The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Guide on Proper Supplication Etiquette In Prayer
- Two Places to Make Dua in Salat
- Hadith Regarding the Proper Supplication Etiquette In Prayer
- Quranic Verse About Dua
- Avoid Rushing When Making Dua
- Benefits of Proper Supplication Etiquette
- Can I Supplicate During Sujud Using Other Languages Other Than Arabic?
- Key lessons
- Questions people ask
- Conclusion
Making Dua is a form of worship for the believers in the Islamic religion. We are encouraged to supplicate in all sorts of time whether in facing adversity or at times of peace. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us the proper supplication etiquette in prayer too.
At a glance
- Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 1481; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3477
- Narrated by: Fadalah bin ‘Ubaid (may Allah be pleased with him)
- Grade: Sunan Abi Dawud 1481: Sahih (al-Albani); Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3477: Hasan (Darussalam)
- Topic: Dua, Salat
- Practise it: In dua: praise Allah first, then send salawat, then ask
In Salat there are two places to make Dua. One is during Sujud or the prostration and the other is before giving the Salam to end the Salat.
Two Places to Make Dua in Salat
1. During sujud
أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَكْثِرُوا الدُّعَاءَ
“The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state).”
Sahih Muslim 482 · Narrated by Abu Hurairah
2. After the tashahhud, before the salam
After teaching the tashahhud, the Prophet ﷺ said:
ثُمَّ يَتَخَيَّرُ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ أَعْجَبَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَدْعُو
“Then select the invocation you like best and recite it.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 835 · Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud
Hadith Regarding the Proper Supplication Etiquette In Prayer
There are two Hadiths which narrate the etiquette of supplication during prayer. One is graded as Sahih (authentic) by al-Albani and the other is graded as Hasan by Darussalam. Let’s take a look at those two Hadiths below:
سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجُلاً يَدْعُو فِي صَلاَتِهِ لَمْ يُمَجِّدِ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” عَجِلَ هَذَا ” . ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَوْ لِغَيْرِهِ ” إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَحْمِيدِ رَبِّهِ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ يَدْعُو بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a person supplicating during prayer. He did not mention the greatness of Allah, nor did he invoke blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: He made haste. He then called him and said either to him or to any other person: If any of you prays, he should mention the exaltation of his Lord in the beginning and praise Him; he should then invoke blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ); thereafter he should supplicate Allah for anything he wishes.”
Sunan Abi Dawud 1481 · Sahih (al-Albani) · Narrated by Fadalah bin ‘Ubaid
سَمِعَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجُلاً يَدْعُو فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” عَجِلَ هَذَا ” . ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَوْ لِغَيْرِهِ “ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَحْمِيدِ اللَّهِ وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ لِيُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ لِيَدْعُ بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ
“The Prophet (ﷺ) heard a man supplicating in his Salat but he did not send Salat upon the Prophet (ﷺ), so the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘This one has rushed.’ Then he called him and said to him, or to someone other than him: ‘When one of you performs Salat, then let him begin by expressing gratitude to Allah and praising Him. Then, let him send Salat upon the Prophet (ﷺ), then let him supplicate after that, whatever he wishes.’”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3477 · Hasan (Darussalam) · Narrated by Fadalah bin ‘Ubaid
Based on the two Hadiths above, the proper method to make Dua in prayer is by exalting Allah first. Then we should recite blessings to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). After that we may continue to supplicate to ask for our needs and wants to Allah S.W.T.
- Praise Allah and glorify Him.
- Send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
- Ask Allah for whatever you wish.
Following this sequential approach as advised by the Rasul (ﷺ) enriches our supplication, instills humility and sincerity. Furthermore, InsyaAllah by following the Prophet’s recommendation, our Dua shall be accepted by Allah.
Quranic Verse About Dua
In Surah al-Ghafir (The Forgiver), ayah 60, Allah has promised to respond to your Dua. InsyaAllah by following the proper etiquette of supplication, your Dua shall be responded to if not now, it shall be later in the future. Allah knows what you need better than you know yourself.
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.”
Surah Ghafir 40:60 · The Clear Quran (Dr. Mustafa Khattab), Quran.com
Avoid Rushing When Making Dua
Rushing through supplications diminishes sincerity. Neglecting the exaltation of Allah and blessings upon the Prophet compromises the essence of the prayer. Emphasizing sincerity as a crucial component highlights the importance of intention in supplication.
The Prophet ﷺ also warned against another kind of rushing: giving up on dua because the answer has not come yet.
يُسْتَجَابُ لأَحَدِكُمْ مَا لَمْ يَعْجَلْ يَقُولُ دَعَوْتُ فَلَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لِي
“The invocation of anyone of you is granted (by Allah) if he does not show impatience (by saying, “I invoked Allah but my request has not been granted.”)”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6340 · Narrated by Abu Hurairah
Benefits of Proper Supplication Etiquette
Strengthening the spiritual connection elevates the prayer experience. Cultivating humility and gratitude fosters a deeper appreciation for the divine. Seeking the pleasure and mercy of Allah becomes the ultimate goal, leading to a more fulfilling spiritual journey.
Can I Supplicate During Sujud Using Other Languages Other Than Arabic?
According to Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem (in the video below) you can make Dua during Sujud in your native language if you do not know or have little mastery in Arabic. Some other scholars advise to avoid it as it will invalidate your Salat. Since scholars differ, ask a scholar you trust.
I myself choose the second opinion just to be careful and I try to memorize the Duas in Arabic to supplicate during Sujud. May Allah forgive our shortcomings and accept our Dua and Salat.
Key lessons
- The Prophet ﷺ taught an order for making dua in prayer: praise Allah, send salawat, then ask (Sunan Abi Dawud 1481).
- Rushing dua without praising Allah diminishes it.
- Make much dua in sujud (Sahih Muslim 482) and after the tashahhud (Sahih al-Bukhari 835).
- Do not give up when an answer seems slow (Sahih al-Bukhari 6340).
- Allah promises in Surah Ghafir 40:60 to answer those who call on Him.
Questions people ask
How do you make dua in salah?
Begin by praising Allah, then send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, then ask for whatever you wish. The Prophet ﷺ taught this order in Sunan Abi Dawud 1481 (Sahih per al-Albani) and Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3477.
When can you make dua in salah?
In sujud, where “the nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself” (Sahih Muslim 482), and after the tashahhud before the salam, where the Prophet ﷺ said to “select the invocation you like best” (Sahih al-Bukhari 835).
What does “This one has rushed” mean?
The Prophet ﷺ said it about a man who asked Allah in his salat without first praising Allah or sending salawat on the Prophet ﷺ (Sunan Abi Dawud 1481).
Can I make dua in my own language during sujud?
Scholars differ on this. Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem allows it for those who do not know Arabic, while other scholars advise avoiding it inside the salat. Ask a scholar you trust.
Why is my dua not answered yet?
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The invocation of anyone of you is granted (by Allah) if he does not show impatience” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6340). Keep asking and do not give up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Hadith serves as a timeless guide, reminding us of the transformative power embedded in the proper etiquette of supplication.
As we strive to incorporate these teachings into our prayers, we unlock a profound connection with the divine, making each supplication a moment of spiritual significance. Let us embark on this journey to enrich our prayer lives and draw closer to the mercy and blessings of Allah.
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