Importance of Dua

Dua, or supplication, to Allah SWT is an integral tenet of Islam, performed both to praise Him and request from Him. We praise Allah SWT for His Magnificence and thank Him for all His blessings and favours. We ask Allah SWT for forgiveness of our sins, for provision of our needs, for guidance along the Straight Path and for success in this world and the Akhira.

Allah SWT responds to every supplication if we call out to Him. He will even give without us asking. Sometimes He gives, sometimes He withholds. Perhaps by granting us something He prevents us from gaining something else. And perhaps when He withholds something from us, He grants us something else which is better.

When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me [2:186]

Dua is the strongest weapon of the believer. It can literally change our life and our fate but it works only for those who try sincerely and seriously to use it. We should always remain steadfast with dua, as it is the ultimate means to counter our fears and adversity and to ensure success in this life and the Akhira.

Never feel unworthy of making dua to Allah SWT. No matter how bad or numerous you feel your sins are there is always benefit for making tawba (asking for repentance) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Even shaytan, the most evil of creation, was granted his dua by Allah SWT for respite until the Day of Judgement [7:14-15].

Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled” [40:60]

Blessed Times to Make Dua

Whilst dua can be made at any time, there are some moments when asking of Allah SWT is particularly blessed:

• On the Day of Arafat (Hajj). Allah SWT frees more people from the Fire on this Day than any other [Muslim].
• During the month of Ramadan.
• During Friday Jummah congregational prayers.
• During the night, especially the last third.
• Immediately after salah.
• Between adhan and iqamah.
• When breaking fast.
• When rainfall occurs.
• During sajdah in salah.

Etiquette and Benefits of Dua

• Raise your hands, palms facing up, to the level of the shoulders when making dua.
• Praise Allah SWT first, then send blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, then ask for whatever one wishes, with humility and sincerity.
• Call on Allah SWT by His many names, using a specific name and attribute for a specific request.
• Make dua for anything and everything, recognising all that we have, all that befalls us and all we desire comes from Allah SWT. Never be shy or reluctant to ask for anything.
• Make dua for your Muslim brethren and those who are suffering or less fortunate.
• Have trust in Allah SWT that your dua will be answered, if not in this life then in the Akhira and have patience whilst waiting.
• Dua is one of the best forms of worship of Allah SWT.
• It protects us from pride and arrogance. Not to make dua is to assume arrogance that we do not need Allah SWT’s assistance, blessings or favours.
• Dua has the power to change ones destiny or avert misfortune.
• It engenders peace and serenity and the ability to deal with calamity.
• Dua brings one closer to Allah SWT and gains His love.

Indeed your Lord, Blessed and Almighty is He, is Shy and Most Generous. He is shy when His servant raises his hands to Him (in du’a) to turn them away empty [Abu Dawud].

Selected Essential Duas

ASTAGFIRULLAH x 3

I seek forgiveness from Allah

ALLAHUMMA ANTAS-SALAM WA MINKAS-SALAM TABARAKTA YAZAL JALALI WAL IKRAM

O Allah, You are As Salam (Peace), from You is all peace, blessed are You O Possessor of Majesty and Honour

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited after each fard

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RABBANAA AATINA FID DUNYAA HASANATAN WA FIL AAKHIRATI HASANATAN WA QINAA AZAABAN NAAR

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire

• Prophet Ibrahim AS dua

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RABBI JALNI MUQEEMAS SALATI WA MIN ZURRIYATA RABBANA WA TAQABBAL DU’A

My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication

• Prophet Ibrahim AS dua

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RABBANAGH FIR LEE WALIWALIDAYYA WA LIL MUMINEENA YAWMA YAQOOMUL HISAAB

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established

• Prophet Ibrahim AS dua

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ASTAGHFIRULLAH ALLAZI LA ILAHA ILLA HUWAL HAIYUL QAYYOOM WA ATUBU ILAIHI

I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua for forgiveness of all sins

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ALLAHUMMA INNAKA AFUWWAN TUHIBBU AL AFWA FAFU ANNI

O Allah, You are the One who pardons and You love to pardon, so pardon me

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua, Particularly last 10 days Ramadan

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HASBUNALLAHU WA NAYMAL WAKEEL

Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs

• Prophet Ibrahim AS dua

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ALLAHUMMA INNI ASALUKAL AFIYAH FID DUNIYAH WAL AHKIRA

O Allah, I ask you for Afiyah (protect me from any pains and sufferings) in this world and the Hereafter

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua
• Afiyah – overall well being: to be saved from all afflictions, hardships, grief, harm; to have health, wealth, protection, life; not to be tested

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ALLAHUMMA INNI AUZOBIKA MIN AZABAL QABR

O Allah I seek refuge with You from the torment of the grave

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua

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ALLAHUMMA HASIBNI HASIBAY YASIRA

Oh Allah, grant me an easy reckoning (on Day of Judgement)

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua

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ALLAHUMMA INNI ASALUKAL JANNAHTA WA AUZUBIKA MIN AN-NAAR x3

O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and I take refuge in You from the Fire

• Recite x 3. Paradise will ask for your entry, Hellfire will ask for your protection

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ALLAHUMMA AJIRNI MIN AN-NAAR x7

O Allah, save me from Hell Fire

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua, recite x 7 morning and evening, after Fajr and Maghrib salah
• If you die that day or night Allah will save you from Hell Fire [Abu Dawud]

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HASBIYALLAHU LA ILLAHA ILLA HUWA ALAYHI TAWAKKALTU WA HUWA RABBUL ARSHIL AZEEM

Sufficient is Allah for me, there is no God worthy of worship but He, in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Great Throne

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dua, recite x 7 morning and evening to remove all worries
• Last verse of Surah Tawbah

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Specific Duas

After Adhan

ALLAHUMMA RABBA HAZHI HIDDA WA THITHAMMAH WA SALATIL QA’IMAH 

O Allah , Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. 

ATI MUHAMMADAN IL WASEELATA WAL FADEELAH WAB AATH-HU MAQAMAN MAHMUDAN ILLAZHI WA ADTA. INNAKA LATHUKLIFUL MEE AAD

Grant Muhammad Al Waseelah and Al Fadheelah (the right of intercession and favour) and raise him to the honoured station You have promised him. Indeed You never fail in Your promise.

• Al Waseelah – high and special rank in Jannah; Al Fadeelah – a rank above the rest of creation, Maqam al Mahmud, the highest station of praise
• Recite each verse of adhan after it is said
• Recite LA HAWLA WALA QOOWWATA ILLA BILLAH after “hayaal as salah/hayaal alfala”
• Recite this dua after adhan for Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ intercession on the Day of Judgement

When you hear the Adhan, repeat what the Mu’adhdhin says. Then ask Allah to exalt my mention because everyone who does so will receive in return ten rewards from Allah. Then beseech Allah to grant me Al-Waseelah, which is a high rank in Jannah, fitting for only one of Allah’s slaves; and I hope that I will be that man. If anyone asks Al-Waseelah for me, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him [Muslim]

Wudu

Before

BISMILLAH

In the name of Allah

• Wudu is not complete without saying this

After

ASH HADU AN LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAAHU WAHDAHU LAA SHAREEKA LAHU WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASOOLUHU

I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger

ALLAAHUMMAJ ALNEE MINAT TAWWA BEENA WAJ ALNEE MINAL MUTA TAHHIREEN

O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified

SUBHAANAKA ALLAHUMMA WA BIHAMDIKA ASH HADU AN LAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTA ASTAGHFIRUKA WA ATOOBU ILAYK

Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance

Whoever performs ablution in the best manner and he says, “I bear witness there is no god but Allah alone, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and his messenger. O Allah, make me among the repentant and make me among those who purify themselves,” then the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter through whichever he wishes [Tirmidhi]

Before Sleep

BISMIKA RABBEE WADAAATU JANBEE WABIKA ARFAAAUH FA-IN AMSAKTA NAFSEE FARHAMHA

In Your name my Lord I lie down and in Your name I rise so if You should take my soul then have mercy upon it 

WA-IN ARSALTAHA FAHFATHHA BIMA TAHFATHU BIHI AAIBADAKAS-SALIHEEN

And if You should return my soul then protect it in the manner You do so with Your righteous servants

Also:

• Recite Ayatul Kursi – Allah SWT will send an angel to protect you through the night
• Recite the last two ayats of Surah Al-Baqarah [2:285-286]
• Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas x 3 each
• Recite Hasbiyallah dua 7 times
• Recite Subhanallah x 33, Alhumdulillah x 33, Allahu Akbar x 34

On Waking

ALHAMDULILLA HILLAZI AHYANA BAADA MA AMATANA WA ILAYHIN NUSHOOR

All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection

Also:

• Recite Ayatul Kursi
• Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas x 3 each
• Recite Hasbiyallah dua 7 times

When Leaving Home

BISMILLAH TAWAKKALTU AALA ALLAH WALA HAWLA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH

In the name of Allah I place my trust in Allah and there is no might nor power except with Allah

Whoever says when he leaves his house, “In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah for there is no movement or might but in Allah,” then it will be said to him that you have been sufficed and protected, and the devils will be far from him [Tirmidhi]

When Traveling

SUBHANALLAZI SAKHKHARA LANA HAZA WA MA KUNNA LAHU MUQRINEEN. WA INNA ILA RABBINA LA MUNQALIBOON

Glory unto Him Who created this transportation for us though we were unable to create it on our own. And unto our Lord we shall return

• Recited by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during travel – an excerpt from [43:13-14]

Fasting

Intention for Fast

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan

Breaking Fast

1. Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa ala rizqika aftartu

O Allah! For You I have fasted and upon your provision, I have broken my fast

2. Dhahaba al zama wa abtalat al urooq wa thabata al ajAr in sha Allah

Thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain if Allah wills

• Recited by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when breaking fast

Masjid

Heading to Masjid – Dua of Light

Entering Masjid

As salaamu alaa rasoolillah allahum maftaH lee abwaaba rahmatik

Peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, Open for me the gates of Your Mercy

Leaving Masjid

as salaamu alaa rasoolillah allahumma innee asaluka min faDlik

Peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You from Your favour

For Knowledge

RABI ZIDNEE ILMAA [20:114]

My Lord, increase me in knowledge

For Patience

Rabbana afrigh Aalayna sabran wata waffana muslimeen [7:126]

Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims 

Istikhara

Dua for guidance: Preferably recited in salat ul istikhara or as a stand alone dua

Allaahumma inni astak heeruka bi ilmikA

O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge

wa astaqdiruka bi qudratikA wa asaluka min fadlikal azeem

and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty

fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqQAdir. wa talamu wa laa alam. wa anta allam al-ghuyoob

You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things

Allaahumma in kunta talamu ANNA haaZal amra

O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter

(then the matter should be mentioned by name) 

khayrun li fi deeni wa ma aashi wa aaqibati amri

is good for me both in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs

faqdIrhuli wa yassirhuli thumma baarik li fi

then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me

wa in kunta talamu annahAZAL AMRA sharrUN li fi deeni wa ma aashi wa aaqibati amri

And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs

fasrifHU anhI FasrIfNI anHU waqdIrli al khayrA haythu kaana thumma Ardinibi

then turn me away from it and turn it away from me, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it

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