What to read in namaz?
Namaz, or Salah, is the most important form of worship in Islam. It is a way of expressing our gratitude and submission to Allah. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that involves reciting Quranic verses and performing physical movements.
In this article, we will discuss what to read in Namaz and provide examples of Suras in Arabic, along with their translation and transliteration in English.
- Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening)
Surah Al-Fatiha is the first chapter in the Quran and is recited in every rakat of every prayer. It is also known as „The Opening“ and is a powerful prayer in itself. It is said that the entire Quran is summarized in this surah, making it essential to recite in every prayer. It has seven verses and can be translated as:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Transliteration:
Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm,
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-‘ālamīn,
Ar-raḥmāni r-raḥīm,
Māliki yawmi d-dīn,
Iyyāka na‘budu wa-iyyāka nasta‘īn,
Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa l-mustaqīm,
Ṣirāṭa lladhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim
ghayri l-maghdūbi ‘alayhim wa-lā ḍ-ḍāllīn.
Translation
„In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path.
The path of those whom You have favored, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who go astray.“
- Surah Al-Ikhlas
Surah Al-Ikhlas is the 112th chapter of the Quran and is also known as Tawheed, or the declaration of faith. It is a short but powerful Surah that affirms the oneness of Allah and His attributes.
The Surah has four verses and is recited in the third and fourth rak’ah of every Salah. It is a crucial Surah to recite in Salah, as it affirms our faith in the oneness of Allah and is a reminder that He is the only one worthy of worship.
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ
اللَّـهُ الصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Transliteration:
Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm
Qul huwallāhu ‚Aḥad,
Allāhus-Ṣamad,
Lam yalid walam yūlad,
Walam yakullahu kufuwan ‚Aḥad.
Translation:
„In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Say, „He is Allah, the One and Only.
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.
He begets not, nor is He begotten.
And there is none like unto Him.“
- Surah Al-Falaq
Surah Al-Falaq is the 113th chapter of the Quran and is also known as Al-Mu’awwidhatayn, or the two protectors. It is a short Surah that seeks Allah’s protection from the evils of the night.
The Surah has five verses and is recited in the third and fourth rak’ah of every Salah. It is a reminder to seek Allah’s protection from the unseen harm that can come to us, and it also serves as a way to combat any negativity that may be present in our lives.
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ
وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Transliteration:
Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm
Qul a’ūdhu birabbil-falaq,
Min sharri mā khalaq,
Wa min sharri ghāsiqin idhā waqab,
Wa min sharri naffāthāti fil-‚uqad,
Wa min sharri haasidin idhā hasad.
Translation:
„In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Say, „I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak,
From the evil of what He has created,
And from the evil of the darkness when it overspreads,
And from the evil of the witches when they blow on knots,
And from the evil of an envier when he envies.“
- Surah An-Nas
Surah An-Nas is the 114th chapter of the Quran and is also known as Al-Mu’awwidhatayn, or the two protectors. It is a short Surah that seeks Allah’s protection from the whispers of Shaytan.
The Surah has six verses and is recited in the third and fourth rak’ah of every Salah. It is a reminder to seek Allah’s protection from the whispers of Shaytan and to turn to Him for guidance and protection.
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
مَلِكِ النَّاسِ
إِلَـٰهِ النَّاسِ
مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ
الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ
مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ
Transliteration:
Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm
Qul a’ūdhu birabbin-nās,
Malikin-nās,
Ilāhin-nās,
Min sharri al-waswāsil-khannās,
Alladhī yuwaswisu fī sudoorin-nās,
Mina al-jinnati wan-nās.
Translation:
„In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Say, „I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind,
The King of mankind,
The God of mankind,
From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws,
Who whispers in the hearts of mankind,
Of jinn and mankind.“
Reciting these surahs in the prescribed order during the different rakats of the five daily prayers is an important aspect of Muslim worship. It is important to not just recite them, but also to understand their meanings and reflect on their teachings.
In conclusion, knowing what to read in namaz is an essential aspect of Muslim worship. It is important to not just recite the surahs mechanically but to also understand their meanings and reflect on their teachings. The surahs mentioned above are the most commonly recited ones in the five daily prayers and form an integral part of the Muslim faith.
Which dua to read in namaz?
There are several duas (supplications) that Muslims can recite during different parts of the prayer (salah/namaz). Here are some examples:
- Dua of Istiftah: This is the opening dua that is recited after saying the takbiratul-ihram (Allahu Akbar) and before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. The dua is:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka.
Translation: Glory be to You, O Allah, 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.
- Dua of Ruku: This is the supplication that is recited while bowing in ruku. The dua is:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem
Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Great.
- Dua of Sujood: This is the supplication that is recited while in prostration. The dua is:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A’la
Translation: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.
- Dua between the two prostrations: This is the supplication that is recited while sitting between the two prostrations. The dua is:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَارْفَعْنِي وَارْزُقْنِي وَاهْدِنِي
Rabbi-ghfir li warhamni wajburni warfa’ni warzuqni wahdini.
Translation: O my Lord! forgive me, have mercy on me, make me strong, raise me up, provide for me, and guide me.
- Dua before Tasleem (ending prayer): This is the supplication that is recited before saying the Tasleem (ending the prayer). The dua is:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
Allahumma antas salamu wa minkas salamu tabarakta ya zal jalali wal ikram.
Translation: O Allah! You are the giver of peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honor.
These are just a few examples of the duas that can be recited during prayer. Muslims are encouraged to learn and understand the meanings of these duas, and to also make their own personal duas during the prayer.
How to perform Salah?
As a Muslim, prayer is an essential part of our faith and a way to connect with Allah. One of the most important prayers is Salah, which is performed five times a day. It is a way to show our devotion to Allah and seek his blessings and forgiveness. However, for those who are new to Islam or just starting to learn how to perform Salah, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know what to recite and in what order. That’s why in the steps below, we’ll guide you through the order of Salah and what to recite during each step so that you can perform Salah with confidence and ease.
- Make the intention (Niyyah) to pray.
- Perform Wudu (ablution) by washing your hands, face, arms, head, and feet.
- Stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca).
- Make the Takbir (saying „Allahu Akbar“) to begin the prayer.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran.
- Recite a Surah or a few verses from the Quran.
- Perform Ruku (bowing) by placing your hands on your knees and bending your back.
- Stand up straight again and say „Sami Allahu liman hamidah“ (Allah hears those who praise Him), and then „Rabbana lakal hamd“ (Our Lord, to You be the praise).
- Perform Sujood (prostration) by placing your forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes on the ground.
- Sit up straight and recite the Tashahhud, a declaration of faith in Allah.
- Turn your head to the right and say „Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah“ (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah) to the angels on your right.
- Turn your head to the left and repeat the greeting to the angels on your left.
This completes one Rak’ah (cycle) of Salah. Depending on the time of day, the number of Rak’ahs may vary. For example, the Fajr prayer consists of two Rak’ahs, while the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers consist of four Rak’ahs each.
It’s important to note that while the order of the Salah is fixed, there is some room for flexibility in terms of the specific Surahs and verses that are recited. However, there are certain parts of the Salah, such as the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha and the Tashahhud, that are considered essential and must be recited in every prayer.