Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

assalamu alaikum, i reverted to islam and am a white muslim convert. but i am finding it hard to learn as i do not know anyone to teach me. i am not sure what i need to learn and how to go about it. i find it hard to pronounce prayers as i have not heard how they are pronounced only how they are written and am scared it will be invalid. please can you help 

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Answer:

Muslim revert sister prayer urgent

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verses 125-126:

So (the fact is that) whomever Allah wills to guide aright, He makes his breast wide open to Islam. And whomever He wills to let go astray, He makes his breast narrow and squeezes it so tight that (at the very idea of Islam) he begins to feel as if his soul were climbing up towards the sky. Thus Allah puts the Wrath over those who do not believe, whereas this Way (Al-Islam) is the Straight Way of your Lord, and We have made its Signs quite clear for those who are open to advice.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 42 Surah Shura verse 13:

13 …… Allah chooses to Himself those whom He Pleases; and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him for guidance).

Allah-o-Akbar! Allah-o-Akbar! Allah-o-Akbar! Allah is indeed The Greatest! Praise be to Allah Subhanah, the Lord and Creator of the Universe Alone, Who chooses to Himself whomsoever He Wills and Pleases, and Who guides to Himself those who turn to Him for guidance. Praise and Thanks are due to Allah Subhanah Alone Who has opened your (and our) heart to the Truth of Al-Islam and guided you (and us) to the path that leads to His Mercy and His Forgiveness.

Allah-o-Akbar! Allah-o-Akbar! Allah-o-Akbar!

As your brothers and sincere well-wishers in faith, we take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome you wholeheartedly to the path of Truth that you have chosen for your self. May Allah Subhanah bestow His Infinite Mercies and Blessings upon you, and grant you the wisdom and the courage to remain steadfast on the path you have chosen until the Day when the last breath leaves your body, and you meet with your Lord Creator in a state where He is Pleased with you, and you with Him. Ameen.

Your Question: ….but i am finding it hard to learn as i do not know anyone to teach me. i am not sure what i need to learn and how to go about it.

Respected sister, although we could write and illustrate all the acts and rites of prayer, and even quote you what exactly to recite in English transliteration…..in our humble opinion the simple rites of prayer are best learnt face-to-face and one-to-one with a knowledgeable believer so that if you require any clarifications on any subject of prayer whatsoever, someone would be able to address your concerns, Insha Allah.

Beloved Sister, all you would need to do is call upon your local masjid or an Islamic Guidance Center in the vicinity where you live, or even ask any pious believing sister at your local masjid to teach you the exact acts and rites of prayer….and they would consider it an honor and a privilege to teach you the acts which constitute prayer in Islam.

What we can do for you here is give you a basic synopsis of what is to be recited in one’s prayer, but we reiterate again that the act and rite of prayer is best learnt on a one-to-one face-to-face basis with a knowledgeable believer.

1. INTENTION AND TAKBIR

To make intention in your heart regarding the prayer you are about to make. Then raise your hands to your ears and say “Allah o Akbar” meaning Allah is the Greatest, signaling the start of Prayer.

2. QIYAM or Standing

Pray the Surah Al Fateha and any other aayahs from the Quran. (minimum 3 aayahs) These meanings can be learnt from the Quran Translation of the Surahs you want to pray.

3. RUKU or bowing

The Prophet (saws) used to say: “Subhan Allah il Adheem” meaning Glory be to Allah, the Most Great 3 times or more (but preferably in odd number formations, 3,5,7,9….)

4. STANDING UP FROM RUKU

The Prophet (saws) used to say: “Sameh Allah ho Leman Hameda” meaning Allah listen to the one who is grateful (for the bounties received by Allah).

In reply the noble companions in the congregation used to say: “Rabbana lakal hamd” meaning O our Lord, we are grateful to you.

5. SAJDAH (as prostration)

The Prophet (saws) used to pray: “Subhana Rabb eil A’ala” meaning Glory be to Allah, the Most High. (3 times or more in odd number formation 3,5,7,9…)

6. SITTING BETWEEN TWO SAJDAHS

(This can be used to invoke any prayer to Allah.)

At times the Prophet (saws) used to make this supplication: ‘Allah hum mag firli wale waale dayya, wal lil mu’minina, wal mu’minate, wal muslemeena, wal muslemaate, hayy min hum wala hum amwaat.’

O Allah, forgive me, my parents, the true believing men, the true believing women, the believing men, the believing women, whether alive from amongst them, or they have died. (We beg You to forgive them all)

7. TASHAHUD

At tahiya tu lillahe was salawaato, wat tayyebato lillahe.

Every kind of salutes, all kinds of prayers, and all kinds of good and pure words and things, are for Allah Alone.

As Salaam alieka ya ayyo han nabi o, wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

(Allah told the Prophet(saws) these words on the Night of Mairaaj in His audience): May Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you, O Prophet (saws)

As Salaam o alayna wa a’la ibaa dallah hiss saleheen.

(The Prophet(saws) replied, as Allah Himself is the source of All Peace, and the Prophet (saws) could not possibly send Peace upon Allah): May Peace be upon me (saws), and the good, obedient or pious slaves of Allah.

Ash hado ann laa ilaha illahlah, wahdahu, laa sharika lahuu,

(The Prophet(saws) said to Allah in audience): I bear witness that there is no god, except Allah, Alone, He has no partners.

Wa ash hado anna Mohamed dan abdullahi wa Rasul Allah.

(And Allah replied): And I bear witness that (you, O) Mohamed, are the slave and Messenger of Allah

Allah humma salle a’la Mohamed din wa aa’le Mohamed, kama sallayta a’la Ibrahim wa ala aa’le Ibrahim

May Allah’s blessings be upon Mohamed (saws), and his ummah (or family or both), just like the blessing of Allah on Ibrahim and his ummah (or family or both)

Innaka Hameed un Majeed

For You are the All-Praiseworthy, the Glorious One.

Allah humma barik a’la Mohamed din wa aa’le Mohamed, kama barakta a’la Ibrahim wa ala aa’le Ibrahim

May Allah’s baraka be upon Mohamed (saws) and his ummah (or family or both) just like the baraka of Allah on Ibrahim and his ummah (or family or both)

Innaka Hameed un Majeed.

For You are the All-Praiseworthy, the Glorious One.

(Any Invocation to Allah)

Allah hum mag firli wale waaledayya war hum homa kama rabba yani saghira

O Allah, forgive me, and my parents, and have mercy upon them both, just as they had mercy on me when I was an infant.

8. TASLEEM to signal the end of prayer.

After completion of the ‘tashahud’, the Prophet (saws) would end his prayer by first turning his face towards his right and then left by saying: ‘As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah’ meaning ‘May Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah’.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan