Prayer Glossary

The standing position during Salah. The worshipper stands upright facing the Qibla, hands folded, reciting Al-Fatiha and another Surah. It is the opening posture of every Rakat.

The bowing position. The worshipper bends at the waist with hands placed on the knees, back straight, reciting "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) at least three times.

Prostration — placing the forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet on the ground simultaneously. Performed twice per Rakat. "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) is recited. The closest a servant is to Allah.

The sitting position between the two prostrations within a Rakat, and also the final sitting for Tashahhud. In Jalsa the worshipper sits on their left foot with the right foot upright.

Rising upright from Ruku before proceeding to Sajda. The phrase "Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd" (Allah hears the one who praises Him; Our Lord, all praise is for You) is recited.

Intention. Before beginning any prayer, a Muslim must make a sincere intention in the heart specifying which prayer they are performing. It does not need to be spoken aloud, though verbalising it is permitted.

The proclamation "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest). The opening Takbeer — Takbiratul Ihram — formally begins the prayer with raised hands. Takbeer is also said when transitioning between each prayer position.

The testimony of faith recited while sitting (Jalsa). At-Tahiyyat is recited bearing witness to the Oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. The index finger is raised during the Shahadah portion.

The closing salutation that ends the prayer. The worshipper turns the head to the right saying "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah," then to the left repeating the same. This formally concludes the Salah.

The Opening — the first chapter of the Quran, consisting of 7 verses. Recited in every Rakat during Qiyam. The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Al-Fatiha." It is the most repeated Surah in Islam.

One complete unit of Salah consisting of: Qiyam (standing and reciting), Ruku (bowing), Qawmah (rising), first Sajda (prostration), Jalsa (brief sitting), and second Sajda. All prayers are measured in Rakats.

The call to prayer, announced by the Muezzin at the start of each prayer time. It announces that the time for Salah has begun and calls Muslims to come to the masjid. Responding to the Adhan by repeating its words is recommended.

The second call made immediately before the congregational prayer begins. Similar to the Adhan but shorter, it signals that the rows are formed and the prayer is about to start. Hearer should stand ready to pray.

The person who recites the Adhan to call Muslims to prayer. Traditionally called from the minaret of the masjid. The Prophet ﷺ said the Muezzin will have the longest neck on the Day of Judgement.

Obligatory. The five daily prayers are Farz upon every sane adult Muslim. Intentionally leaving a Farz act is a sin. Missed Farz prayers must be made up as Qada. Denying the obligation of a Farz act is disbelief.

Necessary — one level below Farz in the Hanafi school. Witr prayer is Wajib. Omitting a Wajib act intentionally is sinful, though less severe than abandoning a Farz act. It requires Sajda Sahw if missed within the prayer.

Emphasised Sunnah — prayers the Prophet ﷺ performed consistently and very rarely omitted. Regularly missing them without valid reason is considered blameworthy, though not sinful in the way missing Farz is.

Non-emphasised Sunnah — prayers occasionally performed by the Prophet ﷺ but not consistently. Performing them earns reward; leaving them does not incur sin. Examples: 4 Rakats before Asr and before Isha.

Voluntary prayers. Not obligatory but earn great reward and compensate for shortcomings in obligatory prayers. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The first thing a servant will be asked about on the Day of Judgement is his obligatory prayers; if they are complete, well and good; otherwise Allah will say: Look if my servant has any voluntary prayers."

Odd — a Wajib prayer of 3 Rakats performed after Isha. Includes Dua Qunoot in the third Rakat after reciting a Surah and before Ruku. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make Witr your last prayer of the night." It is the seal of the night prayers.

Ritual purification using water — a mandatory prerequisite for Salah. Involves: washing hands (×3), rinsing mouth (×3), rinsing nose (×3), washing face (×3), washing arms to elbows (×3), wiping the head once, cleaning ears once, and washing feet to ankles (×3).

Full ritual bath of the entire body. Required after major ritual impurity (Janabah), after menstruation, after post-natal bleeding, and at other specified times. Essential for the validity of prayer when applicable.

Dry ablution using clean earth, dust, or any natural ground surface when water is unavailable or its use would cause harm. A Divinely-granted concession that substitutes for both Wudu and Ghusl in valid circumstances.

Ritual and physical purity — a prerequisite for Salah. Allah says: "Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and loves those who purify themselves." (2:222). Includes both Wudu/Ghusl (ritual) and removal of physical impurities (Najasah).

The prayer leader who stands at the front of the congregation. The Muqtadi (followers) align in rows behind the Imam and follow his movements. The Imam recites audibly in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha. Qualifications include knowledge of prayer rules and proper Quran recitation.

A follower in congregational prayer. The Muqtadi follows the Imam's movements and must not precede the Imam in any action. The Muqtadi should say their own Takbeer but follows the Imam's lead in all movements.

Congregation — praying in a group. The reward of congregational prayer is 27 times greater than praying alone. It is strongly emphasised (Sunnah Muakkadah) for men's five daily prayers. The front row earns the greatest reward.

A latecomer who joins the congregation after it has started. The Masbooq joins in the current position and then completes the missed Rakats individually after the Imam gives the final Tasleem. The Masbooq's prayer is considered valid and full.

The direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. All Muslims worldwide face the Qibla during prayer, creating a unified global direction of worship. Determining the Qibla correctly is a prerequisite for valid Salah.

A place of prostration — the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The entire earth has been made a masjid for me." Prayer in the masjid earns 27 times more reward. The masjid is the heart of the Muslim community.

An object (stick, wall, or line) placed in front of a worshipper to mark their prayer space. It prevents others from walking through the line of prayer and is strongly recommended, especially in open spaces or crowded areas.

The niche or alcove in the front wall of a masjid that indicates the Qibla direction. The Imam stands in front of or within the Mihrab when leading prayer. It is typically ornately decorated as the focal point of the masjid.

Making up a missed Farz prayer. A Muslim who misses an obligatory prayer must make it up as soon as possible. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps through it, its expiation is to pray it when he remembers." Deliberately missing prayers without Qada is a serious sin.

Prostration of forgetfulness. Two additional prostrations performed at the end of a prayer to compensate for minor unintentional errors or omissions — such as forgetting a Wajib act or adding an extra Rakat by mistake. It corrects the prayer without invalidating it.

A supplication recited in the third Rakat of Witr prayer, standing upright after reciting Al-Fatiha and another Surah, with hands raised in supplication before Ruku. It is a prayer of devotion, seeking Allah's guidance, mercy, and protection.

Glorification of Allah — saying "Subhanallah" (Glory be to Allah). Specifically: "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" in Ruku and "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" in Sajda are the obligatory Tasbeehs of prayer. Also refers to the prayer beads used for counting remembrances.

Humility, focus, and complete presence of heart in prayer. Allah says: "Successful indeed are the believers — those who have Khushu in their prayer." (23:1-2). It is the soul of Salah. Without Khushu, prayer is physically performed but spiritually hollow.