What to say when bowing (ruku)

After you recite Al-Fatiha (and, in the first two rak'ahs, a short surah), you bow. This bowing is called ruku. As you go down you say Allahu Akbar, then you place your hands on your knees and keep your back level. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in ruku: "When he bowed, he neither raised his head nor lowered it, but kept it in between." (Sahih Muslim 498)

There is no need to rush. Let your body settle before you say the words. The Prophet taught a man how to pray, telling him: "then bow until you are at ease in bowing" (Sahih al-Bukhari 757 and Sahih Muslim 397).

What to say in ruku

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed with the Prophet and heard him say these words in his bowing (Sahih Muslim 772 and Sunan al-Tirmidhi 262). Subhana declares that Allah is far above any fault or weakness. Rabbi means "my Lord", the One who created you, owns you, and takes care of your affairs. Al-'Adheem means "the Most Great". The words echo the Quran:

So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

Quran 56:74 (Saheeh International translation)

Bowing is an act of humility: your body lowers itself before Allah while your words declare His greatness. Slowing down and thinking about the meaning turns a quick movement into a real moment with Allah.

Most Muslims say it three times, and many scholars recommend not saying it fewer than three times. If you can only manage it once while you are learning, that is fine; add more as it becomes familiar.

Rising from ruku

As you rise back up to standing, you say:

Then, once you are standing straight, you say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) described the Prophet saying the first as he raised his back from bowing, and the second once he was standing (Sahih al-Bukhari 789, agreed upon).

Praying alone: say both phrases. Praying behind an imam: the imam says Sami'allahu liman hamidah aloud, and you answer with Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, as the Prophet instructed (Sahih al-Bukhari 722 and 732). In the Shafi'i school the follower says both phrases quietly. Either way is fine; follow your local masjid.

You may hear slightly different wordings, such as Rabbana lakal-hamd or Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. All of them are authentic (Sahih al-Bukhari 789, 795, and 796). The Prophet said about this moment that if the saying of any one of you coincides with that of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 796).

Videos of these words are in the "Prayer video resources" step. Next, you will learn what to say in prostration.