صلاة
ṣalāh/sˤa.laːh/
The English phrase 'namaz' is translated into Arabic as صلاة (ṣalāh).
In Arabic, the term for the ritual Islamic prayer is صلاة (ṣalāh).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /sˤa.laːh/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- While صلاة is the Arabic word, the term 'namaz' used in English is actually a loanword from Persian. It is used by Muslims in Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia but not by native Arabic speakers.
- Although صلاة is the general word for prayer, Arabic uses different words for other types of prayer, such as دعاء for a personal supplication or a spontaneous request to God.
- In classical Arabic contexts, the word can also carry the connotation of 'blessing' or 'salutation' when used in specific honorific formulas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry صلاة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
