Du'a (Personal Supplication)
Personal address and supplication to Allah for help and guidance.
Du'a (Arabic: دعاء) is personal supplication or address to Allah, where the believer asks for help, guidance, forgiveness or other wishes. Unlike salah, which has fixed forms and times, du'a can be made at any time, in any place and in any language.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Du'a is the essence of worship" and "Nothing is more honored by Allah than du'a." There are specific times when du'a is particularly favored: the last third of the night, between adhan and iqamah, during sajdah in the prayer, and on Friday.
The etiquette of du'a includes beginning with praise of Allah and blessings on the Prophet, praying with sincerity and humility, raising the hands, and having trust that Allah will answer the supplication. Allah answers all supplications — either with what was requested, with something better, or by averting something harmful.
Related terms
Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The first of the five daily prayers, performed at dawn.
Muharram (The Sacred Month)
The first and one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar.
Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
The fourth daily prayer, performed just after sunset.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Tirmidhi's Hadith Collection)
One of the six canonical hadith collections, known for its classification of narrations by strength.
Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)
The Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan's fasting.
Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)
The formula "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful," which opens prayer and action.