Upon waking up
Authentic (sahih) hadithالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Alhamdu lillahi alladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhi'n-nushur
All praise is for Allah who gave us life after He caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.
When: Immediately after waking from sleep.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6312
Before sleeping
Authentic (sahih) hadithبِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya
In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
When: When lying down to sleep.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6324
Ayat al-Kursi
Qur'anاللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa'l-Hayyu'l-Qayyum. La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm...
Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth...
When: After each obligatory prayer and before sleeping.
Repetitions: 1
Source: Qur'an 2:255; virtue of reciting before sleep: Sahih al-Bukhari 2311
Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas
Qur'anقُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ … قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ … قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
Qul huwa Allahu ahad… Qul a'udhu bi Rabbi'l-falaq… Qul a'udhu bi Rabbi'n-nas
Say: He is Allah, the One… Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak… Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind…
When: Morning and evening, and before sleep (blowing into the hands and wiping over the body).
Repetitions: 3
Source: Qur'an 112, 113, 114; Sahih al-Bukhari 5017; Sunan Abu Dawud 5082
Refuge in Allah's perfect words
Authentic (sahih) hadithأَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
A'udhu bi kalimati'llahi't-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
When: Evening, when stopping at a place, and in times of fear.
Repetitions: 3
Source: Sahih Muslim 2708
Protection from harm, morning and evening
Authentic (sahih) hadithبِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Bismillahi'lladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fi'l-ardi wa la fi's-sama'i wa huwa's-Sami'u'l-'Alim
In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
When: Three times in the morning and three times in the evening.
Repetitions: 3
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 5088; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3388 (graded authentic)
Leaving the home
Authentic (sahih) hadithبِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'ala Allah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.
When: When stepping out of the house.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 5095; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3426
Entering the home
Good (hasan) hadithبِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
Bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'ala Allahi Rabbina tawakkalna
In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we place our trust.
When: Upon entering the house, then greet the household with salam.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 5096
Entering the bathroom
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika mina'l-khubuthi wa'l-khaba'ith
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from male and female evil spirits.
When: Before entering the bathroom.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 142; Sahih Muslim 375
Leaving the bathroom
Authentic (sahih) hadithغُفْرَانَكَ
Ghufranak
I seek Your forgiveness.
When: On leaving the bathroom.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 30; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 7
Before eating
Authentic (sahih) hadithبِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
In the name of Allah.
When: Before beginning a meal. If forgotten, say: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 3767; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1858
After eating
Good (hasan) hadithالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Alhamdu lillahi'lladhi at'amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah
All praise is for Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any might or power on my part.
When: After finishing a meal.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 4023; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3458
Dua for travel
Authentic (sahih) hadithسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Subhana'lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina la munqalibun
Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.
When: When mounting a vehicle or beginning a journey.
Source: Qur'an 43:13-14; recited by the Prophet ﷺ when travelling — Sahih Muslim 1342
Returning from travel
Authentic (sahih) hadithآيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li Rabbina hamidun
We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.
When: On returning home from a journey.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1342
When you are in pain
Authentic (sahih) hadithأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir
I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and fear.
When: Place your hand on the place of pain, say 'Bismillah' three times, then recite this seven times.
Repetitions: 7
Source: Sahih Muslim 2202
Visiting someone who is ill
Authentic (sahih) hadithلَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
La ba'sa, tahurun in sha' Allah
No harm, may it be a purification, if Allah wills.
When: When visiting a sick person.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3616
Dua for healing another person
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Allahumma Rabba'n-nas, adhhibi'l-ba's, ishfi anta'sh-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and cure; You are the Healer. There is no cure except Your cure — a cure that leaves no illness behind.
When: When making dua for a sick person, such as a parent or child.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5675; Sahih Muslim 2191
Dua for anxiety and sorrow
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika mina'l-hammi wa'l-hazan, wa'l-'ajzi wa'l-kasal, wa'l-bukhli wa'l-jubn, wa dala'i'd-dayni wa ghalabati'r-rijal
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by others.
When: In times of anxiety, sadness, or feeling overwhelmed.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6369
The supplication of Yunus (peace be upon him)
Qur'anلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu mina'z-zalimin
There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.
When: In distress and hardship.
Source: Qur'an 21:87; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3505
Sufficiency of Allah
Qur'anحَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbuna'llahu wa ni'ma'l-wakil
Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.
When: When facing fear, threats or overwhelming circumstances.
Source: Qur'an 3:173; Sahih al-Bukhari 4563
The master supplication of forgiveness
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Allahumma anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika ma'stata't, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana't, abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bi dhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfiru'dh-dhunuba illa ant
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I keep Your covenant and my pledge to You as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me — for none forgives sins except You.
When: Morning and evening (Sayyid al-Istighfar).
Repetitions: 1
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
Seeking forgiveness
Authentic (sahih) hadithأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh
I seek Allah's forgiveness and I turn to Him in repentance.
When: Throughout the day; the Prophet ﷺ sought forgiveness more than seventy times daily.
Repetitions: 100
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6307
For a steadfast heart
Authentic (sahih) hadithيَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Ya muqalliba'l-qulub, thabbit qalbi 'ala dinik
O Turner of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.
When: When seeking firmness in faith.
Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2140
For help in worship
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik
O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.
When: After every obligatory prayer.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 1522
For guidance, piety and contentment
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
Allahumma inni as'aluka'l-huda wa't-tuqa wa'l-'afafa wa'l-ghina
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency.
When: Any time, especially when seeking direction in life.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2721
For beneficial knowledge
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbala
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, wholesome provision, and accepted deeds.
When: In the morning after Fajr.
Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 925
Lord, increase me in knowledge
Qur'anرَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Rabbi zidni 'ilma
My Lord, increase me in knowledge.
When: When studying or seeking understanding.
Source: Qur'an 20:114
The supplication of Musa (peace be upon him)
Qur'anرَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabbi'shrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri, wahlul 'uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli
My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech.
When: Before difficult tasks, interviews, presentations or exams.
Source: Qur'an 20:25-28
For relief from debt
Good (hasan) hadithاللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Allahumma'kfini bi halalika 'an haramik, wa aghnini bi fadlika 'amman siwak
O Allah, suffice me with what You have made lawful instead of what You have forbidden, and make me independent of all others besides You by Your grace.
When: When burdened by debt or financial hardship.
Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3563
For a righteous family
Qur'anرَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a'yunin waj'alna li'l-muttaqina imama
Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes, and make us leaders for the righteous.
When: When praying for marriage, spouse and children.
Source: Qur'an 25:74
Congratulating the newly married
Authentic (sahih) hadithبَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ، وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ، وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خَيْرٍ
Baraka'llahu lak, wa baraka 'alayk, wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr
May Allah bless you, and shower His blessings upon you, and join you together in goodness.
When: When congratulating someone on their marriage.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 2130; Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1091
For righteous offspring
Qur'anرَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
Rabbi hab li min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibah, innaka Sami'u'd-du'a
My Lord, grant me from Yourself good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.
When: When asking Allah for children.
Source: Qur'an 3:38
Seeking protection for children
Authentic (sahih) hadithأُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
U'idhukuma bi kalimati'llahi't-tammah, min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli 'aynin lammah
I seek protection for you both in the perfect words of Allah, from every devil and poisonous creature, and from every evil eye.
When: Said over children for protection.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3371
For one's parents
Qur'anرَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
Rabbi'rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira
My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.
When: For living or deceased parents.
Source: Qur'an 17:24
When afflicted by a loss
Authentic (sahih) hadithإِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Allahumma'jurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha
Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and replace it for me with something better.
When: When struck by any calamity, including bereavement.
Source: Sahih Muslim 918
For the deceased
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ
Allahumma'ghfir lahu warhamhu, wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' mudkhalahu
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, grant him well-being and pardon him, honour his resting place and widen his entrance.
When: In the funeral prayer and when praying for someone who has died.
Source: Sahih Muslim 963
Gratitude for Allah's favour
Qur'anرَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ
Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka'llati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayya wa an a'mala salihan tardah
My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness of which You approve.
When: When receiving a blessing or success.
Source: Qur'an 46:15
Istikharah — seeking Allah's guidance in a decision
Authentic (sahih) hadithاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlika'l-'azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamu'l-ghuyub
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek strength through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense favour. For You are able and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen.
When: After praying two voluntary rak'ahs when facing a decision (the full hadith continues naming the matter).
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1166