The Tahajjud prayer is a Nafl (voluntary) but deeply rewarding night prayer to connect with Allah (SWT) during the peaceful hours of the night. There are also several tahajjud duas you can recite to enhance your experience and make the most of the prayer.
The Signficance of Reciting Dua During Tahajjud Prayer
Reciting dua during Tahajjud is a significant act of worship. For it allows us to present our deepest hopes and concerns to Allah in the stillness of the night.
The sincerity of these supplications is amplified during this time, making it a powerful moment for seeking guidance, forgiveness, and divine blessings.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasised the importance of dua during Tahajjud, encouraging believers to call upon Allah using both prescribed supplications and personal prayers. Whether recited during bowing, prostration, or between movements, it serves as a means of drawing closer to the Almighty and attaining His mercy and favour.
Tahajjud Duas to Recite During Prayer
Beyond general worship, Tahajjud duas can be tailored to specific needs, such as seeking success, knowledge, or marriage. The duas themselves also focus on seeking forgiveness, guidance, and blessings from Allah (SWT).
Here are some duas relating to various aspects of life to recite during Tahajjud, as derived from authentic Islamic sources.
General Tahajjud Dua
This dua is a comprehensive supplication that covers submission to Allah, seeking His protection, and asking for His guidance:
Allahumma laka aslamna, wa bika amanna, wa ‘alayka tawakkalna, wa ilayka anabna, wa bika khasamna. Allahumma inna na’udhu bi ‘izzatika la ilaha illa anta an tudillana, anta al-hayyu alladhi la yamutu, wal-jinnu wal-insu yamutun.
اللهم لك أسْلَمْنا، وبك آمَنَّا، وعليك تَوَكَّلنا، وإليك أَنَبْنَا، وبك خَاصَمْنَا. اللهم إنَّا نعوذُ بِعِزَّتِكَ لا إلهَ إلا أنتَ أن تُضِلَّنا، أنْتَ الحيُّ الذي لا يموتُ، والجِنُّ والإِنْسُ يَمُوتُون.
“O Allah, to You we have submitted, in You we have believed, upon You we have relied, to You we have turned, and with Your help we have disputed. O Allah, we seek refuge in Your might—there is no deity except You—that You do not lead us astray. You are the Ever-Living who does not die, while the jinn and mankind die.”
Dua for Seeking Good and Protection from Evil
This dua is a beautiful way to ask Allah for all forms of good and to seek refuge from all forms of evil:
Allahumma inna nas’aluka min al-khayri kullihi ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam, wa na’udhu bika min ash-sharri kullihi ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam. Wa nas’aluka al-jannata wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw ‘amal, wa na’udhu bika min an-nari wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw ‘amal.
اللهم إنا نَسأَلُكَ من الخيرِ كُلِّهِ عاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ ما عَلِمْنَا منه وما لم نَعْلَمْ، ونعوذُ بك من الشر كله عاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ ما عَلِمْنَا من وما لم نَعْلَمْ.. ونسألكَ الجَنَّة وما قَرَّبَ إليها مِنْ قولٍ أو عمل، ونعوذ بك من النارِ وما قَرَّب إليها مِنْ قولٍ أو عمل.
“O Allah, we ask You for all that is good, in this world and the next, what we know of it and what we do not know. We seek refuge in You from all that is evil, in this world and the next, what we know of it and what we do not know. We ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we seek refuge in You from Hellfire and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed.”
Dua for Forgiveness, Well-Being, and Protection
This dua is a powerful supplication for seeking forgiveness, well-being, and protection from hardships:
Allahumma inna nas’aluka min khayri ma sa’alaka ‘abduka wa nabiyyuka, wa na’udhu bika min sharri ma ista’adhaka minhu ‘abduka wa nabiyyuka. Wa nas’aluka an taj’ala kulla qada’in qadaytahu lana khayran. Allahumma inna nas’aluka al-‘afwa wal-‘afiyata wal-mu’afata fid-dunya wal-akhirah, ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram, ya hayyu ya qayyum. Allahumma inna na’udhu bika min jahdi al-bala’, wa daraki ash-shaqa’, wa su’i al-qada’, wa shamatati al-a’da’.
اللهم إنا نسألك من خيرِ ما سألكَ عَبْدُكَ ونَبِيُّكَ، ونعوذُ بك من شر ما استعاذك منه عبدُكَ ونبيكُ، ونسألكَ أن تجعلَ كُلَّ قضاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لنا خيرًا.. اللهم إنا نسألكَ العَفْوَ والعافيةَ والمُعَافاةَ في الدنيا والآخرةِ، يا ذا الجَلالِ والإِكْرامِ، يا حيُّ يا قيوم، اللهم إنا نعوذُ بك من جَهْدِ البَلاءِ، ودَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وسُوءِ القَضَاءِ، وشَمَاتَةِ الأعْدَاءِ.
“O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked of You, and we seek refuge in You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. We ask You to make every decree You have ordained for us good. O Allah, we ask You for forgiveness, well-being, and protection in this world and the Hereafter. O Possessor of Majesty and Honor, O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the hardship of trials, the depths of misery, the evil of decrees, and the gloating of enemies.”
Dua for Help, Guidance, and Strength
This dua is a heartfelt plea for Allah’s assistance, guidance, and victory over challenges:
Rabbi a’inni wa la ta’in ‘alayya, wansurni wa la tansur ‘alayya, wamkur li wa la tamkur ‘alayya, wahdini wa yassir al-huda li, wansurni ‘ala man bagha ‘alayya. Rabbi ij’alni laka shakiran, laka dhakiran, laka rahiban, laka mitwa’an, ilayka mukhbitan aw muniban. Taqabbal tawbati, waghsil hawbati, wa ajib da’wati, wa thabbit hujjati, wahdi qalbi, wa saddid lisani, waslul sakhimata qalbi.
“My Lord, help me and do not help anyone against me. Grant me victory and do not grant victory to anyone over me. Plan for me and do not plan against me. Guide me and make guidance easy for me. Grant me victory over those who wrong me. My Lord, make me grateful to You, remembering You, fearing You, obedient to You, humble before You, and turning to You in repentance. Accept my repentance, wash away my sins, answer my supplication, strengthen my argument, guide my heart, make my tongue firm, and remove the malice from my heart.”
Tahajjud Duas from the Sunnah
Central to Tahajjud prayer is the act of dua, or supplication. Muslims use this intimate time to converse with Allah, seeking guidance, forgiveness, and blessings.
Let’s explore some of the supplications the Prophet (ﷺ) recited during prayer.
Remembrances of Bowing (Ruku’)
As believers bow before their Lord in humility and submission, they glorify Allah with profound reverence. Prophetic traditions encourage the recitation of phrases such as “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Great) or “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem wa bihamdih” (Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise be to Him).
Additionally, heartfelt expressions of submission and trust in Allah’s sovereignty are recommended, such as :
اللهمَّ لك ركعتُ، وبك آمنتُ، ولك أسلمتُ، خشع لك سمعي، وبصري، ومُخِّي، وعظمي، وعَصَبي
O Allah, it is for You that I bowed, it is in You that I believed, and it is to You that I submitted. Humbled to You are my hearing, my eyesight, my mind, my bones, and my tendons.”
Remembrances After Rising from Bowing (Rising from Ruku’)
Upon rising from bowing, believers express gratitude and praise to Allah, acknowledging His infinite mercy and blessings. Prophetic traditions suggest reciting phrases like “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, praise be to You) or “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
And you may add:
اللَّهُم ربَّنا لك الحَمد، مِلْءَ السَّماوات ومِلْءَ الأرض، ومِلْءَ ما شِئت من شَيء بعد، أهْل الثَّناء والمَجد، لا مانع لما أعْطَيت، ولا مُعْطِي لما مَنعت، ولا يَنفع ذَا الجَدِّ مِنْك الجَدِّ
“O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to You, (praise) that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them, and that fills anything You desire afterward. All praise and glory belong to You. No one can withhold what You have given and no one can give what You have withheld. And the good fortune of a person will not avail him before You.”
Prostration is a moment of profound closeness to Allah, where believers humble themselves before their Creator. Prophetic teachings emphasise the importance of frequent supplication during prostration, as it is a time when prayers are readily accepted.
اللَّهُم ربَّنا لك الحَمد، مِلْءَ السَّماوات ومِلْءَ الأرض، ومِلْءَ ما شِئت من شَيء بعد، أهْل الثَّناء والمَجد، لا مانع لما أعْطَيت، ولا مُعْطِي لما مَنعت، ولا يَنفع ذَا الجَدِّ مِنْك الجَدِّ
“O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to You, (praise) that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them, and that fills anything You desire afterward. All praise and glory belong to You. No one can withhold what You have given and no one can give what You have withheld. And the good fortune of a person will not avail him before You.”
Believers may recite phrases like “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) or “Rabbighfir li” (O Lord, forgive me), expressing their devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
The Prophet (ﷺ) would add:
اللهم لك سجدتُ، وبك آمنتُ، ولك أسلمتُ، سجد وجهي للذي خلقه، وصوَّره، وشقَّ سمعَه وبصرَه، تبارك الله أحسنُ الخالقين
“O Allah, it is to You that I prostrated myself, it is in You that I affirmed my faith, and it is to You that I submitted. My face has prostrated to the One who created it and shaped it and split open its faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of Creators.” [Sahih]
In the brief moment between the two prostrations, believers seize the opportunity to seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
Prophetic traditions recommend reciting phrases like “Rabbighfir li” (O Lord, forgive me) or “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabika” (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from Your punishment), expressing repentance and reliance on Allah’s infinite compassion.
Tahajjud Duas for Success
For those striving for success in worldly endeavors or seeking fulfillment in personal aspirations, Tahajjud prayer serves as a potent means of seeking Allah’s assistance.
Through earnest supplication and devotion in the stillness of the night, believers entrust their aspirations and dreams to the mercy and guidance of the Most Merciful.
Here are Quranic verses that you can use as Tahajjud Duas for Success:
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil ‘akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar.
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
Qur’an | Al-Baqarah | 2:250
Rabbi zidni ‘ilma.
رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
Qur’an | Ta-ha | 20:114
Tahajjud Duas for Marriage
Marriage is a sacred bond in Islam. For those seeking righteous spouses or strengthening their marriage, making dua during Tahajjud prayer holds profound significance. Here are some duas to recite:
Rabbana hablana min azwajina wa dhurriyatina qurrata ‘ayunin waj’alna lil-muttaqina imama
“My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors.”
Qur’an | Al-Anbiya | 21:89
Elevate Your Tahajjud with Many Duas
In conclusion, the Tahajjud prayer is a profound means of strengthening one’s connection with Allah (SWT), offering an intimate space for supplication and spiritual reflection.
Reciting dua during Tahajjud amplifies the sincerity of one’s prayers, making it a powerful moment for seeking guidance, forgiveness, and blessings.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the strength to establish Tahajjud and recite heartfelt duas within it as a consistent part of our worship, Ameen!
