Dua for Ramadan – A Comprehensive Guide

As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, we have countless opportunities to connect with the Almighty Allah. This guide is formed to make the most of this month, as dua for Ramadan holds greater weight and power.

In this post, we present some duas for the Holy month, from the viewing of the crescent to the last ten blessed nights. May Allah make this month full of blessings for us all.

Table of Contents

As We Approach Ramadan

During Ramadan

What to Ask Allah in Ramadan (The Last 10 Nights)

Laylat ul Qadr

Acts of Worship during Ramadan

Community and Ramadan

Conclusion

As We Approach Ramadan

Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting and spiritual reflection, is a time to prepare ourselves both physically and mentally. 

Dua for reaching Ramadan

اَللّٰهُمَّ سَلّمْنِيْ إِلى رَمَضانَ وَسَلّمْ لِي رَمَضانَ وَتَسَلَّمْه مِنِّي مُتَقَبَّلا

Allahumma sallimni ila Ramadan wa sallim li Ramadan wa tasallamhu minni mutaqabbala

“O Allah! Preserve me until Ramadan, safeguard Ramadan for me and accept it from me (receive my deeds with acceptance).”

The anticipation of the blessings that accompany this month is met with a dua for Ramadan that asks for Almighty Allah’s mercy in letting us reach Ramadan safely, and readying ourselves for the journey ahead.

During Ramadan

The sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of Ramadan, and what better way to commence this sacred period than with the remembrance of Allah. 

Dua for sighting of the new moon

اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ ، والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ

Allaahumma ahillahu ‛alaynaa bil-amni wal-eemaani, was-salaamati wal-islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuḥibbu watarḍaa, rabunaa wa rabbuk-allaahu

“O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in peace and faith, safety and Islam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.”

From making the intention to fast, breaking the fast, to offering Taraweeh prayers, each stage is accompanied by a specific dua for Ramadan, emphasising the importance of mindfulness throughout the day.

Fasting begins with a sincere intention, and breaking the fast is a moment for conscious reflection and supplication, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Taraweeh prayers, though not obligatory, are enriched by a dua recited after every four rakaat.

Dua for fasting

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan.

“I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”

Dua for breaking fast

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu

“O Allah! For You I have fasted and upon your provision, I have broken my fast.”

What to Ask Allah in Ramadan (The Last 10 Nights)

As we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, the intensity of our prayers and supplications heightens. It is a time to feel closer to Allah as well as our loved ones. This section focuses on some of the special dua for Ramadan for forgiveness, blessings for the Ummah, protection from the hellfire, remembrance of the departed, prayers for good health, and seeking guidance from the Almighty.

Laylat ul Qadr, the Night of Power, holds immense significance in Ramadan. A dua specific to this blessed night is presented, emphasising the importance of seeking Allah’s mercy and blessings.

Dua for Laylat ul Qadr

الْلَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibb al-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni

“O Allah, You are the Most forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”

The climax of Ramadan, Laylat ul Qadr, is a night more powerful than a thousand months. In Ramadan, a special dua is recommended to be recited regularly during the last 10 nights.

Dua for Forgiveness

ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّافَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

Allazeena yaqooloona Rabbanaaa innanaaa aamannaa faghfir lanaazunoobanaa wa qinaa ‘azaaban Naar

”Our Lord! surely we believe, therefore forgive us our faults and save us from the chastisement of the fire”

The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged seeking forgiveness with sincerity, and what better time to ask for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness than the blessed month of Ramadan?

Dua for the Ummah

اللهم أصلح أمة محمد اللهم فرج عن أمة محمد أللهم ارحم أمة محمد

Allahumma aslih Ummata Muhammad. Allahumma farrij ‘an Ummati Muhammad. Allahumma Rham Ummata Muhammad [sallAllahu alayhi wasalam]

“O Allah! Improve (help) the state of the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Grant ease to the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.”

Over the past month we have witnessed waves of injustice and oppression against our Palestinian brothers and sisters, this dua for Ramadan seeks ease and patience for those suffering from injustice.

Dua for Protection from Hellfire

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالجَنَّةَ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّارِ 

Allaahumma innee as-aluka Ridaaka wal Jannah wa a’audhu’bika min sakhatika wan-naar

“O Allah, I ask of Your pleasure and for Paradise, and I seek refuge from Your displeasure and from the Hellfire.”

Asking Allah for protection is crucial, especially during the last ten days.

Dua for Those Who Have Passed 

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ الَّلهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ

‘Allaahum-maghfir lahu Allaahumma thabbithu’

“O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, strengthen him.”

Remembering our departed loved ones and seeking their forgiveness is a timeless practice in Islam.

Dua for Good Health

اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في بَدَنـي ، اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في سَمْـعي ، اللّهُـمَّ عافِـني في بَصَـري ، لا إلهَ إلاّ أَنْـتَ. اللّهُـمَّ إِنّـي أَعـوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْكُـفر ، وَالفَـقْر ، وَأَعـوذُبِكَ مِنْ عَذابِ القَـبْر ، لا إلهَ إلاّ أَنْـتَ 

‘Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee badanee, Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee sam’ee, Allaahumma ‘aafinee fee basaree, laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-kufri, walfaqri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min ‘adhaabil-qabri, laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta’.

“O Allah, make me healthy in my body. O Allah, preserve for me my hearing. O Allah, preserve for me my sight. There is none worthy of worship but You. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from disbelief and poverty and I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave. There is none worthy of worship but You.”

In these challenging times, praying for good health is a compassionate gesture for ourselves and those around us.

Dua for Guidance

The last ten days of Ramadan are an opportune time to seek guidance from Allah as we navigate life’s complexities.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَ التُّقَى وَ العَفَافَ وَ الغِنَى

‘Allāhumma Innī As’aluka al-Hudā Wat-Tuqā Wal-Afāfa Wal-Ghinā’

“O Allah, I ask You for guidance and piety, and abstinence (from the unlawful) and modesty, and contentment and sufficiency.”

Laylat ul Qadr

الْلَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibb al-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni

“O Allah, You are the Most forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”

Beyond the specific duas mentioned earlier, Ramadan is also a time for self-reflection and self-improvement. It serves as a golden opportunity to strengthen one’s relationship with Allah through increased acts of worship, including recitation of the Quran and engaging in charitable deeds.

Acts of Worship during Ramadan

As Muslims engage in fasting, additional acts of worship elevate the spiritual experience of Ramadan. Reading and reflecting on the Quran becomes integral during this month. Each verse holds the potential to deepen one’s understanding of faith and provide guidance for this life and the hereafter. 

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said: 

“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (Tirmidhi)

Acts of charity, another pillar of Islam, take on special significance during Ramadan. Beyond obligatory almsgiving (Zakat), Muslims are encouraged to engage in voluntary acts of charity (Sadaqah) to support those in need. 

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, as a complete and perfect guidance, and such is the greatness of this gift from Allah (swt) that He has said: 

“If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.” (Qur’an 59:21)

Hence, Ramadan is the month in which Muslims engage in consistent prayer to Allah Almighty, as there is no better time to be asking Allah for His blessings than when he is closest to us.

The early mornings are a blessed time for prayers, from dawn to sunrise. Special dua for Ramadan in the morning time asks for Allah’s blessings and forgiveness.

Dua for morning

اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ بِأَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ، فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلَكَ الشُّكْرُ

Allahumma ma amsa bee min ni’matin, aw bi-ahadin min khalqik, faminka wahdaka la shareeka lak, falakal-hamdu walakash-shukr. 

“O Allah (swt), what blessing I or any of Your creation have risen upon, is from You alone, without partner, so for You is all praise and unto You all thanks.” 

Dua for evening:

للّهُـمَّ بِكَ أَمْسَـينا، وَبِكَ أَصْـبَحْنا، وَبِكَ نَحْـيا، وَبِكَ نَمـوتُ وَإِلَـيْكَ المَصـير

Allahumma bika amsayna, wabika asbahna, wabika nahya wabika namootu wa ilaykal-maseer.

“O Allah, by Your leave we have reached the evening and by Your leave we have reached the morning, by Your leave we live and die and unto You is our return.”

Community and Ramadan

Ramadan is a communal experience, a time when Muslims come together to break their fasts and engage in prayers. 

Highlighting the communal aspect of Ramadan, it is essential to mention the concept of Iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Gathering for Iftar with family, friends, and the broader community fosters a sense of togetherness and shared blessings.

Dua when being hosted by someone for iftar:

أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ وَأكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأَبرَارُ وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ المَلاَئِكَةُ

Aftara ‘indakum as-sa’imun wa-akala ta‘amakum al-abrar wa-sallat ‘alaykum al-mala’ika

May those who have fasted break their fast with you, may the pious eat your food, and may the angels pray for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although the month of Ramadan is an exciting time for Muslims all over the world to get together and bond over Ramadan recipes at Iftar, it also offers a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and connection with Allah through the powerful act of dua.

Let us embrace this sacred time with sincere hearts and open minds, seeking the blessings and mercy of Allah in every supplication. May this Ramadan be a source of spiritual rejuvenation and a means to draw closer to the Divine, Ameen.