Tahajjud dua is the act of supplicating to Allah during the voluntary night prayer performed after ‘Isha and before Fajr. The most powerful moment for this dua is the final third of the night, when Allah — according to an authentic hadith — descends to the lowest heaven and asks who is calling upon Him.
For non-Arabic speaking Muslims worldwide, knowing precisely what to say, when to say it, and how to pronounce it correctly is the difference between a ritual and a genuine connection.
This guide covers the specific Arabic supplications, their transliterations, their meanings, and the proven approach to making your after-tahajjud dua truly accepted, insha’Allah.
What Is the Authentic Tahajjud Dua in Arabic That the Prophet ﷺ Taught?
The most well-known tahajjud dua in Arabic is the opening supplication the Prophet ﷺ used to begin his night prayer. It is authenticated in Sahih Bukhari and represents the gold standard for tahajjud prayer dua practice.
The Prophet ﷺ used to say when beginning his tahajjud:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ
Allahumma lakal-hamd, anta qayyimus-samawati wal-ardi wa man fihinn, wa lakal-hamd, laka mulkus-samawati wal-ardi wa man fihinn.
“O Allah, all praise is Yours. You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. All praise is Yours; Yours is the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.” (Sahih Bukhari 1120)
This tahajjud dua in Arabic establishes the correct spiritual opening: praising Allah before asking Him.
Classical Tajweed scholarship emphasizes that reciting this supplication with proper pronunciation — particularly the heavy letters like Qaaf (ق), Saad (ص), and Dhad (ض) — deepens the spiritual weight of the words.
At Shaykhi Academy, students working through our Online Islamic Studies Course for Beginners learn this supplication in its proper phonetic context, with Al-Azhar-certified instructors guiding correct articulation from the very first session.
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Tahajjud Dua List with Transliteration
The tahajjud dua list from authentic Prophetic practice and general duas includes several supplications for different moments of the prayer. Knowing all of them allows a worshipper to move through tahajjud with meaningful speech at every stage.
1. Dua in Sujud During Tahajjud
The Prophet ﷺ also lengthened his prostrations significantly during tahajjud. The recommended dua during sujud is:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Subhanakal-lahumma rabbana wa bihamdika, allahummaghfir li.
“Glory be to You, O Allah our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.” (Sahih Bukhari 817)
| Moment in Tahajjud | Recommended Dua | Source |
| Beginning the prayer | Allahumma lakal-hamd… | Sahih Bukhari 1120 |
| During sujud (prostration) | Subhanakal-lahumma… | Sahih Bukhari 817 |
| After completing rak’ahs | Personal and Prophetic duas | Various |
| Final witr dua | Allahumma inna nasta’inuka… | Recommended by scholars |
2. General Tahajjud Dua
This dua is a comprehensive supplication that covers submission to Allah, seeking His protection, and asking for His guidance:
Arabic:
اللهم لك أسْلَمْنا، وبك آمَنَّا، وعليك تَوَكَّلنا، وإليك أَنَبْنَا، وبك خَاصَمْنَا. اللهم إنَّا نعوذُ بِعِزَّتِكَ لا إلهَ إلا أنتَ أن تُضِلَّنا، أنْتَ الحيُّ الذي لا يموتُ، والجِنُّ والإِنْسُ يَمُوتُون.
Transliteration:
Allahumma laka aslamna, wa bika amanna, wa ‘alayka tawakkalna, wa ilayka anabna, wa bika khasamna. Allahumma inna na’udhu bi ‘izzatika la ilaha illa anta an tudillana, anta al-hayyu alladhi la yamutu, wal-jinnu wal-insu yamutun.
Translation:
“O Allah, to You we have submitted, in You we have believed, upon You we have relied, to You we have turned, and with Your help we have disputed. O Allah, we seek refuge in Your might—there is no deity except You—that You do not lead us astray. You are the Ever-Living who does not die, while the jinn and mankind die.”
3. Tahajjud Dua for Seeking Good and Protection from Evil
This dua is a beautiful way to ask Allah for all forms of good and to seek refuge from all forms of evil:
Arabic:
اللهم إنا نَسأَلُكَ من الخيرِ كُلِّهِ عاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ ما عَلِمْنَا منه وما لم نَعْلَمْ، ونعوذُ بك من الشر كله عاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ ما عَلِمْنَا من وما لم نَعْلَمْ.. ونسألكَ الجَنَّة وما قَرَّبَ إليها مِنْ قولٍ أو عمل، ونعوذ بك من النارِ وما قَرَّب إليها مِنْ قولٍ أو عمل.
Transliteration:
Allahumma inna nas’aluka min al-khayri kullihi ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam, wa na’udhu bika min ash-sharri kullihi ‘ajilihi wa ajilihi ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam. Wa nas’aluka al-jannata wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw ‘amal, wa na’udhu bika min an-nari wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw ‘amal.
Translation:
“O Allah, we ask You for all that is good, in this world and the next, what we know of it and what we do not know. We seek refuge in You from all that is evil, in this world and the next, what we know of it and what we do not know. We ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we seek refuge in You from Hellfire and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed.”
4. Tahajjud Dua for Forgiveness, Well-Being, and Protection
This dua is a powerful supplication for seeking forgiveness, well-being, and protection from hardships:
Arabic:
اللهم إنا نسألك من خيرِ ما سألكَ عَبْدُكَ ونَبِيُّكَ، ونعوذُ بك من شر ما استعاذك منه عبدُكَ ونبيكُ، ونسألكَ أن تجعلَ كُلَّ قضاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لنا خيرًا.. اللهم إنا نسألكَ العَفْوَ والعافيةَ والمُعَافاةَ في الدنيا والآخرةِ، يا ذا الجَلالِ والإِكْرامِ، يا حيُّ يا قيوم، اللهم إنا نعوذُ بك من جَهْدِ البَلاءِ، ودَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وسُوءِ القَضَاءِ، وشَمَاتَةِ الأعْدَاءِ.
Transliteration:
Allahumma inna nas’aluka min khayri ma sa’alaka ‘abduka wa nabiyyuka, wa na’udhu bika min sharri ma ista’adhaka minhu ‘abduka wa nabiyyuka. Wa nas’aluka an taj’ala kulla qada’in qadaytahu lana khayran. Allahumma inna nas’aluka al-‘afwa wal-‘afiyata wal-mu’afata fid-dunya wal-akhirah, ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram, ya hayyu ya qayyum. Allahumma inna na’udhu bika min jahdi al-bala’, wa daraki ash-shaqa’, wa su’i al-qada’, wa shamatati al-a’da’.
Translation:
“O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked of You, and we seek refuge in You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. We ask You to make every decree You have ordained for us good. O Allah, we ask You for forgiveness, well-being, and protection in this world and the Hereafter. O Possessor of Majesty and Honor, O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the hardship of trials, the depths of misery, the evil of decrees, and the gloating of enemies.”
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5. Tahajjud Dua for Help, Guidance, and Strength
This dua is a heartfelt plea for Allah’s assistance, guidance, and victory over challenges:
Arabic:
رَبّ أعني ولا تعن عَليَّ، وَانْصُرْنِي وَلا تَنْصُرْ عَلَيَّ، وَامْكُرْ لي وَلا تَمْكُرْ علي، واهدني ويسر الهدي لي، وَانْصُرْنِي على مَنْ بَغَى عَليَّ، رَبّ اجْعَلْنِي لَكَ شاكِرًا، لَكَ ذَاكِرًا، لَكَ رَاهِبًا، لَكَ مِطْوَاعًا، إليك مخبتا أوْ مُنيبًا، تَقَبَّلْ تَوْبَتِي، وَاغْسِلْ حَوْبَتي، وَأجِبْ دَعْوَتي، وَثَبِّتْ حُجَّتِي، وَاهْدِ قَلْبِي، وَسَدّدْ لِساني، وَاسْلُلْ سَخِيمَةَ قَلْبِي.
Transliteration:
Rabbi a’inni wa la ta’in ‘alayya, wansurni wa la tansur ‘alayya, wamkur li wa la tamkur ‘alayya, wahdini wa yassir al-huda li, wansurni ‘ala man bagha ‘alayya. Rabbi ij’alni laka shakiran, laka dhakiran, laka rahiban, laka mitwa’an, ilayka mukhbitan aw muniban. Taqabbal tawbati, waghsil hawbati, wa ajib da’wati, wa thabbit hujjati, wahdi qalbi, wa saddid lisani, waslul sakhimata qalbi.
Translation:
“My Lord, help me and do not help anyone against me. Grant me victory and do not grant victory to anyone over me. Plan for me and do not plan against me. Guide me and make guidance easy for me. Grant me victory over those who wrong me. My Lord, make me grateful to You, remembering You, fearing You, obedient to You, humble before You, and turning to You in repentance. Accept my repentance, wash away my sins, answer my supplication, strengthen my argument, guide my heart, make my tongue firm, and remove the malice from my heart.”
Tahajjud Prayer Dua from the Sunnah
Central to Tahajjud prayer is the act of dua, or supplication. Muslims use this intimate time to converse with Allah, seeking guidance, forgiveness, and blessings. The silence of the night amplifies the sincerity of these supplications, fostering a profound connection between the worshipper and the Divine.
Recognizing the profound significance of dua during Tahajjud, let us explore some of the prophetic supplications and invocations recommended to enrich this spiritual practice.
1. Remembrances of Bowing (Ruku’)
As believers bow before their Lord in humility and submission, they glorify Allah with profound reverence. Prophetic traditions encourage the recitation of phrases such as “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Great) or “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem wa bihamdih” (Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise be to Him).
Additionally, heartfelt expressions of submission and trust in Allah’s sovereignty are recommended, such as
“O Allah, it is for You that I bowed, it is in You that I believed, and it is to You that I submitted. Humbled to You are my hearing, my eyesight, my mind, my bones, and my tendons.” [Sahih]
2. Remembrances After Rising from Bowing (Rising from Ruku’)
Upon rising from bowing, believers express gratitude and praise to Allah, acknowledging His infinite mercy and blessings. Prophetic traditions suggest reciting phrases like “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, praise be to You) or “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
And you may add: “O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to You, (praise) that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them, and that fills anything You desire afterward. All praise and glory belong to You. No one can withhold what You have given and no one can give what You have withheld. And the good fortune of a person will not avail him before You.” [Sahih]
3. Remembrances of Prostration (Sujood)
Prostration is a moment of profound closeness to Allah, where believers humble themselves before their Creator. Prophetic teachings emphasize the importance of frequent supplication during prostration, as it is a time when prayers are readily accepted.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The nearest a slave is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so increase (your) supplications (while in this state).” [Sahih]
Believers may recite phrases like “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) or “Rabbighfir li” (O Lord, forgive me), expressing their devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
The prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would add:
“O Allah, it is to You that I prostrated myself, it is in You that I affirmed my faith, and it is to You that I submitted. My face has prostrated to the One who created it and shaped it and split open its faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of Creators.” [Sahih]
4. Remembrances for Sitting Between Two Prostrations
In the brief moment between two prostrations, believers seize the opportunity to seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. Prophetic traditions recommend reciting phrases like “Rabbighfir li” (O Lord, forgive me) or “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabika” (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from Your punishment), expressing repentance and reliance on Allah’s infinite compassion.
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What Does “Tahajjud Dua La Ilaha Illallah” Mean and Why Is It So Important?
The tahajjud dua la ilaha illallah refers to a specific hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ connected the night prayer to this central declaration of Islamic faith. This is among the most spiritually significant elements of the entire tahajjud practice.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever wakes up at night and says: ‘La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir…’ and then says: ‘Allahummaghfir li’ — or calls upon Allah — his supplication will be answered.” (Sahih Bukhari 1154)
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.
“There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.”
This phrase functions as a gateway supplication — what classical scholars call a miftah (key) that opens the door for accepted dua. The theological structure is deliberate: affirm divine oneness, affirm divine sovereignty, then ask.
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How to Make Tahajjud Dua for Success in Worldly and Spiritual Matters?
Tahajjud dua for success encompasses both worldly goals — examinations, livelihood, health, marriage — and spiritual goals like Quran memorization, forgiveness, and closeness to Allah. The authenticated Prophetic framework provides a clear structure.
The Three-Part Structure of a Complete Tahajjud Supplication
The scholarly tradition recommends a consistent structure for personal supplication at tahajjud:
Praise first. Begin with the opening tahajjud dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ, or at minimum say Alhamdulillah and send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Acknowledge your state. Classical scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim described this as al-iftiqar — expressing genuine neediness before Allah before stating your request. This is not formulaic; it is an internal posture of honesty.
Make your specific request clearly. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged asking specifically. In one narration, he advised:
“Let each of you ask his Lord for all his needs, even for his sandal strap when it breaks.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3604)
Tahajjud Dua in English: What You Can Say in Your Own Language
Many non-Arabic speakers wonder whether their personal dua in English is valid. The scholarly position — and that of Al-Azhar — is that personal supplication during the non-obligatory portions of prayer may be made in one’s own language, while the Quranic recitation and the structured parts of salah must remain in Arabic.
For students working to build their Arabic supplication vocabulary, Shaykhi Academy‘s Quran Classes for Adults and Beginners include dedicated sessions on du’a vocabulary as part of a progressive Arabic and Quran reading curriculum.
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What Are the Best Duas to Recite During the Witr After Tahajjud?
The Witr prayer that closes tahajjud is accompanied by its own specific supplications. The Qunut dua — recited in the final rak’ah of Witr — is among the most frequently asked about duas related to tahajjud practice.
The Prophet ﷺ taught Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali رضي الله عنه the following Qunut dua for Witr:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ
Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa ‘afini fiman ‘afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt.
“O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me as an ally among those You have taken as allies.” (Sunan Abu Dawud 1425)
This dua is specific, structurally elegant, and encompasses guidance, well-being, and divine support — making it one of the most powerful and comprehensive duas after tahajjud available.
Instructors at Shaykhi Academy trained by Al-Azhar scholars note that many students initially rush through this supplication. Those who learn to pace each phrase — allowing the meaning to settle before moving to the next — consistently report a qualitatively different experience of their night prayer.
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You now have the authentic tahajjud duas — verified, transliterated, and explained. The next step is learning to recite them with precision and spiritual presence.
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Conclusion
Tahajjud dua is not a single recitation — it is a layered act of worship built from Prophetic example, personal sincerity, and the discipline of rising when the world sleeps. The duas recorded in authentic hadith provide the structural framework; your own words, offered honestly to Allah in the last third of the night, fill that framework with meaning.
The most important insight from this guide is the pairing of form and presence: learning the correct Arabic text and transliteration of the Prophetic duas, while simultaneously cultivating the internal state of iftiqar — genuine neediness before Allah. Neither alone is sufficient. A beautifully pronounced dua recited mechanically is lesser than a heartfelt supplication offered with proper respect for the Prophetic words.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tahajjud Dua
Is there a specific dua that must be recited for tahajjud to be valid?
Tahajjud prayer has no single mandatory dua that conditions its validity. The prayer is valid with any recitation of Quran after Al-Fatihah. The specific duas taught by the Prophet ﷺ — such as the Allahumma lakal-hamd supplication — are highly recommended Sunnah practices that deepen the spiritual quality of the prayer without being obligatory conditions.
Can I make dua after tahajjud in my own language if I don’t know Arabic?
Yes. Personal supplication during the non-obligatory portions of tahajjud — particularly after completing the rak’ahs — may be made in one’s own language according to the mainstream scholarly position. The obligatory Quranic recitation during salah must remain in Arabic, but personal du’a carries no language restriction in the accepted scholarly tradition.
What is the best time to perform tahajjud and make dua?
The best time is the final third of the night before Fajr. This is established in Sahih Bukhari 1145, where the Prophet ﷺ described Allah’s special descent and invitation to supplication at this time. If the full final third is difficult, any time after midnight and before Fajr carries significant merit.
