What should I say after every prayer?
Yes, there's a short routine: Astaghfirullah three times, a brief praise, then SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar 33 times each. All of it is recommended (sunnah), not required, so your prayer is complete without it. It takes about three minutes and you can learn it one piece at a time.
The basic routine, step by step
- Astaghfirullah (3 times): "I ask Allah's forgiveness." When the Prophet ﷺ finished his prayer, "He begged forgiveness three times" (Sahih Muslim 591).
- Allahumma antas-salam wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram: "O Allah! Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee; Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of Glory and Honour" (Sahih Muslim 591).
- The 33-33-33: SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 33 times.
- To complete 100: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. "There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him is praise due, and He is Potent over everything."
About this set of 100, the Prophet ﷺ said the person's "sins will be forgiven even If these are as abundant as the foam of the sea" (Sahih Muslim 597).
Other adhkar you can add later
- The Prophet's dua for help: he told Mu'adh never to leave saying after every prayer: "O Allah, help me in remembering You, in giving You thanks, and worshipping You well" (Sunan Abi Dawud 1522). In Arabic: Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik.
- A longer praise: the Prophet ﷺ used to say after every compulsory prayer a declaration of Allah's oneness, adding that no one can withhold what Allah gives or give what He withholds (Sahih al-Bukhari 844). Fortress of the Muslim (Hisn al-Muslim) has the full wording.
- Ayat al-Kursi: many Muslims recite it after each prayer. See What is Ayat al-Kursi and when do I recite it?
Aloud or quietly, and in which order?
Ibn Abbas said that in the Prophet's lifetime "it was the custom to celebrate Allah's praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers" (Sahih al-Bukhari 841). Some scholars take this as a sunnah of saying it audibly, while others (including Imam ash-Shafi'i) understood it as done to teach people and prefer a quiet voice. Either is fine; just don't disturb people still praying. The order above is common but not fixed, and you can also say your personal duas afterwards. See What are the best times to make dua?
Learning it as a new Muslim
Don't try to memorize everything in one week. Start with Astaghfirullah three times and the 33-33-33, which you can count on your fingers. Add one new line every week or two. If you have to rush off, saying even a little is better than skipping it. See Can I use a digital tasbih or dhikr app?
- Post-prayer dhikr is sunnah, not a condition of the prayer.
- Core routine: Astaghfirullah x3, Allahumma antas-salam, then 33-33-33 plus one line.
- Add Mu'adh's dua and Ayat al-Kursi when you're ready.
- Saying a little consistently beats skipping it.
People also ask
Can I do dhikr in the bathroom?
No, not out loud while using the toilet; it's disliked. Silent dhikr in your heart is fine, and the entering and leaving duas are said at the door.
Read the full answer →What does "SubhanAllah" mean and when do I say it?
Yes, it means "Glory be to Allah", declaring Him free of every imperfection. Say it when amazed, in prayer, after salah and in dhikr.
Read the full answer →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 →What are the best times to make dua?
Yes, there are special times: the last third of the night, sujood, between adhan and iqamah, Friday's hour, and when fasting or traveling.
Read the full answer →