Prayer help needed. (verse, muslim, islam)

[Zephyr]

I am a new muslim, and have been trying to get my prayers in, but the thing is, I'm not quite sure how. I pray at least 5 times a day, usually more, but they aren't proper. Unfortunately, I don't know any Arabic. Is this a problem? I also don't have a very good memory. Can anyone help me out and give me some advice?

[Cordoba]

Assalamo Alaikom Zephyr:

Remembering the words and verses to be said during prayers does take a bit of time at first.

The main verses which should be memorized are the 7 verses of Chapter 1 (Al-Fatiha).

Here is a simplified guide for the main basics:

http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/salat/salat9.htm

The above link includes a video which describes prayers in detail (including ablution).

Here are two other good references:

http://www.islamway.com/english/imag...r/contents.htm

http://www.islam-usa.com/pray7.html

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

All the best.

[Zephyr]

Wow, this is going to take some work. Thanks for the links Cordoba. Looks like it's study time... tommorrow. Midnight is no time to think.

[john313]

Peace,
remember that salat, like everything, is based on your intent. If you have a good intent in your prayers, do not worry so much about them being "proper" in the beginning. it takes time to learn everything properly. Use your native language until you get the arabic down, as long as you have a good pure intention there is no fault on you.
good luck

[muslim1]

Assalamu Alaykum Zephyr;

Here is a link, designed with Flash, to the basics of prayer:
http://english.islamway.com/prayer/BegSound.htm

If you wana learn prayers from A to Z including Sunnah actions:
http://english.islamway.com/prayer/AdvSound.htm

Assalamu Alaykum.