Section: Optimum Times For Du'a

There are optimum times for du'a in which the majority of them are answered. These are classified in respect of time and place.As for time, it includes, time of Suhur (which is a part of the last third of the night), at the time of breaking one's fast, between the Adhan and the Iqamah, between Zuhr and Asr Prayer, on Wednesday, in times of distress, in traveling and disease, when it rains, in time of fighting in the way of Allah, when the night is at its darkest point, on Friday, when it is windy, the du'a of the oppressed person, the du'a of parents, during gale, thunder and during prostration. All these cases are reported in authentic Ahadith.As for place, it includes land which one has not been visited before. A pious person summed them up in the following poetic lines:In Ka'bah, Arafah and Hijr Allah answers people's prayerIn Tawaaf, Sa'i and Zamzam Allah also promised to answer In Maqam and the target of stonesPrayers also will be betterIn perfecting the manners of du'a, the Muslim can observe the times in which du'a may be answered. This includes the following:

Allah said,لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ﴿٥﴾Translation: (3) The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. (4) The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. (5) Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. [Al Qadr: 3-5]When Aishah (Ra) asked the Prophet (ﷺ) what can she do if she knows the night of Qadr? He said to her, Say,اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيTransliteration: Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun karim, tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anniTranslation: O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, Generous. You love forgiveness; so forgive me. [Ahmad and Ibn Majah]

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,"The best of du'a is that which is made on the Day of Arafah. And the best which I and the Prophets (ﷺ) who preceded me have said is:لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌTransliteration: Laa ilahaa illAllahu wahdahu laa sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in qadir.Translation: "There is no god but Allah, He is One and has no partner. To Him Sovereignty and praise belong and He has power over all things."

Once the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "What du'a is heard (by Allah) most?"He answered: "At midnight and at the end of every Fardh (obligatory) prayer." [Tirmidhi]

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Du'a between the Adhan and the Iqamah will never be rejected." [Ibn Hibban]

On the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'd (Ra), 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Two kinds of du'a will never be (or rarely be) rejected; those that are made during the Adhan and in war when soldiers are in combat."The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also said, "Two du'a will never be rejected; during the Adhan and when it rains." [Sahih Al Jami' Al Saghir]

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:"Friday is twelve hours, of which there is an hour in which if a Muslim asks for something, it will surely be given to him. So, seek it in the final hour after Asr (i.e. Just before the sun sets). [Al Jami' Al Saghir]

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When you listen to the braying of donkeys, seek refuge in Allah from the Satan. And when you listen to the crowing of the cockerel, ask Allah for His Favour for it sees angels."

Ummu Salamah (Ra) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered the home of Abu Salamah (Ra) (who had just died). Abu Salamah's (Ra) eyes were wide open. The Prophet (ﷺ) closed them, and said, "When the soul is taken away the sight follows it."Some people of his family wept and wailed. So he said, "Do not supplicate for yourselves anything but good, for the angels say 'Ameen; to what you say."The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then supplicated,اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ، وَاخْلُفْهُ فِي عَقِبِهِ فِي الْغَابِرِيْنَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ، وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فِيهِTransliteration: Allahumm-aghfir lahu [mention the person's name] warfa‛ darajatahu fil-mahdiyyin, wakhlufhu fee ‛aqibihi fil-ghaabireena, waghfir lanaa wa lahu yaa rabbal-‛aalameena, wafsah lahu fee qabrihi wa nawwir lahu feeh.Translation: O Allah, forgive – [so-and-so] - and raise his rank among the rightly guided, and be a successor to whom he has left behind, and forgive us and him O Lord of the worlds. Make spacious his grave and illuminate it for him.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Surely, drinking Zamzam water avails man in whatever he intends thereby." [Bukhari and Muslim]

A. After opening Takbir of PrayerUpon commencing one's prayer one can read the following du'a.وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِي، وَنُسُكِي، وَمَحْيَايَ، وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا، لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ، وَالْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ بِيَـدَيْكَ، وَالشَّـرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْـكَ، أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ، تَبارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَيْكَTransliteration: Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhee fataras-samawaati wal-arda haneefan wa maa ana minal-mushrikeen, inna salaatee wa nusukee wa mahyaaya wa mamaatee lillaahi rabbil-’alameen, laa shareeka lahu wabi dhaalika umirtu wa-ana minal-muslimeen. Allaahumma antal-maliku laa ilaaha illaa anta. anta rabbee wa-anaa ‘abduka, dhalamtu nafsee wa’taraftu bidhanbee faghfir lee dhunoobee jamee’an innahu laa yaghfirudh-dhunooba illaa anta. wahdinee li-ahsanil-akhlaaqi laa yahdee li-ahsaniha illaa anta, wasrif ‘annee sayyiaha laa yasrifu ‘annee sayyiaha illaa anta, Labbayka wa sa’dayka, wal-khayru kulluhu biyadayka, washsharru laysa ilayka, ana bika wa-ilayka, tabarakta wa ta’alayta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk.Translation: I have turned my face sincerely towards He who has brought forth the heavens and the Earth and I am not of those who associate (others with Allah). Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, no partner has He, with this I am commanded and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign, none has the right to be worshipped except You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant, I have wronged my own soul and have acknowledged my sin, so forgive me all my sins for no one forgives sins except You. Guide me to the best of characters for none can guide to it other than You, and deliver me from the worst of characters for none can deliver me from it other than You. Here I am, in answer to Your call, happy to serve you. All good is within Your hands and evil does not stem from You. I exist by your will and will return to you. Blessed and High are You, I seek Your forgiveness and repent unto You. [Muslim]اَللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِيْ وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اَللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِيْ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اَللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِTransliteration: Allaahumma baa'id baynee wa bayna khataayaaya kamaa baa'adta baynal-mashriqi walmaghrib, Allaahumma naqqinee minal khataayaa kamaa yunaqqath-thawbul-'abyadhu minad-danas, Allaahummaghsil khataayaaya, bil maa'i wath-thalji wal-baradTranslation: O Allah! separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah! wash away my sins with ice and water and frost. [Muslim]B. The Du'a Of Qunut (Du'a Of Obedience)اَللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِيْ فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِيْ فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِيْ شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِيْ وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَTransliteration: Allahum-mahdinee feeman hadayta, wa 'aafinee feeman 'aafayta, wa tawallanee feeman tawallayta, wa baarik lee feemaa 'a'atayta, wa qinee sharra maa qadhayta, fa'innaka taqdhee wa laa yuqdhaa 'alayka, 'innahu laa yadhillu man waalayta, wa laa ya 'izzu man 'aadayta, tabaarakta Rabbanaa wa ta'aalaytaTranslation: O Allah, guide me with those whom You have guided, and strengthen me with those whom You have given strength. Take me to Your care with those whom You have taken to Your care. Bless me in what You have given me. Protect me from the evil You have ordained. Surely, You command and are not commanded, and none whom You have committed to Your care shall be humiliated and none whom You have taken as an enemy shall taste glory. You are Blessed, Our Lord, and Exalted.C. When One Raises Himself From The Bowing Positionسَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُTransliteration: Sami’Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamdu, mil’al-ardi, wa mil'a maa shi'ta min shay'in ba'du.Translation: "May Allah hear to those who praise Him. O Lord, may Your praises fill the earth, and fill whatever else remains to be filled after that." [Muslim]اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ، أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ، أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ، وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ، اَللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّTransliteration: Allaahumma Rabbanaa lakal-hamdu mil'as-samawaati wa mil’al-ardi, wa mil'a maa shi'ta min shay'in ba'du, ahlath-thanaa'i wal-majdi, ahaqqu maa qaalal 'abdu, wa kullunaa laka 'abdun. Allaahumma laa maani'a limaa a'taita, wa laa mu'tiya limaa mana'ta, wa laa yanfa'u dhal-jaddi minkal-jaddu.Translation: O Allah, our Rabb (Lord), to You is praise in all the heavens and all the earth, and all that You Will (to create) afterwards, O You, Who are worthy of praise and glory, the most worthy of what a slave says - and we are all Your slaves: no one can withhold what You give, or give what You withhold, and riches cannot avail a wealthy person against You. [Muslim]D. During Bowing (ruku)اَللَّهُمَّ لَكَ رَكَعْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ خَشَعَ لَكَ سَمْعِيْ وَبَصَرِيْ وَمُخِّيْ وَعِظَامِيْ وَعَصَبِيْTransliteration: Allaahumma laka raka'tu, wa bika 'aamantu, wa laka 'aslamtu khasha'a laka sam'ee, wa basaree, wa mukhkhee, wa 'idhaamee, wa 'asabee.Translation: O Allah, to You I bow (in prayer) and in You I believe and to You I have submitted. Before You my hearing is humbled, as is my sight, my mind, my bones, my nerves. [Muslim]E. During Prostration (Sajdah)The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so supplicate Your Lord much (in this state)."اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَلَكَ اَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ اٰمَنْتُ، سَجَدَ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّذِيْ خَلَقَهٗ، وَصَوَّرَهٗ، فَاَحْسَنَ صُوْرَتَهٗ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهٗ وَبَصَرَهٗ، تَبَارَكَ اللّٰهُ اَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِيْنَTransliteration: Allaahumma laka sajadtu wa laka 'aslamtu, wa bika 'aamantu sajada wajhiya lilladhee khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu fa'ahsana su-ratahu, wa shaqqa sam'ahu wa basarahu, tabaarakAllahu 'ahsanul-khaaliqeen.Translation: O Allah, to You I prostrate myselfm, to You I have submitted, and in You I believe. My face is prostrated to the One Who created it, fashioned it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators. [Muslim]F. Between The Two Prostrationsاَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِيTransliteration: Allaahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wa 'aafinee warzuqnee.Transliteration: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, guide me and grant me sustenance. [Muslim: 2696]G. After Making Tashahhud And Before Ending The Prayer (saying Peace Be Unto You)اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْـيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ. اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِTransliteration: Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oodhu bika min 'adhaabil-qabr, wa 'a'oodhu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal, wa 'a'oodhu bika min fitnatil-mahyaa wal-mamaat. Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oodhu bika minal-ma'thami wal-maghram.Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the False Messiah, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.H. When Reciting The Glorious Qur'an During The PrayerAllah prohibited His servants to recite the Glorious Qur'an during bowing (Ruku') or prostration (Sajdah). Ibn 'Abbas (Ra) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was in his death disease, he drew the sheet while the people were arranged into rows behind Abu Bakr (Ra) lite and said:"O people, nothing is left from the glad tidings of the Prophethood except a good vision which the Muslim sees. I am forbidden to recite the Qur'an while I am bowing or prostrating. As for Ruku' glorify Allah during it, and during Sajdah earnestly supplicate Allah during it for it is optimum time to be answered in.” [Muslim]Among situations in which Du'a is answered are the following:

In a Hadith Qudsi (Divine Hadith), the following is mentioned,"O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden for you. So do not oppress one another."Anas Ibn Malik (Ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:"Beware of the du'a of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, since there is no screen between it and Allah."

Ibn 'Umar (Ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The warrior strives in the way of Allah, and those who perform Hajj or Umrah are the deputies of Allah. He called them and they answered His call. They asked from Him and He gave them."

Abu Al-Darda' (Ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that, "For every believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence the angels say, 'May you receive the same!"

Abu Hurayrah (Ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,"Three types of du'a will surely be answered; the du'a of the oppressed, the traveler and that of the parents on (for or against) his children." [Tirmidhi]