We concluded part one with a short discussion on the sort of challenges and limitations we face when it comes to making dua. While there are many types of dua, we have collated a list that encourages the constant remembrance of Allah as well as being a means of pleading to the Almighty. We have included small explanations to highlight their significance and worth despite being concise enough to offer consistently and with ease, throughout the month of Ramadan (and some beyond insha’Allah!).
At the time of Suhur
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Transliteration: Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan.
Translation: “I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”
Explanation: The fasting person is beseeching Allah for His assistance as he commences with his fast.
After completing wudhu (ablution)
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
Transliteration: Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasooluhu. Allahummaj’alnee minat tawwabeena waj’alnee minal mutatahhireen.
Translation: “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified.”
Explanation: While this is a dua not confined to a fasting person, one will most likely find themselves making wudhu more often than outside of the month of Ramadan. This dua seeks spiritual purification by way of forgiveness. A person who recites this dua will have all 8 doors of Jannah opened for them and they may enter via the door of their choice. [Sunan an-Nasai]
Dua for the first ten days of Ramadan
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْث
Transliteration: Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astageethu.
Translation: “O You who is Ever-Living and sustains everything, I seek assistance through Your Mercy.”
Dua for the second ten days of Ramadan
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبي مِنْ كُلِ ذَنبٍ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ
Transliteration: Astagfirullaha rabbi min kulli zhanbin wa atubu ilayhi.
Translation: “I seek forgiveness of my sins from Allah who is my Lord and I return to Him.”
Dua for the last ten days of Ramadan
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Allahumma ajirnee minan naar
Translation: “O Allah, I seek your protection from the Hellfire.”
Explanation: The above three duas for each of the 10 days of Ramadan have been prescribed according to the different virtues Allah has promised in those days. The first 10 days are known as the days of mercy, the second as the days of forgiveness, and the third as emancipation from the Hellfire and entry into Paradise.
When breaking fast
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْت
Transliteration: Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu]wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarth
Translation: “Oh Allah, I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance.”
Explanation: This is an expression of fasting for the pleasure of Allah and, on this premise, asking Allah to accept the sacrifice made throughout the day.
Dua once the fast is broken
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Transliteration: Dhahabaz Zama’u wab tal latil uruqoo wa thabbatal ajru insh’Allah
Translation: “Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills.”
Explanation: A believer takes comfort in knowing that iftar has been deigned for them with certainty. This dua is an expression of gratitude for this mercy bestowed on us by Allah.
Dua for someone who has fed you
أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأَبْرَارُ وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ
Transliteration: Aftara ‘indakumus-saa’imoona, wa ‘akala ta’aamakumul-‘abraaru, wa sallat ‘alaykumul-malaa’ikatu
English translation: “May the fasting (men) break their fast with you, and the pious eat your food, and the angels pray for blessing on you.”
Explanation: There is great virtue in feeding a fasting person. While this also encompasses a fasting person in need, feeding family, friends and neighbors also holds high value in the eyes of Allah. There can be no better dua than the one above for such a person as it gives glad tidings of the presence of angels and the righteous.
Dua after Taraweeh
سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْمُلْکِ وَالْمَلَکُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْکِبْرِيَآئِ وَالْجَبَرُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِکِ الْحَيِ الَّذِی لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوْتُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوْسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِکَةِ وَالرُّوْحِ ط اَللّٰهُمَّ اَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْر
Transliteration: Subhana zil mulki wal malakooti subhana zil izzati wal azamati wal haibati wal qudrati wal kibriyaai wal jabaroot. Subhanal malikil hayyil lazi laa yanamu wala yamootu subboohun qud’doosur-rab’buna wa rab’bul malaaikati war’rooh. Allahumma ajirna minan naar, ya mujeeru ya mujeeru ya mujeer
Translation: “Exalted is the Possessor of the hidden and the manifest dominion. Exalted is the Possessor of Might, Greatness, Reverence, Power, Pride and Majesty.Exalted is the Master, the Living, the one who neither sleeps nor dies. All-perfect, All-holy, Our Lord, and the Lord of the angels and the souls. O Allah, grant us refuge from the Hellfire. O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge.”
Explanation: It is mustahab (an optional act that is recommended and favoured) to recite this dua between ever four units of Taraweeh. This dua has not been mentioned under the sunnah of the Prophet and should not be claimed as such. One will receive reward by merit of the words and the prayer itself, but there is no obligation to recite this if one chooses not to.
Dua for Parents
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ
Transliteration: ‘Rabbanagfirlee wa liwalidayya wa llilmu’mineena yawma yaqoomu alhisab.’
Translation: “Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”
Dua for Family
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Transliteration: Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa zhurriyyatina qurrata a’yunin waj’alna lil muttaqeena imama.
Translation: “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”
Explanation: The different relationships we have and the roles we play within this contexts dictate a type of responsibility toward our loved ones. Part of that is seeking good for them and dua is one of the best ways to fulfil that obligation. There can be no better recompense than the Almighty Allah. In the dua for parents, the Muslim Ummah is also included which is an important reminder that our communities, our deceased (Allah have mercy on them) and those oppressed and marginalised require our prayers too.
Dua for The Night of Power
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Transliteration: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni
Translation: “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.”
Explanation: This is a dua reported by the beloved wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). The blessed night of Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) holds the scope to transform one’s destiny and seeking forgiveness should be a number one priority.
A comprehensive dua
لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ. اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ اَساَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَ اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: La ilaha illallah, astaghfirullah, Allahumma inni as’alukal jannah, wa a‘udhu bika minan nar.
Translation: “There is no deity but Allah; I seek forgiveness from Allah; (O Allah) I ask You for Jannah and I seek refuge in You from the Fire.”
Explanation: This dua has been advised by the late father of Shaykh Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat. The supplication encompasses the four things the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed that we increase in the month of Ramadan: recitation of the first kalimah; making Istigfaar (repentance); entry into Jannah (paradise) and protection from the Fire of Hell. [Ibn Khuzaymah]
We also gathered all these beautiful duas in an easy-to-print document - Minara Ramadan Duas from Suhur to Iftar.
A Final Note
Every dua, short or long; offered amidst the happenings of our days or in the borrowed moments after prayer, count for something. Who knows how high in the heavens a little ‘astagfirullah’ (I seek Allah’s forgiveness) may implant? This is the beauty of dua – while there are significant moments in the days where invoking Allah is specially encouraged (before Maghreb on a Friday for example) Allah hears every call, every utterance of need and every request for forgiveness. May you be blessed with the manifestations of your prayers and of those around you.
Ameen.