Surah al-Fatihah: The Greatest Dua
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ. ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ. مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ. إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ. ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَاطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ. صِرَاطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Bismi-llāhi-r-Raḥmāni-r-Raḥīm. Alḥamdu-lillāhi Rabbi-l-ʿālamīn, ar-Raḥmāni-r-Raḥīm, Māliki yawmi-d-dīn, iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn, ihdina-ṣ-Ṣirāṭa-l-Mustaqīm, ṣirāṭa-lladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayri-l-maghḍūbi ʿālayhim wa la-ḍ-ḍāllīn.
In the name of Allah, the Extremely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises and thanks are for Allah, The Extremely Merciful, The Especially Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. You Alone we worship, You Alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those whom You have favoured, not of those who incur (Your) anger nor of those who have gone astray. (1:1-7)
EXPLANATION
We often read Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, but we sometimes forget that it is one of the most powerful and comprehensive du’ās. This du‘ā’ is so amazing because: 1. We are taught the ‘adab’ (etiquette) of making du’ā’: Praise Him with His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes, express our servitude to Him and THEN ask Him. 2. We are asking Allah for ‘guidance’ as it can only come from Him. When we are guided by Allah, He helps us to obey Him and to stop sinning. When this happens, we are saved from all evil in this world and the hereafter. 3. We might think to ourselves: ‘We are already guided. Why do we need to keep repeating this du‘ā’?’ Sometimes we may know the truth but we are not able to act upon it. Or we may act upon it, but we may lack sincerity in our actions. Or maybe it doesn’t conform to the Sunnah of the Messenger (saw). And more importantly, today we might be upon ‘guidance’, but what about tomorrow? ‘Guide us on the straight path’ is a du‘ā’ for all of the above AND firmness on the path. We are asking Allah to keep us firm on this path (al-ṣirāt al-mustaqīm) so that we can pass over the bridge (Ṣirāṭ) in the hereafter as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Dua of the Grief-stricken Prophet Yunus AS
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Lā ilāha illā Anta subḥānaka innī kuntu mina-ẓ-ẓālimīn.
There is no god worthy of worship except You. You are free from imperfection. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. (21:87)
EXPLANATION
The Prophet ﷺ said that no one supplicates with this du‘ā’ except that his supplication is accepted. And nobody supplicates with it except that Allah removes his difficulties. (Tirmidhī) In this du‘ā’, Yunus (‘alayhis-salām) asked Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) through the following steps (known as tawassul in Arabic): 1. Invoking the Oneness of Allah and affirming that no one deserves to be worshipped except Him. 2. Declaring Allah’s absolute perfection and negating any faults from Him. 3. Acknowledging one’s own wrongdoing.
Dua of Prophet Musa AS for Forgivenes
رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbi innī ẓalamtu nafsī fa-ghfirlī.
My Lord, I have certainly wronged myself, so forgive me. (28:16)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ Musā (‘alayhis-salām) made after he unintentionally killed a Coptic man. He realised that it was only through turning to Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) that he could make things right. He cried out ‘My Rabb’. We too should cry out to our ‘Rabb’ when we have wronged. We should then acknowledge our sins, as acknowledging one’s sins and shortcomings is a sunnah of the Prophets and Messengers (‘alayhimus-Salām). And thereafter, we should ask Allah to forgive us.
Dua of Prophet Adam AS and Hawwa for Forgiveness
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbanā ẓalamnā anfusanā wa il-lam taghfir lanā wa tarḥamnā la-nakūnanna minal-khāsīrīn.
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be amongst the losers. (7:23)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ of our father Ādam (‘alayhis-salām) and mother Ḥawwā’ (‘alayhas-salām) after they had been lured by Shayṭān to eat from the tree. What we can learn from this du‘ā’: 1. We should acknowledge our sins and shortcomings before asking for forgiveness. 2. This du‘ā’ contains fear (we will surely be amongst the losers) and hope (mercy and forgive). We too, should combine fear and hope in our du‘ās. 3. We should show our remorse and turn to Allah in humility, like our parents did. 4. We see the difference in attitude between Ādam (‘alayhis-salām) and Shayṭān: Adam (‘alayhis-salām) acknowledged his mistake, felt remorse over it, blamed himself for it, hastened to repent and didn’t lose hope from the mercy of Allah. Shayṭān, on the other hand didn’t acknowledge his sin, didn’t feel remorse, attributed blame to his Lord, didn’t repent and lost hope in the mercy of Allah.
Dua of Prophet Musa AS for Forgiveness
أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ
Anta Walliyyunā fa-ghfir lanā war-ḥamnā wa Anta khayrul-ghāfirīn.
You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us. You are the best of those who forgive. (7:155)
EXPLANATION
In this du‘ā’ Mūsā (‘alayhis-salām) asked Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) for forgiveness and mercy. He asked through Allah’s name ‘al-Waliyy’. Al-Waliyy is the Protective Friend, the Helper, the Patron, the One who truly loves us. Waliyy is derived from ‘wilāyah’ which denotes closeness, loyalty and authority. Whilst Allah’s general wilāyah extends to all of creation, His special wilāyah is reserved for the believers who are extra-devoted to Him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Then, my servant continues to draw near to me with voluntary worship until I love Him, and when I love him, I become his hearing that he hears with, his sight that he sees with, his hand by which he grasps, and his feet by which he walks.” (Bukhārī)
Dua of the Pious for Forgiveness & Protection From the Hell-fire
رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanā in-nanā āmannā fa-ghfir lanā dhunūbanā wa qinā ʿadhāba-n-nār.
Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (3:16)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ of the people of piety and faith. In this du‘ā’, we learn a permissible and commendable form of tawassul (asking Allah through something). In this case, we are asking through one of the greatest actions of a human being: imān. It is as though we are saying, ‘O Allah, we have believed. Therefore, through and because of our belief, forgive us and protect us from Hell-fire.’
Dua of the Slaves of Allah for Forgiveness & Mercy
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Rabbanā āmannā fa-ghfir lanā war-ḥamnā wa Anta khayru-r-rāḥimīn.
Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us: You are the Best of those who are merciful. (23:109)
EXPLANATION
Ibn Kathir (raḥimahūllāh) explains that forgiveness entails two things: firstly, the sin being concealed by Allah and secondly, not being punished for the sin. And whenever mercy is mentioned along with forgiveness, such as in the du‘ā’ here, it includes the hope that Allah does not permit one to fall into that act again.
Dua for Forgiveness & Mercy
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Rabbi-ghfir wa-rḥam wa Anta khayru-r-rāḥimīn.
My Lord, forgive and have mercy. You are the Best of those who are merciful. (23:118)
EXPLANATION
Forgive: wipe away my sins and conceal them from people. – Have mercy: Guide me and give me the ability to say and do the correct thing. – The combination of maghfirah (forgiveness) and raḥmah (mercy) is the one most frequently seen in the du‘ās of the Qur‘ān. – This āyah indicates that one should not become deceived with one’s actions, as good deeds can sometimes make one arrogant. Similarly, it is a reminder that one should cling on to the mercy of Allah ‘azza wa jall. (al-Ālūsī rh) – Raḥmah is mercy, compassion, nurturing love, and kindness.
Dua of Prophet Nuh AS for Forgiveness
رَبِّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُنْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbi innī aʿūdhu bika an as’alaka mā laysa lī bihī ʿilm, wa il-lā taghfir lī wa tarḥamnī aku-m-mina-l-khāsīrīn.
My Lord, I seek Your protection from asking You anything about which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I shall be amongst the losers. (11:47)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ of Nuḥ (as) after Allah (swt) admonished him for making du‘ā’ for his son who had drowned in the state of disbelief. • We see his humility and how he sought Allah’s protection, forgiveness and care. • We learn the importance of learning how to make du‘ā’ correctly so we don’t ask for something we shouldn’t be asking for. • Once again, we see ‘forgiveness + mercy’. They are both critical in the life of every believer and each time we make du‘ā’, we should ask Allah for both of these as they encompass all good. Without them, we will certainly be ‘amongst the losers’.
Dua for Yourself, the Deceased & the Ummah
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ
Rabbana-ghfir lanā wa li-ikhwānina-l-ladhīna sabaqūnā bil-īmān, wa lā tajʿal fī qulūbinā ghilla-l-lil-ladhīna āmanū Rabbanā innaka Ra’ūfu-r-Raḥīm.
Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith. Do not put in our hearts any hatred toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are the Most Compassionate, the Ever-Merciful. (59:10)
EXPLANATION
Pray for your brothers and sisters in faith wherever they may be in the world. Pray for your deceased brothers and sisters: those who have recently left the world and those who left the world a long time ago, those you personally knew and those whose names may be unknown to you, yet you are tied to them through the bond of imān. Pray for yourself. – Pray for forgiveness. Pray for love. Pray for pure hearts. Pray for an end to the hatred, bitterness and infighting amongst the Ummah. – Pray for all of the above through this brief, yet comprehensive du’ā in the Qur’ān.
Dua of the Believers on the Day of Judgement
رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Rabbanā atmim lanā nūranā wa-ghfir lanā innaka ʿalā kulli shay’in Qadīr.
Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are All-Powerful over everything. (66:08)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ the believers will make on the Day of Judgement when the light of the hypocrites will be extinguished. To reach to their ultimate destination, Jannah, this ‘light’ (nūr) will be essential in guiding them to it. This ‘nūr’ is also the same light which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will recognize us with. … In order to be rewarded with this nūr in the hereafter, we must strive to attain the ‘nūr’ of knowledge, guidance and imān in this world. This is why the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would recite the following du‘ā’ on the way to the Masjid: اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِيْ قَلْبِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَفِيْ بَصَرِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَفِيْ سَمْعِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَعَنْ يَّمِيْنِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَعَنْ يَّسَارِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَفَوْقِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَتَحْتِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَأَمَامِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَخَلْفِيْ نُوْرًا ، وَاجْعَلْ لِيْ نُوْرًا O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight and light in my hearing. Place light on my right and place light on my left. Place light above me and place light beneath me. Place light in front of me, place light behind me and grant me light. (Bukhārī)
Dua of Asiya for a House Near Allah in Paradise
رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ
Rabbi-b-ni lī ʿindaka baytan fi-l-Jannah.
My Lord, build for me, near You, a house in Paradise. (66:11)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ of Āsiyā (‘alayhas-Salām), the wife of Pharaoh. This du‘ā’ is a testament to her imān and yaqīn in Allah (swt). Being the wife of the most powerful King on the earth, she could have enjoyed the best of what a woman could desire in the world. However, she gave this up, rejected the glitz and glamour of this world, and chose Allah (swt) over all of this. She resisted the pressures of her society, the palace, the throne and her own husband, and chose instead to submit to Allah. As a result, she suffered greatly for it. But it was worth it. It made her one of the most revered women across history, and more importantly in the sight of Allah (swt). The scholars mention that by mentioning ‘near You’ before ‘a house’, she chose her neighbor before the house i.e. what was more important to her was that she enjoys the proximity and closeness to Allah (swt) than the house itself. This brief, yet powerful du‘ā’ speaks volumes of her deep awareness, love and longing for Him.
Dua for Protection From the Hell-fire
رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا. إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
Rabbana-ṣrif ʿan-nā ʿadhāba Jahannam, inna ʿadhābahā kāna gharāmā. Innahā sā’at mustaqarra-w-wa muqāmā.
Our Lord, turn away from us the punishment of Hell-fire. Indeed, its punishment is endless. Indeed it is an evil residence and abode. (25:65-6)
EXPLANATION
This du‘ā’ is found at the end of Sūrah al-Furqān, whereby Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) outlines the qualities of the ‘Ibād al-Raḥmān’, the slaves of the Extremely Merciful. One of their qualities is that they invoke Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā )with this du‘ā’. This du‘ā’ teaches the importance of fear. Despite being humble in the day and spending the night in qiyām, the true slaves of Allah beg Him to save them from the eternal punishment of the Hell-fire. It reminds one not to be deceived with one’s good deeds and to not become arrogant. al-Ḥasan (raḥimahullāh) said, “They humbled themselves in the day (to the creation), and tired themselves at night (for the Creator), out of their fear of the punishment of the Hell-fire.”
Dua of Those Who Reflect
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ. رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَنْ تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ. رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ. رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ
Rabbanā mā khalaqta hādhā bāṭilā, subḥānaka faqinā ʿadhāba-n-nār. Rabbanā innaka man tudhkili-n-nāra fa-qad akhzaytah, wa mā li-ẓ-ẓālimīna min anṣār. Rabbanā in-nanā samiʿnā munādiya-y-yunādī lil-īmāni an āminū bi-Rabbikum fa-āmannā, Rabbanā fa-ghfir lanā dhunūbanā wa kaffir ʿannā sayyi’ātinā wa tawaffanā ma-ʿal-abrār. Rabbanā wa ātinā mā wa-ʿadtanā ʿalā rusulika wa lā tukhzinā yawmal-qiyāmah, in-naka lā tukhliful-mīʿād.
Our Lord, You have not created all this (the heavens and the earth) without purpose- You are free from any defects- so protect us from the torment of the Fire. Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire, You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‹Believe in your Lord,› so we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our sins, wipe out our bad deeds, and let us die with the truly righteous. Our Lord, bestow upon us all that You have promised us through Your messengers and do not humiliate us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You never break Your promise. (3:191-4)
EXPLANATION
This is the du‘ā’ of ‘those of understanding’. It teaches us: – The importance of reflecting on the signs of Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) around us. We should constantly look at the stars, sun, moon, mountains, seas, greenery etc with a fresh pair of eyes and reflect on their Maker (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā). – The intertwined nature of reflection and dhikr. Dhikr should be accompanied by reflection, and at the same time reflection should make us cry out “You did not create this in vain Yā Allah!” – Reflection (tafakkur) will make us realise that we and the world around us were created for a purpose. We will be held accountable for what we do and if we reject Him, we will be doomed to the Hell-fire. Hence why we make the second part of the du‘ā’. – Reflection in Allah’s creation around us should make us humble ourselves, submit to Him in fear and beg Him for protection from the Fire. A powerful du`a for forgiveness, good endings and protection on the Day of Judgement.
Dua of the Angels for the Believers
رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ. رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدْتَهُمْ وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ. وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ وَمَنْ تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Rabbanā wasiʿta kulla shay’i-r-raḥmata-w-wa ʿilmā, fa-ghfir lil-ladhīna tābū wa-t-tabaʿū sabīlaka wa qihim ʿadhābal-jaḥīm. Rabbanā wa adkhil-hum jannāti ʿadnini-l-latī wa-ʿadtahum wa man ṣalaḥa min ābā’ihim wa azwājihim wa dhurriy-yātihim, innaka Antal-ʿAzīzu-l-Ḥakīm. Wa qihimu-s-sayyi’āt, wa man taqi-s-sayyi’āti yawma’idhin fa-qad raḥimtah, wa dhālika huwal-fawzul-ʿAẓīm.
Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your path, and protect them from the punishment of Hell-fire. Our Lord, admit them to the eternal gardens of Paradise which You have promised them, along with whoever was righteous from their fathers, their spouses and their children. Indeed, You, and only You, are the All-Mighty and All-Wise. Protect them from all evil deeds. You will have bestowed Your mercy on those You protect from the evil deeds on that Day: that is the greatest achievement indeed. (40:7-9)
Dua of Prophet Musa AS Expressing His Dire Need
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Rabbi innī limā anzalta illayya min khayrin faqīr.
My Lord, truly I am in dire need of any good which You may send me. (28:24)
The Most Frequent Dua of the Prophet ﷺ
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fi-d-dunyā ḥasanah wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanah wa qinā ʿadhāba-n-Nār.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire. (2:201)
Dua of the People of the Cave for Mercy & Guidance
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Rabbanā ātinā mi-l-ladunka raḥmatan wa hayyi’ lanā min amrinā rashadā.
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and provide us with guidance in our matter. (18:10)
Dua for Increase in Knowledge
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا.
Rabbi zidnī ʿilmā.
My Lord, increase me in knowledge. (20:114)
Dua of Prophet Musa AS for Inner Peace & Strength
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي. وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
Rabbi-sh-shraḥ lī ṣadrī. Wa yassir lī amrī.
My Lord, put my heart at peace for me, and make my task easy for me. (20:25)
Dua of Prophet Ibrahim AS for Wisdom & a Good End
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي حُكْمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ. وَاجْعَلْ لِي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْآخِرِينَ. وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ النَّعِيمِ… وَلَا تُخْزِنِي يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ. يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ. إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
Rabbi hab lī ḥukma-w-wa alḥiqnī bi-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Wa-jʿal-lī lisāna ṣidqin fil-ākhirīn. Wa-jʿalnī mi-w-warathati Jannati-n-Naʿīm… Wa lā tukhzinī yawma yubʿathūn. Yawma lā yanfaʿu mālu-w-wa lā banūn. Illā man ata-llāha bi-qalbin salīm.
My Lord, grant me wisdom and join me with the righteous. And grant that I may be spoken of with honour amongst the later generations. And make me amongst those who will inherit the Garden of Bliss… And do not disgrace me on the Day they will be resurrected – the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any use – except for the one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. (26:83-89)
Dua of Prophet Ibrahim AS for His Progeny & Parents
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ. رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ.
Rabbij-ʿalnī muqīma-ṣ-ṣalāti wa min dhurriy-yatī Rabbanā wa taqabbal duʿā’. Rabbana-ghfir lī wa li-wālidayya wa lil-mu’minīna yawma yaqūmul-ḥisāb.
My Lord, make me steadfast in alāh, and my offspring as well. Our Lord, accept my prayer. Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and all the believers on the Day when the Reckoning will take place. (14:40-1)
Dua for Parents
رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
Rabbi-r-ḥamhumā kamā rabbayānī ṣaghīrā.
My Lord, have mercy upon them (my parents) as they raised and nurtured me when I was young. (17:24)
Dua of Zakariyya AS for Pious Children
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
Rabbi hab lī mi-l-ladunka dhuriyyatan ṭayyibah, innaka samīʿ-ud-duʿā’.
My Lord, grant me from Yourself pious offspring. Indeed, You hear all prayers. (3:38)
Dua of Ibrahim AS for Pious Children
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Rabbi hab lī mina-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn.
My Lord, grant me (offspring) from amongst the righteous. (37:100)
Dua of Zakariyya AS for Children
رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِي فَرْدًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوَارِثِينَ
Rabbi lā tadharnī farda-w-wa Anta khayrul-wārithīn.
My Lord, do not leave me childless, though You are the best of inheritors. (21:89)
Dua for a Joyous Household
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Rabbanā hab lanā min azwājinā wa dhuriyyātinā qurrata aʿyuni-w-wajʿalnā lil-muttaqīna imāmā.
Our Lord, grant us spouses and offspring who will be a joy to our eyes, and make us leaders of those who have taqwa (piety). (25:74)
Dua of Prophet Sulayman AS for Gratitude to Allah & Doing Good Deeds
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Rabbi awziʿnī an ashkura niʿmataka-l-latī anʿamta ʿalayya wa ʿalā wālidayya wa an aʿmala ṣāliḥan tarḍāh, wa adhkilnī bi-raḥmatika fī ʿibādika-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn.
My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that please You. And admit me by Your mercy amongst Your righteous servants. (27:19)
Dua for Gratitude, Good Deeds & Pious Children
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Rabbi awziʿnī an ashkura niʿmataka-l-latī anʿamta ʿalayya wa ʿalā wālidayya wa an aʿmala ṣāliḥan tarḍāh, wa aṣliḥ lī fī dhuriyyatī, innī tubtu ilayka wa innī mina-l-muslimīn.
My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that please You. Make my offspring righteous; I truly repent to you, and truly I am of those who submit to You. (46:15)
Dua for Seeking Protection from Shaytan
رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
Rabbi aʿūdhu bika min hamazāti-sh-shayāṭīn. Wa aʿūdhu bika Rabbi ay-yaḥḍurūn.
My Lord, I seek protection with You from the promptings of the devils; and I seek protection in You, my Lord, from their coming near me. (23:97)
Dua for Forgiveness & Ease
رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنْتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbanā lā tu’ākidhnā in-nasīnā aw akhṭa’nā, Rabbanā wa lā taḥmil ʿalaynā iṣran kamā ḥamaltahū ʿala-l-ladhīna min qablinā, Rabbanā wa lā tuḥammilnā mā lā ṭāqata lanā bih, waʿfu ʿanna wa-ghfir lanā war-ḥamnā Anta Mawlānā fa-nṣurnā ʿala-l-qawmil-kafirīn.
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and do not lay upon us a burden as You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and do not burden us with that which we have no ability to bear. Pardon us, forgive us and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so help us against the disbelieving people. (2:285-6)
Dua for Forgiveness & Victory
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbana-ghfir lanā dhunūbanā wa isrāfanā fī amrinā wa thabbit aqdāmanā wa-nṣurnā ʿala-l-qawmil-kafirīn.
Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our extravagance in our affairs. Make our feet firm, and help us against the disbelieving people. (3:147)
Dua for For Firmness & Victory
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbanā afrigh ʿalaynā ṣabra-w-wa thabbit aqdāmanā wa-nṣurnā ʿala-l-qawmil-kafirīn.
Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our extravagance in our affairs. Make our feet firm, and help us against the disbelieving people. (3:147)
Dua of Prophet Lut AS for Help Against The Corrupt
رَبِّ انْصُرْنِي عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
Rabbin-ṣurnī ʿala-l-qawmi-l-mufsidīn.
My Lord, support me against the people who spread corruption. (29:30)
Dua for Protection From Being With The Oppressors
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
Rabbanā lā tajʿalnā maʿal qawmi-ẓ-ẓālimīn.
Our Lord, do not let us join the wrongdoing people. (7:47)
Dua for Protection From The Oppressors
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ. وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbanā lā tajʿalnā fitnata-l-lil-qawmi-ẓ-ẓālimīn. Wa najjinā bi-raḥmatika mina-l-qawmi-l-kafirīn.
Our Lord, do not make us victims of the oppressors. Save us, through Your mercy, from the disbelieving people. (10:85-6)
Dua for Protection From Persecution
رَبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ. رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Rabbanā ʿalayka tawakkalnā wa ilayka anabnā wa ilaykal-maṣīr. Rabbanā lā tajʿalnā fitnatal-lil-ladhīna kafarū wa-ghfir lanā Rabbanā innaka Antal-ʿAzīzu-l-Ḥakīm.
Our Lord, in You Alone we trust, and to You Alone we turn, and to You is the ultimate return. Our Lord, do not let us be persecuted by those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed You, and only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (60:4-5)
Dua of Prophet Ayyub AS for Times of Distress
رَبِّ – أَنِّيْ مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ
(Rabbi) Annī massaniya-ḍ-ḍurru wa Anta Arḥamu-r-raḥimīn.
(My Lord), indeed adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful. (21:83)
Dua of Prophet Yusuf AS for A Good Ending
، اَللّٰهُمَّ يَا – فَاطِرَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنْتَ وَلِـيِّيْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِيْ مُسْلِمًا وَّأَلْحِقْنِيْ بِالصَّالِحِيْنَ
(Allāhumma yā) Fāṭira-s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi Anta waliy-yi fi-d-dunyā wal-ākhirah, tawaffanī Muslimaw-wa alḥiqnī bi-ṣ-ṣāliḥīn.
(O Allah), Originator of the heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Make me die a Muslim and join me with the righteous. (12:101)
Dua of Prophet Ibrahim AS & Ismail AS for Acceptance of Good Deeds
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ. وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Rabbanā taqabbal minnā innaka Anta-s-Samīʿu-l-ʿAlīm. Wa tub ʿalaynā innaka Anta-t-Tawwābu-r-Raḥīm.
Our Lord, accept from us. Indeed, You – and You alone – are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. And accept our repentance. Indeed, You -and You alone – are the Acceptor of repentance, the very Merciful. (2:127-8)