Etiquette of Dua and Times It Is Accepted

What dua is

Dua means supplication, speaking to Allah in your own words or with words from the Quran and Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ taught that dua is worship.

Quran 2:186 says that Allah is near, and that He answers the one who calls on Him when he calls. Quran 40:60 also invites us to call on Him with the promise of a response.

There is no fixed form. You can ask for forgiveness, health, guidance, provision or anything lawful, big or small. Nothing is too small to ask Allah for, and nothing is too large for Him.

Good manners of dua

These manners are taken from the Quran and authentic reports. They are not all required, but they make dua better.

A person who is humble and careful about these manners often finds that the heart becomes calmer, even before the answer comes.

• Begin by praising Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
• Face the Qibla if you can, and raise your hands.
• Be sincere, humble and quiet, with a heart that hopes and fears.
• Be certain that Allah can answer you, and ask with firm hope.
• Repeat your dua and do not be hasty. Do not say that you asked and received nothing.
• Keep your earnings and food lawful, because the Prophet ﷺ warned that unlawful food blocks dua.

Times and places reported as better

Authentic reports mention several moments when dua is more likely to be answered. You can use them without making them a rule that dua is accepted only then.

These reports come from different collections, and some are stronger than others. Scholars generally encourage using these times for dua because the Prophet ﷺ encouraged asking Allah at all times.

• The last third of the night.
• Between the adhan (call to prayer) and the iqamah (call to start the prayer).
• While in sujud (prostration) in prayer.
• On Friday, where there is a short hour of acceptance.
• While travelling and while fasting, as reported in several narrations.
• On the day of Arafah, during hajj season.

How dua is answered

A dua is never wasted. The Prophet ﷺ taught, in a report in Musnad Ahmad, that Allah either gives what was asked, removes a harm of equal weight, or stores the reward for the Hereafter.

So a delay does not mean refusal. Allah knows what is best for you better than you do, and He may answer in a way that you do not expect.

Because of this, a believer should ask with hope and also accept Allah's decision with patience, and keep making dua.

A gentle reminder

You can make dua in any language and at any time, in good days and hard days. Speak plainly, ask for both this life and the next, and keep trusting Allah after you finish.

Sources

• Quran 2:186
• Quran 40:60
• Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Dua and Book of Friday)
• Sahih Muslim (Book of Prayer and Book of Zakah)
• Jami at-Tirmidhi (Book of Dua)
• Sunan Abi Dawud (Book of Prayer)
• Musnad Ahmad