fostering a sense of closeness and humility. 

Worship:
Dua is considered a fundamental act of worship in Islam. 

Various Forms:
Dua can take many forms, including asking for forgiveness, guidance, blessings, or expressing gratitude. 

Personal:
It's a personal and individual act of worship, but can also be made for others. 

Common Du'as

When Waking Up

Alhamdu lillahil-lathee ahyana baAAda ma amatana wa-ilayhin-nushoor.

All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection.

[البخاري مع الفتح 11: 113 ومسلم 4: 2083]

When Leaving Home

Bismil-lah, tawakkaltu AAalal-lah, wala hawla wala quwwata illa billah.

In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.

[أبو داود 4:325 والترمذي 5:490]

Upon Entering Home

Bismil-lahi walajna, wabismil-lahi kharajna, waAAala rabbina tawakkalna.

‘In the name of Allah we enter and in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we place our trust.’

[أبو داود 4:325]

On hearing Athan

Wa ‘anaa ‘ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu, radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bi-Muhammadin Rasoolan wa bil’islaami deenan.

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I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Muhammad as my Messenger and with Islam as my religion.

[مسلم 1:290، ابن خزيمة 1:220]

For Travel

Subhana-alladhi sakh-khara la-na hadha wa ma kunna la-hu muqrinin. Wa inna ila Rabbi-na la munqalibun.

Glory unto Him Who created this transportation, for us, though we were unable to create it on our own. And unto our Lord we shall return.

[سورة الزخرف – الآية (13-14)]

While Returning from Travel

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa alaa kulli shay in Qadeer, aaiboona, taaiboona, aabidoona, lirabbinaa haamidoona, sadaqallaahu wadahu, wa nasara abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdahu.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. We return, repent, worship and praise our Lord. Allah fulfilled His promise, aided His Servant, and single-handedly defeated the allies.

[البخاري 7:163، ومسلم 2:980]

When Going to Mosque

Allahumma ijAAal fee qalbee noora, wafee lisanee noora, wajAAal fee samAAee noora,wajAAal fee basaree noora, wajAAal min khalfee noora, wamin amamee noora ,wajAAal min fawqee noora, wamin tahtee noora, allahumma aAAtinee noora.

‘O Allah, place within my heart light, and upon my tongue light, and within my ears light, and within my eyes light, and place behind me light and in front of me light and above me light and beneath me light. O Allah, bestow upon me light.’

[البخاري11:116 ومسلم 1:526،529،530 ]

Upon Entering Mosque

aAAoothu billahil-AAatheem wabiwajhihil-kareem wasultanihil-qadeem minash-shaytanir-rajeem, [bismil-lah, wassalatu] [wassalamu AAala rasoolil-lah] , allahumma iftah lee abwaba rahmatik.

‘I take refuge with Allah, The Supreme and with His Noble Face, and His eternal authority from the accursed devil. In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me.’

[أبو داود وانظر صحيح الجامع برقم 4591]

Upon Leaving Mosque

Bismil-lah wassalatu wassalamu AAala rasoolil-lah, allahumma innee as-aluka min fadlik, allahumma iAAsimnee minash-shaytanir-rajeem.

In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allah, guard me from the accursed devil.’

[مسلم 1:494 وابن ماجه 1:129]

When Beginning a Meal

Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

After Finishing a Meal

Alhamdulilahil ladhi at’amana, wasaqana, waj’alna min-al Muslimeen

Praise be to Allah Who has fed us and given us drink and made us Muslims.

[ أبو داود]