What are the best times to make dua?
Yes, there are special times, though you can make dua at any moment. Authentic hadith point to the last third of the night, sujood, the time between the adhan and the iqamah, a special hour on Friday, and when you're fasting, traveling or have been wronged. None of these are required. They are simply moments when the door is especially open.
The strongest times from the hadith
- The last third of the night: the Prophet ﷺ said Allah descends to the nearest heaven then and says: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145)
- In sujood: "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state)" (Sahih Muslim 482). See Can I make dua during sujood?
- Between the adhan and the iqamah: "The supplication made between the Adhan and Iqamah is not rejected" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 212).
- A special hour on Friday: there is a short time on Friday when a Muslim who is praying and asks Allah for something will be given it (Sahih al-Bukhari 935). Scholars differ on when it is; two popular views are while the imam is on the minbar until the prayer ends, and the last hour before Maghrib.
Special situations
Some people's duas carry extra weight because of their state:
- The fasting person when breaking the fast, the just leader and the oppressed (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3598).
- The traveler and the oppressed (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1905).
- Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan: the Prophet ﷺ taught 'Aisha to say "Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" (O Allah, You are Pardoning, You love pardon, so pardon me) (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3513).
A note on weaker reports
You'll often hear other times, like right at the end of the obligatory prayers or the Day of Arafah. Many scholars encourage dua at these times, but some of the specific narrations are graded weak, such as Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3499 and 3585. Making dua then is still good, as dua is good at any time. Just don't treat a weak report as a guarantee. See Do I need to check a hadith before sharing it online?
Building it into a normal day
- After the adhan: before you start your sunnah prayer or while waiting for the iqamah, spend one minute on dua.
- Before Fajr: set your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier, pray two rak'ahs and ask for what you need.
- Friday afternoon: put a reminder in your phone for the hour before Maghrib.
- In Ramadan: keep a short dua list ready for iftar time.
- You can make dua anytime, in any place.
- The last third of the night and sujood are top times.
- Between adhan and iqamah, and Friday's hour, are special too.
- Fasting, traveling and being wronged add weight.
People also ask
Is it okay to keep making the same dua for years?
Yes, it's encouraged. Don't give up: every sincere dua is answered, turned into protection from harm, or saved as reward for you.
Read the full answer →Why isn't Allah answering my dua?
No dua is ignored. Allah gives what you asked or keeps a harm away. Impatience and haram income can hold dua back, so keep asking.
Read the full answer →Can I make dua during sujood?
Yes, sujood is when you're closest to Allah. Say the basic dhikr, then add your own dua. Schools differ on duas in obligatory prayers.
Read the full answer →What should I say when I'm angry as a Muslim?
Yes, say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim." The Prophet taught it for anger. Then sit down, stay quiet and step away.
Read the full answer →What dua can I make for my parents?
Yes, the Quran gives one: "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up small." Here are duas for Muslim and non-Muslim parents.
Read the full answer →