🔔 Invocations of Salat — Before and During

Allah says: 🟢 "And stand before Allah with devotion." 🟢 [Al-Baqara: 238]

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The imam is appointed to be followed. When he says Allahu Akbar, say Allahu Akbar..." [Bukhari & Muslim]

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📚 Invocations in this lesson

This lesson gathers the invocations to say before entering prayer and during prayer, from the Adhan to prostration, according to the authentic Sunnah.

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🤲 ① Upon hearing the Adhan

When you hear the muezzin, it is recommended to repeat what he says, then send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, then say the invocation after the Adhan.

📖 Repeating after the muezzin

🟢 "Repeat what the muezzin says" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 According to the words of the Adhan

Example: If the muezzin says: "Allahu Akbar", you say: "Allahu Akbar"

Except for: "Hayya ‘ala-s-Salat, Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah" → you say: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah"

📚 Sources

💎 Merit

"When you hear the call, repeat what the muezzin says." [Bukhari & Muslim]

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📖 Sending blessings upon the Prophet after the Adhan

🟢 "Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

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📖 Invocation after the Adhan

🟢 "Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-d-da‘wati-t-tamma..." 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

💎 Merit

"Whoever says this invocation after the Adhan will receive my intercession on the Day of Judgment." [Bukhari]

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🤲 ② Opening supplication (Istiftah)

After the opening takbir and before Al-Fatiha, it is recommended to say the opening supplication.

📖 Most common formula

🟢 "Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You..." 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1) — at the start of every prayer

💡 Explanation

• Glory be to You: Exalting Allah above all defects
• Praise be to You: Thanking Him for His perfection
• Blessed is Your name: His blessing and greatness
• Exalted is Your majesty: His supreme greatness
• None is worthy of worship but You

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📖 Formula for night prayer

🔵 "O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika'il, and Israfil..." 🔵

🔢 Repetitions: 🔵 Once (×1) — in night prayer

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🤲 ③ Seeking protection before recitation

Before reciting Al-Fatiha or any surah:

🟢 "A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1) — before every recitation

Allah says: 🟢 "When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil." 🟢

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🤲 ④ Invocation in bowing (Rukū‘)

In bowing, say the obligatory tasbih + recommended invocation:

📖 Obligatory tasbih

🔵 "Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim" 🔵

🔢 Repetitions: 🔵 Three times minimum (×3)

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📖 Recommended invocation in rukū‘

🟢 "Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me." 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1) — after tasbih

💎 Merit

"The Prophet ﷺ would often say this invocation in his bowing and prostration." [Bukhari & Muslim]

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🤲 ⑤ Upon rising from bowing

When rising from rukū‘:

📖 Imam and individual

🟢 "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

📖 All (imam, follower, individual)

🟢 "Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fihi" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

💎 Merit

"I saw more than thirty angels rushing to write down this statement." [Bukhari]

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🤲 ⑥ In prostration (Sujūd)

Prostration is the closest a servant is to his Lord. It is recommended to increase supplications in it.

📖 Obligatory tasbih

🔵 "Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la" 🔵

🔢 Repetitions: 🔵 Three times minimum (×3)

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📖 Recommended invocation in sujūd

🟢 "Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me." 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

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📖 Additional invocation in sujūd

🟢 "Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbul mala’ikati wa-r-ruh" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

💎 Merit

"The closest a servant is to his Lord is while prostrating. So increase supplications." [Muslim]

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🤲 ⑦ Between the two prostrations

Between the two prostrations, say:

🟢 "Rabbi ighfir li, Rabbi ighfir li" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Twice (×2)

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📖 Complete formula

🟢 "Allahumma ighfir li, warhamni, wahdini, wajburni, wa‘afini, warzuqni, warfa‘ni" 🟢

🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)

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🎓 Importance of these invocations

📌 Scholars’ statements

Imam Nawawi:

"The invocations and remembrances in prayer are among the greatest means of drawing near to Allah and are causes of humility and submission."

Ibn al-Qayyim:

"The opening supplication is among the best ways to begin prayer; it exalts Allah and prepares for humility."

Shaykh Ibn Baz:

"Prostration is the closest a servant is to his Lord. One should increase supplications in it, for the good of this world and the next."

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📌 Wisdom of these invocations

1. Adhan invocation: Connects the heart to prayer from the call
2. Opening supplication: Prepares for humility and Allah’s greatness
3. Remembrances of bowing and prostration: Exalt Allah in every movement
4. Supplication in prostration: The best time to ask Allah

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🌍 Practical application

📱 How to integrate these invocations in your prayer?

✅ Before prayer

1. Upon hearing the Adhan → repeat what the muezzin says
2. After the Adhan → send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and say the Adhan invocation
3. Before takbir → prepare your heart for humility

✅ During prayer

1. After takbir → opening supplication
2. Before recitation → seeking protection
3. In bowing → tasbih + invocation
4. Upon rising → "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah"
5. In prostration → tasbih + increase supplications
6. Between the two prostrations → "Rabbi ighfir li"

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⚠️ Mistakes to avoid

❌ Mistakes

• Not repeating after the muezzin → missing great merit
• Neglecting the opening supplication → missing a confirmed Sunnah
• Limiting to one tasbih → Sunnah is three times minimum
• Not supplicating in prostration → missing the best time for supplication
• Rushing through the movements → harms concentration

✅ Good practices

• ✅ Repeat after the muezzin attentively
• ✅ Memorize at least the short opening supplication
• ✅ Say tasbih three times in bowing and prostration
• ✅ Supplicate as you wish in prostration
• ✅ Take your time in every position

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❓ Frequently asked questions

Q1: Can you supplicate only in Arabic during prayer?

A: Yes, the obligatory and recommended remembrances are said in Arabic. For personal supplications in prostration, it is allowed to use another language if needed, but Arabic is best.

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Q2: What if I forget the opening supplication?

A: Nothing to worry about, it is a recommended Sunnah, not an obligation. If you remember it during recitation, do not interrupt the recitation to say it.

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Q3: Can I ask for anything in prostration?

A: Yes, after the obligatory tasbih, it is recommended to ask for any good of this world and the next. Prostration is the best time for acceptance.

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Q4: How many times to say "Rabbi ighfir li" between the two prostrations?

A: Twice at minimum. You may add the complete formula mentioned above.

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Q5: Should the Adhan invocation be said at every call?

A: Yes, it is recommended to say it at every Adhan, whether you are in the mosque or not.

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🎯 Action plan

📌 Weekly challenge: Master your prayer invocations

Week 1

• Learn the Adhan invocation
• Practice repeating after the muezzin
• Learn the short opening supplication

Week 2

• Learn the remembrances of bowing and prostration
• Practice tranquility in bowing and prostration
• Supplicate as you wish in prostration

Week 3

• Learn "Rabbi ighfir li"
• Learn the invocation upon rising from bowing
• Review all invocations

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📝 Essential invocations summary

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📚 Main references

Books of invocations

• Fortress of the Muslim — Sa‘id ibn Wahf al-Qahtani
• The Remembrances of Imam Nawawi
• Zad al-Ma‘ad — Ibn al-Qayyim (prayer chapter)

Hadith books

• Sahih Bukhari — Book of Adhan
• Sahih Muslim — Book of Prayer
• Sunan Abu Dawud — Book of Prayer
• Sahih al-Jami‘ — Al-Albani

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And Allah knows best

Allahumma a‘inna ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatik

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"Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times." [An-Nisa: 103]