Best times to make Dua

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT) as
mentioned by Prophet (SAW). These times are as follows:

1. The Last Third Of The Night

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allahs Messenger (SAW) said:

In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to
the lowermost heaven and says; Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking
Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said:

The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can
be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasai, al-
Hakim Sahih]

2. Late at night

When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an
opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they
need. The Prophet (SAW) said:

There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the
Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.
[Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah

Anas (RA) narrated that Allahs Messenger (SAW) said:

A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.

4. An Hour On Friday

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allahs Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said:

There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks
something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand. And he (the
Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-
Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayers leader) enters the mosque on
Fridays prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said
that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water

Jaber (RA) narrated that Allahs Messenger (SAW) said:

Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for. [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062].

This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like
to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness. etc.

6. While Prostrating

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allahs Messenger (SAW), said:

The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah
(SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasai and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the
nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time. It is said that
while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for
the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up at Night

Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allahs Messenger (SAW) said:

Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa
lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shaiin qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha
illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped
but Allah (SWT) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises
are for Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah (SWT) And none has the right to be worshipped
but Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except
with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah
(SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat
(prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:

Narrated Abu Omamah (RA): that Allahs Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah,
which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the
obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying At-tahyat , and before making
Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of Qadr (Decree)

This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said
about it, The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months. [Surah al-Qadr, 97:
3]

The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of
Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and
serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is
encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain

Narrated Sahel Ibn Saad (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: Two will not be
rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the
rain. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

Seek the response to your duas when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain
falls [reported by Imam al-Shafi in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time
of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is
having mercy on His slaves.

11. At the Adhan

Seek the response to your duas when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain
falls [reported by Imam al-Shafi in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

In another hadith; When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the dua is
answered [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Muaad Ibn Jabal (RA), Beware of the supplication of
the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one
who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT) [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (SAW) declared, Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting
person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the
one who is oppressed.[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi Hasan]

In another hadith; The Prophet (SAW) declared: Three duas are surely answered: The dua of
the oppressed, the dua of the traveler, and the dua of the father/mother (upon their child). The
One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain
his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is
suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.

13. The Traveler

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)),
the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the
supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi Sahih]

During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip
is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.

14. The Parents Supplication for their Child

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)),
the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the
supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi Sahih]

15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat on the Prophet (SAW) in the tashahhud at the
end of salat.

Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: When anyone of
you makes dua, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send
blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW)
said: Every dua is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW) [al-
Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: Dua is detained between
the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet
(SAW) [at-Tirmidhi #486]

After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the salam, supplication at this time
is one likely to be responded to.
Ibn Masud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all
present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the
Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said:
Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it! [at-Tirmidhi #593 hasan,
Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.

The prophet (SAW) said:

17. Dua on the Day of Arafat

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: The best supplication is the supplication on the day of
Arafat. [at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions
of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one
purpose in mind to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does
not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

18. Dua during the month of Ramadan

Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the dua of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be
inferred from the Prophet (SAW) saying: When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another
narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked
up Thus, it is clear that dua during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the
Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]

19. Dua when the Armies meet

When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the dua of a worshipper is
accepted.

Sahl ibn Sad (RA) narrtaed the the Prophet (SAW) said: Two duas are never rejected, or rarely
rejected: the dua during the call for prayer, and the dua during the clamity when the two armies
attack each other [Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah
(Dhikrullah).

The Prophet (SAW) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will
circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember
them among those with Him. [Muslim]

21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

The Prophet (SAW) said: There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah
than during these ten days
[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]

22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere

23. At Midnight
Abu Umamah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) was questioned; Which dua is heard (by Allah)?
He answered, At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer. [at-Tirmidhi Hasan]

25. Dua of people after the death of a person

In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, when Abu Salamah
had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for
the angels will say Ameen to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his
ranks among those who are guided. [Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]

26. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)),
the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the
supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi Sahih]

27. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast

The prophet (SAW) declared, Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a
fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the
just ruler and the one who is oppressed.[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi Hasan]

29. Dua of a just Ruler

The prophet (SAW) declared, Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting
person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the
one who is oppressed.[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi Hasan]

30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents

It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in
a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his dua
was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]

31. Dua immediately after wudu

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:

There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is
no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that
Muhammad is His slave and messenger, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for
him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases [Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162,
Ahmad, an-Nasai]

Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)
32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj

The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars
during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the
three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make
dua for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned
the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any dua. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and
others]

33. At the Crowing of a Rooster

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said:

When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and
when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a
Shaitan [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

34. Dua made inside the Kabah

The Kabah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The dua of one who prays
inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the kabah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah).
[This is the semicircle to the right of the Kabah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni
corner and the Black stone wall.]

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated,

When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Kabah), he made dua in all of its corners
[Muslim 2: 968 and others]

35. Dua on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would make long duas at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim
#1218 and others]

36. Dua at any of the holy sites.

37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah

The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Exalted had said:

I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will
receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe,
Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The
Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When
he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me,
and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper)
says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and
My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says:
Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of those
who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is
for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. [Muslim 4: 395]

38. Saying Ameen during prayer

After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying ofAmeen in congregation. The Prophet
(SAW) said:

When the Imam says Ameen, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoevers Ameen
coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven. [Sahih al-Bukhari
#780, Muslim #410 and others]

39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick

Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said:

When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say Ameen to whatever
you say [Muslim #2126]

Ali (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:

When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make
dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand
angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in
Jannah.
[at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]