Du'as of Prayer (Salah)

Supplications recited within and surrounding the five daily prayers

Opening Supplication of Prayer (Du'a al-Istiftah)

After the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar) and before reciting al-Fatiha in prayer

Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa'i

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

Transliteration

Subhanakal-lahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakas-muk, wa ta'ala jadduk, wa la ilaha ghayruk.

Meaning

How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity worthy of worship except You.

Virtue

The recommended opening supplication for voluntary prayers; also used in some obligatory prayers according to various schools.

Supplication in Bowing (Ruku')

Recited three times or more whilst in the bowing position (ruku') in prayer

Sahih Muslim

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Transliteration

Subhana rabbiyal-'azim.

Meaning

How perfect my Lord is, the Most Magnificent.

Virtue

A concise but profound declaration of Allah's perfection and magnificence during the act of bowing.

Supplication in Prostration (Sujud)

Recited three times or more whilst in prostration (sujud) in prayer

Sahih Muslim

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

Transliteration

Subhana rabbiyal-a'la.

Meaning

How perfect my Lord is, the Most High.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The closest that a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so make many supplications in it.'

Supplication Between the Two Prostrations

Recited whilst sitting between the two prostrations in prayer

Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Transliteration

Rabbighfir li, rabbighfir li.

Meaning

My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

Virtue

A heartfelt and direct plea for forgiveness at one of the most intimate moments of salah.

The Tashahhud (Sitting Testimony)

Recited in the sitting position (tashahhud) in every prayer

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, as-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin, ash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

Meaning

All greetings, prayers, and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Virtue

A profound declaration that encompasses greeting the Prophet ﷺ, the believers, and the two testimonies of faith.