Spice Up Your Salat

Most of us are taught how to pray by someone close to us, but usually, we are taught the simplest way to pray and we stick with that. I recently found out that during different parts of prayer there are a number of different things which can be said, some very short, some quite long. All of my information was obtained from "Fortress of the Muslim: Invocations from the Quran and Sunnah" by Darassalam publications (and they cite all their references, so no worries, check it out for yourself if you want). But here's what you can do (I tried putting it all in a table, but I couldn't do anything with the table after that, it was too big.)

1. Takbeeratul-Ihram

I. Allahu Akbar

· God is the Greatest

2. Opening Prayer

I. Allaahumma baa’id baynee wa bayna khataayaaya kamaa baa’adta baynalmashriqi walmaghribi, Allaahumma naqqinee min khataaayaaya kamaa yunaqqaththawbul-‘abyadhu minad-danasi, Allaahummaghsilnee min khataayaaya, bith-thalji walmaa’I walbarad.

· O Allah (SWT), separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah (SWT), cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah (SWT), wash away my sins with ice and water and frost.

II. Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta’aalaa jadduka, wa laa ‘ilaaha ghayruka.

· Glory is to you O Allah (SWT), and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.

III. Wajjahtu wajhiya lillathee fatarassamaawaati wal’ardha haneefan wa maa ‘anaa minal-mushrikeen, ‘inna salaatee, wa nusukee, wa mahyaaya, wa mamaatee lillaahi Rabbil-‘aalameen, la shareeka lahu wa bithaalika ‘umirtu wa ‘anaa minal-muslimeen. Allaahumma ‘Antal-Maliku laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta. ‘Anta Rabbee wa ‘anaa ‘abduka, dhalamtu nafsee wa’taraftu bithanbee faghfir lee thunoobee jamee’an ‘innahu laa yaghfiruth-thunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta. Wahdinee li’ahsanil-‘akhlaaqi laa yahdee li’ahsanihaa ‘illaa ‘Anta, warif ‘annee sayyi’ahaa, laa yasrifu ‘annee sayyi’ahaa ‘illa ‘Anta, labbayka wa sa’dayka, walkhayru kulluhu biyadayka, washsharru laysa ‘ilayka, ‘anaa bika wa ‘ilayka, tabaarakta wa ta’aalayta, ‘astaghfiruka wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayka.

· I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, as a true believer. I am not of those who associate partners with Allah (SWT). Verily, my prayer and my devotion, my living and my death, are for Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds, He has no partners. Thus I have been commanded and I am among those who have submitted. O Allah (SWT), You are the King, there is none worthy of worship but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged my own soul and confess my sin. Forgive all of my sins, surely none forgives sins but You. Guide me to the perfection of my character, for none guides to its perfection but You. Protect me from the evils of my character, for none may protect me from its evils but You. I am here at Your service. All goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I am (created) by You, and I am (returning) to You. You are Most Blessed, Most Exalted. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.

IV. Allaahumma Rabba Jibraa’eela, wa Mikaa’eela, wa ‘Israafeela faatirassamaawaati wal’ardh, ‘Aalimal-ghaybi washshahaadati, ‘Anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibaadika feemaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon. Ihdinee limakh-tulifa feehi minal-haqqi bi ‘ithnika ‘innaaka tahdee man tashaa’u ‘ilaa siraatim-mustaqeem.

· O Allah (SWT), Lord of Jibrail, Mikail and Israfil. Maker of the heavens and the earth. Knower of the unseen and the seen. You judge between Your slaves regarding that in which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is difference, by Your leave. Surely, You guide whomever You please to the straight path.

V. Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, Allaahu ‘Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera,wa Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. ‘A’oothu billaahi minash-shaytaan min nafkhihi, wa nafhihi, wa hamzihi.

· Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. I seek refuge in Allah (SWT) from satan. From his breath and from his voice and from his whisper.

VI. Allaahumma lakal-hamdu ‘Anta noorussamaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta qayyimus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, [wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Rabbus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu laka mulkus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Malikus-samaawaati wal’ardhi] [ wa lakal-hamdu] [ ‘Antal-haqq, wa wa’dukal-haqq, wa qawlukal-haqq wa liqaa’ukal-haqq, waljannatu haqq, wannaaru haqq, wannabiyyoona haqq, wa Muhammadun (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) haqq, wassaa’atu haqq] [ Allaahumma laka ‘aslamtu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa ‘ilayka ‘anabtu, wa bika khaasamtu, wa ‘ilayka haakamtu. Faghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘aasrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu] [‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta] [ ‘Anta ‘ilaahee laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta].

· O Allah (SWT), praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. [ Praise is to You, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all they contain.] [ Praise si to You, Yours is the dominion of the heavens and he earth and all they contain.] [ Praise is to You, You are the King of the heavens and the earth.] [ And praise is to You.] [ You are the Truth, Your Promise is true, Your Word is true, Your audience is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Prophets are true, and Muhammad (SAW) is true, and the Hour of Judgement is true.] [ O Allah (SWT), to You I have submitted, and uon You I depend. I have believed in You and to You I turn in repentance. For Your sake I dispute and by Your standard I judge. Forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have declared.] [You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.] [ You are my God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.]

3. Al-Fatiha

4. Quranic Recitation

5. Rukuu

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-’Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem

· Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me.

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbul-malaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka raka’tu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu khasha’a laka sam’ee, wa basaree, wa kukhkhee, wa ‘adhmee, wa ‘asabee, wa mastaqalla bihi qadamee.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I bow and in You I believe and to You I have submitted. Before You my hearing is humbled, as is my sight, my mind, my bones, my nerves and what my feet have mounted upon.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, dominion of majesty and greatness.

6. When Rising from Ruku

I. Sami’allaahu liman hamidah.

· Allah (SWT) hears whoever praises Him.

II. Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd, hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan feeh.

· Our Lord, praise is Yours, abundant, good and blessed praised.

III. Mil’as-samaawaati wa mil’al-‘ardhi wa maa baynahumaa, wa mil’a maa shi’ta min shay’in ba’d. ‘Ahlath-thanaa’I walmajdi, ‘ahaqqu ma qaalal-‘abdu, wa kullunaa laka ‘abdun. Allaahumma laa maani’a limaa ‘a’tayta, wa laa mu’tiya limaa mana’ta, wa laa yanfa’u thal-jaddi minkal-jadd.

· (A praise that) fills the heavens and the earth and what lies between them, and whatever else You please. (You Allah (SWT)) are most worthy of praise and majesty, and what the slave has said – we are all Your slaves. O Allah (SWT), there is none who can withhold what You give, and none may give what You have withheld. And the might of the mighty person cannot benefit him against You.

7. During Sujood

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa

· Glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbulmalaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka sajadtu wa ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu, sajada wajhiya lillathee khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sam’ahu wa basarahu, tabaarakallahu ‘ahsanul-khaaliqeen.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I prostrate myself and in You I believe. To You I have submitted. My Face is prostrated to the One Who created it, fashioned it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah (SWT), the best of creators.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, of dominion, of majesty and greatness.

VI. Allaahum-maghfir lee thankbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa ‘aakhirahu wa ‘alaaniyatahu wa sirrahu

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu biridhaaka min sakhatika, wa bimu’aafaatika min ‘uqoobatika wa ‘a’oothu bika minka, laa ‘uhsee thanaa’an ‘alayka ‘Anta kamaa ‘athnayta ‘alaa nafsika.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek protection in Your pleasure from Your anger, and I seek protection in Your forgivenss from Your punishment. I seek protection in You from You. I cannot count Your praises. You are as You have praised Yourself.

8. Between 2 Sujood

I. Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee.

· My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

II. Allaahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa ‘aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa’nee.

· O Allah (SWT) forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me and elevate me.

9. During Tashahhud

I. Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu, wattayyibaatu, assalaamu ‘alayka ‘ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. ‘Ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wa ‘ash-hadu ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu

· All greetings of humility are for Allah (SWT), and all prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (SWT), and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

10. Blessings on the Prophet (SAW) after Tashahhud

I. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘alli Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka hameedun Majeed. Alaahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and on the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim (AS) and on the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah (SWT), bless Muhammad (SAW) and the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have blessed Ibrahim (AS) and the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

II. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyatihi, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema. Wa baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyyatihi, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema. ‘Innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and upon his wives and progeny as You have bestowed Your favor upon the family of Ibrahim (AS). And bless Muhammad (SAW) and his wives and progeny as You have blessed the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are full of praise, Most Glorious.

11. After the final Tashahhud and before ending the Prayer

I. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-aqbri wa min ‘athaabi jahannama, wa min fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati, wa min sharri fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of Hell-fire, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Anti-Christ.

II. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-qabri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaali, wa ‘a’oothu bika in fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-ma’thami walmaghrami

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Anti-Christ, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.

III. Allaahumma ‘innee dhalamtu nafsee dhulman katheeran, wa laa yaghfiruththunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta, faghfir lee maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamnee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely You are Forgiving, Merciful.

IV. Allaahumma ‘a’innee ‘alaa thikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibaadatika.

· O Allah (SWT), help me to remember You, to give You thanks, and to perform Your worship in the best manner.

V. Allaahum-maghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘asrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu, wa maa ‘asraftu,wa maa ‘Anta ‘a’lamu bihi minnee. ‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta.

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have done openly, what I have done in excess, and what You are better aware of than I. You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays. There is none worthy of worship but You.

VI. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-bukhli, wa ‘a’oothu bika minal-jubni, wa ‘a’oothu bika min ‘an ‘uradda ‘ilaa ‘arthalil-‘umuri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatid-dunyaa wa’athaabil-qabri.

· O Allah, I seek Your protection from iserliness, I seek Your protection from cowardice, and I seek Your protection from being returned to feeble old age. I seek Your protection from the trials of this world and from the torment of the grave.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-jannata wa ‘a’oothu bika minan-naar.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You for Paradise and seek Your protection from the Fire.

VIII. Allaahumma bi’ilmikal-ghayba wa qudratika ‘alal-khalqi ‘ahyinee maa ‘alimtal-hayaata khayran lee wa tawaffane ‘ithaa ‘alimtal-wafaata khayran lee, Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka khashyataka fil-ghaybi wash-shahaadati, wa ‘as’aluka kalimatal-haqqi fir-ridhaa walghadhabi, wa ‘aas’alukal-qasda fil-ghinaa walfaqri, wa ‘as’aluka na’eeman laa yanfadu, wa ‘as’aluka qurrata ‘aynin laa tanqati’u, wa ‘as’alukar-ridhaa ba’dal-qadhaa’I, wa ‘as’aluka bardal-‘ayshi ba’dal-mawti, wa ‘as’aluka laththatan-nadhari ‘ilaa wajhika wash-shawqa ‘ilaa liqaa’ika fe ghayri dharraa’a mudhirratin wa laa fitnatin mudhillatin, Allaahumma zayyinna bizeenatil-‘eemaani waj’alnaa hudaatan muhtadeen.

· O Allah (SWT), by Your knowledge of the unseen and by Your power over creation, let me live if You know that life is good for me, and let me die if You know that death is good for me. O Allah (SWT), I ask You to grant me fear of You in private and in public. I ask You for the word of truth in times of contentment and anger. I ask You for moderation in wealth and in poverty. I ask You for blessings never ceasing and the coolness of my eye that never ends. I ask You for pleasure after Your judgement and I ask You for the delight of gazing upon Your Face and the joy of meeting You without any harm and misleading trials befalling me. O Allah (SWT), dress us with the beauty of Faith, and make us guides who are upon (correct) guidance.

IX. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka yaa Allaahu bi’annakal-Waahidul-‘Ahadus-Samadul-lathee, lam yalid wa lam yoolad, wal lam yakun lahu kufuwan ‘Ahad, ‘an taghfira lee thunoobee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You. O Allah (SWT), You are the One, the Only, Self-Sufficient Master, Who was not begotten and getets not and none is equal to Him. Forgive me my sins, surely you are Forgiving, Merciful.

Stuff to Recite Alot

Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi

Glory is to Allah (SWT) and praise is to Him.
100 times in the morning and in the evening or 100 times a day.
100 times in the morning and evening to not be surpassed by anyone on the Day of Resurrection except they who have recited it more. 100 times a day to have sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.


Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is able to do all things.
10 times in Arabic in the morning or evening, or once to ward of laziness
10 times to have 10 rewards written, 10 sins forgiven, the reward of freeing 10 slaves, and protection from Satan until dusk or dawn.
1 time to have the reward of freeing a slave from the Children of Isma'il, ten rewards written, ten sins forgiven, and protection from Satan until dusk or dawn.

There is no God but Allah (SWT) alone, He has no partner. To Allah (SWT) is possession of everything, and to Him all praise is. He is capable of all things.
10 times in the morning or evening
To have 100 rewards written, 100 sins forgiven, the reward of freeing a slave and protection from satan until dusk or dawn.

Aoothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaqa.

I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah (SWT) from the evil of what He has created.
3 times in arabic in the evening
To be protected from insect stings.

Allaahumma salli wa sallim 'alaa Nabiyyinaa Muhammadin.

O Allah, we ask for your eace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
10 times in arabic in the morning and evening
To obtain the Prophet (SAW)'s intercession on the Day of Resurrection

Subhan-Allah

Glory be to Allah (SWT) (actually, ANY kind of glorification of Allah (SWT))
100 times a day
To have 100 rewards or 100 sins forgiven.

Subhaanallahil-Adheemi wa bihamdi

Glorified is Allah (SWT) the Most Great and praised is He
1 time
To have 1 date palm planted for you in paradise

For more supplications like the ones above, order one of those little supplication books, I think the most well known one is a little green one. These were all taken from "Fortress of the Mulsim: Invocations from the Quran and Sunnah" by Darussalam publications. Another really good one, not as extensive, but very helpful none the less is "Reflections of Pearls" by Inam Uddin and Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf.

Muslim Online Virtual World

I found this this morning and HAD to put it up:

http://pal.muxlim.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7768601.stm

It's a virtual world where you make a little avatar (male or female) and you can wander around, buy clothes, dress em up and chat with other people. What's cooler is that it has a "pray" option, and the little avatar will actually pray! :D I don't know much about the game, I haven't played it that much, but you get points for positive social interaction or something like that; the developers said it's a lifestyle game, as opposed to a religious game. Read, the bbc article, and check it out for yourselves! n_n