Section: Points in the prayer at which du‘aa’ may be offered

The points in the prayer at which du‘aa’ may be offered are of two types:The first type: When prostratingThe evidence for this is the words of the Prophet (ﷺ): “The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a great deal of du‘aa’” [Narrated by Muslim (482)]1. After the final tashahhud and before saying the salaam: The evidence for this is the hadith of Ibn Mas‘ood (RA), that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught them the tashahhud then said at the end: “Then let him choose whatever supplications he wishes.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5876) and Muslim (402)]2. In qunoot of Witr: The evidence for this is the report narrated by Abu Daawood (1425) from al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (RA), who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me some words which I say in Qunoot of Witr: “Allaahumma ihdini ……..”The second type: Du‘aa’ al-istiftaah (opening supplication) After the opening takbeer (takbeerat al-ihraam) and before starting to recite al-Faatihah.1. When bowing: The Messenger (ﷺ) used to say:سُبْحَانَكَ اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيTransliteration: “Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahumm aghfir liTranslation: Glory and praise be to You, O Allah our Lord. O Allah, forgive me).” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (761) and Muslim (484) from the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah]2. After rising from bowing: The evidence for this is the hadith of ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, according to which the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say:اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ مِلْءَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ بَعْدُ، اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي بِالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَالْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْوَسَخِTransliteration: “Allaahumma rabbanaa laka al-hamdu mil’ al-samawaati wa mil’ al-ardi wa mil’a ma shi’ta min shay’in ba‘du. Allaahumma tahhirni bi’ththalji wa’l-baradi wa’l-maa’ il-baarid. Allaahumma tahhirni min adh-dhunoobi wa’l-khataayaa kama yunaqqa ath-thawb al-abyadu min wal-wasakh.Translation: O Allah, to You be praise filling the heavens, filling the earth, and filling whatever else You will besides that. O Allah, cleanse me with snow and hail and cold water. O Allah, cleanse me of sins and errors as a white garment is cleansed of dirt.” [Narrated by Muslim (476)]3. Between the two prostrations: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say between the two prostrations: اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَعَافِنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِيTransliteration: Allahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wa 'aafinee, wahdinee, warzuqnee.Translation: O Allah! Pardon me, have mercy on me, guide me, and grant me sustenance. [Sahih (Albani). Tirmidhi: 284, Hasan (Albani). Abu Dawud: 850]There are also reports which mention offering du‘aa’ whilst reciting Qur’an when standing in the prayer, either in naafil (supererogatory) prayers only, based on what is mentioned in the text, or also in obligatory prayers, by analogy with what is mentioned regarding naafil prayers, according to some scholars.The evidence for that is the hadith of Hudhayfah (RA), according to which he prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ). He said: He did not come to any verse that mentioned mercy but he paused and asked for mercy, and he did not come to any verse that mentioned punishment, but he paused and sought refuge with Allah from it. [Narrated by Abu Daawood (871); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (Ra) said:To sum up what has been proven from the Prophet (ﷺ) about the points in the prayer at which he used to offer du‘aa’, there are six points, to which two more may be added:1. Following the opening takbeer (takbeerat al-ihram):2. When standing up (after bowing):3. When bowing4. When prostrating:Between the two prostrations:In the tashahhud:The Prophet (ﷺ) also used to offer du‘aa’ in Qunoot, and when reciting Qur’an: when he came to a verse that mentioned mercy, he would ask for it, and when he came to a verse that mentioned punishment, he would seek refuge with Allah from it. [End quote from Fath al-Baari (11/132)]