PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE PRESIDENCY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

General Edition No.: 2431
Public Books: 694

DAILY SUPPLICATIONS
Bilal ÖZTÜRK

Editorial Director: Cafer Tayyar DOYMAZ

Editorial Coordinator: Fatih KARAZEYBEK

Translated by: Ayşe Zuhal SARI

Proofreading: Ege ÖZAKÇE

Graphic - Design: Uğur ALTUNTOP

Press : TDV Yay. Mat. Tic. İşl.
Tel: +90 312 354 91 31

1st Edition, ANKARA – 2024

Editorial Board Decision: 30.05.2023/20

ISBN: 978-625-435-672-8
2024-06-Y-0003-2431
Certification Number: 46325

© Republic of Türkiye Presidency of Religious Affairs

Contact
Dini Yayınlar Genel Müdürlüğü
Yabancı Dil ve Lehçelerde Yayınlar Daire Başkanlığı

General Directorate of Religious Publications
Department of Publications in Foreign Languages and Dialects
Üniversiteler Mah. Dumlupınar Bulvarı
No:147/A 06800 Çankaya - ANKARA/TÜRKİYE
Tel : +90 312 295 72 81
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e-mail: yabancidiller@diyanet.gov.tr

FOREWORD

Supplication (du‘a) is a spiritual tie between the servant and Allah the Almighty. It is the cure for the troubles and the nourishment of hearts. It is the manifestation of servanthood and the “essence of worship” in the words of the Prophet (saw*). (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat,1)

The servant expresses his wishes and needs to Allah the Almighty through supplication. Humans need supplication. Even the strongest and wealthiest people who obtain everything they want are not exempt from supplication. Wealthy people may experience depression or unimaginable troubles and calamities. In such cases, neither wealth nor other possibilities will be the solution to problems. Some try to get rid of their problems with alcohol and drugs, but they end up getting into even more trouble. Some visit tombs, psychics, or mediums and seek help from them without realizing that they seek refuge with weak beings just like themselves, none of whom can give a solution to their problems. Some others turn to Allah, Who is Omnipotent and the Most Merciful, Who knows their needs and wishes best. These types of people are those who practice in the most appropriate way, fitting their nature and the revelation. It should be noted that the only solution is to turn to Allah, seek refuge in His protection, and ask for help and salvation from Him only.

The Holy Qur’an, the last sacred book of Allah the Almighty, guides us in supplication, like in all matters; it informs us of how and when to supplicate by presenting supplication examples of prophets and righteous people. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) also sets an example for us in this matter as the inviter to the truth and explainer of the Holy Qur’an with his words and behaviors. The Prophet (saw) and his distinguished Companions who were trained by him, included supplication in every field of their lives. The hadith corpus is full of concise supplications made by the Prophet (saw) under the title “Du‘a”. The Messenger of Allah (saw) would supplicate at every moment of his life, from getting up in the morning to going to bed at night, from leaving the house to arriving at the house. He did not only seek refuge in Allah in troubled times, but he also kept his connection with Allah alive at times of joy and happiness. Supplication should be an indispensable part of daily life for us, Muslims, who follow the blessed path of the Messenger of Allah (saw). On this occasion, we hope that the book in your hands, which includes supplications to make in daily life, will be useful for the readers.

Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye

* Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: Peace be upon him.

وَاِذَا سَاَلَكَ عِبَادٖي عَنّٖي فَاِنّٖي قَرٖيبٌ اُجٖيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ اِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجٖيبُوا لٖي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بٖي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ.

“When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.”

(Baqarah, 2/186)

الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ.

“Supplication (du‘a) is itself the worship.”

(Abu Dawud, Witr, 23)

Supplication (du‘a) is people’s seeking refuge in Allah sincerely, confessing their weakness in the face of the might of Allah, and wishing for grace, help, and forgiveness from Allah with feelings of love and respect.

Supplication is to present one’s condition to Allah and to invoke Him. In this respect, supplication is considered a dialogue between Allah and the servant. It is a means of communication that aims to satisfy the needs and wishes of the servant as well as attain perfection.

Throughout their lives, people experience many situations that are difficult to overcome, such as anger, grief, trouble, fear, weakness, loneliness, and hopelessness. They feel the need to pray to Allah, especially in difficult times. Because the hope that Allah the Almighty will accept their supplication relieves people’s grief as well as giving them strength and patience. For this reason, people should supplicate to Allah in their troubled times.

We should not cease to supplicate when our supplications are answered and we attain peace and security. This time, we should express our gratitude to Allah for relieving us of our troubles. We should continue supplication to express our feelings of love, respect, and gratitude to Allah. Because those who remember Allah and pray only in times of trouble are condemned in the Holy Qur’an with the verse, “When We show favour to someone, they turn away, acting arrogantly. And when touched with evil, they make endless prayers ˹for good˺.” (Fussilat, 41/51)

Allah the Almighty says His servants to make du‘a with the verse, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you.”  (Mu’min, 40/60), and emphasizes importance of du‘a is between Him and His servants with the verse, “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “You ˹all˺ would not ˹even˺ matter to my Lord were it not for your faith ˹in Him˺.” (Furqan, 25/77).

This communication between human beings and Allah cannot be limited to any time or place. One can pray at any time and in any situation. The verse, “˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides...” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/191) expresses this fact.

There is no time when making du‘a is forbidden. However, it is stated in the verses and hadiths that the du‘as made at certain times and occasions are more acceptable, such as the Night of Qadr, after ritual prayers, and between adhan and iqamah. These are special times when servants are closer to Allah.

The essential thing in du‘a is to supplicate to Allah with words that come from the heart. But it can be difficult to put one’s thoughts and feelings into words. As in all matters, the verses and hadiths guide us in du‘a, and teach us how, when, and in what situations to make du‘a.

SUPPLICATIONS TO MAKE IN THE MORNING AND IN THE EVENING

Abu Hurayra (ra) narrated that the Prophet used to make the following supplication in the morning and evening and taught it to his Companions:

اَللّٰهُمَّ بِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا وَبِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا وَبِكَ نَحْيَا وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ.

“O Allah, by You we come to the morning, and by You we come to the evening; by You we live, and by You we die. And to You is the Return.”

(Abu Dawud, Adab, 110; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 13)

‘Uthman b. Affan (ra) said that the Prophet (saw) said, “Nothing can harm a servant who makes this supplication in the morning and in the evening three times each:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الَّذٖي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهٖ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا في السَّمٰاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمٖيعُ الْعَلٖيمُ.

“In the Name of Allah, by mentioning Whose Name, nothing in the earth or the heavens can cause harm. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 13; Abu Dawud, Adab, 110)

رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولاً.

“Whoever says ‘I am pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad (saw) as prophet.’, Paradise will be his due.” (Abu Dawud, Witr, 26)

SUPPLICATIONS TO MAKE BEFORE SLEEPING

‘A’isha (ra) said, “When Allah’s Messenger (saw) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and recite the Basmala, then recite the following surahs in order:

قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ۞ اَللّٰهُ الصَّمَدُ ۞ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۞ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ۞

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺; Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” (Ikhlas, 112/1-4)

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ۞ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ۞ وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ۞ وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ في الْعُقَدِ۞ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ۞

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak from the evil of whatever He has created, and from the evil of the night when it grows dark, and from the evil of those ˹witches casting spells by˺ blowing onto knots, and from the evil of an envier when they envy.’” (Falaq, 113/1-5)

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ۞ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ۞ إِلٰهِ النَّاسِ۞ مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ۞ اَلَّذٖي يُوَسْوِسُ فٖي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ۞ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ۞

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of humankind, the Master of humankind, the God of humankind, from the evil of the lurking whisperer— who whispers into the hearts of humankind— from among jinn and humankind.’” (Nas, 114/1-6)

After that, he would blow in his hands, then tub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face, and front of his body. He would do this three times.” (Bukhari, Fadha’il al-Qur’an, 14)

Al-Bara ibn ‘Azib (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) recommended performing wudu before going to bed and making the following supplication:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسٖي إِلَيْكَ وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهٖي إِلَيْكَ وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرٖي إِلَيْكَ وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرٖي إِلَيْكَ رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجٰى مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذٖي أَنْزَلْتَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذٖي أَرْسَلْتَ.

“O Allah, I turn my face towards You and entrust my affairs to You. I retreat unto You for protection with hope in You and fear of You. There is no resort and no deliverer (from hardship) but You only. I affirm my faith in Your books which You revealed and in the Messengers whom You sent.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 6, 7, 9; Muslim, Dhikr wa Du‘a, 56-57)

Hudhayfa (ra) said that when the Prophet (saw) went to bed at night, he would put his right hand under his cheek and say:

اَللّٰهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا.

“O Allah! With your name will I die and live.” (Bukhari Da‘awat, 7-8; Muslim, Dhikr, 59)

SUPPLICATIONS TO MAKE WHEN WAKING UP

Hudhayfa (ra) said that the Prophet (saw) would make the following supplication when he got up:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذٖي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ.

“All praise is for Allah who gave is life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 7-8, 16; Muslim, Dhikr 59)

Abu Hurayra (ra) said the Messenger of Allah (saw) advised them to pray (when they wake up) as:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذٖي عَافَانٖي فٖي جَسَدٖي وَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ رُوحٖي وَأَذِنَ لٖي بِذِكْرِهٖ.

“All praise is due to Allah, Who healed me in my body, and returned to me my soul, and permitted me to remember Him.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 20)

SUPPLICATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BAD DREAMS AND ARE FRIGHTENED IN THEIR SLEEP

The Messenger of Allah (saw) advised people to seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah against anger that may turn into a psychological condition at times and taught the following supplication:

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ.

“I seek refuge in Allah’s perfect words from His anger, the evil of His servants, the evil suggestions of the devils and their presence.” (Abu Dawud, Tibb, 19)

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (ra) narrated that he heard the Prophet (saw) say,

I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “If anyone of you saw a dream which he liked, then that was from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and tell it to others.But if he saw something else, i.e., a dream which he did not like, then that is from Satan. He should spit on his left side three times, and seek refuge with Allah from the Satan three times saying,

أَعُوذُ باِللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجٖيمِ.

‘I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan’ and should not tell it to anybody for it will not harm him.” (Bukhari, Ta’bir, 3, 46; Muslim, Ru’ya, 3; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 52; Ibn Majah, Ruya, 3)

SUPPLICATION TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE WHISPERING (WASWASA) OF SATAN

Undoubtedly, Satan is the enemy of humans. He suggests bad thoughts to people and orders all kinds of bad words, actions, and behaviors, as well as all that is forbidden and disbelief. He approaches people from their front, back, right, and left. He wants to spread enmity and grudges among people through alcohol and gambling and to prevent them from performing prayers and remembering Allah. The way to be saved from such whisperings of Satan is to seek refuge in Allah. Allah the Almighty states, “If you are tempted by Satan, then seek refuge with Allah.” (A’raf, 7/200) and tells believers to supplicate as,

رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ.

“My Lord! I seek refuge in You from the temptations of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, that they ˹even˺ come near me.” (Mu’minun, 23/97-98)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE ENTERING AND EXITING THE TOILET

According to Anas ibn Malik, whenever the Messenger of Allah went to the toilet, he would say while entering,

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from devils and all wicked things.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 15)

He (saw) would make the following supplication whenever he exited the toilet:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الأَذَى وَعَافَانِي.

“Praise is to Allah Who has relieved me of impurity and given me good health.” (Ibn Majah, Taharah, 10)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE LEAVING HOME

Umm Salamah (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) never went out of her house without raising his eye to the sky and saying:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray, or slip or made to slip, or cause injustice, or suffer injustice, or do wrong, or have wrong done to me.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 112)

According to Anas b. Malik (ra), the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللّٰهِ وَلٰا حَوْلَ وَلٰا قُوَّةَ إِلّٰا بِاللّٰهِ.

“When a man goes out of his house and says, ‘In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah. There is no might and no power but in Allah’, the following will be said to him: ‘You are guided, defended, and protected.’ And the devils will go far from him.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 112; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 34)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE ENTERING HOME

It is mustahabb (recommended) to enter home by reciting the isti’adha and basmala and greet the household. In this regard, Allah the Almighty states, “When you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting ˹of peace˺ from Allah, blessed and good.” (Nur, 24/61)

Anas b. Malik (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him,

“O my little son! When you enter upon your family, then give the salam (greeting). It will be a blessing for you and upon the inhabitants of your house.” (Tirmidhi, Isti’dhan, 10)

Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “When a man goes into his house he should say the following and then greet his family:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ اْلمَوْلِجِ وَخَيْرَ اْلمَخْرَجِ .

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَلَجْنَا وَبِسْمِ اللّٰهِ خَرَجْنَا وَعَلَى اللّٰهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا.

“O Allah! I ask You for good both when entering and when going out. In the name of Allah we have entered, and in the name of Allah we have gone out, and in Allah, our Exalted Lord, we trust.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 113)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE GOING SHOPPING

It is a good example of good behavior for people to supplicate for good shopping and trade when they go shopping, and for those engaged in trade to supplicate for good shopping and trade when they open their workplaces.

Our Prophet (saw) said that Allah (swt) shall record a million thawabs (rewards), wipe a million sins, and build a house in Paradise for those who make the following supplication in the marketplace:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيٖي وَيُمٖيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لاَ يَموُتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلّ شَيْءٍ قَدٖيرٌ.

“There is none worthy of worship except Allah, without partner, to Him belongs the dominion, and to Him is all the praise. He gives life and causes death, He is Living and does not ever die. In His Hand is the good, and He has power over all things.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 36; Hakim, Du‘a, I, 538)

SUPPLICATION FOR SEEING PEOPLE OFF

Those who set out on a journey should say goodbye to family members, relatives, neighbors, and friends. Those who see them off should pray for such people and wish the best for them.

Our beloved Prophet (saw) recommended the people who said goodbye to him while setting up for a journey not to abandon piety (taqwa), prayed Allah for their forgiveness as well as their security of life, property, dignity, and religion, and sought Allah’s help for them.

Abdullah al-Khutami from the Companions said that when the Prophet wanted to say farewell to an army, he would say,

أَسْتَوْدِعُ اللّٰهَ دٖينَكُمْ وَأَمَانَتَكُمْ وَخَوَاتٖيمَ أَعْمَالِكُمْ.

“I entrust to Allah your religion, what you are responsible for, and your final deeds.” (Abu Dawud, Jihad, 80; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 44)

Anas b. Malik (ra) narrated that a man came to the Prophet and said “I want to go on a journey.” When the Prophet (saw) asked when he was going to leave, he said he was going the next day. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah held his hand and prayed for him as,

فيٖ حِفْظِ اللّٰهِ وَفٖى كَنَفِهٖ زَوَّدَكَ اللّٰهُ التَّقْوٰى وَغَفَرَ لَكَ ذَنْبَكَ وَوَجَّهَكَ لِلْخَيْرِ أَيْنَمَا تَوَجَّهْتَ.

“Go under the protection of Allah (under his observation and guard). May Allah grant you the sustenance of piety (may Allah make you a pious one), and forgive your sins. May Allah turn the good to whichever direction you turn.” (Darimi, Isti’dhan, 41)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE DEPARTING FOR A JOURNEY

The Prophet (saw) would travel by supplicating to Allah. He would also supplicate at the stops, at the place he arrived, and upon returning from a travel.

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Sarjis (ra) that the Prophet (saw) would make the following supplication while traveling:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَاۤبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ وَالْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْرِ وَدَعْوَةِ الْمَظْلُومِ وَسُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي اْلأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the hardships of travel, and the sorrows of return, from loss after plenty, from the supplication of the one who has been wronged, and from seeing some calamity befall.” (Nasa’i, Isti‘adha, 41–42; Ibn Majah, Du‘a, 20)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHILE RIDING A MOUNT/GETTING IN A VEHICLE

Abd Allah ibn Umar (ra) reported that whenever Allah’s Messenger (saw) mounted his camel while setting on a journey, he would glorify Allah (say Allahu Akbar/Allah is the Greatest) three times and then say:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ .

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى.

اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ .

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ .

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ.

“Glory be to the One Who has subjected these for us, for we could have never done so ˹on our own˺. And surely to our Lord we will ˹all˺ return.” (Zukhruf, 43/13-14)

“O Allah, we seek virtue and piety from You in this journey of ours and the acts that will please You.

O Allah, lighten this journey of ours, and make its distance easy for us.

O Allah, You are (our) companion during the journey, and guardian of (our) family.

O Allah, I seek refuge with You from hardships of the journey, gloominess of the sights, and finding of evil changes in property and family on return.” (Muslim, Hajj, 425)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE AFTER THE ADHAN

The Prophet (saw) said, “When you hear the mu’adhdhin, repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah. Then beg from Allah al-Wasila for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah’s servants, and I hope that I may be that one. Whoever asks that I be given al-Wasila will be assured of my intercession.” (Muslim, Salat, 13; Tirmidhi, Manaqib, 1)

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ الْمَقَامَ الْمَحْمُودَ الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ.

“O Allah! O Lord of this perfect call (of tawhid) and of the ritual prayer that is going to be established! Give Muhammad the right of intercession and illustriousness, and resurrect him to the best and the highest place in Paradise that You promised him (al-Maqam al-Mahmud / the praised status).” (Bukhari, Adhan, 8)

SUPPLICATION FOR NEEDS

Those who have a legitimate need or a desire may seek refuge in the Almighty Creator after they have made the necessary attempts and fulfilled their obligations. Besides, it is also appropriate to perform ritual prayer for the consent of Allah with the wish of the fulfillment of a request for this world or for the Hereafter. Such a prayer is called “salat al-hajah/prayer for need”. In this regard, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Whoever has a need from Allah or from a person, then let him perform wudu’ properly, then perform a two-rak’at prayer. After that, let him praise Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet, and say:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ الْحَلٖيمُ الْكَرٖيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظٖيمِ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمٖينَ أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَالْغَنٖيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ وَالسَّلَامَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ لَا تَدَعْ لٖي ذَنْبًا إِلَّا غَفَرْتَهُ وَلَا هَمًّا إِلَّا فَرَّجْتَهُ وَلَا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضاً إِلَّا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمٖينَ.

“There is no god but Allah, who is al-Halim (the Forbearing) and al-Karim (the Generous).Glorious is Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask You for that which conduces to Your mercy, and which will help me attain Your forgiveness, and the fruits of every righteous deed, and safety from every sin. Do not leave and sins for me without forgiving it, nor a worry without relieving it, or a need that pleases You without granting it. O Most-Merciful of the merciful!” (Tirmidhi, Witr, 17; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 189)

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظٖيمُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَهُ الْحَكٖيمُ الْكَرٖيمُ.

There is no god except Allah alone, Who has no partner. Allah is the Most Great and Glorified. There is no god except Allah alone, Who has no partner. Alla is the All-Wise, the Bountiful. (Ibn Abi Shaybah, Du‘a, 26, Nu: 29319)

SUPPLICATION FOR ISTIKHARAH (SEEKING THE BEST OF AFFAIRS)

Jabir ibn Abd Allah narrates, “The Prophet (saw) would teach us the istikharah for each and every matter as he would teach us the suras from the Qur’an. He would say, ‘If one of you intends to do something, he should perform a two-rak’at prayer other than the fardh prayers, and then say:

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بقُدْرَتِكَ، وأَسْأَلُكَ مِن فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فإنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ ولَا أَقْدِرُ، وتَعْلَمُ ولَا أَعْلَمُ، وأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي ومَعَاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي ويَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي ومَعَاشِي وعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي واصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، واقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي.

“I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.

O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (the purpose for the istikharah should then be mentioned or brought to mind) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, then ordain it for me and make it easy for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”

Then he should mention his matter (need or the purpose for the istikharah).’” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 48)

SUPPLICATION FOR HEALING FROM A DISEASE

Life and health are two of the five pillars that Islam demands to be meticulously protected. Therefore, it is a religious duty to protect one’s health and to seek the necessary treatment. As a matter of fact, the Prophet (saw) ordered this for his companions, and he himself received treatment to the extent possible at the time. In addition to material treatment, he also resorted to spiritual treatment and recited supplications and verses for this purpose.

The Prophet Ayyub (as) prayed Allah for the healing of the illness he suffered for long years as follows:

أَنّٖي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمٖينَ.

“I have been touched with adversity, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” (Anbiya, 21/83)

أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، اِشْفِهِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا.

“O Lord of the people, Remove this illness and grant healing. You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through Your healing Power, which leaves nothing of the disease.” (Muslim, Salam, 47)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ.

“O Allah! I ask You for well-being (health and security) in this world and in the Hereafter.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 110)

Visiting sick people is one of the duties of Muslims towards each other. It is an action to which our religion attaches great value. Our Prophet (saw) emphasized the importance of visiting the sick in many hadiths and recommended making good supplications and wishes for the sick person to cheer him or her up: “When one of you visits the ill, then reassure him regarding his lifespan. Indeed that will not repel anything, but it will comfort his soul.” (Tirmidhi, Tibb, 35)

لاَ بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ.

“No harm, (it will be a) purification (from sins), if Allah wills”. (Bukhari, Marda, 10, 14)

كَفَّارَةٌ وَطَهُورٌ.

“Don’t worry, if Allah will, it will be expiation (for your sins).” (Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 21/223, No: 13616)

أَسْأَلُ اللّٰهَ الْعَظٖيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظٖيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ.

“I ask Allah, the Almighty, the Lord of the mighty Throne, to cure you.” (Abu Dawud, Jana’iz, 12)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE BEFORE AND AFTER EATING

Praising Allah after eating and drinking is a means of expressing gratitude for the blessings bestowed by Allah the Almighty. Anas ibn Malik (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said,

“Allah is pleased with His servant who says ‘Alhamdulillah’ after eating a morsel of food or drinking.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 89; Tirmidhi, At’imah, 18)

‘A’isha (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said, “When one of you eats food, let him say ‘Bismillah’ (In the name of Allah). If he forgets to do so in the beginning, then let him say ‘Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirih’ (In the name of Allah in its beginning and its end).” (Tirmidhi, At’imah, 47)

Various supplications are reported from the Messenger of Allah as the supplication to make after eating. One can make du‘a by these supplications separately or can combine them and recite as one single supplication.

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذٖي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمٖينَ.

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ حَمْداً كَثٖيراً طَيِّباً مُبَارَكاً فٖيهِ غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلاَ مُوَدَّعٍ وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا.

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذٖي أَطْعَمَنٖي هٰذَا الطَّعَامَ وَرَزَقَنٖيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنّٖي وَلآ قُوَّةٍ.

“All praise is due to Allah who fed us and gave us drink, and made us Muslims.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 56; Abu Dawud, At’imah, 52)

“Praise be to Allah Who has satisfied our needs and quenched our thirst. Your favor cannot by compensated or denied. Your favor cannot be compensated, nor can be left, nor can be dispensed with, O our Lord!” (Bukhari, At’imah, 54; Abu Dawud, At’imah, 53)

“If anyone eats good and then says, ‘Praise be to Allah Who has fed me with this food and provided me with it through no might and power on my part”, his former and future sins will be forgiven.” (Abu Dawud, Libas, 1; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 56)

SUPPLICATION FOR IFTAR

Mu’adh ibn Zuhrah (ra) narrated that when the Prophet (saw) broke his fast he would say:

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ.

“O Allah! I have fasted for You, and I have broken my fast with the provision You have bestowed.” (Abu Dawud, Sawm, 22)

According to Ibn ‘Umar (ra), when the Messenger of Allah (saw) broke his fast he would say:

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ.

“Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, insha Allah.” (Abu Dawud, Sawm, 22)

SUPPLICATION FOR GRATITUDE

It is an essential duty of Muslims to express gratitude for the blessings and have patience for calamities, thus praising Allah in every case. Because Allah the Almighty states that He will increase the blessings for those who are grateful and will forgive them. (Ibrahim, 14/7).

The most concise expression for praising Allah is “Alhamdulillah” or “Alhamdu lillahi Rabb al-Alamin.”

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمٖينَ.

“All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds.”

(Fatiha, 1/2)

الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذي هَدٰينَا لِهٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَٓا أَنْ هَدٰينَا اللّٰهُ.

“Praise be to Allah for guiding us to this. We would have never been guided if Allah had not guided us.” (A‘raf 7/43)

رَبَّنَا ولَكَ الحَمْدُ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ.

“O our Lord! All the praises are for You, many good and blessed praises.” (Bukhari, Adhan, 126)

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ مِلْءَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرَضِينَ وَمِلْءَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ

“O Allah, our Lord, to You is praise the fill of the Heavens and the earths and the fill of whatever You will of things.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 32)

SUPPLICATION FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING

Physical and mental health are blessings for us. Appreciating the value of this blessing by protecting it from any kind of harmful things and sins is a duty upon every Muslim. Making du‘a is one of the most important spiritual elements in protecting physical and mental health.

According to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra), one of the supplications the Prophet (saw) would make was as follows:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمٖيعِ سَخَطِكَ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favors, passing of safety, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 96; Abu Dawud, Salat, 367)

SUPPLICATION FOR USEFUL KNOWLEDGE

With the first revealed verse meaning “Read”, obtaining knowledge has become an obligatory duty upon every Muslim. Likewise, many verses and hadiths emphasize the importance of knowledge and learning. Knowledge is the most essential element in the development of individuals and societies in every material and spiritual field. However, knowledge can be used for evil, too. Therefore, we should seek Allah’s help for being engaged in useful knowledge and seek refuge in Him (swt) for avoiding useless knowledge.

رَبِّ زِدْني عِلْماً.

“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Ta-Ha, 20/114)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً.

“O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision ad acceptable deeds.” (Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 32)

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بكَ مِن عِلْمٍ لا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا.

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart that does not entertain the fear (of Allah), from the soul that does not feel contented, and the supplication that is not responded.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 73)

اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي عِلْمًا تَنْفَعُنِي بِهِ.

“O Allah, benefit me by that which You have taught me, and teach me that which will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise is to Allah in all circumstances.” (Hakim, Mustadrak, I, 690, no: 1879)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE FOR PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

Parents and family members are the most valuable beings for us on earth. It is a person’s greatest hope for them to be happy in the world and attain peace in the Hereafter. A peaceful home, a good spouse, and righteous children are the greatest of all blessings. The following verses are the best supplications in this regard:

رَبَّـنَا اغْفِرْ لي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ۟.

“Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the judgment will come to pass.” (Ibrahim, 14/41)

رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَاني صَغيراًۜ.

“My Lord! Be merciful to them (my parents) as they raised me when I was young.” (Isra, 17/24)

رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِٓي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلٰى وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحاً تَرْضٰيهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتي إِنّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمينَ.

“My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instil righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit ˹to Your Will˺.” (Ahqaf, 46/15)

رَبِّ هَبْ لي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةًۚ إِنَّكَ سَميعُ الدُّعَٓاءِ.

“My Lord! Grant me—by your grace—righteous offspring. You are certainly the Hearer of ˹all˺ prayers.” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/38)

رَبَّـنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقينَ إِمَاماً.

“Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.” (Furqan, 25/74)

SUPPLICATION FOR THE GOOD OF MUSLIMS

One of the best supplications is the one a Muslim makes for their Muslim brother or sister. Such supplication is sincere, for there is no self-interest or expectation for the supplicating person. It is an acceptable supplication because it is made without expecting anything in return but a brother’s or sister’s good only.

Our Prophet (saw) said, “The supplication of a man for his brother in his absence will be answered. By his head there is an angel who says ‘Amin’ to his supplication, and every time he prays for his brother, he says: ‘Amin, and the same for you.’” (Muslim, Dhikr, 87, 88; Ibn Majah, Manasik, 5) The following verses are the examples of supplication from the Qur’an for our brothers and sisters in religion:

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَۤا إِنْ نَسٖينَٓا أَوْ أَخْطَاْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَٓا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذٖينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهٖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنْتَ مَوْلٰينَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرٖينَ.

“Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our ˹only˺ Guardian. So grant us victory over the disbelieving people.” (Baqarah, 2/286)

رَبَّـنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ في قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ لِلَّذينَ اٰمَنُوا رَبَّـنَٓا إِنَّكَ رَؤُ۫فٌ رَحيمٌ۟.

“Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow bitterness into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.” (Hashr, 59/10)

رَبَّنَٓا اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

“Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Baqarah, 2/201)

رَبَّنَٓا اٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمٖينَ .

“Our Lord! We have believed, so forgive us and have mercy on us, for You are the best of those who show mercy.” (Mu’minun, 23/109)

رَبَّـنَا ظَلَمْنَٓا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرينَ.

“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be losers.” (A‘raf, 7/23)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE FOR OURSELVES

After making du‘a for parents, family members, and all Muslim brothers and sisters, we should not forget to supplicate for ourselves as well. We should ask our Lord good for every aspect of ourselves.

اللَّهُمَّ أَحْسَنْتَ خَلْقِي فَأَحْسِنْ خُلُقِي.

“O Allah! Beautify my character just as you have beautified my appearance.” (Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, VI, 68)

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي.

“O Allah! Grant me forgiveness, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness, and provide me sustenance.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 35)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى.

“O Allah! Grant me guidance to the right path, piety, chastity, and richness of heart.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 72)

SUPPLICATION FOR REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

Repentance means to regret a sin one committed, to promise Allah the Almighty not to repeat it, and to ask for forgiveness from Him (swt). One must repent sincerely in order for it to be acceptable in the sight of Allah. It entails regretting wholeheartedly, being decisive in not committing that sin again, expressing the repentance through words, and abandoning the sin through actions.

A believer can beg Allah for forgiveness in whatever words he or she wants. Also, the following supplications can be made for asking for forgiveness:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي، وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي كُلِّهِ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي.

“O Allah, forgive my sins, my ignorance, my excess in my affairs, and everything You are better aware of than myself.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 60)

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي.

“O Allah, You are Forgiving and You love forgiveness. So forgive me.” (Ibn Majah, Du‘a, 5)

اللَّهُمَّ، إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي.

“O Allah! I have wronged myself (by committing sins). There is none to forgive the sins but You. Grant me pardon and have mercy on me.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 17; Muslim, Dhikr, 48)

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ.

“O Allah! Forgive all my sins, small and great, first and last, open and secret.” (Muslim, Salat, 216)

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ.

O Allah! Forgive my past and future sins; what I have hidden and what I have done openly, and what You know more of it than I.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 60; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 32)

SAYYID AL-ISTIGHFAR (GREAT SUPPLICATION FOR FORGIVENESS)

Shaddad ibn Aws (ra) narrated that the Prophet said that the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah was the sayyid al-istighfar and added, “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it and dies on the same day before evening, he will be from the people of Paradise. And if somebody recites it at night with a firm faith in it and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”

The supplication of sayyid al-istighfar is as follows:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبّٖي، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنٖي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلٰى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبٖي، فَاغْفِرْ لٖي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.

“O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I am faithful to my covenant and promise (to honor it) to the best of my ability. I seek refuge with You from the evil I have committed. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me and I confess to You all my sins. So forgive me, for nobody can forgive sins except You.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 2, 16; Abu Dawud, Adab, 110)

SUPPLICATION TO STAY IN THE RIGHT PATH

Standing on the right path of Allah is as important as being honored with Islam and attaining hidayah (guidance). As in all matters, the best thing to do is to supplicate to Allah and ask for His help in always being on the right path (al-sirat al-mustaqim).

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ.

“Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/8)

إِنّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذي فَطَرَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنيفاً وَمَٓا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكينَ.

“I have turned my face towards the One Who has originated the heavens and the earth—being upright—and I am not one of the polytheists.” (An’am, 6/79)

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ، ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ.

“O Changer of the hearts! Strengthen my heart upon Your Religion.” (Tirmidhi, Qadar, 7)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHEN FACED A CALAMITY

Calamity covers the unexpected situations that are experienced unwillingly. It is used for sickness, catastrophic events such as famine, fire and earthquake, and distressing experiences such as death of a loved one.

Allah the Almighty informs us that people will be tested with various trials and calamities, and gives good tidings to those who patiently endure. When they experience a calamity, the patient would supplicate as,

إِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَإِنَّٓا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ.

“Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return.” (Baqarah, 2/156)

Another supplication we can make in times of trouble is that of the Prophet Yunus (as) which reads as follows:

لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنّٖي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمٖين.

“There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.” (Anbiya, 21/87)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) reported that at the times of distress, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) would supplicate to Allah as,

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ الْعَظٖيمُ الْحَلٖيمُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظٖيمُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ رَبُّ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرٖيمُ.

“There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Tolerant; there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne; there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, the Lord of the Noble Throne.” (Bukhari, Da‘awat, 27; Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 40)

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ اؤْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا.

“We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it.”

(Muslim, Jana’iz, 4)

SUPPLICATIONS TO MAKE WHEN FACED WITH DIFFICULTIES

When Muslims experience difficulty, they should resort to all solutions and remedies as much as they can, be patient and perseverant, ask for help from their friends when needed, and supplicate to Allah in order to overcome the difficulties.

رَبَّـنَٓا اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْراً وَتَوَفَّـنَا مُسْلِمينَ.

“Our Lord! Shower us with perseverance, and let us die while submitting ˹to You˺.” (A‘raf, 7/126)

رَبَّنَٓا اٰتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَداً.

“Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.” (Kahf, 18/10)

According to Anas ibn Malik (ra), when the Prophet (saw) faced a difficult situation, he would supplicate as,

اَللّٰهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ سَهْلاً إِذَا شِئْتَ.

“O Allah! There is nothing easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if it is Your Will.” (Ibn Hibban, Ad’iyah, Nu: 974)

SUPPLICATION FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES

Those who have a mental or psychological issue should resort to counseling and medical treatment and supplicate to Allah for healing. Reciting the Holy Qur’an would relieve a person and give peace to one’s heart in all kinds of troubles and depression. In such cases, one can recite the Surahs al-Fatiha, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, al-Nas, and Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne, 255th verse of Surah al-Baqarah). Besides, the following verses may be recited:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي.

“My Lord! Uplift my heart for me, and make my task easy.” (Ta-Ha, 20/25-26)

أَلَم نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدرَكَ ۞ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ ۞ الَّذِيٓ أَنْقَضَ ظَهرَكَ ۞ وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ ۞ فَإِنَّ مَعَ العُسْرِ يُسْرًا ۞ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلعُسْرِ يُسْرا ۞ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ ۞ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ۞.

“Have We not uplifted your heart for you ˹O Prophet˺, relieved you of the burden, which weighed so heavily on your back, and elevated your renown for you? So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease. So once you have fulfilled ˹your duty˺, strive ˹in devotion˺, turning to your Lord ˹alone˺ with hope.” (Sharh, 94/1-8)

SEEKING REFUGE IN ALLAH

We do not necessarily have to be in a tough situation in order to seek refuge with Allah. One needs to seek refuge in Him (swt) in every situation, good or bad. We should seek refuge and have trust in Allah even before experiencing a difficult situation like illness, calamity, oppression, etc.

حَسْبِيَ اللّٰهُ، لَٓا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ، عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظيمِ.

“Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. In Him I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.” (Tawbah, 9/129)

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ.

“Allah ˹alone˺ is sufficient ˹as an aid˺ for us and ˹He˺ is the best Protector.” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/173)

SUPPLICATION TO SEEK PROTECTION FROM POVERTY

There are both wealthy and poor in every society. In many verses in the Qur’an, it is stated that Allah will provide for whomever He wills without calculation (e.g. see Ali ‘Imran, 3/27). Allah is the giver and the taker of wealth and property (Ali ‘Imran, 3/27). However, Allah does not let anyone’s efforts go to waste, and He rewards those who work hard. People should try to benefit from Allah’s blessings through work and seek refuge in Allah from poverty. Our Prophet (saw) took refuge in Allah from poverty by making the following supplication and setting an example for us:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالْفَقْرِ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from blasphemy and poverty.” (Nasa’i, Isti’adha, 28; Ibn Hanbal, V, 36)

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمٖيعِ سَخَطِكَ.

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the withdrawal of Your blessing and the change of Your protection (from me) and from the sudden wrath of Yours, and from every displeasure of Yours.” (Muslim, Riqaq, 96)

SUPPLICATION FOR DEBTS AND LIVELIHOOD DIFFICULTIES

Muslims should spend according to their income and not incur debts that they cannot repay. They should make every effort to repay their debts and pray to Allah. The Prophet (saw) recommended that a person in debt and financial difficulty should pray as follows:

اَللّٰهُمَّ فَارِجَ الْهَمِّ كَاشِفَ الْغَمِّ مُجٖيبَ دَعْوَةِ الْمُضْطَرّٖينَ رَحْمٰنَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْاٰخِرَةِ وَ رَحٖيمَهُمَا أَنْتَ تَرْحَمُنٖي فَارْحَمْنٖي بِرَحْمَةٍ تُغْنٖينٖي بِهَا عَنْ رَحْمَةٍ مِنْ سِوَاكَ.

O Allah, the One Who relieves the anxiety, removes the sorrow, and answers the supplications of those in need, the Most Compassionate and Merciful of the World and the Hereafter! You are merciful to me, so grant me such a mercy that I shall not need the mercy of anyone but You! (Hakim, Du‘a, I, 596)

اَللّٰهُمَّ اكْفِنٖي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنٖي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ.

“O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful against Your prohibited, make me independent of all those besides You.” (Tirmidhi, Da‘awat, 111)

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنّٖي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدٰى وَالتُّقٰى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنٰى.

“O Allah. I beg of You the right guidance, safeguard against evils, chastity and freedom from want.” (Muslim, Dhikr, 76; Ibn Majah, Du‘a, 2)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE IN TIMES OF FEAR AND PANIC

Fear is an innate human emotion. It can vary according to the education received and the culture and environment in which one grows up. People should try to overcome their fear on their own by seeking refuge in Allah and making supplication. Our Prophet (saw) used to make the following supplication when he was afraid of something:

اَللّٰهُ اَللّٰهُ رَبّٖي لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئاً.

“O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You.” (Ibn Majah, Du‘a, 17)

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (ra) narrated that when the Prophet (saw) feared a (group of) people, he would say,

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فٖي نُحُورِهِمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ.

“O Allah! We make You our shield against them, and take refuge in You from their evils.” (Abu Dawud, Witr, 30)

SUPPLICATIONS TO MAKE IN TIMES OF ANGER

Controlling one’s anger is an highly praised virtue. The Prophet (saw) praised those who can control their anger as, “The wrestler (strong) is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the wrestler (strong) is the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Adab, 76)

Sulayman ibn Surad (ra) narrated that while he was sitting with the Prophet (saw), two men were cursing one another. One of the two got furious and his face became red. Upon this, the Prophet (saw) said, “I know a word the saying of which will cause one to relax if he says it: Seek refuge with Allah from Satan.” (Bukhari, Adab, 76)

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجٖيمِ.

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES

Abu Hurayra (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,

“When one of you sneezes, he should say ‘Alhamdulillah / الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Praise be to Allah).”

His brother or companion should say to him, ‘Yarhamukallah /يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّه (May Allah bestow His Mercy on you).’

After that, the former should say, ‘Yahdi kumullah wa yuslihu balakum / يهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ (May Allah give you guidance and improve your condition).’” (Bukhari, Adab, 126; Abu Dawud, Adab, 91; Tirmidhi, Adab, 3; Ibn Majah, Adab, 20)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE

The Prophet (saw) said, “The effect of the evil eye is a fact.” (Bukhari, Tibb, 36) When he saw a girl whose face had a black spot, he said, “She is under the effect of an evil eye; so treat her with a ruqya.” (Bukhari, Tibb, 34)

The evil eye is a fact and it has been scientifically revealed that human eye emits some harmful rays that might have negative effects on other people.

According to Ibn ‘Abbas (ra), the Prophet (saw) would seek refuge with Allah for Hassan and Husayn, and say,

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللّٰهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ
وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ.

“O Allah! I seek refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil, poisonous pests, and every evil, harmful and envious eye.” (Bukhari, Anbiya, 13; Ibn Majah, Tibb, 36)

It was also narrated that the Prophet (saw) would recite al-Mu’awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and al-Nas) to seek refuge from the jinn and the evil eye of humans. (Tirmidhi, Tibb, 16; Ibn Majah, Tibb, 32)

As we supplicate for being protected against the evil eye, we should also supplicate for not being harmful with our looks at the things we like. Fort his purpose, one can recite the following supplication quoted from the 39th verse of Surah al-Kahf:

مَا شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ.

“[Masha Allah] This is what Allah has willed! There is no power except with Allah!” (Kahf, 18/39)

SUPPLICATION TO MAKE FOR THE DECEASED

Life and death are as natural for humans as they are for any other living being. Allah the Almighty states, “Every soul will taste death, then to Us you will all be returned.” In the face of this fact, people should have trust in and be in submission to Allah (swt). One should stay in a state of submission and calmness when a loved one dies. It is favorable to recite the following verse upon hearing the news of a death:

إنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون.

“Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return.” (Baqarah, 2/156)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Make mention of the virtues of your dead, and refrain from (mentioning) their evils.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 50; Tirmidhi, Jana’iz, 34) In this regard, we should remember dead people with their good traits but shouldn’t talk about their bad aspects. We should also supplicate to Allah for the dead people and ask Allah mercy and forgiveness for them.

اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مَدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقِّي الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَاراً خَيْراً مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلًا خَيْراً مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجاً خَيْراً مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ أَوْ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ.

“O Allah! Forgive him, have mercy upon him, give him peace and forgive him. Receive him with honor and make his grave spacious; wash him with water, snow and hail. Cleanse him from faults as You wouldst cleanse a white garment from impurity. Requite him with an abode more excellent than his abode, with a family better than his family, and with a mate better than his mate. Admit him to the Garden, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire.” (Muslim, Jana’iz, 86)

اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَصَغٖيرِنَا وَكَبٖيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا. اَللّٰهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإٖيمَانِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ لَا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلَا تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ.

“O Allah, forgive those of us who are living and those of us who are dead, those of us who are present and those of us who are absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, to whomsoever of us You give life, grant him life as a believer, and whomsoever of us You take in death, take him in death as a follower of Islam. O Allah, do not withhold from us the reward (of faith) and do not lead us astray after his death.” (Abu Dawud, Jana’iz, 60).

SUPPLICATION FOR HAPPINESS IN THE HEREAFTER

Hereafter is the life that will start after the life in the world and will continue eternally. The following verse clearly expresses that the life in the world is ephemeral while the one in the Hereafter is the real life: “This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. But the Hereafter is indeed the real life, if only they knew…” (Ankabut, 29/64) Being happy in eternal life requires doing good and righteous deeds. Therefore, a Muslim should not neglect working for the Hereafter as well as always supplicating to Allah and seeking His help for attaining eternal bliss.

رَبَّنَا وَاٰتِنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا عَلٰى رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِۜ اِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْم۪يعَادَ.

“Our Lord! Grant us what You have promised us through Your messengers and do not put us to shame on Judgment Day—for certainly You never fail in Your promise.” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/194)

رَبَّنَٓا اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

“Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Baqarah, 2/201)

رَبَّنَٓا اِنَّـنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِياً يُنَاد۪ي لِلْا۪يمَانِ اَنْ اٰمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاٰمَنَّاۗ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّـنَا مَعَ الْاَبْرَارِۚ.

“Our Lord! We have heard the caller to ˹true˺ belief, ˹proclaiming,˺ ‘Believe in your Lord ˹alone˺,’ so we believed. Our Lord! Forgive our sins, absolve us of our misdeeds, and allow us ˹each˺ to die as one of the virtuous.” (Ali ‘Imran, 3/193)