Naila Akhtar
Jun 27 2008, 02:56 AM
Best Times To Make Du'a
There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam). These times are as follows:
1. The Last Third Of The Night
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher
and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)) descends to the lowermost
heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is
asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so
that I may forgive him?."'
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: 'The closest any worshipper
can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be
amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'
[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]
2. Late At Night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they
can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) for whatever they
need.
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'There is at night an hour,
no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the
Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'
[Muslim #757]
3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not
rejected.'
[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and
Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said:
'There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat
(prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), then Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will definitely meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular
time with his hands.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer's leader)
enters the mosque on Friday's prayer until the prayer is over (ie between
the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the
day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60
minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which
we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) said: 'Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.'
[Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]
This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as
healing from illness.... etc.
6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam), said:
'The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so
invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) much in it.
[Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)
at this time.
It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs
(ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.
7. When Waking Up At Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu
wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli
shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu,
wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be
worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) He is the only one who has no
partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) And none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) and Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor
power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) and then says, Allahumma
ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), he
will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer),
his Salat (prayer) will be accepted.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat
Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is
heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), he said the end of the night and at
the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer)
[at-Tirmidhi]
This time is after saying 'At-tahyat' , and before making Tasleem
(finishing prayer)
9. The Night Of 'Qadr' (Decree)
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the
almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) said about it, "The night of Al-Qadar
(Decree) is better than a thousand months."
[Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the
blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the
earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and
when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn
to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.
10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa'ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'Two will not be rejected, Supplication
when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the
rain'.
[Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is
called, and when rain falls'
[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm , al-Sahihah #1469]
The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)
so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)
is having mercy on His slaves.
11. At The Adhan
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is
called, and when rain falls'
[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
In another hadith; 'When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are
opened, and the du'a is answered'
[al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]
12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice And Opression
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua'ad Ibn Jabal
(radiAllahu anhu), 'Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated,
because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one
who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)'
[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person
until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the
just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared:
'Three du'as are surely answered: The du'a of the oppressed, the du'a of
the traveler, and the du'a of the father/mother (upon their child)'
The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)
when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) to retain his rights from the
unjust one or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has sworn to help the
one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of
Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.
13. The Traveler
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications
will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)), the supplication of
the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and
the supplication of the traveler.
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) if the
trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to
perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
14. The Parent's Supplication For Their Child
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications
will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)), the supplication of
the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and
the supplication of the traveler.
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
15. Dua After Praising Allah And Giving Salat On The Prophet (Salallahu
Alayhi Wasalam) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.
Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
'When anyone of you makes du'a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and
praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam), then let him pray for whatever he wants'
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]
In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that that
the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
'Every du'a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam)'
[al-Bayhaqi]
In another hadith; Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
'Du'a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is
taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam)'
[at-Tirmidhi #486]
After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the 'salam',
supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to..
Ibn Mas'ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the
final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then
started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
said:
'Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!'
[at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]
16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming
from the heart.
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
'There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his
absence where the angels do not say, 'the same be for you''
[Muslim]
17. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'The best
supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat'.
[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]
The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and
momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from
every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind - to respone to
the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not
refuse the requests of His worshippers.
18. Dua during the month of Ramadan
Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du'a of Ramadan is a
blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) saying:
'When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise)
are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Sahitans are locked
up'
Thus, it is clear that du'a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being
accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened.
[Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]
19. Dua when the Armies meet
When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the
du'a of a worshipper is accepted.
Sahl ibn Sa'd (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) said:
'Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du'a during the call
for prayer, and the du'a during the clamity when the two armies attack each
other'
[abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
In another narration: 'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies
meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls'
[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah
(Dhikrullah)
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle
them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will
remember them among those with Him.
[Muslim]
21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
'There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than
during these ten days'
[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]
22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally
sincere
23. At Midnight
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) said, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
was questioned; 'Which du'a is heard (by Allah)?' He answered,
'At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.'
[at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
24. Dua of people after the death of a person
In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (radiAllahu anha) narrated that the Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and
had closed his eyes,
'Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say
'Ameen' to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise
his ranks among those who are guided.'
[Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]
25. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications
will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)), the supplication of
the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and
the supplication of the traveler.
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
26. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting
person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he
breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
27. Dua of a just Ruler
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person
until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the
just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
"O nafs al-mutma'inaa [Soul at Peace], return to your Lord, well pleased
and well pleasing!
Enter among My servants and enter My Garden"
[surah al-Fajr; 89:27-30]