50. Dua at the Start of Salah
Anas (RA) reported: A man came panting and entered the row of worshippers and said:
Dua at the Start of Salah in Arabic
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيْرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ
Dua at the Start of Salah English Transliteration
Alhamdulillaahi hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubaarakan fih
Dua at the Start of Salah English Translation
Praise is to Allah, much, good and blessed praise.
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished the prayer he said: Who amongst you uttered these words? The people remained silent. He (the Prophet ﷺ again said) : Who amongst you uttered these words? He said nothing wrong. Then a man said: I came and had a difficulty in breathing, so I uttered them. He replied: I saw twelve angels facing one another as to who will take them up (to Allah).
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا قَتَادَةُ، وَثَابِتٌ، وَحُمَيْدٌ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، جَاءَ فَدَخَلَ الصَّفَّ وَقَدْ حَفَزَهُ النَّفَسُ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ . فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَتَهُ قَالَ " أَيُّكُمُ الْمُتَكَلِّمُ بِالْكَلِمَاتِ " . فَأَرَمَّ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالَ " أَيُّكُمُ الْمُتَكَلِّمُ بِهَا فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقُلْ بَأْسًا " . فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ جِئْتُ وَقَدْ حَفَزَنِي النَّفَسُ فَقُلْتُهَا . فَقَالَ " لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ اثْنَىْ عَشَرَ مَلَكًا يَبْتَدِرُونَهَا أَيُّهُمْ يَرْفَعُهَا " .
Anas reported: A man came panting and entered the row of worshippers and said: Praise be to Allah, much praised and blessed. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished the prayer he said: Who amongst you uttered these words? The people remained silent. He (the Prophet again said) -: Who amongst you uttered these words? He said nothing wrong. Then a man said: I came and had a difficulty in breathing, so I uttered them. He replied: I saw twelve angels facing one another as to who will take them up (to Allah). [Muslim: 600]
Benefits of before namaz dua
Starting salah with before namaz dua brings many rewards
- Focus in prayer grows with dua at the start of salah
- Hearts fill with gratitude by reciting dua al istiftah
- Saying sana in namaz reminds us of Allah’s blessings
- Before namaz dua helps set a peaceful tone for salah
- Praise be to Allahin this dua brings more barakah
- Reading dua for blessing increases humility in namaz
When to Recite before namaz dua
Before namaz dua helps bring your mind to prayer
- Recite before namaz dua right after starting salah but before Surah Fatiha
- Say dua at the start of salah after making takbir and folding hands
- Recite sana in namaz only in the first rakah of each prayer
- Before namaz dua can be said in both obligatory and sunnah prayers
- Dua al istiftah is recited before starting any quranic dua in salah
How to Perform before namaz dua
Before namaz dua can be said with ease for better connection
- Begin by doing takbir and stand with folded hands to recite before namaz dua
- Say dua at the start of salah aloud or silently, following sunnah
- Recite the exact words of dua al istiftah or sana dua with understanding
- Continue with Surah Fatiha once before namaz dua is completed
Summary
The before namaz dua, known as dua at the start of salah or dua al istiftah, is recited right after the opening takbir. This dua, which says praise be to Allahin a special way, helps bring focus and shows respect to Allahbefore beginning the prayer.
Muslims who begin with this dua often feel more humble and ready for salah. Reciting the before namaz dua helps set a gentle and thankful mood, making every namaz more meaningful and full of blessing.