Du'a al-Faraj (The Supplication of Deliverance)

Du'a al-Faraj (Arabic: دعاء الفرج) is a short but extremely powerful supplication in Shia Islam, asking Allah to hasten the appearance of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance) and bring deliverance (faraj) from suffering and trials. The most well-known version begins with: "Allahumma kun li waliyyika al-Hujjat ibnul-Hasan..." (O Allah, be for Your wali, the Proof, son of al-Hasan...).

The supplication continues by asking Allah to be Imam al-Mahdi's "protector, guardian, guide, eye, supporter, and helper" and prays for his swift appearance. The short version, which many Shia Muslims recite daily, reads: "Allahumma 'ajjil li waliyyikal-faraj" (O Allah, hasten the deliverance for Your wali).

Du'a al-Faraj is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) and is documented in several Shia hadith collections and in Mafatih al-Jinan. Imam al-Sadiq said: "The one who recites this du'a is like one who fights under al-Qa'im's [Imam al-Mahdi's] banner" (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 86).

Recitation of Du'a al-Faraj is recommended at any time, but is especially emphasized: after obligatory prayers, on Fridays, the 15th of Sha'ban, in times of personal or collective distress, and during Ramadan nights. For Shia Muslims, this supplication is a daily expression of intizar (active expectation) of the promised savior's coming and an affirmation of the belief that justice will ultimately triumph over injustice.