Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Once I say Allahu Akbar, what is the dua I’m supposed to recite before al Fatiha? Also, is it permissible to hold a piece of paper when trying to learn this dua in my salah?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.
No, it would not be permitted to read from a piece of paper during prayer. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
However, the supplication is very simple and can be memorized with little effort, insha’Allah. As long as you are actively trying to learn it, you would be excused from having to recite it until you have it memorized.
The supplication one recites after the opening takbir is:
“Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise. May Your name be blessed, and Your might exalted. There is no God but You. (Subhanak Allahumma wa bi hamdik wa tabaraka ‘smuka wa ta`ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk)”
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
I’d highly recommend taking the following course: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship
And also these books:
[1] Absolute Essentials of Islam
[2] Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi ‘l-Sa’adat)
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani