Daily Duas: Dua for Travel, Breaking Fast, Eating and Sleep

Daily duas are short supplications the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said at ordinary moments: waking up, using the bathroom, leaving home, eating, traveling, breaking a fast and going to sleep. Each one is recorded in the hadith collections, takes seconds to say, and turns a routine action into a moment of remembering God.

Dua (du'a, دعاء) means calling on God, asking Him for something or praising Him. Muslims can make dua in any language at any time, but the words the Prophet taught carry special weight because he chose them. This guide walks through the day in order. Each section gives the dua's transliteration, an English translation and its hadith source, with the Arabic where the text is well established.

Key takeaways

• The Prophet said "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya" before sleep and "Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana" on waking, according to Sahih al-Bukhari 6324.
• The travel dua begins with "Allahu akbar" three times and the Quranic words "Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha," recorded in Sahih Muslim 1342 and found in Quran 43:13-14.
• The Prophet broke his fast saying "Dhahabaz-zama'u wabtallatil-'uruq, wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah," reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 2357 and graded hasan by al-Albani.
• Saying "Bismillah" before eating is a direct instruction from the Prophet, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 5376.
• God promises in the Quran, "I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me" (Quran 2:186).

Daily duas at a glance

Dua for waking up

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا، وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur.

Translation: "All praise is for Allah, who gave us life after having caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection."

Source: Hudhayfah reported that the Prophet said this when he woke up (Sahih al-Bukhari 6324). Sleep is treated as a lesser death, so each morning is a small resurrection. If you wake during the night, the Prophet taught a longer remembrance, covered in our guide to tahajjud.

Dua for entering and leaving the bathroom

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khaba'ith.

Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the male and female evil ones."

Source: Anas reported that the Prophet said this whenever he went to relieve himself (Sahih al-Bukhari 142). The words khubuth and khaba'ith are explained as evil spirits, male and female, or as all that is foul. Scholars recommend saying it before entering, since mentioning God inside the toilet is disliked.

On leaving, say:

غُفْرَانَكَ

Transliteration: Ghufranak.

Translation: "(I ask) Your forgiveness."

Source: Aisha reported that the Prophet said this when he came out of the toilet (Sunan Abi Dawud 30, graded sahih by al-Albani).

Dua after wudu

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

Translation: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, who has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

Source: Sahih Muslim 234 reports that whoever performs wudu well and then says this testimony will have the eight gates of Paradise opened for them, to enter by whichever they wish. Jami' at-Tirmidhi 55 adds "Allahummaj'alni minat-tawwabina waj'alni minal-mutatahhirin" ("O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves"). Al-Albani graded that version sahih, while the Darussalam edition grades its chain weak. The steps of wudu itself are in our guide on how to perform wudu.

Dua for the morning

The morning remembrances (adhkar al-sabah) are said between Fajr and sunrise, or any time in the morning. Three of the best known are below.

اللَّهُمَّ بِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا وَبِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا وَبِكَ نَحْيَا وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ

Transliteration: Allahumma bika asbahna, wa bika amsayna, wa bika nahya, wa bika namutu, wa ilaykan-nushur.

Translation: "O Allah, by You we enter the morning and by You we enter the evening, by You we live and by You we die, and to You is the resurrection."

Source: Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said this in the morning (Sunan Abi Dawud 5068, graded sahih by al-Albani). Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3391 records it ending "wa ilaykal-masir" ("and to You is the return") for the morning.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Transliteration: Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama', wa huwas-sami'ul-'alim. (Three times.)

Translation: "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."

Source: Uthman ibn Affan reported that the Prophet said whoever says this three times in the morning will not be struck by sudden affliction until evening, and whoever says it in the evening will be protected until morning (Sunan Abi Dawud 5088, graded sahih by al-Albani).

The Prophet also called a particular dua the "master of seeking forgiveness" (sayyid al-istighfar) and said that whoever says it in the morning with firm faith and dies that day will be among the people of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). It begins "Allahumma anta rabbi, la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk." Its full text and meaning are covered in our article on whether God forgives all sins. Many Muslims also recite Ayatul Kursi and the four Quls as part of the morning and evening routine.

Dua after the azan

When you hear the call to prayer (adhan or azan), the Prophet said to repeat what the caller says, then send blessings on him, then ask God to grant him al-wasilah (Sahih Muslim 384). The dua for that is:

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلاَةِ الْقَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ

Transliteration: Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da'watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa'imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab'ath-hu maqaman mahmudanil-ladhi wa'adtah.

Translation: "O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and of the prayer about to be established, grant Muhammad the place of intercession (al-wasilah) and excellence, and raise him to the praised station You have promised him."

Source: The Prophet said that whoever says this after hearing the adhan will be granted his intercession on the Day of Resurrection (Sahih al-Bukhari 614). The five prayers that the adhan announces are explained in why Muslims pray five times a day.

Dua for entering and leaving the mosque

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

Transliteration: Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatik.

Translation: "O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy."

When leaving, say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik.

Translation: "O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty."

Source: Both are taught in one hadith of Abu Usayd in Sahih Muslim 713. Scholars note the pairing: mercy is sought inside the mosque, and provision outside it.

Dua for leaving home

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ

Transliteration: Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alallah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

Translation: "In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah."

Source: Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet said whoever says this on leaving home is told, "You are guided, defended and protected," and the devils move away from him (Sunan Abi Dawud 5095, graded sahih by al-Albani).

Dua for travel

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ

Transliteration: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dah. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari wa ka'abatil-manzari wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.

Translation: "Allah is the Greatest (three times). Glory be to the One who has subjected this to us, for we could not have done so ourselves, and to our Lord we will surely return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the hardships of travel, from distressing sights, and from finding harm in property or family on return."

Source: Ibn Umar reported that whenever the Prophet mounted his camel to set out on a journey, he said this (Sahih Muslim 1342). On returning, he said the same and added: Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li-rabbina hamidun ("We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord").

The middle words come straight from the Quran:

That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it. And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."

— Quran 43:13-14

Dua for driving or getting into a vehicle

For a short car ride, many scholars apply the riding dua the Prophet used for any mount. The companion Ali ibn Abi Talib said "Bismillah" when he put his foot in the stirrup and "Alhamdu lillah" once seated, then recited "Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun." He then said "Alhamdu lillah" three times and "Allahu akbar" three times, followed by:

سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

Transliteration: Subhanaka inni zalamtu nafsi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa ant.

Translation: "Glory be to You. I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You."

Source: Ali said he saw the Prophet do exactly this and then smile, explaining that God is pleased when His servant asks forgiveness knowing that no one else forgives sins (Sunan Abi Dawud 2602, graded sahih by al-Albani; also Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3446).

Dua before eating

Transliteration: Bismillah.

Translation: "In the name of Allah."

Source: The Prophet told the young Umar ibn Abi Salamah, "O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). The meaning of these words is explored in our article on Bismillah.

If you forget at the start, say when you remember:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ

Transliteration: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah.

Translation: "In the name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end."

Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, graded sahih by al-Albani.

Dua after eating

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ قُوَّةٍ

Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.

Translation: "All praise is for Allah, who fed me this and provided it for me without any might or power on my part."

Source: The Prophet said whoever says this after eating will have his past sins forgiven (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3458, graded hasan by Darussalam; also Sunan Abi Dawud 4023).

Another dua the Prophet said when his meal was cleared away:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ، وَلاَ مُوَدَّعٍ وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ، رَبَّنَا

Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahi kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih, ghayra makfiyyin wa la muwadda'in wa la mustaghnan 'anhu rabbana.

Translation: "All praise is for Allah, abundant, good and blessed praise. Our Lord, it is not enough, it cannot be bid farewell, and it cannot be done without."

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5458.

Dua for entering home

The Prophet said that when a person enters their home and mentions Allah on entering and while eating, Satan says to his companions, "You have no place to spend the night and no evening meal" (Sahih Muslim 2018). The simplest practice is to say "Bismillah" as you enter and greet your family with as-salamu 'alaykum.

A longer dua is often quoted: Allahumma inni as'aluka khayral-mawliji wa khayral-makhraj, bismillahi walajna wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'alallahi rabbina tawakkalna ("O Allah, I ask You for the good of entering and the good of leaving. In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and in Allah our Lord we trust"). It is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud 5096, but al-Albani graded it weak (da'if). Many scholars allow saying it as a general dua without attributing it firmly to the Prophet.

Dua for suhoor

There is no specific dua for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal before a fast, in the authentic hadith. The Prophet encouraged the meal itself: "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1923). Say "Bismillah" before eating, as with any meal.

The intention to fast is made in the heart. The commonly printed phrase "wa bi-sawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri Ramadan" ("I intend to fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan") is a later formula, not a hadith. Saying it is not required, and scholars agree that a sincere intention without words is enough.

Dua for breaking fast

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration: Dhahabaz-zama'u wabtallatil-'uruqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah.

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

Source: Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet said this when he broke his fast (Sunan Abi Dawud 2357, graded hasan by al-Albani). Many scholars say it after the first sip or bite, since it describes thirst already quenched. Begin eating with "Bismillah."

Another widely used dua is Allahumma laka sumtu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu ("O Allah, for You I fasted and with Your provision I break my fast"). It is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud 2358 as a mursal narration, and al-Albani graded it weak. It is fine to say as a personal dua, but the hasan narration above is the stronger one. For the wider meaning of the fast, see why Muslims fast during Ramadan.

Dua for the evening

أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ وَسُوءِ الْكِبَرِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ فِي النَّارِ وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْرِ

Transliteration: Amsayna wa amsal-mulku lillah, walhamdu lillah, la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. Allahumma as'aluka khayra hadhihil-laylah, wa a'udhu bika min sharri hadhihil-laylati wa sharri ma ba'daha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-kasali wa su'il-kibar. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabin fin-nari wa 'adhabin fil-qabr.

Translation: "We have entered the evening, and the whole dominion belongs to Allah, and all praise is for Allah. 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. O Allah, I ask You for the good of this night, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of this night and the evil of what follows it. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from laziness and the evils of old age. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from punishment in the Fire and punishment in the grave."

Source: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud reported this as the Prophet's evening dua (Sahih Muslim 2723). In the morning he said the same, beginning Asbahna wa asbahal-mulku lillah ("We have entered the morning, and the dominion belongs to Allah").

Dua for witr (qunut)

Many Muslims end the day by praying witr after Isha. The supplication said in it, called qunut, was taught by the Prophet to his grandson al-Hasan ibn Ali:

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Transliteration: Allahummahdini fiman hadayt, wa 'afini fiman 'afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a'tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda 'alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, tabarakta rabbana wa ta'alayt.

Translation: "O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For You decree, and none can decree over You. Whoever You befriend is never humiliated. Blessed and exalted are You, our Lord."

Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 464, graded sahih by Darussalam. Sunan Abi Dawud 1425 adds "wa la ya'izzu man 'adayt" ("and whoever You take as an enemy is never honored"). The schools of law differ on whether qunut is said before or after bowing in witr, and on whether it is said all year or only in part of Ramadan. If you pray witr after night prayer, see our guide to tahajjud.

Dua before sleep

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Transliteration: Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.

Translation: "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."

Source: Hudhayfah reported that the Prophet said this whenever he went to bed (Sahih al-Bukhari 6324).

The Prophet also taught al-Bara ibn Azib to make wudu, lie on his right side and make this his last dua before sleep (Sahih al-Bukhari 6311):

اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لاَ مَلْجَأَ وَلاَ مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلاَّ إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ

Transliteration: Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa alja'tu zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Amantu bi-kitabikal-ladhi anzalt, wa bi-nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalt.

Translation: "O Allah, I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, and rely on You completely, out of hope in You and fear of You. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book that You revealed and in Your Prophet whom You sent."

The Prophet said that whoever says this and dies that night dies on the fitrah, the natural state of faith. Other bedtime practices from Sahih al-Bukhari:

• Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas into cupped hands, then wiping over the body three times (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).
• Reciting Ayatul Kursi, which brings a guardian from Allah until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311).
• Saying Subhanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu akbar 34 times, which the Prophet taught his daughter Fatimah as "better for you than a servant" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3705).

Etiquette of dua

The words matter, but so does the way they are said. The Quran and hadith point to a few principles:

• Call on God directly and with hope. "Call upon Me; I will respond to you" (Quran 40:60). God's name al-Mujib means the One who answers.
• Be humble and quiet. "Call upon your Lord in humility and privately" (Quran 7:55).
• Don't give up. The Prophet said a person's dua is answered "if he does not show impatience" by saying, "I invoked Allah but my request has not been granted" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6340).
• Choose the best times. The last third of the night, between the adhan and the iqamah, while fasting and in prostration are all times scholars highlight.
• Understand what you say. A dua said with attention, in any language, is better than words recited without thought.

These daily duas are a form of dhikr, the remembrance of God, explained further in our article on what dhikr is. For the supplications found in the Quran itself, see our full list of Rabbana duas.

Read the verses on dua on Quran Universe

You can read Quran 2:186, where God says "I am near," and the travel verses at Quran 43:13-14 on Quran Universe, with Arabic text, word-by-word meaning and Tafsir Ibn Kathir.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dua for travel?

The travel dua begins with "Allahu akbar" three times, followed by "Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun" ("Glory be to the One who subjected this to us"). It continues with requests for an easy, righteous journey and protection for family. It is recorded in Sahih Muslim 1342, and its opening words come from Quran 43:13-14.

What is the dua for breaking fast?

The authentic dua is "Dhahabaz-zama'u wabtallatil-'uruqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah," meaning "The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is assured, if Allah wills." It is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 2357 and graded hasan by al-Albani. The popular "Allahumma laka sumtu" is in Abu Dawud 2358 but is graded weak.

What dua do you say before and after eating?

Before eating, say "Bismillah," as the Prophet instructed in Sahih al-Bukhari 5376. If you forget, say "Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah" (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767). After eating, say "Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah," which Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3458 says brings forgiveness of past sins.

What is the dua for sleeping?

The shortest bedtime dua is "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya," meaning "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live," recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 6324. The Prophet also recited the last three surahs of the Quran into his hands, and taught reciting Ayatul Kursi and saying a longer dua of trust from Sahih al-Bukhari 6311.

Is there a dua for driving?

There is no separate dua for cars, since cars did not exist in the Prophet's time, but scholars apply the dua for riding. Say "Bismillah," then "Alhamdu lillah," then "Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun," as reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 2602. For a longer journey, add the full travel dua from Sahih Muslim 1342.

Can I make dua in English?

Yes. Dua is a personal conversation with God and can be made in any language. The Quran says God responds to whoever calls on Him (Quran 2:186), with no condition of language. Many Muslims learn the Prophet's Arabic wording for its blessing and precision, while also asking for their own needs in their own words.