Ramadan is the most blessed month in the Islamic calendar. This month provides Muslims an excellent opportunity to rise spiritually and strengthen their relationship with Islam and Allah SWT. The best way to ensure that this Ramadan serves as a time for building a closer relationship with faith is to learn short and simple duas that can be integrated into the daily routine. Keeping this in mind, this blog will explore short duas that are easy to learn, the duas that our Prophet PBUH used to recite during Ramadan and elaborate on the blessings these duas bring with them.
Why Are Duas in Ramadan So Important?
The Prophet PBUH stated,
“Supplication is a form of worship.” He then recited: “And your Lord said, ‘Invoke Me, and I will answer you.'”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3372]
And since Ramadan is the month of mercy and barakah, all forms of worship weigh heavily on the scale. Apart from this, it is mentioned in several authentic hadiths that the dua of a person observing their fasts, the duas he makes whilst he is fasting, is never rejected by the Lord. This is why there is a clear emphasis on making duas during Ramadan.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned: “There are three types of individuals whose prayers are never rejected: the fasting person at the time of breaking their fast, the just ruler, and the one who has been wronged. Allah elevates their prayers above the clouds and opens the heavens to them. He declares: ‘By My might, I will definitely assist you, even if it takes some time.’”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3598]
Short Duas To Memorize
Dua For The First Ashra
All days of Ramadan are divided into three parts known as ‘ashras’. There are different duas for each ashra that pertain to their specific names. The first ashra of Ramadan is known as ‘The Ashra of Mercy,’ and there is a specific dua for this ashra.
وَقُل رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Rabbighfir Warham Wa Anta Khair-Ur-Raahimeen
Translation:
O! My Lord, Forgive me and have mercy and You are the Best of Merciful
Dua For The Second Ashra
The second ashra of Ramadan is known as the ‘ashra of forgiveness.’. In this ashra, every Muslim should strive to ask Allah for forgiveness of their sins as well as forgiveness for their loved ones. The dua for this ashra can also be recited throughout the day for asking Allah’s forgiveness.
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبي مِنْ كُلِ ذَنبٍ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ
Transliteration:
Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zambin Wa Atoobu Ilaih
Translation:
I ask forgiveness of my sins from Allah, who is my Lord, and I turn towards Him.
Dua For The Third Ashra
The third ashra of Ramadan is known as ‘the ashra of safety’. It is the last ashra of Ramadan, and this ashra has one of the most important nights of the Islamic calendar, known as ‘Laylatul Qadar’ (The Night of Power). In this ashra, many Muslims also practice ‘aitikaf’ (seclusion) to maximize their prayers and blessings.
ﺍﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﺃﺟﺮﻧﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺭ
Transliteration:
Allahumma Ajirni minan naar
Translation:
O Allah, save me from the fire of Hell
Dua For Anger During Fasting
Fasting is worship for Allah SWT, and just like any other worship, fasting should also be completely secluded from any kind of bad words or deeds. Therefore, if a Muslim faces himself experiencing anger during his fast, he should recite the following dua.
إِنِّي صَائِمٌ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ
Transliteration:
Innee saa’im, innee saa’im
Translation:
I am fasting. I am fasting.
Reference
“Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed: When you begin your fast each day, avoid all obscene and offensive language, and do not behave foolishly or ignorantly. If someone insults you or tries to argue with you, do not retaliate; instead, simply say to yourself and to them, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.'”
[Sahih Muslim 1151a]
Dua At The Approach Of Ramadan
اَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانَ وَ سَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَ سَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلًا
Transliteration
Allahumma Sallimni li Ramadan, Wa Sallim Ramadana li, Wasallamhu li Mutaqabbala
Translation
O Allah! Safeguard me for the Month of Ramadan (by making me see the Month of Ramadan healthy and fit so that I can take maximum benefit from it), and safeguard the Month of Ramadan for me (by making the conditions in it such that I can take maximum benefit from it) and accept it from me.
Dua For Guidance
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَ التُّقَى وَ العَفَافَ وَ الغِنَى
Transliteration:
Allāhumma Innī As’aluka al-Hudā Wat-Tuqā Wal-Afāfa Wal-Ghinā
Translation
O Allah. I beg of Thee the right guidance, safeguard against evils, chastity, and freedom from want.
Reference
Abdullah said the Prophet (PBUH) used to pray: “O Allah. I beg of Thee the right guidance, safeguard against evils, chastity and freedom from want.”
Dua For Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr falls on the last 10 days of Ramadan, and although its exact date remains unknown, Muslims are encouraged to seek it in the odd-numbered days. Laylatul Qadr is considered one of the most important nights of the Islamic calendar.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Transliteration
Allāhumma innaka `Afuwwun [Karīmun], tuḥibbul-`afwa fa`fu `annī
Translation
O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me
Dua For Acceptance Of Deeds
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Transliteration
Rabbanaa taqabbal minnaa innaka Antas Samee’ul Aleem
Translation
Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). o! Thou, only Thou, art the hearer, the knower.
Reference
Dua For Direction
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
Transliteration
Allaahummah-dinee wa saddidnee
Translation
O Allah, direct me to the right path and make me adhere to the straight path.
Reference
Ali reported that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) told him to say, “O Allah, direct me to the right path and make me adhere to the straight path.” When you think of right guidance, remember the right path, and when you think of the straight path, think of the straightness of an arrow.
[Sahih Muslim 2725a]
How To Make Dua The Right Way
There are some steps that a Muslim can follow to ensure that they are making dua in a way that is most preferred to our Lord.
Perform Wudu
Performing wudu before making dua is a way of purifying yourself and getting in the right mindset. Performing wudu before dua is not obligatory, but Islam encourages it. Moreover, doing wudu is a rewardable act that allows Muslims to approach Allah with a pure heart.
Face The Qibla
Facing the qibla while making dua is another highly encouraged act in Islam. The qibla in Islam is the focal point of all Muslim worship and can help to develop a strong connection while making dua.
Extending The Hands
Extending the hands while making dua is an act of humility and submission before Allah SWT. Although it is not compulsory, it is a sunnah of our Prophet PBUH and helps establish spiritual awareness.
Salman al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Your Lord is generous and kind, and He feels shy to send away someone empty-handed when they reach out to Him with his hands raised.”
[Sunan Abi Dawud 1488]