49. Dua before starting Salah
While praying with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one of the people said -
Dua before starting Salah in Arabic
اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيْرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيْرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيْلًا
Dua before starting Salah English Transliteration
Allahu 'Akbar Kabiran, walhamdu lillaahi kathiran, wa Subhaanallahi bukratan wa'asila
Dua before starting Salah English Translation
Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Glory is to Allah, at the break of day and at its end.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Who uttered such and such a word?" A person (who have recited these words) among the people said: It is I, O Messenger of Allah! He (ﷺ) said: it’s utterance surprised me, for the doors of heaven were opened for It. Ibn 'Umar (RA) said: I have not abandoned them (these words) since I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying this.
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، أَخْبَرَنِي الْحَجَّاجُ بْنُ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَوْنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ نُصَلِّي مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذْ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلاً . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنِ الْقَائِلُ كَلِمَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا " . قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " عَجِبْتُ لَهَا فُتِحَتْ لَهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ " . قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ فَمَا تَرَكْتُهُنَّ مُنْذُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ .
Ibn 'Umar reported: While we said prayer with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one among the people said: Allah is truly Great, praise be to Allah in abundance. Glory be to Allah in the morning and the evening. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon, him) said: Who uttered such and such a word? A person among the people said: It is I, Messenger of Allah (who have recited these words). He (the Holy Prophet) said: It (its utterance) surprised me, for the doors of heaven were opened for It. Ibn 'Umar said: I have not abandoned them (these words) since I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying this. [Muslim: 601]
Benefits of dua before salat
When you make dua before salat, you get blessings and your heart feels close to Allah. It helps your mind get ready for salah with thanks and praise.
- Builds connection to Allahat the start of every salah
- When you say dua before salah, you feel close to Allahright from the start.
- Increases humility and awareness before salah begins
- This dua makes you feel small before Allahand helps you know you are standing in front of Him.
- Saying dua before salat helps your mind get ready so you can focus better in your prayer.
- This dua brings a quiet feeling and makes your heart calm before you start namaz.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say dua before salah, so we follow his way.
- When you start with dua, you show respect to Allahand your prayer feels better.
When to Recite dua before salat
You can say dua before salat when you want to feel close to Allahand get your heart and mind ready for salah.
- Right after making intention (niyyah) for salah, recite the dua before starting
- After you make your niyyah for salah, say the dua before you begin.
- When standing to begin any fard or sunnah prayer, say the dua before takbeer
- When you stand to start any fard or sunnah prayer, say the dua before you say takbeer.
- Before starting voluntary prayers (nafl), recite this dua before namaz for extra blessing
- Before you start nafl prayers, say this dua to get more blessings.
- At the beginning of every salah, recite the dua before salat for better focus
- At the start of every salah, say the dua before salat to help you focus.
How to Perform dua before salat
Dua before salat is easy to do, but it means a lot. If you say it with your heart, you get closer to Allahand start your prayer the right way.
- Begin by making your intention for salah and stand facing the qiblah
- First, make your niyyah for salah and stand facing the qiblah.
- Raise both hands up to your ears and say allahu akbar kabira walhamdulillah kathira
- Lift your hands to your ears and say allahu akbar kabira walhamdulillah kathira.
- Recite the dua before salah with the words praising Allahand expressing gratitude
- Say the dua before salah, using words that praise Allahand show you are thankful.
- Focus your heart on Allah, remembering all praise be to Allahand His greatness
- Think about Allahin your heart and remember all praise is for Him and He is the greatest.
- Continue salah by following the regular steps of namaz after this dua
- After the dua, keep going with the normal steps of namaz.
Summary
The dua before salat, when you say allahu akbar kabira walhamdulillah kathira, helps Muslims start salah by praising Allahand saying thank you. This dua is simple but strong, and it helps open your heart and mind for prayer. It reminds us that all praise is for Allah.
When you say the dua before salah at the start of each prayer, you feel calm and can focus better. It is a nice way to get ready for salah and feel close to Allah. Doing this every time helps make your prayer peaceful and gives it more meaning.