Waking-Up and Bedtime Duas
Every morning, Muslims are encouraged to begin the day with the waking-up dua: اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ — “Alhamdulillaahil ladzii ahyaanaa ba’da maa amaatanaa wa ilaihin nusyuur.” Meaning: “All praise to Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us, and to Him is the resurrection.”
Before sleeping at night, recite the bedtime dua: بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيَا وَبِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ — “Bismika Allahumma ahyaa wa bismika amuut.” Meaning: “In Your name, O Allah, I live and in Your name I die.”
Before and After Eating
Before eating, recite the pre-meal dua: اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ — “Allahumma baarik lanaa fiimaa rozaqtanaa wa qinaa ‘adzaa bannaar.” Meaning: “O Allah, bless us in what You have provided us and protect us from the punishment of Hell.”
After finishing, say the post-meal dua in gratitude: اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ — “Alhamdulillaahil ladzii ath’amanaa wa saqoonaa wa ja’alanaa minal muslimiin.” Meaning: “All praise to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us among the Muslims.”
Leaving and Entering Home
When heading out for daily activities, recite the leaving-home dua for Allah's protection: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ — “Bismillaahi tawakkaltu ‘alalloohi laa haula walaa quwwata illaa billaah.” Meaning: “In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no power nor strength except with Allah.”
When returning home, recite the entering-home dua: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا وَعَلَى رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا — “Bismillaahi walajnaa wa bismillaahi kharajnaa wa ‘alalloohi robbinaa tawakkalnaa.” Meaning: “In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we place our trust.”
Before Studying and Dua for Parents
Before seeking knowledge, it is recommended to recite: رَضِيْتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيْنًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا وَرَسُوْلًا رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا وَارْزُقْنِي فَهْمًا — “I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion, and Muhammad as prophet and messenger. O Allah, increase me in knowledge and grant me good understanding.”
And do not forget the dua for parents: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِيْ صَغِيْرًا — “Rabbighfirlii wa liwaalidayya warhamhumaa kamaa rabbayaanii shoghiiraa.” Meaning: “My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small.”
Make Dua a Daily Habit
Dua is the weapon of the Muslim and an acknowledgment of dependence on Allah SWT in every activity. Teaching children these short duas from an early age instills the habit of remembering Allah in all circumstances.
End every dua with confidence that Allah is All-Hearing. One dua covering the good of both worlds is: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ — “Rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunyaa hasanah wa fil aakhiroti hasanah wa qinaa ‘adzaaban naar.”
