| There are certain times du’a (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama). These times are as follows:
- The Last Third Of The Night
Aboo Hurayrah (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher & Sustainer) (Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven & 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?”‘ [Saheeh al-Bukharee, Hadith Qudsee]
Amar 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 Allaah at that time, then do so.’[at-Tirmidhee, an-Nasa'ee, al-Hakim - Saheeh]
2. Late at night
When people are sleeping & busy with worldly pleasures Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep & invoke Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) for whatever they need. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allaah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, & this (occurs) every night.’
[Muslim 757]
3. Between Adhan & Iqamah
Anas (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan & Iqamah is not rejected.’
[Ahmad, Aboo Dawood #521, at-Tirmidhee #212, Saheeh al-Jamee #3408, an-Nasa’ee & Ibn Hibban graded it saheeh (sound)]
4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (radee’Allaahu anhu): Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) talked about Friday & said: ‘There is an hour on Friday, if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) & asks something from Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), then Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imaam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (i.e. between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (i.e. after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jabir (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 & Ibn Majah #3062]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.
6. While Prostrating
Aboo Hurayrah (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) much in it. [Muslim, Aboo Dawood, an-Nasa'ee & others, Saheeh al-Jamee #1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) & when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldly needs (i.e. a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.
7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubayda Bin As-Samit that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Whoever wakes up at night & 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 Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom & all the praises are for Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) All the glories are for Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allaah! Forgive me) or invokes Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), he will be responded to & if he makes ablution & performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:
Narrated Aboo Umamah (radee’Allaahu anhu): that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhee waslama) was asked, O Messenger of Allaah, which supplication is heard (by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), he said the end of the night & at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhee]. This time is after saying ‘At-tahiyyat’, & 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 Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Sooraah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadhaan. The angels descend down to the earth, & the earth is overwhelmed with peace & serenity until the break of dawn & when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allaah to ask for his needs for this world & the Hereafter.
10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radee’Allaahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhaan (call of prayer) is being called, & at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, & Aboo Dawood #2540, ibn Majah]
‘Seek the response to your Du’as when the armies meet, & the prayer is called, & when rain falls’ [reported by Imaam al-Shafee' in al-Umm, al-Saheehah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) so; one should take advantage of this time when Allaah (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, & the prayer is called, & when rain falls’ [reported by Imaam al-Shafee' in al-Umm, al-Saheehah #1469]
In another hadeeth; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, & the du’a is answered’ [al-Tayalisee in his Musnad #2106, al-Saheehah #1413]
12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice & Oppression
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radee’Allaahu 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) & Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)’ [Saheeh Al-Bukharee & Muslim]
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) declared, ‘Three men whose du’a is never rejected (by Allaah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler & the one who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
In another hadeeth; The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) declared: ‘Three Du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveller, & the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’. The one who is suffering injustice is heard by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) when he invokes Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said.
13. The Traveller
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, & the supplication of the traveller. [al-Bayhaqee, at-Tirmidhee - Saheeh]
During travel supplication is heard by Allaah (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 Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, & the supplication of the traveller. [al-Bayhaqee, at-Tirmidhee - Saheeh]
15. Du’a after praising Allaah & giving salat on the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.
Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radee’Allaahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord & praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama), then let him pray for whatever he wants’
[Aboo Dawood #1481, at-Tirmidhee #3477]
In another hadeeth; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama)’ [al-Bayhaqee]
In another hadeeth; Umar (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens & the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama)’ [at-Tirmidhee #486]
After a person has finished his tashahhud & before saying the ‘salaam’, supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.
Ibn Mas’ood narrates: I was once praying, & the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama), Aboo Bakr & Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allaah, then sent salaams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said:
‘Ask, & you shall be given it! Ask, & you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhee #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]
16. The du’a of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) 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. Du’a on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat’. [at-Tirmidhee & Malik]
The day of Arafat is the essence & pinnacle of Hajj. On this great & momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind – to response to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allaah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.
18. Du’a during the month of Ramadhaan
Ramadhaan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadhaan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet sallallahu alayhee waslama) saying: ‘When Ramadhaan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, & the doors of Hell are closed, & the Shaytans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadhaan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise & Mercy are opened. [Saheeh al-Bukharee #1899, Muslim #1079 & others]
19. Du’a 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’ad (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘Two Du’as are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, & the du’a during the calamity when the two armies attack each other.’ [Aboo Dawood #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking & remembering Allaah (Dhikrullah).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allaah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them & Allaah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim] (Please note: not to be confused with Soofee concept of Dhikr circles)
21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than during these ten days’
[Saheeh al-Bukharee #969 & others]
22. Du’a when the heart reaches out to Allaah & is ready to be totally sincere
23. At Midnight (The Islaamic mid-night)
Aboo Umamah (radee’Allaahu anhu) said, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allaah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight & at the end of every obligatory prayer.’ [at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
25. Du’a of people after the death of a person
In a long hadeeth, Umm Salamah (radee’Allaahu anhuma) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said, when Aboo Salamah had just passed away, & 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 Allaah, forgive Aboo Salamah, & raise his ranks among those who are guided.’ [Muslim, Aboo Dawood, Ahmad]
26. Du’a of the one fasting until he breaks his fast.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allaah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, & the supplication of the traveller. [al-Bayhaqee, at-Tirmidhee - Saheeh]
27. Du’a of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) declared, ‘Three men whose du’a is never rejected (by Allaah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler & the one who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
29. Du’a of a just Ruler
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) declared, ‘Three men whose du’a is never rejected (by Allaah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler & the one who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
30. Du’a of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents
It is well known in the story narrated in hadeeth of three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to his parents asked Allaah to remove the stone, & his du’a was answered. [Saheeh al-Bukharee 3:36 #472]
31. Du’a immediately after wudhu
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘There is not one of you that makes wudhu, & does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah. He is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave & Messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, & he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases.’ [Muslim #234, Aboo Dawood #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'ee] Saying what has been mentioned in the hadeeth that is directly related to it (ablution)
32. Du’a after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj
The stoning of the small Shaytan (Jamarat sughra), or the middle Shaytan (Jamarat wusta) pillars during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that are stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, & make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarat & do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarat, he would depart without making any du’a. [Saheeh al-Bukharee #1753 & others]
33. At the crowing of a rooster
Aboo Hurayrah (radee’Allaahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (S sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allaah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, & when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allaah from Shaytan, for it has seen a Shaytan.’ [Saheeh al-Bukharee, Muslim, Ahmad, Saheeh al-Jamee #611]
34. Du’a made inside the Ka’bah
The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the Ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semi-circle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner & the Black stone wall.]
Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners.’ [Muslim 2: 968 & others]
35. Du’a on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj
It is narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) would make long Du’as at Safa & Marwah. [Muslim #1218 & others]
36. Du’a at any of the holy sites. (Not graves or mausoleums)
37. While reciting Sooraah al-Fatihah
The Prophet (A sallallahu alayhee waslama) said that Allaah the Exalted had said: ‘I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me & My servant, & My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allaah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, & sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship & of Thee do we ask help, He (Allaah) says: This is between Me & My servant, & My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, & My servant will receive what he asks for.’ [Muslim 4: 395]
38. Saying ‘Ameen’ during prayer
After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of ‘Ameen’ in congregation (in a loud voice in unison with Imaam & jamaah & not before). The Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘When the Imaam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ [Saheeh al-Bukharee #780, Muslim #410 & others]
39. While visiting the sick, & du’a made by the sick
Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (S sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say.’ [Muslim #2126]
Alee (radee’Allaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhee waslama) said: ‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make du’a for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make du’a for his forgiveness till the morning, & he will be granted a garden for it in Jannaah.’
[at-Tirmidhee, Aboo Dawood] |
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