How to Make Du'ā

Du'ā is a conversation with Allah — but the Prophet ﷺ taught us a way of asking that gives it the best chance of being answered. Before you begin, it's recommended (not required) to make wudū, face the qiblah, and raise your hands.

1. 1

   Praise Allah

   Open by glorifying Allah before asking for anything — "there is none who loves to be praised more than Allah" (Bukhārī), and the Prophet ﷺ instructed that du'ā should begin with praise (Abū Dāwūd). Praise Him as He praised Himself, or simply from the heart:

   اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ

   Alḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-'ālamīn — "All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds."

2. 2

   Send salawāt on the Prophet ﷺ

   'Umar (raḍiy Allāhu 'anhu) said: "Du'ā is suspended between heaven and earth, and none of it ascends until you send salawāt upon your Prophet ﷺ." Best of all, begin and end with it — Allah is too generous to refuse what is asked between the two.

   اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلٰى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ

   Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim 'alā Nabiyyinā Muḥammad — "O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad."

3. 3

   Ask by His Names & His Oneness

   Call on Allah with a Name that matches your need — Yā Razzāq (O Provider) for provision, Yā Tawwāb (O Acceptor of Repentance) when turning back to Him — and affirm His Oneness the way Prophet Yūnus did. The Prophet ﷺ said no du'ā made with these words goes unanswered:

   لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ

   Lā ilāha illā anta subḥānaka innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn — "There is no god but You; glory be to You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." (Qur'ān 21:87)

4. 4

   Seek forgiveness

   Before asking, acknowledge your sins and ask Allah to pardon them — with real remorse, and hope rather than despair: "Son of Ādam, even if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky, then you seek forgiveness from Me, I will forgive you" (Tirmidhī). Include the believers in your istighfār too.

   أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ

   Astaghfirullāha wa atūbu ilayh — "I seek Allah's forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance."

5. 5

   Show your need — then ask

   This is the secret of du'ā: come to Allah desperate, not casual. "People! It is you who stand in need of Allah" (Qur'ān 35:15). Beg like Mūsā ('alayhis-salām) did — exiled and with nothing, he said: "My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good You may send me" (28:24). Then ask for exactly what you need, in any language, certain that Allah hears you — and close with salawāt and āmīn.