Ramadan Dua: Your Connection to Allah This Blessed Month

Ramadan duas are recommended for starting and breaking the fast, for each of the three ten-day stages (Ashras) of the month, and especially for the blessed Night of Power, Laylatul Qadr.

Understanding the Power of Ramadan Dua

Ramadan is a month of immense spiritual significance, a time when the connection between a believer and Allah feels closer than ever. This guide is designed to be your companion through the blessed month, providing you with the essential duas .

The Essential Daily Ramadan Dua: Suhoor and Iftar

Your fasting day is framed by two crucial moments, the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and the breaking of the fast (Iftar). Each of these moments has a specific Ramadan dua associated with it, turning the physical acts of eating and drinking into profound spiritual worship.

The Suhoor Dua: Starting Your Fast with Intention (Niyyah)

Before you begin your fast, it is essential to make your intention. While the intention is in the heart, verbalizing it can help solidify your purpose. The most common intention is a general one for the entire month, but many prefer to renew it daily. The dua for starting the fast sets the tone for a day of mindful devotion.

The Dua of Intention (Niyyah):

Arabic: وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Transliteration: Wa bisawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri Ramadan.

Translation: I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.

Making this intention is a declaration that you are not merely abstaining from food but are engaging in a comprehensive act of worship for the sake of Allah alone.

The Iftar Dua: Breaking Your Fast with Gratitude

The moment of Iftar is a joyous one. After a long day of fasting, it is a time of relief and immense reward. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the fasting person has two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord. The Ramadan dua at Iftar is an expression of gratitude for the strength Allah gave you to complete the fast. It is also a prime time for the acceptance of prayers.

The Dua for Breaking Fast (Iftar):

Arabic: ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration: Dhahaba al-zama'u wabtallat al-'uruqu wa thabata al-ajru in sha Allah.

Translation: The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.

This beautiful supplication captures the physical relief and the spiritual hope that define the moment of Iftar.

A Journey Through the Month: Duas for the Three Ashras

The First Ashra: Seeking Allah's Mercy (Days 1-10)

Arabic: يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ

Transliteration: Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyumu, bi-rahmatika astagheeth.

Translation: O The Ever-Living, O The Self-Sustaining, I seek assistance through Your Mercy.

The Second Ashra: Asking for Forgiveness (Days 11-20)

Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ

Transliteration: Astaghfirullaha rab-bi min kulli dhambin wa atubu ilaih.

Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I have committed and I turn to Him in repentance.

The Third Ashra: Seeking Protection (Days 21-30)

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ

Transliteration: Allahumma ajirni min an-nar.

Translation: O Allah, save me from the fire.

The Crowning Jewel: The Ramadan Dua for Laylatul Qadr

Within the final ten nights of Ramadan lies the most blessed night of the entire year: Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power. The Quran describes this night as being "better than a thousand months."

The worship performed and the duas made on this single night carry unimaginable weight. Aisha (RA), the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), asked him what she should say if she knew which night was Laylatul Qadr. He taught her the most powerful and comprehensive Ramadan dua for this occasion.

The Dua for Laylatul Qadr:

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Transliteration: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni.

Translation: O Allah, You are The Pardoner, and You love to pardon, so pardon me.

The Etiquette of Making Dua

To enhance your Ramadan dua, consider the following practices recommended in the Sunnah:

• Praise and Blessings: Begin your dua by praising Allah (Alhamdulillah) and sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

• Purity: Be in a state of wudu (ablution).

• Face the Qibla: If possible, turn towards the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

• Raise Your Hands: This is a physical act of humility and supplication.

• Have Certainty (Yaqeen): Believe firmly in your heart that Allah is listening and is capable of granting your request.

• Be Persistent: Do not tire of asking. Repeat your duas and continue to make them with patience and sincerity.

• Use a Humble Tone: Supplicate with a voice full of humility, hope, and even fear of Allah's majesty.

  
  

The Best Times for Dua During a Ramadan Day

Ramadan offers numerous windows of opportunity when duas are especially favored:

• While you are fasting: The supplication of a fasting person is not rejected.

• Just before Iftar: This is a peak moment of humility and need, making it a golden opportunity for your Ramadan dua to be answered.

• The last third of the night: Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night and asks, "Who is asking Me, so that I may give him?" This is a precious time for Tahajjud prayer and dua.

• During Sujood (Prostration): A believer is closest to Allah when in prostration. Make personal duas in this position during your prayers.

• On Laylatul Qadr: The most blessed night of the year offers the greatest chance for acceptance.

  
  

Conclusion - Carry the Spirit of Ramadan Dua Forward

Ramadan is a training ground. It teaches us discipline, empathy, and most importantly, how to cultivate a deep and lasting relationship with Allah through prayer. The practice of making a heartfelt Ramadan dua is the essence of this relationship. It is a reminder that we are never alone and that the Most Merciful is always ready to listen. As the month concludes, strive to carry the spirit of supplication with you. Continue to raise your hands, to speak with your Lord, and to trust in His infinite wisdom and generosity. Let dua be your constant companion, your source of strength, and your means of drawing ever closer to Him.