Ramadan Supplications

Du'as specific to the blessed month of Ramadan and the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)

Du'a for Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power)

To be repeated abundantly during Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) in the last ten nights of Ramadan

Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Transliteration

Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni.

Meaning

O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ specifically taught this supplication to 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) for Laylat al-Qadr, demonstrating its great importance and suitability for this blessed night.

Supplication for Breaking the Fast (Iftar)

Upon breaking the fast at the time of Maghrib

Abu Dawud

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ

Transliteration

Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa 'alayka tawakkaltu wa 'ala rizqika aftart.

Meaning

O Allah, I fasted for You and I believe in You and I place my trust in You and I break my fast with Your provision.

Virtue

One of the best times of supplication, as the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The fasting person has, at the time of breaking the fast, a supplication that is not rejected.'

On Seeing the Crescent of Ramadan

When sighting the crescent of Ramadan (and any new lunar month, particularly the sacred months)

Jami at-Tirmidhi 3451 — hasan; the Prophet ﷺ said this on seeing a new crescent moon

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ رَبَّنَا وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration

Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-yumni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-islam, wat-tawfiqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tarda. Rabbuna wa Rabbukallah.

Meaning

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, let this crescent rise upon us with blessing and faith, with safety and Islam, and with success in what You love and are pleased with, our Lord. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.

Virtue

The moon addressed in the final phrase is a sign of Allah's power, but its Lord and ours is the same. The dua asks for the whole month to be one of blessing, faith, safety, and the highest goal: doing what Allah loves.

At Suhoor: Intention of Fasting

Before Fajr, ideally at suhoor; making the intention in the heart is sufficient, but pronunciation with the tongue is permissible

The intention is in the heart (nooya); the wording is one of many the Prophet ﷺ approved – the essential point is that the intention be made before Fajr

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ عَنْ أَدَاءِ فَرْضِ رَمَضَانَ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Transliteration

Nawaytu sawma ghadin 'an ada'i fardi Ramadana hadhihis-sanati lillahi ta'ala.

Meaning

I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfil the obligation of Ramadan of this year, for Allah the Most High.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever does not intend the fast before Fajr, there is no fast for him' (Abu Dawud 2454, Tirmidhi 730). Suhoor itself is a blessed meal: 'Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing' (Bukhari 1923).

Breaking the Fast (Iftar)

Immediately after breaking the fast (traditionally with dates and water)

Sunan Abi Dawud 2357 — hasan; the Prophet ﷺ used to say this when breaking the fast

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ ، وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration

Dhahabaz-zama', wabtallatil-'uruq, wa thabatal-ajru in sha'allah.

Meaning

The thirst is gone, the veins are quenched, and the reward is established, if Allah wills.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The fasting person has two joys: joy at his iftar and joy when he meets his Lord' (Bukhari 1904). Also: 'The dua of the fasting person at iftar is not rejected' (Ibn Majah 1753). The fast is broken then this dua is said; supplications are made just before.

Alternate Iftar Dua: For the One Who Fed the Faster

When one has been hosted for iftar and wishes to thank the host

Sunan Abi Dawud 3854, Sunan Ibn Majah 1747 – sahih

أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ ، وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ

Transliteration

Aftara 'indakumus-sa'imun, wa akala ta'amakumul-abrar, wa sallat 'alaykumul-mala'ikah.

Meaning

May the fasting break their fast in your company, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels send blessings upon you.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ said this when he broke his fast at the home of Sa'd ibn Ubadah (ra). A beautiful adab of thanks that carries a threefold blessing on the host.

Aisha's Dua for Laylat al-Qadr

The last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly the odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th) which include Laylat al-Qadr

Jami at-Tirmidhi 3513, Sunan Ibn Majah 3850 — sahih

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Transliteration

Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun Karimun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni.

Meaning

O Allah, You are the Pardoning, the Generous, You love pardon, so pardon me.

Virtue

Aisha (ra) asked the Prophet ﷺ: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say in it?' He replied: 'Say: Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun Karim...' This is the ultimate dua for the night that is better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).

Between Sets of Tarawih

Between each set of four raka'at of Tarawih, or during any pause for rest

From the practice of the Companions in the Tarawih of Ramadan; various tasbih and glorifications between the sets of four are recommended

سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ ، سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ ، سُبْحَانَ الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوتُ ، سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ

Transliteration

Subhana Dhil-mulki wal-malakut. Subhana Dhil-'izzati wal-jabarut. Subhanal-Hayyil-ladhi la yanamu wa la yamut. Subbuhun Quddus, Rabbuna wa Rabbul-mala'ikati war-Ruh.

Meaning

Glory be to the Owner of sovereignty and the invisible dominion. Glory be to the Owner of might and majesty. Glory be to the Ever-Living, who neither sleeps nor dies. Most Glorified, Most Holy, our Lord and the Lord of the angels and the Spirit (Jibril).

Virtue

Tarawih is the special night prayer of Ramadan, prayed after Isha in sets of two raka'at (usually 8 or 20 depending on the school). The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever prays the night of Ramadan in faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins are forgiven' (Bukhari 37).

The Qunut of Ramadan Witr

During the Qunut of the Witr prayer in Ramadan, particularly in the last ten nights; can be joined with the Qunut dua taught to Hasan (Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt)

Recorded by al-Bayhaqi from the practice of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) leading Witr in Ramadan

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنَسْتَهْدِيكَ ، وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ ، وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ ، وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ ، وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ

Transliteration

Allahumma inna nasta'inuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nastahdik, wa nu'minu bika wa natawakkalu 'alayk, wa nuthni 'alaykal-khayra kullah, wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruk, wa nakhla'u wa natruku man yafjuruk.

Meaning

O Allah, we seek Your help and Your forgiveness and Your guidance. We believe in You and rely upon You, and we praise You for all good. We are grateful to You and are not ungrateful, and we forsake and abandon whoever disobeys You.

Virtue

Umar (ra) revived collective Tarawih and Witr in Ramadan; this dua and the Qunut of Hasan form the standard Ramadan Witr Qunut in most masajid.

The Takbir of Eid al-Fitr

From the night of Eid al-Fitr (sighting of Shawwal crescent) until the Eid prayer – aloud in the mosques, homes, and streets. Also on all days of Tashriq for Eid al-Adha

Sahih al-Bukhari (mu'allaq before chapter of Eid); practice of the Companions

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Transliteration

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.

Meaning

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.

Virtue

The Quran commands: 'And you shall glorify Allah for having guided you, that perhaps you may be grateful' (al-Baqarah 2:185). Ibn Umar (ra) used to raise his voice with the takbir on his way to the Eid prayer.

On Giving Zakat al-Fitr

When giving Zakat al-Fitr (obligatory charity at the end of Ramadan, given before Eid prayer)

The dua of Ibrahim ﷺ at the Ka'ba (Quran 2:127), adopted by the Companions for the acceptance of any act of worship

اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Transliteration

Allahumma taqabbal minna, innaka antas-Sami'ul-'Alim.

Meaning

O Allah, accept from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.

Virtue

The Prophet ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory to purify the fasting person from any idle or obscene talk during the fast, and to feed the poor. Ibn Abbas (ra) said whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted zakat; whoever gives it after, it is ordinary charity (Abu Dawud 1609).

On Seeing the Crescent of Shawwal (End of Ramadan)

On sighting the crescent of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr

Jami at-Tirmidhi 3451

اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ ، هِلَالُ رُشْدٍ وَخَيْرٍ

Transliteration

Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-amni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-islam. Rabbi wa Rabbukallah. Hilalu rushdin wa khayr.

Meaning

O Allah, let this crescent rise upon us with security and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah. A crescent of guidance and good.

Virtue

Every new crescent is a marker of blessing. The transition from Ramadan to Shawwal is a moment of gratitude, and Ramadan is 'sealed' with six days of fasting in Shawwal, whose reward the Prophet ﷺ said is 'like fasting the whole year' (Muslim 1164).