The Best Times to Make Dua | Seize the Moments
In our pursuit of Allah’s ﷻ mercy and guidance, duʿāʾ is one of the most powerful spiritual tools granted to us. It is not only an act of worship but a direct conversation with our Creator—a moment when the heart pours its hopes, pain, gratitude, and longing into the Divine.
But as with all acts of devotion, there are moments chosen by Allah ﷻ that are especially sacred—times when duʿāʾ is more likely to be heard, answered, and honored. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ identified these moments so that we, as believers, could make the most of them.
Below are some of the most authentic and powerful times to make duʿāʾ, supported by the Qur’an and authentic hadith.
1. In the Last Third of the Night: The Moment of Silent Solitude
When the world is asleep and distractions fall away, the last third of the night becomes a sacred time. It is then that Allah ﷻ, in His majesty, descends to the lowest heaven and lovingly calls out to His creation:
“When it is the last third of the night, our Lord (the Blessed, the Superior) descends every night to the heaven of the world and says, ‘Is there anyone who supplicates to Me, that I may respond to him? Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give him? Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?'”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, 1145
Sunnah.com Reference
This moment is unmatched in intimacy. There is no barrier between the supplicant and the Divine. Whether your duʿāʾ is a whisper or a tear, it is heard.
Practical tip: Wake even a few minutes before Fajr, and use that time in sujūd (prostration) or while seated, quietly pleading with Allah. These are the hours when secrets are kept and duʿāʾs are fulfilled.
2. An Hour on Friday: The Beacon of Hope
The day of Jumuʿah (Friday) is blessed—and within it lies a hidden hour in which any sincere duʿāʾ is accepted. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“On Friday, there is a moment when, if a Muslim happens to be praying and asks Allah for something good, He will give it to him.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, 935
Sunnah.com Reference
While scholars differ on the exact timing, many agree that it falls in the last part of Friday before Maghrib, especially after ʿAṣr prayer.
Practical tip: Reserve the last 30–60 minutes of your Friday for quiet dhikr, duʿāʾ, and reflection. Supplicate for your needs, for your family, and for the Ummah. It may be that you catch this golden hour.
3. Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree): The Majestic Gateway to Mercy
In the final ten nights of Ramadan, one night stands above the rest—Laylat al-Qadr. It is described by Allah ﷻ in the Qur’an as:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
— Surah Al-Qadr (97:3)
Quran.com Reference
The Prophet ﷺ would intensify his prayers and duʿāʾs during the last ten nights, particularly the odd nights, in search of this sacred night.
Best Duʿāʾ for Laylat al-Qadr:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“Allahumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuḥibbu al-ʿafwa faʿfu ʿannī”
(O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me.)
— Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi, 3513
This is the night of transformation—when destinies are written and hearts are softened. Pour out your duʿāʾs, your dreams, and your regrets. Let the night witness your return to your Lord.
4. The Dua of a Muslim for Another—Unseen and Powerful
Perhaps one of the most underestimated yet powerful forms of duʿāʾ is that made for others. The Prophet ﷺ beautifully said:
“The supplication that a Muslim makes for his (absent) brother will be accepted. An angel is appointed at his head: whenever he makes a beneficial duʿāʾ for his brother, the appointed angel says: Ameen, and for you the same.”
— Sahih Muslim, 2732
Sunnah.com Reference
When you pray for someone in private—whether it’s a parent, a friend, or even someone who wronged you—you’re also being prayed for. The angel echoes your prayer back upon you.
Practical tip: Make it a daily habit to remember specific people in your duʿāʾ. Ask for their guidance, healing, success, and forgiveness. The angels are your silent companions in this generous act.
Additional Moments of Acceptance
While the above are among the best-known, there are other precious times when duʿāʾ is more likely to be accepted:
- Between the Adhān and Iqāmah
“Duʿāʾ between the Adhān and the Iqāmah is not rejected.”
— Abu Dawud, 521
- While fasting, especially before ifṭār
“Three duʿāʾs are not rejected… the fasting person until he breaks his fast.”
— Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi, 3598
- When it’s raining
“Seek the response to your duʿāʾs when the Adhān is called and when it is raining.”
— Sahih al-Jamiʿ, 1026
- When oppressed or wronged
“Fear the duʿāʾ of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, 2448
- Dua While Travelling: A Journey That Draws You Closer
One of the special times when duʿāʾ is accepted is when a person is on a journey. Whether traveling for work, visiting family, or even in hardship like migration or refuge, the traveler’s supplication carries a unique spiritual weight in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Three duʿāʾs are surely answered: the duʿāʾ of the oppressed, the duʿāʾ of the traveler, and the duʿāʾ of the parent for his child.”
— Sunan Ibn Mājah, 3862 – Sahih
Sunnah.com Reference
Travel, by nature, involves discomfort, uncertainty, and vulnerability. The heart becomes softer, more reliant on Allah ﷻ, and more attuned to His help. That state of humility and dependence is what opens the gates of acceptance.
How to Maximize Duʿāʾ While Traveling:
- Be consistent with morning and evening adhkār during travel.
- Use moments of solitude on the road, in planes, trains, or waiting rooms to make heartfelt duʿāʾ.
- Before sleeping in unfamiliar places, pray for safety, protection, and guidance.
- Always begin your journey with the Sunnah duʿāʾ for travel:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration:
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar. Subḥāna alladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn. Wa innā ilā Rabbinā lamunqalibūn.
Translation:
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory is to Him Who has provided this [transport] for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Indeed, to our Lord we will surely return.”
— Sahih Muslim, 1342
Source
Duʿāʾ—the Language of the Heart
Duʿāʾ is the believer’s lifeline to Allah ﷻ. It’s how we confess without shame, hope without limits, and reach out without fear of rejection. While Allah hears every whisper, He has gifted us moments where that whisper becomes a roaring plea in the heavens.
Let us seize these moments—not with formality, but with sincerity.
Let us raise our hands and empty our hearts.
Let us pray for what we need and more importantly, for what we’ve forgotten to ask.
And let us trust that no duʿāʾ is ever wasted.
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
— Surah Ghāfir (40:60)
Quran.com Reference
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