5 Prophetic Duas to Elevate Your Worship
Making dua isn’t always easy. Sure, we know what we want to ask for and Allah SWT knows what’s in our hearts, but it’s not uncommon to find yourself in a position where you just can’t find the words to adequately express your feelings and needs. Who better to learn and take inspiration from than the Prophets (peace be upon them)? We’ve listed a few prophetic duas that you can incorporate into your daily worship.
The Dua of Musa (AS):
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
‘My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.’ (Surah Al-Qasas, 24)
Musa (AS) was on his way to Madyan from Egypt when he saw a group of people crowded around a fountain; there he came across two women who were having difficulty getting water to their herd. He helped water their herd for them and then out of desperation, recited this dua for provision and was soon invited by their father who wanted to show his gratitude to Musa (AS) for his assistance. When seeking goodness, sustenance and provision, this dua is golden!
The Dua of Yunus (AS):
لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِين
‘There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.’ (Surah Al-Anbiya, 87)
Yunus (AS) made this dua when he was stuck in the belly of a whale. In a dire time of hopelessness, he found the patience to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Now, while we hope you don’t find yourself in the belly of anything, this dua is a lesson in calling out to Allah SWT in times of hardship and acknowledging that we are nothing without His forgiveness.
The Dua of Nuh (AS):
أَنِّي مَغْلُوبٌ فَانْتَصِرْ
‘I am helpless, so help ˹me˺!’ (Surah Al-Qamar, 10)
Nuh (AS) made this dua when he was overwhelmed and intimidated by his people who had constantly rejected his message. The skies split open with a rain so heavy – a punishment for those who denied Allah SWT. Small but mighty, this dua is the one for moments where we feel overpowered by difficulty.
The Dua of Ayub (AS):
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
‘I have been touched with adversity, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.’ (Surah Al-Anbiya, 83)
Ayub AS was at one time blessed with all kinds of worldly success, but things soon took a turn and he found himself faced with tests and adversity; he lost his children and his wealth, and soon his health began to deteriorate all while dealing with the pressure of the people in his city doubting him. In the end, they abandoned him and only a few stood by Ayub AS, including his wife. ‘How could a messenger of Allah suffer like this?’, they wondered but it’s in the story of Ayub AS as well as many other Prophets (peace be upon them) that we see the value of patience in the face of struggle. When you have faith in the mercy of Allah SWT, respite will find you.
The Dua of Muhammad (SAW):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ والْحُـزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.’ (Sunan an-Nasa’I 5449)
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah [SAW] had supplications that he never omitted to recite” and this dua was among them. It’s very normal to experience the feelings mentioned in this dua but it’s vital that we seek help and protection from Allah SWT and ask that that he guides us through them.
For the duas mentioned in the Quran, we recommend voice searching them on Tarteel and reading about them in full – with a variety of translations, tafsirs and recitations to choose from, there’s a goldmine of context around these that will build your understanding around our Prophets (peace be upon them) and enrich the way you make dua. May Allah grant us ease in seeking knowledge and learning the ways of our predecessors and guide us to make sincere duas.