Can I make dua for worldly things like a job or a car?
Yes, absolutely. Islam doesn't ask you to pray only for spiritual things. The Prophet ﷺ himself asked Allah for good in this world, and prayed for a companion's wealth and family. You can ask for a job, a car, a home, good grades or a cure. Just don't let the dunya (this world) become the only thing you ask for.
The Prophet ﷺ asked for this world too
His most frequent dua was: "O Allah! Give to us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6389). It puts this life first in the sentence, without any embarrassment.
- Wealth and family: when Umm Sulaim asked him to pray for her son Anas, he said: "O Allah! Increase his wealth and offspring and bless (for him) whatever You give him" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6378).
- Being free from need: he used to say: "O Allah. I beg of Thee the right guidance, safeguard against evils, chastity and freedom from want" (Sahih Muslim 2721).
Prophet Musa's job-hunting dua
When Musa (Moses) fled Egypt, he arrived in Madyan alone, with no work, no home and no money. After helping two women water their flocks, he sat in the shade and said:
Soon after, he was offered work and, later, marriage. Many Muslims say this dua ("Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqir") when job hunting, moving or starting over.
How to ask well
- Be specific: you can name the job, the city, the kind of car. There's no need to be vague with Allah.
- Ask with confidence: the Prophet ﷺ told us not to say "if You wish", but to "appeal to Allah with determination" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6339).
- Add a "barakah" request: ask Allah to bless it for you, as in the dua for Anas.
- Ask for what's good for you: if you're unsure whether something is right, pray istikhara. See What is istikhara and should I pray it before marriage?
- Then do your part: send the CVs, prepare for the interview, save the deposit.
Keeping it balanced
The verse right before the famous "Rabbana atina" dua describes people who only ask for this world and have no share in the Hereafter. So the point isn't to stop asking for worldly things. It's to make sure they are never your only request. A simple habit: whenever you ask for something of this world, also ask for guidance or forgiveness in the same dua.
And only ask for halal things. Asking Allah to help you win the lottery, for example, doesn't fit. See Can I still buy lottery tickets as a Muslim?
- Asking for worldly needs is sunnah, not selfish.
- Be specific and ask with confidence.
- Ask only for halal things, and do your part.
- Pair worldly requests with requests for the Hereafter.
People also ask
What dua do I say when getting dressed?
Yes, there is one: for new clothes the Prophet thanked Allah and asked for the garment's good. Plus an everyday dua and starting with the right.
Read the full answer →Do I have to say "Ameen" after every dua?
No, your dua is valid without it. Ameen means "O Allah, accept". It's sunnah after al-Fatiha and a nice way to join others' duas.
Read the full answer →Can I make dua to marry a specific person?
Yes, if the marriage would be halal. Add "if they are good for me", pray istikhara, and take halal steps instead of secret dating.
Read the full answer →Can I make dua against someone who hurt me?
Yes, if you were truly wronged, but within limits, and forgiving is better when you can. The oppressed person's dua is powerful.
Read the full answer →Can I make dua for my non-Muslim family?
Yes. You can pray for their guidance, health and wellbeing while they're alive. Asking forgiveness for those who died as non-Muslims isn't allowed.
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