What dua can I make for my spouse?

The best-known dua for your spouse is from the Quran: "Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a'yun" (Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and children comfort to our eyes). You can also pray for your husband or wife in your own words, for their faith, health, happiness and success, at any time.

The Quranic dua for spouses

Allah describes His righteous servants as people who make this dua:

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." Quran 25:74

"Comfort to the eyes" means a spouse who brings you peace and joy, and who helps you toward Allah. It's a dua both husbands and wives can say, and it works before marriage too.

The Prophet's dua for a married couple

When congratulating a newly married person, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Barakallahu laka, wa baraka 'alayka, wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr", "May Allah bless you, shower His blessings upon you, and join you together in goodness" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2130). You can say it for your own marriage too: "O Allah, bless us and join us together in goodness."

There's also a short sunnah dua before intimacy, asking Allah to keep Shaytan away from you and from any child you're given (Sahih al-Bukhari 141).

Duas in your own words

"O Allah, increase love and mercy between us."
"O Allah, protect my spouse, grant them health and halal provision, and make their work easy."
"O Allah, make my spouse a means for me to reach Jannah, and make me the same for them."
"O Allah, forgive us for how we've hurt each other, and make us gentle with one another."

Pray for them when they're not there: an angel says, "And for you the same" (Sahih Muslim 2732). See Can I make dua for someone without telling them?

If your spouse isn't Muslim

Many converts are married to someone who hasn't accepted Islam. You can pray for their guidance, health, happiness and all good in this life, and show them the best character at home. See Can I stay married to my Christian wife after becoming Muslim?

Back the dua with kindness

The Prophet ﷺ said, "The best of you is the best to his family" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). He also said you're rewarded even for the bite of food you put in your wife's mouth (Sahih al-Bukhari 56). A dua for a happy marriage goes hand in hand with patience, thanks and small acts of care. And believers hope to be reunited with their spouses in Paradise. See Is there marriage in Jannah?

Key points

Use Quran 25:74: "Rabbana hab lana min azwajina..."
"Barakallahu laka..." is the Prophet's dua for a married couple.
Praying for your spouse in secret brings the same good to you.
Combine dua with kindness at home.

Tip: Tell your spouse now and then, "I made dua for you today." It's a small sentence that means a lot, and it often encourages them to do the same for you.