How to pray in Islam

As-salamu alaykum, peace be upon you. My name is Iqbal Naseem, and in the next few minutes I'm going to be demonstrating two units of prayer, of salah, but with a difference. What I'm going to be doing is alternating the phrases that we say during a prayer, English to Arabic. Now, you'll be wondering, why would I do such a thing? We all know the feeling of expressing ourselves in our salah, in the Arabic language, in a way where we're disconnected from the meanings of the words that we're saying. The purpose of this demonstration is to help you understand how to pronounce the words that you say in prayer, but also what they mean, so that you can actually express the Arabic phrases in your prayer with more feeling, with more emotion, because you can only really do that when you know what the words mean. And when you observe this demonstration, at certain different parts, you'll think to yourself, oh, is that what I'm saying? Now I understand what this particular phrase means, and how it goes or accompanies a particular position that I find myself in. So I hope this proves to be a really useful resource for you in your journey to improve the quality of your prayer. Now, of course, this is not supposed to be a license for you to pray in this particular way during your actual prayers. But it is just for the purposes of demonstration and understanding, and I would suggest that you can use it as a way to actually practice your prayers outside of your prayers, if you like. You can take one section at a time and practice. Because really, there is no substitute for being able to express yourself in your salah in a really heartfelt way. Just a couple of things to note. I'll be saying the English phrases first, and then the Arabic. And the reason for this is because I'm going to try to say the English with meaning, with expression, in a way that does justice to the words that I'm saying, and who I'm saying them to, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. And then you'll realize the idea of trying to convey or to have the same tone in the way we express the Arabic that reflects the emotion when we express it in the English language. And you'll perhaps realize that sometimes we say things really fast in Arabic, but if we knew what they meant, we would actually take our time a little bit. That's one thing to note. English first, and then Arabic. The other thing to note is that, of course, there are slight differences in the way that different schools of thought, legal schools, consider that we should pray at different parts of the prayer. They have differences of opinion about exactly how the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed. So I'm going to be sticking to one of those agreed upon schools of thought. So don't get too caught up in the particulars and the technicalities. Try not to judge the prayer, just try to use it as a way to understand and to reflect upon the meanings of the words that are being said, and how they go with the various positions. So once again, I hope you enjoy this, and now I think it's time to get on with it. Two units of prayer, of Salah, English and Arabic. And there is no God other than you. I take refuge in God from the rejected Satan. In the name of God, the Lord of mercy, the giver of mercy. All praise belongs to God. Lord of all that exists. The Lord of mercy. The giver of mercy. Master of the day of judgment. You alone we serve. And you alone we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path. The path of those whom you have favoured. Not of those who have earned your anger. Nor of those who have gone astray. Not of those who have gone astray. May it be so. Ameen. In the name of God, the Lord of mercy, the giver of mercy. By time. Indeed the human being is in a deep state of loss. Except for those who believe and do good deeds. And they urge one another to truth. And they urge one another to steadfastness. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Majestic. God hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to you belongs all praise. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Most High. God is the greatest. My Lord, forgive me and have mercy upon me. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Most High. God is the greatest. In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. All praise belongs to God, Lord of all that exists. The Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we serve, and you alone we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path. The path of those whom you have favoured. Not of those who have earned your anger, nor of those who have gone astray. May it be so. Amen. In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. Say, He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He did not beget, nor was He begotten. And no one is comparable to Him. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Majestic. God hears the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Most High. God is the greatest. My Lord, forgive me and have mercy upon me. God is the greatest. How perfect is my Lord, the Most High. God is the greatest. Greetings to God and prayers and all pure actions. Peace be upon you Prophet and the mercy and blessings of God. Peace be upon us all and upon the righteous servants of God. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of God. I bear witness that there is no God but God. He is One and has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. God, give Your grace to Muhammad and the family and followers of Muhammad just as You did upon Abraham and the family and followers of Abraham. Indeed, You are praiseworthy, glorified. God, give Your blessings to Muhammad and the family and followers of Muhammad just as You did upon Abraham and the family and followers of Abraham. Indeed, You are praiseworthy, glorified. God, give Your blessings to Muhammad and the family and followers of Muhammad just as You did upon Abraham and the family and followers of Abraham. Indeed, You are praiseworthy, glorified. God, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the Hellfire. God, I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell. And from the punishment of the grave. And from the trials of living and dying. And from the trial of the Antichrist. God, I have wronged myself so much. And no one forgives sins except for You. So forgive me my sins and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of God. As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God. As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.