Ramadan Series: I | II | III | IV | V | VI
They say that the last two minutes before iftaar is one of the craziest. It’s when we are quickly frying the last pakoraas or frantically searching for the dates in the fridge or staring at the plate of food in front of us while we wait for the exact second it officially becomes maghrib.
Often times those last couple of minutes are wasted in acts like these and show us how we foolishly overlook one of the major blessings of Ramadan as a month when our prayers are more likely to be accepted.
The prophet (peace be upon him) 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)
What has helped my family and me take advantage of Ramadan and other blessed times throughout the year when Allah generously answers our prayers is by making a du’aa list. I’ve been using a du’aa list for about three years now and majority of my du’aas, even ones I thought very unlikely to come true or difficult to resolve, have been answered thanks to the will of Allah swt and His mercy.
Since then, I’ve made it a point to constantly update my du’aa list and use it religiously.
HOW TO make a du’aa list:
1. Take a moment to realize that you can ask Allah swt for anything you want.
2. Make three categories: “For this World”, “For the Akhira” and “For others” on a piece of paper or your phone.
When making du’aa for yourself, it’s important to ask for things pertaining to the afterlife as well as this world. Don’t neglect either. Also remember to keep your friends and family as well as those suffering in your du’aas. If someone asks you to make du’aa for them, try to note it down in your list.
3. Review your list and make sure you have covered everything you would like Allah swt to answer.
4. Recite this du’aa list, especially during the following times:
- During suhoor and iftaar times.
- During sujood
- After you complete a fard (obligatory) prayer
- Between adhan and the iqama
- During tahajjud time (the last third of the night until right before dawn).
- On Fridays, between ‘Asr and maghrib.
- While you are traveling, when you are ill, or when it rains
- When you are visiting the ka’baa
6. Important: make du’aa with conviction that Allah swt will answer them.
7. Rinse and repeat.
Carry this du’aa list with you for a few days until you have it committed to memory. During Ramadan you will find numerous opportunities to use your du’aa list and so it’s the perfect time to make this a habit.
Finally, realize that Allah swt will answer your du’aas in the best way. There are three possible responses to your prayers:
- Yes
- Maybe later
- God’s got something better for you
May Allah give us what is best for us, ameen.
Feel free to leave other du’aa suggestions or personal du’aa requests in the comments section below.
Love the categorial break down of duaas 🙂
Noor, I’m glad you do! I feel like it was necessary to break it down so that we don’t neglect any of these important categories in our prayers.
I’ll share one of my du’aa (it’s actually a favorite): “O Allah, give me success in this world and the hereafter.”
would love to hear other people’s suggestions!
Great point Hana! A dua` list is honestly one of the best things for all to have, especially during these last ten nights of Ramadan…Imagine you saying your dua` list every night, one of the nights is bound to be Laylatul Qadr right? jazak Allahu khayr for the amazing advice!
Thank you so much for this Hana. May Allah reward you for anyone who benefits from this beautifully written advice. Loved #3.
And here’s one of my fav dua’s : “O Allah Sustain me with Your love and the love of one who loves You, and the love of that which will draw me near to Your love, and make Your love more dear to me than cool water.”
Love the “God’s got something better for you” possibility! And I love this duaa that Prophet Yunus (A) recited when he was in the belly of the whale: La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin. [“There is no god but You. Glory be to You! I have done wrong.”]
I also like this one for our parents: Rabbir hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira. [“My Lord, have mercy on both of them (my parents), as they did care for me when I was little.”]
Very practical advice mashaAllah. I struggle remembering all my duas all the time. InshaAllah we are able to implement the advice especially in the final innings of Ramadan. Ameen.
Quick question: Was this article Mariam Hakim-approved? 🙂
May Allah (SWT) accept these great and easy-to-read articles from Team Al-Talib. Ameen.
One of my all time favorites:
“Oh Allah, enlighten what is dark in me, strengthen what is weak in me, mend was is broken in me, bind what is bruised in me, heal what is sick in me, straighten what is crooked in me, and revive whatever peace and love has died in me.”