What to say in prostration (sujud)

After rising from ruku, you go down into sujud (prostration), with your forehead and nose on the ground. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead (and he pointed to his nose), the hands, the knees, and the extremities of the feet" (Sahih al-Bukhari 812 and Sahih Muslim 490). In each rak'ah you make two prostrations, with a short sitting between them.

Sujud is the lowest position your body can take, and it is where you are closest to Allah. The Prophet said that a servant is nearest to his Lord while in prostration, so make plenty of dua (supplication) there (Sahih Muslim 482). Allah says in the Quran:

But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].

Quran 96:19 (Saheeh International translation)

What to say in sujud

This is what Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet say in his prostration (Sahih Muslim 772 and Sunan al-Tirmidhi 262). In ruku you praised your Lord as the Most Great. Now, with your face on the ground, you declare that He is the Most High. The words echo the Quran:

Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High

Quran 87:1 (Saheeh International translation)

As in ruku, most Muslims say it three times, and once is fine while you are learning. Stay still for a moment; the Prophet taught: "then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration" (Sahih al-Bukhari 757 and Sahih Muslim 397).

Making dua in sujud

Dua means asking Allah for what you need. Because sujud is the moment of closeness, it is a special time to ask. After Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la, you may add a dua. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet often said this in both ruku and sujud (Sahih al-Bukhari 817 and Sahih Muslim 484):

Learning a few short duas in Arabic is a good goal. You can always ask Allah for anything in your own words and your own language outside the prayer, for example right after you finish. Scholars differ on making dua inside the prayer in your own words or in other languages, so ask your local imam how your masjid teaches it.

Sitting between the two prostrations

After the first sujud, you say Allahu Akbar and sit up. Hudhayfah reported that between the two prostrations the Prophet would say (Sunan Abi Dawud 874 and Sunan an-Nasa'i 1145, sahih):

Then you say Allahu Akbar and make the second sujud in the same way. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) described the Prophet saying Allahu Akbar as he went down into each prostration and as he raised his head from it (Sahih al-Bukhari 789, agreed upon).

Videos of the ruku and sujud words are in the "Prayer video resources" step. Next, you will learn the tashahhud, the words you say while sitting near the end of the prayer.