The Little Book of Salah

The book

Every Muslim child reaches a moment when they watch the grown-ups around them pray and quietly wonder, how do I do that? The Little Book of Salah meets children at that moment, walking them through each part of prayer — from the first gentle intention to the final salam — in language a young child can hold on to. Ustadh Ibrahim Yusuf keeps the steps unhurried and clear, so nothing feels rushed or out of reach. By the last chapter, a child who once stood uncertain beside the prayer mat will understand not only what they are doing, but why it matters to Allah.

What you'll learn

• Why Allah asks us to pray five times a day, explained in simple words drawn from the Quran
• The names and times of the five daily prayers, and how to recognise when each one arrives
• How to form the niyyah, face the qiblah, and begin with the takbir
• The words of Surah Al-Fatiha, with transliteration and a gentle line-by-line explanation of meaning
• The positions of ruku and sujood, and the words said quietly in each one
• What to do when you lose your place, get distracted, or are praying somewhere away from home

Who it's for

This book is written for children between five and nine years old who are beginning to learn salah — whether at home with a parent, in a weekend Islamic school, or sitting with a grandparent who wants a calm, step-by-step way to pass the prayer on. It is just as useful for the adult beside them as it is for the child holding it.