Manish wrote: As Salamu Alaikum, Firstly all praise is to Allah. I'm grateful we are able to engage with one another from different parts of the world. This is my first post on this forum. I am very new to Islam. I was born a Hindu however never grasped the concept of worshipping multiple gods, I then looked into Buddhism however found the focus was more on ones self and letting go attachment to ones self. I had friends who help themselves highly whom were Muslim which led me to start reading the Quran. I knew immediately that it fulfilled a need inside me, it felt right. I started practicing over 12 months ago however question if I'm doing my daily obligatory prayers correctly. I have friends whom have shown me how to prayer, each doing their own way i.e. arms by your side, arms folded above the navel. Some friends following Suni and Shia traditions although we are one uma. I'm was born in Australia and have grown up speaking English only. I do my prayer in english but again question if my recitation is correct as it varies between information provided by friends. I was hoping if someone within the community could aid me in providing an arabic translation (written in english) which I can recite my daily prayers. Instructions/translation etc would be most grateful. Any advice, help would also be appreciated. I was thinking my best approach may be holding a piece of paper which I can print out initially to assist me while praying. Is that allowed? I realise its all based on intention, but I feel like there is a strong focus also on ensuring the prayer is done correctly like the prophet (pbuh). Thanks in advance. Manish

Wa’alaikumussalam... Manish,

I really appreciate your seriousness to learn about prayer (salat), because this  worship is very high value in front of Allah, and Salat is a means of direct communication with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. Allah says: (Taha 20:14)

"Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be Worshiped but I), so worship Me, and perform Salat for My Remembrance.”

Regarding the ordinance of prayer as you get from your friends, please just choose according to your heart which one is good for you? because it's just a matter of difference in fiqh.

But what you must master immediately is reading in prayer by using the Qur'anic language, for example, reading Al-Fatihah, it must be by the Qur'anic language (there is a secret behind it), it can't be read in other languages, because the composition of letters and syllables directly from Allah as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad, but you also need to know the meaning in order to approach to khusu', in other words: more serious in performing the prayer.

Because of you have not mastered the reading of prayer, you may use a piece of paper before you actually master the reading of prayer, but after you master it, please leave that paper.

Then, do you know how to do ablution (wudhu) and its reading? sorry, are you also circumcised?

Wassalam.

Asep garut