Can I make dua for something haram?
No, you shouldn't make dua for something haram. The Prophet ﷺ said dua is answered as long as a person doesn't ask for sin or for cutting family ties. Instead, ask Allah for the halal version of what you want, or for something better.
What the Prophet ﷺ said
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The dua of a servant continues to be answered as long as he does not pray for something sinful or for cutting the ties of kinship, and as long as he is not impatient" (Sahih Muslim 2735).
Asking Allah to help you do what He has forbidden contradicts the very meaning of dua, which is turning to Him in obedience and trust. Scholars agree that knowingly asking for a sin, such as success in a deal based on interest, a relationship outside marriage, or harm to an innocent person, is itself wrong.
Examples and better alternatives
- Instead of "let me win this bet" → ask for halal, blessed income.
- Instead of "make this person fall for me" while you're dating → ask Allah for a righteous spouse, or to make this person right for you in a halal way if it's good. See Can I make dua to marry a specific person?
- Instead of "let me get away with it" → ask for forgiveness and a way out of the situation.
- Instead of cursing someone unjustly → ask for justice and for your heart to heal.
Asking for worldly things like money, a car, a home or a job is completely fine when the means are halal. See Can I make dua for worldly things like a job or a car?
When you want something you shouldn't
Sometimes the heart wants something haram and you feel stuck. Be honest with Allah: tell Him you want it, that you know it's not allowed, and ask Him to remove the desire or replace it with something better. That is a beautiful, sincere dua. Also remember that Allah sees further than you do:
Haram income blocks dua
There's a related point: the Prophet ﷺ described a traveller with dishevelled hair raising his hands to the sky saying "O Lord, O Lord," while his food, drink and clothing were haram, and asked how such a person could be answered (Sahih Muslim 1015). So keeping your income halal is part of having your duas accepted.
If you're unsure whether something is halal, pray istikhara and ask a knowledgeable person. See What is istikhara and should I pray it before marriage?
- Dua for sin or for cutting family ties isn't answered (Sahih Muslim 2735).
- Ask for the halal alternative or "something better."
- You can honestly ask Allah to remove a haram desire.
- Halal food and income help your duas be accepted.
People also ask
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