Can I make dua for my ex to come back?

It depends on what "coming back" would mean. You can ask Allah to bring you back together in a halal marriage, for example with an ex-spouse or someone you'd marry properly. But it's not right to ask for a haram relationship, or to ask for someone's new marriage to break. The safest dua is to ask for what is best for you.

When this dua is fine

Islam allows you to ask Allah for anything good and lawful, including a specific person. If you were married and divorced, reconciling is often possible and can be a beautiful thing. If you broke up with someone before becoming Muslim and you'd now like to marry them the halal way, you can ask Allah to make that happen, with good intentions. See Can I make dua to marry a specific person?

When it crosses a line

The Prophet ﷺ said a person's dua keeps being answered as long as he doesn't ask for something sinful or for cutting family ties (Sahih Muslim 2735). So avoid duas like:

"Bring her back so we can be together again" if that means dating or living together outside marriage.
"Make his marriage fall apart so he comes back to me." Wishing harm on someone else's marriage is wrong.
Asking Allah to force someone's heart against their will in a way that harms them.

If you're still in a haram relationship pattern, the stronger dua may be for a clean start. See Can I still have a boyfriend or girlfriend after becoming Muslim?

Ask for good, not just for one outcome

Heartbreak makes us sure we know what we need. Allah reminds us that we can love something that is bad for us and dislike something that is good for us.

وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ "But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not." Quran 2:216

A balanced dua might be: "O Allah, if returning to this person is good for my faith, my life and my future, bring us back together in a halal way. If not, take this attachment from my heart and give me something better." Praying istikhara can help with this too. See What is istikhara and should I pray it before marriage?

Looking after your heart meanwhile

While you wait, avoid checking their profiles all day or reaching out in ways you'll regret. Lean on friends, keep your prayers, and let time do its work. Healing is not a sign your dua failed. See How do I cope with a breakup as a Muslim?

Key points

You can ask Allah to reunite you with an ex in a halal marriage.
Don't ask for a haram relationship or for someone's marriage to end.
Ask for what is best, and accept that Allah may know better.
Istikhara and patience help when you're unsure.

Tip: Write your dua down once, then add a line at the end: "and if not them, someone better for me." Saying it every day slowly loosens the grip of the heartbreak.

Can I make dua for my ex to come back?

When this dua is fine

When it crosses a line

Ask for good, not just for one outcome

Looking after your heart meanwhile

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