Salah is a conversation with Allah, and the words we say in it are among the most beautiful words a person can speak.
Every position of the prayer has its own supplications and remembrances, taught by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Learning these duas with their meanings transforms the prayer from a series of movements into a heartfelt conversation with the Lord of the worlds.
This guide lists the duas for salah in the order they are said, from the opening takbir to the final salam.
For each one, you will find the transliteration, meaning and a short explanation. It also includes the dhikr after prayer and tips for learning and remembering these duas.
Whether you are a new Muslim learning to pray or someone who wants to deepen their focus, this list will help you understand every word you say.
1. Takbirat al-Ihram: The Opening Takbir
Arabic transliteration: “Allahu Akbar.”
Meaning: “Allah is the Greatest.”
This begins the prayer. Raising the hands and saying “Allahu Akbar” marks the moment you leave the world behind and enter into conversation with Allah.
Reflect on its meaning: whatever is on your mind, Allah is greater.
2. The Opening Dua (Du’a al-Istiftah)
After the opening takbir and before Al-Fatihah, it is sunnah to recite an opening dua. Several forms have been reported. Two of the most common are:
Form 1: “Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.”
Meaning: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god but You.”
Form 2: “Allahumma ba’id bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama ba’adta baynal-mashriqi wal-maghrib. Allahumma naqqini min khatayaya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Allahummaghsil khatayaya bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-barad.”
Meaning: “O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the east from the west. O Allah, purify me of my sins as a white garment is purified of dirt. O Allah, wash away my sins with water, snow and hail.”
The Prophet ﷺ used this second form often. Learning both allows you to vary them.
3. Seeking Refuge and Basmalah
Before reciting Al-Fatihah, say:
Ta’awwudh: “A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim.”
Meaning: “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.”
Basmalah: “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim.”
Meaning: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
4. Surah Al-Fatihah
Al-Fatihah is recited in every rak’ah. It is a pillar of the prayer.
In a hadith qudsi, Allah says that He has divided the prayer between Himself and His servant into two halves.
When the servant says “Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin,” Allah says, “My servant has praised Me.”
When the servant says “Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim,” Allah says, “My servant has extolled Me.” When the servant says “Maliki yawmid-din,” Allah says, “My servant has glorified Me.”
When the servant says “Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in,” Allah says, “This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”
Knowing this makes each verse of Al-Fatihah a living conversation. After Al-Fatihah, say “Amin,” meaning “O Allah, answer.”
5. Dhikr in Ruku (Bowing)
Main dhikr: “Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim.” (Said three times or more.)
Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.”
Additional forms:
“Subhanakallahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfir li.”
Meaning: “Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.”
“Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbul-mala’ikati war-ruh.”
Meaning: “Perfect and Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “As for ruku, glorify your Lord in it.”
6. Rising From Ruku
While rising: “Sami’allahu liman hamidah.”
Meaning: “Allah hears the one who praises Him.”
When standing upright: “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.”
Meaning: “Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.”
Extended form: “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih.”
Meaning: “Our Lord, to You belongs all praise, abundant, good and blessed praise.”
The Prophet ﷺ heard a companion say this extended form and said that he saw more than thirty angels rushing to be the first to record it.
7. Dhikr in Sujood (Prostration)
Main dhikr: “Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la.” (Said three times or more.)
Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
Additional forms:
“Subhanakallahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfir li.”
“Allahummaghfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa ‘alaniyatahu wa sirrahu.”
Meaning: “O Allah, forgive me all my sins, the small and the great, the first and the last, the open and the secret.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase your dua in it.” Sujood is the best place in the prayer to pour out your heart.
In voluntary prayers, many scholars permit making personal dua in any language, while in obligatory prayers, it is better to use Arabic duas from the Quran and Sunnah.
8. Sitting Between the Two Prostrations
Short form: “Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li.”
Meaning: “My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.”
Longer form: “Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, wajburni, wa ‘afini, warzuqni, warfa’ni.”
Meaning: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, mend me, grant me well-being, provide for me and raise me.”
This short sitting contains one of the most comprehensive duas in the prayer, asking for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, repair, health, provision and elevation.
9. At-Tashahhud
In the sitting after the second rak’ah and in the final sitting, recite:
“At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.”
Meaning: “All greetings, prayers and good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”
The Prophet ﷺ taught that when you say “peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah,” it reaches every righteous servant in the heavens and the earth.
10. As-Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah (Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ)
In the final sitting, after the tashahhud, recite:
“Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.”
Meaning: “O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”
11. Duas Before Salam
After the salawat and before ending the prayer, it is sunnah to make dua. Some of the duas the Prophet ﷺ taught are:
Seeking refuge from four things: “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabi jahannam, wa min ‘adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.”
Meaning: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death and from the evil of the trial of the False Messiah.”
The Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions to say this in every prayer.
The dua taught to Abu Bakr: “Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant, faghfir li maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamni, innaka antal-Ghafurur-Rahim.”
Meaning: “O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none forgives sins except You. So forgive me with forgiveness from You and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
The dua taught to Mu’adh: “Allahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatik.”
Meaning: “O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You well.”
The Prophet ﷺ told Mu’adh that he loved him and advised him never to leave this dua at the end of every prayer.
A comprehensive dua from the Quran: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.”
12. Ending the Prayer With Salam
Turn your head to the right and say: “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.” Then turn to the left and say the same.
Meaning: “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.”
13. Dhikr After the Prayer
After the obligatory prayers, the Prophet ﷺ used to say:
- “Astaghfirullah” three times.
- “Allahumma antas-Salam wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram.” Meaning: “O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour.”
- “SubhanAllah” 33 times, “Alhamdulillah” 33 times and “Allahu Akbar” 33 times, completing a hundred with “La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadir.”
- Ayatul Kursi, about which the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites it after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.
- Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas.
Tips for Learning the Duas of Salah
Learn one dua at a time
Start with the essentials: Al-Fatihah, the dhikr of ruku and sujood, the tashahhud and the salawat.
Then add the opening dua, the dua between the prostrations and the duas before salam, one at a time.
Learn the meanings
Knowing what each dua means helps you focus and pray with your heart.
Practise outside the prayer
Recite the duas during the day, while walking or waiting, until they become easy.
Use cards or notes
Write each dua on a small card and keep it in your pocket or near your prayer mat.
Learn with correct pronunciation
Arabic letters have specific sounds, and some changes in pronunciation can change meaning.
Learning with a teacher or listening to correct recordings ensures you say each dua properly.
Focusing the Heart While Saying the Duas
Knowing the words is only the first step. The goal is khushu’, a humble and present heart.
Before starting the prayer, take a moment to leave your worries aside and remember that you are standing before Allah.
Pray as though it may be your last prayer, as the Prophet ﷺ advised. Recite slowly and pause between phrases so the meanings can settle.
Try focusing on one dua at a time. For a week, give special attention to the meaning of the dhikr in ruku.
The next week, focus on the dua between the two prostrations. Over a few months, every part of the prayer will become meaningful to you.
It also helps to remove distractions: pray in a quiet place, put your phone away and avoid praying when very hungry or tired, if you can.
Look at the place of prostration rather than around you.
These small steps make it much easier to feel the words you are saying, and they turn the duas of salah into a true conversation with your Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which duas are obligatory in salah?
Scholars differ on details, but Al-Fatihah, the opening takbir and the final tashahhud are generally considered essential. Many other duas are sunnah.
Can I make dua in my own language in salah?
In voluntary prayers, many scholars permit dua in any language, especially in sujood. In obligatory prayers, it is better to use Arabic duas.
Outside the prayer, you can make dua in any language.
What should a new Muslim say if they do not know the duas yet?
They should pray anyway and learn step by step.
Some scholars advise saying simple dhikr such as “SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, la ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar” until they learn Al-Fatihah.
How many times should I say the dhikr in ruku and sujood?
The common minimum is three times, but you can say it more.
Is the opening dua necessary?
It is sunnah, not obligatory. The prayer is valid without it, but it is better to recite it.
Final Thoughts
Every word you say in salah is a gift from the Prophet ﷺ, who taught his companions exactly what to say in each position.
By learning these duas and their meanings, you turn each prayer into a conversation in which you praise Allah, seek His forgiveness, ask for guidance and send peace on His Messenger.
Start with the essentials, add one dua at a time and let the meanings fill your heart as you stand, bow and prostrate before your Lord.
Learn every prayer dua with correct pronunciation.