How bad is it if, as a beginner, I can’t pray properly yet?

Not bad at all. Whoever begins to pray with a sincere intention is dear to God, and a beginner’s mistakes can make his effort even more precious in God’s eyes.

The Islamic prayer has a set order of words and movements. Someone who is new does not know it well yet. They forget a phrase, stand up at the wrong moment or glance at others to see what comes next. That is completely natural.

Before God, intention comes first. Whoever tries something new with good will, in order to come closer to God, is doing something God loves. The verses above make it clear that God asks no one for more than they can do. He sees the heart and the effort, not only the outward form.

One can even say that a beginner’s mistakes make them more lovable in God’s eyes. A clumsy but sincere prayer may please God more than the practised prayer of people who do everything correctly while their minds are elsewhere.

An everyday picture helps. When a small child speaks its first words, the parents do not laugh at its mistakes. They are delighted and love the child all the more. Laughing at a beginner in prayer would therefore be wrong. Those with experience should help kindly.

What matters is to keep going and learn step by step. Over time the words and movements become familiar. Until then, no one needs to fear getting something wrong. Whoever tries with good will cannot truly go wrong before God.