Dua & Dhikr

Dua is the act of calling upon Allah (supplication). It is a beautiful form of worship where we speak directly to our Creator, asking for His help, forgiveness, and blessings. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Dua is worship." (Tirmidhi)

Allah says in the Qur'an: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Surah Ghafir 40:60)

Dua can be made at any time, in any language, with a sincere heart. It strengthens our connection with Allah and reminds us that we depend on Him for everything.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

"In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

This is the first verse of the Qur'an and the phrase Muslims recite before starting anything — eating, drinking, reading, traveling, or any action. It brings blessings (barakah) and reminds us that all we do is for Allah.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alamin

"All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all worlds"

Alhamdulillah is an expression of gratitude to Allah for all His blessings. It is the second verse of Surah Al-Fatihah and is recited in every rak'ah of prayer. Saying it after eating, after waking up, after any good thing reminds us that every blessing comes from Allah.

سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّهِ

SubhanAllah

"Glory be to Allah / Exalted is Allah above all imperfections"

SubhanAllah declares that Allah is free from any flaw, weakness, or imperfection. It is one of the most beloved phrases to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to say it 33 times after each prayer. When we see something amazing in creation — a beautiful sunset, a starry sky — we say SubhanAllah!

ٱللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar

"Allah is the Greatest"

Allahu Akbar (Takbir) reminds us that Allah is greater than everything — greater than any problem, any worry, any joy, anything in the universe. It is said at the start of prayer, during Eid, and whenever we want to express that Allah's greatness surpasses all things.

أَصْبَحْنَا وَأَصْبَحَ ٱلْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ

Asbahna wa asbahal mulku lillah

"We have reached the morning and all sovereignty belongs to Allah"

The morning adhkar are special supplications the Prophet ﷺ taught us to recite when we wake up. They protect us throughout the day, bring blessings to our work and study, and help us start the day with the remembrance of Allah. Reciting them is a shield from harm and a source of peace.

أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى ٱلْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ

Amsayna wa amsal mulku lillah

"We have reached the evening and all sovereignty belongs to Allah"

Just as we start the morning with Allah's remembrance, we close the day with evening adhkar. These supplications thank Allah for the day that passed, seek His protection during the night, and help us sleep in a state of faith and peace. They are a beautiful way to end the day.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ ٱللَّهِ

Bismillahi wa 'ala barakatillah

"In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah"

Before we eat or drink anything, we say this dua to invite Allah's blessings into our sustenance. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that saying Bismillah before eating keeps the shaytan away from our meal and makes the food a source of nourishment and barakah.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا

Alhamdulillahilladhi at'amana wa saqana

"All praise is for Allah who fed us and gave us drink"

After finishing a meal, we thank Allah for providing us with food and drink. This dua acknowledges that all sustenance comes from Allah alone. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites this dua after eating has all their past sins forgiven (if the food was halal and earned through halal means).

بِٱسْمِكَ ٱللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Bismikallahumma amutu wa ahyaa

"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live"

When we sleep, it is like a small death — we surrender our consciousness to Allah, trusting that He will wake us again. This dua expresses that our life and death are in Allah's hands. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this before sleeping, along with other adhkar for protection through the night.