Fasting in Islam is not simply a physical act of abstaining from food and drink—rather, it is a deeply spiritual journey of discipline, devotion, and divine connection. At the heart of this sacred practice lies the immense power of duʿā’ (supplication), a unique gift from Allah ﷻ that allows the servant to speak directly with their Lord. The fasting person is in a state of worship throughout their fast, and their soul is softened by hunger and humbled by discipline. It is in this state of humility and sincerity that duʿā’ takes on an even more profound dimension.
When the fasting believer lifts their hands, especially during Suḥūr (pre-dawn meal), before Maghrib, or at the time of breaking the fast (iftār), they are not merely asking—they are pleading from the depths of their soul. Fasting weakens the body but strengthens the heart. It strips away worldly distractions and awakens the soul to the eternal. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the duʿā’ of a fasting person at the time of breaking the fast is never rejected. This is not just a promise—it is an invitation. An invitation to pour your heart out to the One who hears, knows, and answers in the most perfect of ways.
Fasting is a time of transformation. It is a time when the believer is closest to embodying taqwā (God-consciousness), and duʿā’ is the weapon and provision for that journey. Whether one seeks forgiveness, provision, healing, or peace—duʿā’ during fasting opens the doors to divine mercy. The days of Ramadān and voluntary fasts throughout the year are not to be spent merely with hunger and thirst; they are moments to be seized, hearts to be cleansed, and prayers to be whispered with the firm hope that the One who commanded us to fast will also answer our every call.
Let this blessed act of fasting be your bridge to meaningful supplication. Let every pang of hunger remind you to raise your hands. Let every parched moment remind you that the thirst of this world is quenched not only with water, but with raḥmah (mercy) from Allah ﷻ, which is most accessible when we sincerely call upon Him.
Ajr (Reward) of Fasting in Islam
The reward of fasting in Islam is unlike any other act of worship. It is so special that its full reward is not even recorded by the angels. According to a ḥadīth qudsī narrated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Hadith 1904), the Prophet ﷺ said:
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: “كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلَّا الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ”
Qāla Allāhu Taʿālā: “Kullu ʿamali ibni Ādama lahu illa aṣ-ṣiyām fa-innahu lī wa anā ajzī bih.”Translation: Allah the Exalted says, “Every action of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it (personally).”
This profound statement shows that the reward of fasting is so great, so personal, that only Allah ﷻ Himself knows it and grants it accordingly. Every other deed is weighed and measured—but fasting, done purely for His sake, transcends human comprehension.
Fasting not only leads to immense reward in the Hereafter but also brings immense forgiveness in this life. The Prophet ﷺ said in another authentic narration:
“مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ”
“Man ṣāma Ramaḍāna īmānan wa-iḥtisāban ghufira lahu mā taqaddama min dhanbih.”Translation: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadān out of faith and hoping for reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 38; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 760]
Furthermore, fasting serves as a shield and protection from Hellfire. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ”
“As-ṣiyāmu junnah.”Translation: “Fasting is a shield.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1904]
This shield guards us not only from physical sins, but also from spiritual diseases like arrogance, anger, and impatience. Through it, the believer is taught restraint, reflection, and reliance on Allah.
In conclusion, fasting is one of the most intimate acts of worship, and its spiritual effects are multiplied when combined with sincere duʿā’. In the pages that follow, we will explore the most powerful supplications to recite while fasting—drawn from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and duʿās of the pious. May your fast be accepted, your heart be opened, and your prayers be answered.
Dua Before Starting the Fast (Suhoor)
While there is no specific authentic dua from the Sunnah to say before fasting, the intention (niyyah) in the heart is essential and sufficient. Some people choose to verbalize it as a personal reminder:
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ لِوَجْهِ اللهِ تَعَالَى
Transliteration:
Nawaytu ṣawma ghadin li-wajhi Allāhi taʿālā
Translation:
“I intend to fast tomorrow for the sake of Allah the Most High.”
Note: This is not found in the Sunnah, but is sometimes used to help form the intention.
Dua for Breaking the Fast (Iftar)
Authentic Duas from the Sunnah:
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Transliteration:
Dhahaba al-ẓama’u wabtallati al-ʿurūq, wa thabata al-ajru in shā’ Allāh
Translation:
“The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.”
Source: Abu Dawood (2357) – Hasan
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي لَكَ صُمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنتُ، وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ
Transliteration:
Allāhumma innī laka ṣumtu, wa bika āmantu, wa ʿalayka tawakkaltu, wa ʿalā rizqika afṭartu
Translation:
“O Allah! I fasted for You, and I believe in You, and I put my trust in You, and with Your provision I break my fast.”
Note: This hadith has weakness but is widely narrated.
Accepted Dua While Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The fasting person has a supplication that is not rejected at the time of breaking the fast.”
Source: Ibn Majah (1753) – Hasan
This means you can make any personal dua during fasting—ask for forgiveness, guidance, sustenance, and anything else that brings you closer to Allah.
Dua for Patience During Fasting
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Rabbana afrigh ʿalayna ṣabran wa tawaffanā muslimīn
Translation:
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and cause us to die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
Source: Surah Al-A’raf (7:126)
These duas apply to fasting outside Ramadan:
- Sunnah fasting (Mondays, Thursdays)
- The White Days (13th, 14th, 15th of each Hijri month)
- Ashura (10th of Muharram)
- Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah)
Duas for Laylat al-Qadr & Last 10 Nights
1. The Best Dua for Laylat al-Qadr
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Transliteration:
Allāhumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuḥibbul-ʿafwa faʿfu ʿannī.
Translation:
“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.”
Source: Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi (3513) – Sahih
Duas for Taqwa (God-consciousness) and Steadfastness
2. Dua for Taqwa and Firmness in Faith
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Rabbana afrigh ʿalaynā ṣabran wa tawaffanā muslimīn.
Translation:
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Al-Aʿrāf (7:126)
3. Dua for Sabr (Patience) and Victory Over Hardships
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Transliteration:
Rabbana afrigh ʿalaynā ṣabran wa thabbit aqdāmanā wansurnā ʿala al-qawmi al-kāfirīn.
Translation:
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and make our feet firm and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Al-Baqarah (2:250)
Duas for Forgiveness and Mercy
4. Comprehensive Dua of the Believers for Forgiveness
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ
Transliteration:
Rabbana ighfir lanā dhunūbanā wa kaffir ʿannā sayyi’ātinā wa tawaffanā maʿa al-abrār.
Translation:
“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Āl ʿImrān (3:193)
5. Seeking Allah’s Mercy for Yourself and the Ummah
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
Transliteration:
Rabbi ighfir lī wa li-wālidayya wa lil-mu’minīna yawma yaqūmu al-ḥisāb.
Translation:
“My Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers the Day the account is established.”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Ibrāhīm (14:41)
Dua for Spiritual Renewal & Closeness to Allah
6. Powerful Dua from Prophet Ibrahim (ʿalayhi as-salām)
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ
Transliteration:
Rabbi ijʿalnī muqīma aṣ-ṣalāti wa min dhurriyyatī, rabbanā wa taqabbal duʿāʾ.
Translation:
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, accept my supplication.”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Ibrāhīm (14:40)
Duas for Protection from Hell and Gaining Jannah
7. Seeking Protection from Hellfire
رَبَّنَا صَرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا
Transliteration:
Rabbana ṣrif ʿannā ʿadhāba jahannama inna ʿadhābahā kāna gharāmā.
Translation:
“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering.”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Al-Furqān (25:65)
8. Dua to Be Entered into Jannah
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
Transliteration:
Allāhumma ijʿalnī min ahlil-jannah.
Fasting and Duʿā’ — A Journey of the Heart
Fasting is not merely the abstention from food, drink, or desire. It is the abstention from heedlessness, the purification of the soul, and the elevation of one’s spiritual station. It is a private and profound act between the servant and his Lord, wrapped in sincerity and crowned with reward. Within this sacred state, duʿā’ becomes a bridge between the human heart and the Divine Throne. It is in these moments—hungry, tired, yet spiritually awake—that the believer’s duʿā’ rises closest to acceptance.
The Prophet ﷺ told us that the duʿā’ of the fasting person will not be rejected—a divine assurance that every whisper of hope, every plea for mercy, every prayer for relief is heard. So as we fast, whether in Ramadan or beyond, let us be intentional in our supplications. Let our lips move not only in hunger but in humility. Let our hands raise not just for ifṭār, but for forgiveness. Let our hearts beat not merely with fatigue, but with fervent hope.
Let us remember that Allah ﷻ loves to be asked. He loves when His servants turn to Him—especially in times of worship and sincerity. Fasting, when paired with duʿā’, is a powerful means of drawing near to Him. It is an opportunity not to be wasted.
May your fasts be filled with reflection, your days with gratitude, your nights with connection, and your duʿās with heartfelt sincerity. And may Allah ﷻ accept every word, forgive every shortcoming, and envelope us all in His mercy. Āmīn.