Dua (supplication) is the essence of worship in Islam. It is a direct, personal conversation with Allah — asking for guidance, expressing gratitude, seeking protection, or requesting help. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Dua is worship" (Sunan Abu Dawud). Unlike salah, dua has no fixed form or time; it can be made in any language, at any moment, in any position.
Morning and Evening Adhkar
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught specific supplications to be recited in the morning (after Fajr) and evening (after Asr or Maghrib). These include:
Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255) — reciting this verse in the morning and evening provides protection. The Prophet said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death" (An-Nasa'i).
The three Quls — Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Surah Al-Falaq (113), and Surah An-Nas (114), recited three times each in the morning and evening for comprehensive protection from harm.
"Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim" — "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." Recited three times, this dua provides protection from all harm until the next morning or evening.
Duas for Daily Activities
Islam teaches that every action can become an act of worship when accompanied by the right intention and dua:
Before eating: "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah). After eating: "Alhamdulillahil-ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana Muslimin" (Praise be to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us Muslims).
Before sleeping: "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya" (In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live). Upon waking: "Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur" (Praise be to Allah who gave us life after death, and to Him is the resurrection).
When leaving home: "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor strength except with Allah).
Duas During Hardship
When facing difficulty, the Quran and Sunnah offer powerful supplications: "La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minadh-dhalimin" (There is no god but You, Glory be to You, indeed I was among the wrongdoers) — the dua of Prophet Yunus from inside the whale (Quran 21:87).
Building a Dua Practice
Start by memorizing one or two duas and incorporating them into your daily routine. Siraat's duas collection provides the Arabic text, transliteration, and English translation for dozens of authentic supplications organized by occasion, making it easy to find the right dua for any moment in your day.