Why do we make du’a?
The du’a is one of the believer’s best tool for changing what Allah (swt) has already decreed.
To accept one’s fate and submit to what Allah (swt) has ordained (both the good and the bad) has tremendous merit. But still, this is not to be used as a reason to excuse offering daily supplication as we learn from the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) the power du’a can have:
“O Allah guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon you, indeed he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.”
It is through supplications that we’re able to avoid any hardship or evil, and for us ease in any difficult task that Allah (swt) has currently written for us. It is because we offer supplication and good deeds that our destination can be altered.
The du’a is one the simplest acts a believer can make to communicate and establish a connection with his or her creator. In the Quran, Surah Baqarah verse 186, Allah (swt) says, “When my servants ask you about me, (tell them), I am really close to them, I listen to the prayer of each supplicant when he invokes me”.
WHAT ARE THE RABBANA DUAS?
In the Qur’an there are forty duas which were revealed that begin with the Arabic word Rabbana (رَبَّنَا) meaning, ‘Our Lord’. The verse then continues by asking Allah (swt) of something, forgiveness, wealth, success, prosperity, protection, safety, victory etc,. Collectively these are known as the 40 Rabbana duas of the Qur’an and have some of the best Quranic duas a person can learn, memorize, and recite.
Some of these du’as have a tremendous backstory as well. We’ll try to include a little synopsis and give you a little context of when / where / why they were revealed. You may already know some of these famous prophetic du’as which were recited by the Prophet’s at times when everything seemed to be against them and they were at the climax of adversity.
We include transliteration and translation in English for each du’a so you can pronounce and understand the meaning of the Rabbana duas.
40 RABBANA DUAS
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِیعُ العَلِیمُ
Rabbana taqabbal minnaa innaka Antas Samee’ul Aleem
“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
– 2:127 –
Recommended use:
You can recite this du’a whenever you would like for Allah (swt) to accept whatever good you’ve just done. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
Rabbana Dua #2
رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَیْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّیَّتِنَآ أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَیْنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیمُ
Rabbana waj’alnaa muslimaini laka wa min zurriyyatinaaa ummatam muslimatal laka wa arinaa manaasikanaa wa tub ‘alainaa innaka antat Tawwaabur Raheem
“Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
– 2:128 –
Recommended use:
This du’a should be recited to affirm your faith in Islam. It also a good prayer that asks for the success of the entire Muslim Ummah. Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited after building the kaaba with his son.
Rabbana Dua #3
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid dunyaa hasanatanw wa fil aakhirati hasanatanw wa qinaa azaaban Naar
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
– 2:201 –
Recommended use:
One of the best duas any believer can recite. It asks for good in this world while not forgetting to ask about good in the akhira (afterlife). “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (2:152)
Rabbana Dua #4
رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَیْنَا صَبْراً وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى القَوْمِ الكَافِرِینَ
Rabbana afrigh ‘alainaa sabranw wa sabbit aqdaamanaa wansurnaa ‘alal qawmil kaafireen
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
– 2:250 –
Recommended use:
Asking Allah (swt) for protection, patience in whatever endeavor, and to be victorious. Prophetic du’a for protection recited by Prophet dawud (as): Dawud (as) was a smaller, younger man and on paper it did not seem like he was favored to win a battle against Jalut (goliath). But we’re told, “and Allah granted him dominion and wisdom, and imparted to him the knowledge of whatever He willed.” (2:251)
Rabbana Dua #5
رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا
Rabbana laa tu’aakhiznaaa in naseenaaa aw akhtaanaa
“Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.”
– 2:286 –
Recommended use:
This is a du’a for tawbah (repentance). Asking for the forgiveness of Allah (swt) is the best kind of du’a a believer can make. It shows humility in your character, protects you from boasting or growing prideful. Constant repentance is a characteristic that shows your complete reliance on Allah (swt) for all things.
Rabbana Dua #6
رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا
Rabbana wa laa tahmil-‘alainaaa isran kamaa hamaltahoo ‘alal-lazeena min qablinaa
“Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.”
– 2:286 –
Recommended use:
This is a du’a asking Allah (swt) to make the path of righteousness easy upon the believers. Asking Allah (swt) for our life’s tests to be ones that we are capable of enduring and overcoming. To not be tested more severely than our predecessors.
Rabbana Dua #7
رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Rabbana wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih; wa’fu ‘annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa; Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa ‘alal qawmil kaafireen
“Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
– 2:286 –
Recommended use:
The last ayat of Surah Baqarah alone contains 3 powerful duas which can be recited together or independently. These last 2 ayat are among the most memorized verses of the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “If anyone recited two verses from the last of Surah Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.”
Rabbana Dua #8
رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ ھَدَیْتَنَا وَھَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَھَّابُ
Rabbana laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba’da iz hadaitanaa wa hab lanaa mil ladunka rahmah; innaka antal Wahhaab
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
– 3:8 –
Recommended use:
Another beautiful du’a a believer can recite asking for Allah’s rahma (mercy). The believer understands that all things are made possible through Allah (swt). In this du’a, we ask of Allah to make us among those who are guided, to not let the environment or circumstance cause our hearts to swerve once we know the truth.
Rabbana Dua #9
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Rabbanaaa innaka jaami ‘un-naasil Yawmil laa raibafeeh; innal laaha laa yukhliful mee’aad
“Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”
– 3:9 –
Recommended use:
This is a du’a of the believers to affirm their faith in the afterlife. A place where we will either reap the rewards for our good deeds and our actions or pay the price of errors. “Indeed, Allah does not fail in his promise.”
Rabbana Dua #10
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanaaa innanaaa aamannaa faghfir lanaa zunoobanaa wa qinaa ‘azaaban Naar
“Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire”
– 3:16 –
Recommended use:
A du’a for repentance and protection. We ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and to shield us from the punishment of the hellfire. “[Remember] when you were asking help of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.’” (8:9)
Rabbana Dua #11
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ وَٱتَّبَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰھِدِینَ
Rabbanaaa aamannaa bimaaa anzalta wattaba’nar Rasoola faktubnaa ma’ash shaahideen
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth].”
– 3:53 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of faith & worship, i.e. to register us among the witnesses to the truth. In the Qur’an we’re told of how Allah (swt) saved Isa (as) from the children of Israel who plotted against him: “[Mention] when Allah said, “O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify [i.e., free] you from those who disbelieve” (3:55)
Rabbana Dua #12
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Rabbanagh fir lanaa zunoobanaa wa israafanaa feee amrinaa wa sabbit aqdaamanaa wansurnaa ‘alal qawmil kaafireen
“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
– 3:147 –
Recommended use:
Du’a for repentance, victory, and resiliency. To plant one’s feet firmly in the face of evil. In the following verse it says, “So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.”
Rabbana Dua #13
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَٰطِلًا سُبْحَٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbanaa maa khalaqta haaza baatilan Subhaanaka faqinaa ‘azaaban Naar
“Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
– 3:191 –
Recommended use:
Du’a praising Allah (swt) and asking for His protection from Jahannam (fire). If we take the time to look at the world, we see how complex yet organized all of Allah’s creations are. We can see nothing was created aimlessly. There’s a greater purpose in everyone one of his creations. This supplication is one of gratitude, shows your appreciation for the beauty in life. The du’a continues to ask Allah (swt) for protection on the day of judgment and that we be saved from the punishment of the fire.
Rabbana Dua #14
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
Rabbanaaa innaka man tudkhilin Naara faqad akhzai tahoo wa maa lizzaalimeena min ansaar
“Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire – You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.”
– 3:192 –
Recommended use:
We may not think a whole lot about where we originally came from but, at some point, we’ll begin to think about where we are headed. We’ll start to ponder the consequences of our actions. It’s an important study – the relationship between cause and effect. This supplication can be used as motivation to remind yourself of where you’re going because you know the fate of the wrongdoers.
Rabbana Dua #15
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا
Rabbanaaa innanaa sami’naa munaadiyai yunaadee lil eemaani an aaminoo bi Rabbikum fa aamannaa
“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller, calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed.”
– 3:193 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of humility, submission and faith. We have heard a caller (referring to Prophet Muhammad saws) and we have listened to his message and we believe.
Rabbana Dua #16
رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَیِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأبْرَارِ
Rabbanaa faghfir lanaa zunoobanaa wa kaffir ‘annaa saiyi aatina wa tawaffanaa ma’al abraar
“Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.”
– 3:193 –
Recommended use:
A du’a for repentance, washing away our misdeeds, and asking Alla (swt) to cause us to die guided on the right path. Narrated Ibn Abbas (ra): (One night) I stayed overnight in the house of my aunt Maimuna, and said to myself, “I will watch the prayer of Allah’s Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم)” My aunt placed a cushion for Allah’s Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) and he slept on it in its length-wise direction and (woke-up) rubbing the traces of sleep off his face and then he recited the last ten Verses of Surah Imran till he finished it.
Rabbana Dua #17
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Rabbanaa wa aatinaa maa wa’attanaa ‘alaa Rusulika wa laa tukhzinaa Yawmal Qiyaamah; innaka laa tukhliful mee’aad
“Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.”
– 3:194 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of humility, to be saved from being disgraced on the day of judgment. To a true believer, there is no doubt that Allah (swt) will indeed fulfill his promise. Rather this is a prayer to Allah (swt) asking to be worthy of his promise.
Rabbana Dua #18
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ
Rabbanaaa aamannaa faktubnaa ma’ash shaahideen
“Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.”
– 5:83 –
Recommended use:
A du’a for those who want to testify the truth and verbally affirm their belief in it. Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise.
Rabbana Dua #19
رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةً مِّنكَ ۖ وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
In the verse provided, we see a beautiful supplication that holds deep significance in Islamic teachings. The plea is for a heavenly banquet, a symbol of divine favor and sustenance, from Allah, who is recognized as the best of providers. This invocation is not only for the physical nourishment but also for spiritual sustenance, a sign that will unite believers of the time and serve as a miraculous indication of the grace of the Almighty. The request underscores a sense of communal celebration, tying the past with the present and creating a continuum of faith and gratitude that transcends time. It reminds the faithful of the importance of relying on and trusting in the divine for all needs, both worldly and beyond.
Rabbanaaa anzil ‘alainaa maaa’idatam minas samaaa’i takoonu lanaa ‘eedal li awwalinaa wa aakhirinaa wa Aayatam minka warzuqnaa wa Anta khairur raaziqeen
“O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.”
– 5:114 –
Recommended use:
A du’a for provision. Provision is all encompassing term meaning to supply with food, money, or way to make a living. All good provisions come from Allah (swt), we turn to him and ask him to provide for us. This is a du’a Isa (Jesus) alayhis salaam recited asking for sufficient food for him and his followers. Allah (swt) replies in the following verse, “I am going to send it down to you; but whoever from you disbelieves after that, I shall give him a punishment I shall not give to anyone in the worlds.”
Rabbana Dua #20
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ
Rabbanaa zalamnaaa anfusanaa wa illam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakoonanna minal khaasireen
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”
– 7:23 –
Recommended use:
A du’a for repentance (tawbah). We can learn from how Adam (as) responded after he erred. Being able to admit your faults and to harbor guilt is a beautiful sign of our belief and dedication to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. We ask for his forgiveness and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This is the du’a Prophet Adam (as) recited after sinning in paradise.
Rabbana Dua #21
رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِینَ
Rabbanaa laa taj’alnaa ma’al qawmiz zaalimeen
“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”
– 7:47 –
Recommended use:
We should know that we are the sum total of the people we associate with. Intellectually we may know that the fate of the wrongdoing people will not be pleasant one but, in our dayto- day life, we may be blind to this reality because it takes place inch by inch. Only when the end is shown do we realize the mistake in our judgment. Unfortunately, it’s too late by then. This du’a asks Allah to protect us from being a victim to that fate.
Rabbana Dua #22
رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَیْنَنَا وَبَیْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَیْرُ الْفَاتِحِینَ
Rabbanaf-tah bainana wa baina qawmina bil haqqi wa anta Khairul Fatiheen
“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.”
– 7:89 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of Prophet Suhaib (as). Prophet Suhaib (as) recited this du’a after facing heavy opposition from the eminent people of the city. They threatened to evict him from the city unless he fabricated a lie against Allah. His reply? “We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge.” He then recited the Rabbana du’a above.
Rabbana Dua #23
رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Rabbanaaa afrigh ‘alainaa sabranw wa tawaffanaa muslimeen
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
– 7:126 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of Prophet Musa (as). Du’a for sabr (patience), perseverance, and a prayer requesting Allah to let us die righteously. This was recited after Firawn resorted to persecution and threatened Musa (as) after he threw his staff and established the truth among all those who disbelieved.
Rabbana Dua #24
رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِینَ ; وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِینَ
85. Rabbana la taj’alna fitnatal lil-qawmidh-Dhalimeen ; 86. wa najjina bi- Rahmatika minal qawmil kafireen
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people.”
– 10:85-86 –
Recommended use:
This is a prayer the companions of Musa (as) recited asking for protection from evil and unjust people. It is a du’a for success and protection. It asks to not be made examples of by disbelieving people. They faced real persecution from the tyrannical Firawn and wanted to be a source of goodness in the world.
Rabbana Dua #25
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Rabbanaaa innaka ta’lamu maa nukhfee wa maa nu’lin; wa maa yakhfaa ‘alal laahi min shai’in fil ardi wa laa fis samaaa
“Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.”
– 14:38 –
Recommended use:
Du’a showing complete trust and reliance on Allah (swt). This du’a is a reminder that Allah is all knowing and all powerful. That nothing can be hidden from Allah (swt). He knows the intent behind our actions, whether they be sincere or disingenuous.
Rabbana Dua #26
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ
Rabbij ‘alnee muqeemas Salaati wa min zurriyyatee Rabbanaa wa taqabbal du’aaa
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
– 14:40 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as). Prophet Ibrahim (as) knows of the past communities and how they have erred. So, in this du’a, he asks Allah (swt) to make ourselves and the future generations good Muslims. More specifically, those who fulfill their second obligation of offering their daily prayer. The du’a concludes by asking Allah (swt) to hear and accept our supplication.
Rabbana Dua #27
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ یَوْمَ یَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
Rabbanagh fir lee wa liwaalidaiya wa lilmu’mineena Yawma yaqoomul hisaab
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”
– 14:41 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as) Recommended use: Du’a asking Allah (swt) to forgive yourself and to forgive your parents. Abu Hurairah (ra) said, “The dead person can be raised a degree after his death. He said, ‘My Lord, how is this?’ He was told, ‘Your child can ask for forgiveness for you.’” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 36)
Rabbana Dua #28
رَبَّنَآ ءَتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Rabbanaaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi’ lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa
“Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
– 18:10 –
Recommended use:
Du’a seeking Allah’s (swt) approval, mercy, provision, and patience. This du’a is found in Surah Kahf (titled ‘the cave’) and was recited by the young men who fled their city fearing persecution for practicing their religion and found refuge in the cave. They turned to their creator asking for guidance in those tough times and their prayers were answered.
Rabbana Dua #29
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَى
Rabbanaaa innanaa nakhaafu ai yafruta ‘alainaaa aw ai yatghaa
“Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.”
– 20:45 –
Recommended use:
Du’a both Harun (as) and Musa (as) recited: It can be scary to stand up for what is right, to avoid being a bystander when we see injustice happening around us. It wasn’t easy either for Harun (as) and Musa (as) who feared Firawn and asked Allah for his help. Allah responded in the following verse, “Do not be afraid. I am surely with you both I hear and I see.”
Rabbana Dua #30
رَبَّنَآ ءَمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَیْرُ الرَّاحِمِینَ
Rabbanaaa aamannaa faghfir lanaa warhamnaa wa Anta khairur raahimeen
“Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.”
– 23:109 –
Recommended use:
Du’a asking for Allah’s mercy and calling upon by his rightful attribute of being Ar-Rahim meaning the most merciful. Other verses in the Qur’an claiming he is the most merciful are 7:151, 21:83, 23:118 12:64, and 12:92.
Rabbana Dua #31
رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
65. Rabbanas rif ‘annnaa ‘azaaba Jahannama inn ‘azaabahaa kaana gharaamaa 66. Innahaa saaa’at mustaqarranw wa muqaamaa
“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.”
– 25:65-66 –
Recommended use:
Du’a reminding us of the evil residence that is hell. It asks Allah (swt) for our protection from Jahannam.
Rabbana Dua #32
رَبَّنَا ھَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّیَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْیُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِینَ إِمَامًا
Rabbanaa hab lanaa min azwaajinaa wa zurriyaatinaa qurrata a’yuninw waj ‘alnaa lilmuttaqeena Imaamaa
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.”
– 25:74 –
Recommended use:
qurrata ‘ayioni is an old Arabic expression meaning to bring ‘coolness to the eye’ particularly from spiritual perspective to bring calmness, joy, or happiness. Asking Allah (swt) to grant us “coolness of the eyes” among our wives and through our children and future generations. To gift us as being a good leader, a role model for the righteous.
Rabbana Dua #33
رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
Rabbana la Ghafurun shakur
“Our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative”
– 35:34 –
Recommended use:
The Qur’an mentions how this will be the type of du’a a believer would recite when they enter the Garden of Eden. They will praise Allah (swt) and thank him endlessly for being forgiving and appreciative. We are imperfect, we will do wrong and still Allah (swt) will forgive us and appreciate our efforts to do the little provision of deeds that we did in our lifetime. Little because we can never do enough to truly be deserving of the rewards in paradise. In this du’a it refer to Allah as Al-Ghafoor and Ash-Shakur two of His rightful names and attribute.
Rabbana Dua #34
رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِینَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِیلَكَ وَقِھِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِیمِ
Rabbanaa wasi’ta kulla shai’ir rahmatanw wa ‘ilman faghfir lillazeena taaboo wattaba’oo sabeelaka wa qihim ‘azaabal Jaheem
“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.”
– 40:7 –
Recommended use:
Allah’s (swt) knowledge and his mercy know no limit, it is infinite. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to be merciful towards all those who believe and have sought istighfar (repentance) from their creator.
Rabbana Dua #35
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْھُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّھُم وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِھِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِھِمْ وَذُرِّیَّاتِھِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِیزُ الْحَكِیمُ وَقِھِمُ السَّیِّئَاتِ وَمَن تَقِ السَّیِّئَاتِ یَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَھُ وَذَلِكَ ھُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیمُ
8. Rabbana wa adhkhilhum Jannati ‘adninil-lati wa’attahum wa man salaha min aba’ihim wa azwajihim wa dhuriyyatihim innaka antal ‘Azizul-Hakim, 9. waqihimus saiyi’at wa man taqis-saiyi’ati yawma’idhin faqad rahimatahu wa dhalika huwal fawzul-‘Adheem
“Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.”
– 40:8-9 –
Recommended use:
A du’a asking to unite the believers with their descendants in Jannah (i.e., to be reunited with your forefathers, spouses, and children.) This du’a also calls upon Allah (swt) using his rightful attributes of being Al-Aziz (the mighty one) and Al-Hakeem (the wise one). The du’a concludes by asking for protection on the day of judgment and asks to receive his mercy which would be the best of all gifts.
Rabbana Dua #36
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ اٰمَنُوا
Rabbanagh fir lanaa wa li ikhwaani nal lazeena sabqoonaa bil eemaani wa laa taj’al fee quloobinaa ghillalil lazeena aamanoo
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed.”
– 59:10 –
Recommended use:
A du’a which reflects the attitude we should have for our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. Those who “preceded us in faith” would refer to those who embraced Islam before the emigration from Makkah to Yathrib. Those who came after would be everyone who accepted Islam after the migration. This du’a is a reminder that we are one Ummah and we should not harbor resentment or hate towards one another. We must continue with love in our hearts for our community and to resist being envious towards any good Allah (swt) may have bestowed on another person.
Rabbana Dua #37
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِیمٌ
Rabbannaaa innaka Ra’oofur Raheem
“Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.”
– 59:10 –
Recommended use:
A du’a of praise using two of Allah’s rightful names and attributes. The first being Ar-Ra’uf meaning the benign one, the one who is extremely kind and compassionate. The second being Ar-Raheem meaning the most merciful, the one who acts with extreme kindness, bestowing mercy upon his creations.
Rabbana Dua #38
رَّبَّنَا عَلَیْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَیْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَیْكَ الْمَصِیرُ
Rabbanaa ‘alaika tawakkalnaa wa ilaika anabnaa wa ilaikal maseer
“Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”
– 60:4 –
Recommended use:
We must show complete trust and reliance in Allah (swt) for all matters. This du’a is one that affirms that we have relied on Him alone. Furthermore, it is also a prayer of remembrance that this life is only temporary. The final destination is when we return to Allah (swt).
Rabbana Dua #39
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِیزُ الْحَكِیمُ
Rabbana laa taj’alnaa fitnatal lillazeena kafaroo waghfir lanaa rabbanaaa innaka antal azeezul hakeem
“Our Lord, make us not [objects of] torment for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
– 60:5 –
Recommended use:
Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (as): This is a du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) recited asking to make the believers victorious over the disbelievers. To not make us “objects of torment” meaning if the disbelievers won, they would falsely assume what they followed was correct. They would question how Allah (swt) would allow his believers to lose. The du’a then continues referring to Allah (swt) as azeezul hakeem meaning the most powerful and wise.
Rabbana Dua #40
رَبَّنَآ أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِیرٌ
Rabbanaaa atmim lanaa nooranaa waghfir lana innaka ‘alaa kulli shai’in qadeer
“Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
– 66:8 –
Recommended use:
Another beautiful du’a asking for Jannah. We learn in Surah Al-Hadid verse 12 how on the day of judgment the believing men and women will have a light illuminating from their right hands. They will be told “a good tiding for you today.” The hypocrites will find themselves stumbling in darkness. This du’a asks Allah (swt) to perfect or to complete our light on that day and to forgive us our sins. Indeed, Allah (swt) is competent and powerful over all things.
