Du'as for everyday activities: eating, sleeping, travelling, and more
Upon lying down to sleep
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Transliteration
Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.
Meaning
In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
Virtue
Sleep is referred to as the minor death; this supplication acknowledges that one is entirely in the hands of Allah.
Upon waking from sleep
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur.
Meaning
All praise is due to Allah who gave us life after He had caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.
Virtue
Recognises that every morning is a gift and that waking up is an act of divine mercy.
Before beginning to eat or drink
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration
Bismillah.
Meaning
In the name of Allah.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When any of you eats, he should mention Allah's name. If he forgets to mention Allah's name at the beginning, he should say: Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi.'
After finishing a meal
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana muslimin.
Meaning
All praise is due to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us Muslims.
Virtue
Expresses gratitude to Allah for both physical sustenance and the spiritual blessing of Islam.
Upon entering the home
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ الْمَوْلَجِ وَخَيْرَ الْمَخْرَجِ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayral-mawlaji wa khayral-makhraji, bismillahi walajjna wa bismillahi kharajna wa 'alallahi rabbina tawakkalna.
Meaning
O Allah, I ask You for goodness in what I enter and what I leave. In the name of Allah we enter and in the name of Allah we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we place our trust.
Virtue
Brings blessings into the home and invites the angels while warding off Shaytan.
Upon leaving the home
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Transliteration
Bismillahi tawakkaltu 'alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
Meaning
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah. There is no power nor strength except with Allah.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said that upon saying this, the believer is told: 'You are guided, defended, and protected; and the Shaytan keeps away from him.'
Upon entering the mosque, after stepping in with the right foot
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Transliteration
Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik.
Meaning
O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy.
Virtue
The house of Allah is a place of His mercy and this supplication seeks that mercy upon entering.
Upon leaving the mosque, stepping out with the left foot
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik.
Meaning
O Allah, I ask You from Your bounty.
Virtue
A reminder that after the worship of the mosque, one goes out into the world seeking the provision of Allah.
Upon boarding any vehicle, mount, or means of transport
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration
Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun.
Meaning
Glory be to the One who has subjected this to us, for we could never have done so ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we are returning.
Virtue
A recognition that movement and journeys are facilitated by Allah and a reminder of the ultimate journey to Him.
Whenever meeting a Muslim, entering their home, entering a gathering, or over any means (text, call, letter)
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ ، وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Transliteration
Greeting: As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. | Response: Wa 'alaykumus-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Meaning
Greeting: Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings. | Response: And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to what will make you love one another? Spread the greeting of Salam among yourselves' (Muslim 54). Also: whoever gives 'wa rahmatullah' earns 30 rewards; the fuller 'wa barakatuh' earns 30 more (Abu Dawud 5195).
When someone does you a favour – small or great – in place of a mere "thank you"
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Transliteration
Jazakallahu khayran.
Meaning
May Allah reward you with good.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever has good done to him and says to the doer of it Jazakallahu khayran, has given him the highest praise.' The person who did the good is now entrusted to Allah's reward, which is infinitely greater than anything the recipient could offer.
When offering condolences to someone who has lost a loved one
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى ، وَكُلٌّ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ، فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ
Transliteration
Inna lillahi ma akhadh, wa lahu ma a'ta, wa kullun 'indahu bi ajalin musamma, fal-tasbir wal-tahtasib.
Meaning
Indeed to Allah belongs what He has taken, and to Him is what He has given, and everything with Him is by an appointed term. So be patient and hope for reward.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ sent these words to a daughter whose child was dying. This is not empty consolation but Islamic theology in one sentence: the giver is Allah, the taker is Allah, and the term is His alone.
When congratulating a bride, groom, or newlyweds
بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ ، وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ ، وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خَيْرٍ
Transliteration
Barakallahu lak, wa baraka 'alayk, wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr.
Meaning
May Allah bless you, may He bless upon you, and may He join you both together in goodness.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ taught this specifically in place of the pre-Islamic Arab congratulation of 'may you have wealth and sons' – because that phrasing valued what was not permanent (wealth) and gender-selected (sons) over the true measure: barakah – the presence of Allah's blessing itself.
To praise a person while directing the credit to Allah – in place of a bare compliment
بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ / فِيكِ
Transliteration
Barakallahu fik / fiki (masculine/feminine).
Meaning
May Allah bless you.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ warned against unrestrained praise of a person to their face, saying it could destroy their spine (Bukhari 2662). Barakallahu fik keeps praise safe: it is not a compliment of the person but a prayer that Allah's blessing be in them.
On hearing of any death, loss, calamity, or grievous news
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Transliteration
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
Meaning
Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'No servant is afflicted with a calamity and says Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, Allahumma ajurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha – except that Allah rewards him for his affliction and grants him something better in its place' (Muslim 918). Umm Salama (ra) said it after her husband died – and Allah gave her the Prophet ﷺ himself in marriage.
Before beginning any meal or drink; if forgotten, one says: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah (In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration
Bismillah.
Meaning
In the name of Allah.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets at the start, let him say: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah.' Aisha (ra) reported: 'The Prophet ﷺ was eating with six of his companions when a bedouin came and ate up in two mouthfuls. The Prophet ﷺ said: If he had said Bismillah, it would have sufficed you' (Tirmidhi 1858).
After finishing any meal
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any might or power from myself.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever eats a meal and then says this, his past sins are forgiven.' A short reminder that food itself, chewing, digesting, tasting are all divine mercies I cannot manufacture.
After eating or drinking; used interchangeably with the shorter Alhamdulillah after meals
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ ، غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلَا مُوَدَّعٍ وَلَا مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih, ghayra makfiyyin wa la muwadda'in wa la mustaghnan 'anhu Rabbana.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah – praise abundant, pure, and blessed; a praise not concluded, not bidden farewell to, and never in less need of, our Lord.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ used to say this after his meals. The four phrases guard against ingratitude: not finished, not abandoned, not lessened in need.
After drinking any fresh water
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ عَذْبًا فُرَاتًا بِرَحْمَتِهِ ، وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ مِلْحًا أُجَاجًا بِذُنُوبِنَا
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ja'alahu 'adhban furatan bi rahmatih, wa lam yaj'alhu milhan ujajan bi dhunubina.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah who made it sweet and pure by His mercy, and did not make it salty and bitter because of our sins.
Virtue
A powerful reminder that even the plain sweetness of a glass of water is a mercy Allah could easily withhold – as He mentions in Quran 56:70: 'If We willed, We could make it salty; then why are you not grateful?'
When entering the house; also with the salam greeting on the household even if there is no one there, per an-Nur 24:61.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا ، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا ، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا ، ثُمَّ لِيُسَلِّمْ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ
Transliteration
Bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'alallahi Rabbina tawakkalna. Then greet the family with as-salamu 'alaykum.
Meaning
In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we rely.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When a man enters his house and mentions Allah's name on entering and eating, Shaytan says to his troop: no lodging for you tonight, and no dinner. If he enters without mentioning Allah's name, Shaytan says: you have found lodging. If he does not mention Allah's name over his food, Shaytan says: you have found lodging and dinner' (Sahih Muslim 2018, Jabir). The Prophet ﷺ also taught that entering with salam draws blessing per Anas: 'O my son, when you enter upon your family, give salam. It will be a blessing on you and your household' (Tirmidhi 2698).
When stepping into the mosque with the right foot
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Transliteration
Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik.
Meaning
O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ used to enter the mosque with his right foot and say this. Entering a mosque is a transition into a house of Allah – the request is fitting: open the doors of Your mercy for me.
When stepping out of the mosque with the left foot
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik.
Meaning
O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ used to exit the mosque with his left foot and say this. Leaving the house of Allah, the believer asks that Allah's bounty follow him into the world.
On leaving the toilet or bathroom, whether at home or public; recited immediately upon stepping out.
غُفْرَانَكَ
Transliteration
Ghufranak.
Meaning
Your forgiveness (I seek).
Virtue
Aisha (ra) said: when the Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet, he would say Ghufranak. Classical scholars gave two beautiful readings: (1) seeking Allah's forgiveness for the pause in remembrance during a state of relieving oneself (since dhikr is not made inside), and (2) recognising the immense favour of Allah in providing food, digestion, and its removal, and asking forgiveness for the impossibility of thanking Him fully for it. Ibn Qayyim (Zad al-Ma'ad) noted that the human body performs a hundred silent mercies daily that this one word acknowledges in the moment we notice them most.
When wearing new clothing for the first time
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي هَذَا الثَّوْبَ وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi kasani hadhath-thawba wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah who has clothed me with this and provided it for me without any might or power from myself.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever puts on new clothes and says this, his past sins are forgiven.' Also there is a dua one says for another person receiving new clothing: 'Wear it out and Allah will replace it' (Sunan Abi Dawud 4020).
When looking into a mirror or seeing one's reflection
اللَّهُمَّ كَمَا حَسَّنْتَ خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي
Transliteration
Allahumma kama hassanta khalqi fa hassin khuluqi.
Meaning
O Allah, just as You have made my form beautiful, make my character beautiful.
Virtue
A short but transformative dua: Allah made every human's outward form, however different, uniquely His crafting. The dua asks that the inward be equally crafted – since beauty of character is what will last into the Hereafter.
When thunder is heard
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ
Transliteration
Subhanal-ladhi yusabbihur-ra'du bi hamdih, wal-mala'ikatu min khifatih.
Meaning
Glory be to the One whom the thunder glorifies with His praise, and the angels out of awe of Him.
Virtue
Quran 13:13: 'And the thunder glorifies His praise, and the angels [too] out of fear of Him.' What most people take as an atmospheric event, the Muslim hears as the whole created order praising Allah in a language we do not fully know.
When rain begins to fall
اللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا نَافِعًا
Transliteration
Allahumma sayyiban nafi'a.
Meaning
O Allah, [make it] a beneficial downpour.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ used to bare part of his body to the first rain and say: 'It has just come from its Lord.' Rain is described in the Quran as mercy descending from the sky; the dua asks that the rain be one that brings benefit and not harm.
When a strong wind or storm blows
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا وَشَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ma fiha wa khayra ma ursilat bih, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma fiha wa sharri ma ursilat bih.
Meaning
O Allah, I ask You for its good and the good of what is within it and the good of what it is sent with; and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what is within it and the evil of what it is sent with.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The wind is from the mercy of Allah; it brings mercy and it brings punishment. So do not curse it; ask Allah for its good and take refuge in Him from its evil' (Abu Dawud 5097).
The Sunnah exchange upon a sneeze
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ - يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ - يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ
Transliteration
The sneezer: Alhamdu lillah. | Hearer: Yarhamukallah. | Sneezer replies: Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum.
Meaning
Sneezer: Praise be to Allah. Hearer: May Allah have mercy on you. Sneezer replies: May Allah guide you and set your affairs right.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When one of you sneezes, let him say Alhamdulillah; and let his brother say Yarhamukallah. When his brother says that, let him reply Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum.' If the sneezer does not say Alhamdulillah, no response is given (Bukhari 6221).
Immediately before sleep, said as the head touches the pillow
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Transliteration
Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.
Meaning
In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ regarded sleep as a minor death; hence the entrusting of the soul to Allah every night. Upon waking, one says: 'Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur' (Praise be to Allah who gave us life after taking it, and to Him is the resurrection).
The last words to be said before falling asleep, after right-side lying down and the tasbih of Fatimah
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
Transliteration
Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa alja'tu zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Amantu bi kitabikal-ladhi anzalt, wa bi nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalt.
Meaning
O Allah, I have submitted my soul to You. I have entrusted my affair to You. I have turned my face to You. I have relied my back upon You – out of longing and awe of You. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You sent.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ taught this to Bara ibn Azib (ra) and said: 'If you die during that night, you will die upon the fitrah (the natural way of Islam). Make it the very last thing you say.' Bara said: 'I repeated it back to memorise: I believe in Your Book which You revealed, and in Your Messenger whom You sent. The Prophet ﷺ said: No, say: Your Prophet whom You sent.' This precision – Prophet, not Messenger – covers all prophets including Muhammad ﷺ.
Before sleep every night
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
Transliteration
Recite Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and al-Nas into cupped hands (with light breath/saliva), then wipe over the head, face, and as much of the body as possible. Repeat three times.
Meaning
The three final chapters of the Quran, recited into the hands and wiped over the body as spiritual armour for the night.
Virtue
Aisha (ra) reported that the Prophet ﷺ every night, when he went to bed, would join his hands and blow into them after reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and al-Nas; then he would wipe with them whatever he could reach of his body, starting with his head and face and the front of his body. He did this three times.
Before sleeping each night
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ (33) ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (33) ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (34)
Transliteration
Subhanallah × 33, Alhamdulillah × 33, Allahu Akbar × 34.
Meaning
Glory be to Allah (33 times), all praise is for Allah (33 times), Allah is the Greatest (34 times) – totalling 100 before sleep.
Virtue
Fatimah (ra) came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for a servant because her hands were sore from grinding grain. He said: 'Shall I not tell you what is better than what you asked for? When you lie down to sleep, say Subhanallah 33, Alhamdulillah 33, and Allahu Akbar 34; that is better for you than a servant.' Ali (ra) said: 'I never left it after that, not even on the night of Siffin' (the great battle where he could barely find rest).
The physical Sunnah of sleep alongside the verbal duas
اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْمَنِ ، وَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى تَحْتَ خَدِّهِ
Transliteration
Lie on the right side, place the right hand under the right cheek.
Meaning
The Prophetic sunnah posture for sleep: lying on the right side, with the right hand placed under the right cheek.
Virtue
Al-Bara ibn Azib (ra) reported: 'When the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he lay on his right side and said: Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk...' The right-side posture is medically also connected to better cardiac and digestive rest.
When frightened during sleep or upon waking from a bad dream
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ ، وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ ، وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
Transliteration
A'udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa 'iqabih, wa sharri 'ibadih, wa min hamazatish-shayatini wa an yahdurun.
Meaning
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His anger and His punishment, from the evil of His servants, from the whispers of the devils, and from their presence around me.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ taught this to Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra) when he complained of fright at night. Khalid (ra) said: 'I said it, and it went from me.' Also: after a bad dream, spit dry lightly to the left three times, seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, turn to the other side, and do not narrate the dream to anyone (Bukhari 3292).
The very first words upon waking from sleep
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it (in sleep), and to Him is the resurrection.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ recognised sleep as a lesser resurrection and death. Waking with these words is a daily rehearsal of the greater one to come.
When one turns over during sleep or wakes up in the middle of the night
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ ، رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ، الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ
Transliteration
La ilaha illallahu al-Wahidul-Qahhar, Rabbus-samawati wal-ardi wa ma baynahuma, al-'Azizul-Ghaffar.
Meaning
There is no god but Allah, the One, the Overwhelming, Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Almighty, the Forgiving.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ taught: 'Whoever turns over during his sleep and says this, and then asks Allah for anything, his request will be granted; if he stands and performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.'
Recited once before going to sleep
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ ...
Transliteration
Recite Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255) in full before sleeping.
Meaning
The Verse of the Throne – the greatest verse in the Quran, describing the absolute sovereignty and knowledge of Allah.
Virtue
Abu Hurayra (ra) narrated: 'The Prophet ﷺ entrusted me to guard the zakah of Ramadan. A person came and started stealing. I caught him and said: I will take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said: I am needy. I released him. In the morning the Prophet ﷺ asked: What did your prisoner do? I told him. He said: He lied to you; he will come back.' The pattern repeated. On the third night the man said: Let me teach you words by which Allah will benefit you. When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi; a guardian from Allah will remain with you and no shaytan will approach you until morning. When Abu Hurayra reported this, the Prophet ﷺ said: 'He told you the truth – even though he is a habitual liar. That was a Shaytan.'
Before sleeping
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ ... (الْبَقَرَة ٢٨٥-٢٨٦)
Transliteration
Recite the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah (verses 285 and 286) in full before sleeping.
Meaning
The final two verses of Surah al-Baqarah, described as sufficient for the believer.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.' Scholars have understood 'suffice' in three senses: they suffice as an act of worship for the night, they suffice as protection from harm, or they suffice as substitute for extended night prayer.
When getting into a car, boarding a plane or train, mounting a horse or any means of transport; recited whenever one begins a journey by riding.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration
Subhana lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina la munqalibun.
Meaning
Glory be to the One who has subjected this to our service, for we could never have accomplished this by ourselves, and truly to our Lord we shall return.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ would say Bismillah when placing his foot in the stirrup, then Alhamdulillah when settled, then this verse, then Alhamdulillah three times and Allahu Akbar three times, then a dua of forgiveness, and would laugh. When asked why, he said: 'Your Lord marvels at His servant when he says: forgive me my sins, for none forgives sins but You. He says: My servant knows he has a Lord who forgives and takes to account.'
Between spouses, before intimacy.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ، اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ ، وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا
Transliteration
Bismillah. Allahumma jannibna ash-shaytana wa jannib ash-shaytana ma razaqtana.
Meaning
In the name of Allah. O Allah, keep Shaytan away from us, and keep Shaytan away from any child You may grant us.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'If any one of you, when he intends to approach his wife, says this dua, and a child is decreed for them, Shaytan will never harm that child.' This is one of the highest-benefit du'as in the Sunnah in proportion to its brevity, and is included in the classical marriage-life sections of both Bukhari and Muslim.
When returning home from any journey; recited on the road back and again upon reaching home.
آيِبُونَ ، تَائِبُونَ ، عَابِدُونَ ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Transliteration
Ayibun, ta'ibun, 'abidun, li Rabbina hamidun.
Meaning
We return, we repent, we worship, and to our Lord we render praise.
Virtue
Ibn Umar (ra) reported: whenever the Prophet ﷺ returned from a battle, hajj, or umrah, he would say Allahu Akbar three times over every raised piece of ground and then this dua. Some scholars note the beauty of its four-fold rhythm: we return (from physical distance), we repent (from unnoticed distances of the heart), we worship (as our purpose), and we praise (as our conclusion). It converts every returning journey into a spiritual reset.
On hearing good news, receiving a blessing, an answered dua, a new child, a promotion, a recovery from illness, or any moment where a favour reaches completion.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ
Transliteration
Alhamdulillahi lladhi bi ni'matihi tatimmu as-salihat.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah, by whose blessing all good things are perfected.
Virtue
Aisha (ra) reported that when something delightful reached the Prophet ﷺ he would say this dua; when something unpleasant reached him he would say Alhamdulillahi 'ala kulli hal (Praise be to Allah in every state). The dua links every specific blessing to the wider chain of Allah's continuing favour rather than to the immediate cause, and closes the loop of gratitude before elation can drift into forgetfulness.
When visiting anyone who is sick, injured, or in the hospital; said with a light hand on the sick person as encouragement.
لَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Transliteration
La ba'sa tahurun in sha' Allah.
Meaning
No harm; a purification, God willing.
Virtue
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported the Prophet ﷺ, when he entered upon a sick person, would say this: it is short, warm, and doctrinally rich. 'No harm' comforts the sick person; 'a purification' reframes the illness as an eraser of sins per the hadith 'no fatigue, illness, worry, sorrow, harm, or distress afflicts a Muslim, even the prick of a thorn, without Allah expiating some of his sins by it' (Bukhari 5641); and 'in sha' Allah' anchors the whole exchange in tawheed. Also transmitted with the longer supplement 'As'alu Allaha l-Azeema Rabba l-Arshi l-Azeem an yashfiyaka' (Abu Dawud 3106).
When entering the house; also with the salam greeting on the household even if there is no one there, per an-Nur 24:61.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا ، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا ، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
Transliteration
Bismillahi walajna, wa Bismillahi kharajna, wa 'ala llahi Rabbina tawakkalna.
Meaning
In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we rely.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When a man enters his house and mentions Allah's name on entering and eating, Shaytan says to his troop: no lodging for you tonight, and no dinner. If he enters without mentioning Allah's name, Shaytan says: you have found lodging. If he does not mention Allah's name over his food, Shaytan says: you have found lodging and dinner' (Sahih Muslim 2018, Jabir). The Prophet ﷺ also taught that entering with salam draws blessing per Anas: 'O my son, when you enter upon your family, give salam. It will be a blessing on you and your household' (Tirmidhi 2698).
On leaving the toilet or bathroom, whether at home or public; recited immediately upon stepping out.
غُفْرَانَكَ
Transliteration
Ghufranak.
Meaning
Your forgiveness (I seek).
Virtue
Aisha (ra) said: when the Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet, he would say Ghufranak. Classical scholars gave two beautiful readings: (1) seeking Allah's forgiveness for the pause in remembrance during a state of relieving oneself (since dhikr is not made inside), and (2) recognising the immense favour of Allah in providing food, digestion, and its removal, and asking forgiveness for the impossibility of thanking Him fully for it. Ibn Qayyim (Zad al-Ma'ad) noted that the human body performs a hundred silent mercies daily that this one word acknowledges in the moment we notice them most.
On seeing the crescent of a new Hijri month; especially recited for the moons of Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and Dhul-Hijjah, but Sunnah for every new month.
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
Transliteration
Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bi'l-amni wa'l-iman, wa's-salamati wa'l-Islam, Rabbi wa Rabbuka Allah.
Meaning
O Allah, cause it to rise upon us with security and faith, with safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah.
Virtue
Talhah ibn Ubayd Allah (ra) said: whenever the Prophet ﷺ saw the new crescent he said this. The dua contains four paired requests: security and faith (of the heart), safety and Islam (of the body and state); then addresses the moon itself: 'My Lord and your Lord is Allah', a stark rejection of every pre-Islamic Arab moon-veneration and a monotheistic anchor for a moment classical Arabs turned to ritual. It is why the Islamic calendar's new moon is a spiritual event, not merely astronomical.
When praised or complimented; particularly when the praise concerns character, faith, generosity, or knowledge.
اللَّهُمَّ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُونَ ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ، وَاجْعَلْنِي خَيْرًا مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ
Transliteration
Allahumma la tu'akhidhni bima yaqulun, waghfir li ma la ya'lamun, waj'alni khayran mimma yazunnun.
Meaning
O Allah, do not take me to account for what they say; forgive me for what they do not know; and make me better than what they think.
Virtue
When Abu Bakr (ra) was praised he would say this. Classical scholars call it the humility dua: it protects both the tongue (not becoming arrogant) and the character (asking Allah to raise him beyond the flattering estimation). The three-fold structure is precise: do not punish me for what others say (which I neither invited nor endorsed), forgive me for what they do not see (my private faults), and make me actually better than what they think. Anas (ra) reported the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Cast dust in the face of those who praise' (Muslim 3002), meaning excessive flattery can destroy the one praised; this dua is the internal equivalent of that dust.
After drinking milk (dairy of cow, goat, or camel) at any time of day.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنْهُ
Transliteration
Allahumma barik lana fihi wa zidna minhu.
Meaning
O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it.
Virtue
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported the Prophet ﷺ said: 'When any of you eats food, let him say: O Allah, bless it for us and give us better than it; and when he drinks milk, let him say: O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it, for there is nothing that suffices in place of both food and drink except milk.' A signature dua for its uniqueness: milk is the only single item the Sunnah highlights as a complete meal, and the corresponding dua asks for MORE rather than BETTER (there is nothing better to ask for), which is why classical scholars saw it as a rare Prophetic acknowledgement of divine perfection in a natural food.
Immediately after answering the adhan (before the iqamah), five times daily.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ
Transliteration
Allahumma rabba hadhihi d-da'wati t-tammah, wa s-salati l-qa'imah, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wa'l-fadilah, wab'athhu maqaman mahmudan alladhi wa'adtah.
Meaning
O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be established, grant Muhammad ﷺ the highest station and the pre-eminent grace, and raise him to the Praised Station that You have promised him.
Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever says this after hearing the adhan, my intercession becomes permissible for him on the Day of Resurrection' (Bukhari 614). The dua names two things Allah is Lord of: the call itself (da'wati t-tammah) and the prayer it summons (as-salati l-qa'imah); then makes two requests for the Prophet ﷺ: al-wasilah (the highest station in Paradise, granted to only one servant, which the Prophet ﷺ himself asked us to pray he receives, Muslim 384) and al-fadilah (the pre-eminent grace); and finally invokes the maqam mahmud (Praised Station of al-Isra 17:79), the position from which he will make the Great Intercession. The dua reads as the day's most consequential five short sentences.
The 10-20 minute window between the adhan (call to prayer) and the iqamah (announcement of prayer starting), five times a day. Use for any need at all: personal, family, health, provision, guidance, protection, or forgiveness. This is not a fixed formula but a designated time-window for whatever du'a matters most to you.
الدُّعَاءُ لَا يُرَدُّ بَيْنَ الأَذَانِ وَالإِقَامَةِ ، فَادْعُوا
Transliteration
Ad-du'a la yuraddu bayna l-adhani wa l-iqamah, fa'd'u.
Meaning
Supplication is not rejected between the adhan and the iqamah; so ask.
Virtue
Anas ibn Malik (ra) reported the Prophet ﷺ said this. Classical scholars extract three principles from the hadith. FIRST, DIVINE APPOINTMENT: Allah has designated specific time-windows in the day when the response is guaranteed. This is one of them, together with the last third of the night, the moment of sujud, iftar time, and Friday's final hour. The wise Muslim aligns their major asks with these windows rather than any random moment. SECOND, THE INVITATION IS ACTIVE: the call (adhan) has just gone out from Allah's servants; before the meeting itself begins with the iqamah, one is standing between the call and the response, and every soul in that state is receptive. THIRD, NO FORMAL WORDS: unlike other Sunnah duas, the Prophet ﷺ deliberately gave no fixed text here; the wording is left to the person because the point is to bring the heart's most pressing need. Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) is reported to have said: 'I do not carry the concern of whether my dua will be answered; I carry the concern of whether I will be given the tawfiq to make dua' - and this window is one of the surest windows of tawfiq in the day. Practical tip: keep a mental list of five specific things you want, and this is when you cash them in.
After drinking any water, from a glass, cup, or bottle, at any time of day. The full Prophetic pattern combines: (1) sit if possible, (2) say Bismillah before the first sip, (3) drink in three separate breaths (three sips, breathing OUT away from the vessel each time, not into it), (4) say Alhamdulillah after finishing.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ عَذْبًا فُرَاتًا بِرَحْمَتِهِ ، وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ مِلْحًا أُجَاجًا بِذُنُوبِنَا
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi lladhi ja'alahu 'adhban furatan bi rahmatih, wa lam yaj'alhu milhan ujajan bi dhunubina.
Meaning
All praise is for Allah, who by His mercy made it fresh and sweet, and by our sins did not make it salt and bitter.
Virtue
Water is the most-mentioned physical creation in the Quran (mentioned in 63 verses under variants of ma') and the Prophet ﷺ built a whole discipline around how to receive it. Three teachings converge in this dua: (1) THE PRACTICE OF THREE SIPS — Anas (ra) reported: 'The Prophet ﷺ would breathe three times when he drank; he said: it is more thirst-quenching, more soothing, and more digestible' (Muslim 2028). Modern gastroenterology has since confirmed that pausing between sips reduces gastric distress and improves absorption; the classical scholars saw this as a physical illustration of the general Sunnah principle 'moderation in everything the body receives.' (2) BREATHING OUT NOT IN — the Prophet ﷺ forbade breathing INTO the vessel (Bukhari 5630), both to prevent unpleasant back-flow (spit, particles) into the water and, symbolically, to teach that we do not contaminate a blessing while we consume it. (3) THE PRAISE THAT ACKNOWLEDGES SALT — the classical du'a above recognises the astonishing chemistry of fresh water on a planet dominated by salt oceans; the Quran itself flags this in al-Waqi'ah 56:68-70 as one of the greatest overlooked mercies. Every gulp of drinkable water is a suspension of the default cosmic order (where 97% of Earth's water is undrinkable); the Prophetic pattern is to notice, breathe, sip, notice again, and thank. Ibn Qayyim (al-Tibb al-Nabawi) said: 'Whoever drinks water according to the Sunnah has done more to preserve his health in one meal than a physician can undo in a month.' The dua also carries an ethical layer: the words 'by our sins did not make it salt' remind the drinker that continued access to fresh water is a mercy that could be revoked, and every drink is a moment to renew istighfar.