Prayer (Salah) is one of the most important pillars of Islam. In fact, in terms of priority and significance, prayer is the second most important pillar of Islam, after the declaration of faith. It is a sort of spiritual connection between the believer and Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. When a believer stands for prayer, ideally, they should disconnect from all worldly matters and present themselves before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ with complete submission.
The dua for supplication at the start of the prayer (salah) is an emphatic and comforting way of asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for His blessings and pacifying one's heart in hopes of a great reward from Allah. In hadith, 6 different duas have been recited at the start of prayer by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) on different occasions, and any one of them can be recited by a believer.
Hisnul Muslim, a well-known dua book, has compiled various authentic supplications said by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) at the start of the prayer. In the dua, the believer asks Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to wipe clean his sins and send them apart from his body like the east and west (Sahih al-Bukhari 744). The same has been reported by Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) in (Sahih Muslim 598 a-b), (Sunan an-Nasa'i 895), and (Sunan Ibn Majah 805).
Accordingly, while standing for prayer, the believer is in the best position to supplicate. This specific Dua, recited at the start of prayer, is known as "Dua al-Istiftah” in Islamic terminology. Dua al-Istiftah translates to “the opening supplication”. It is also known as “San’a” (Thana).
The importance of supplicating before starting prayer is evident from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He used to make Dua before starting Salah, after initial takbir (Allah O Akbar, الله أكبر) and before reciting Surah Al-Fatiha. The practice of the Prophet to recite a specific dua at the beginning of prayer is mentioned in Hadith 744 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, as follows:
Translation - Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to keep silent between the Takbir and the recitation of Qur'an, and that interval of silence used to be a short one. I said to the Prophet (ﷺ), "May my parents be sacrificed for you! What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I say, 'Allahumma, baa`id baini wa baina khatayaya kama baa`adta baina l-mashriqi wa l-maghrib. Allahumma, naqqini min khatayaya kama yunaqqa th-thawbu l-abyadu mina d-danas. Allahumma, ighsil khatayaya bi l-maa'i wa th-thalji wa l-barad. (O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other, and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow, and hail."
So, the dua (اعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَاىَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ), as mentioned in this Hadith is widely followed by Muslims across the world, as a Sunnah Dua at the start of prayer, though other Duas at this stage of the prayer are also quite commonly recited.
In another dua for supplication at the start of the prayer, the reciter praises the glory and omnipotence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 806). Abu Sa'eed (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported the same in (Sunan an-Nasa'i 900). In another extensive dua, the reciter praises the unparalleled attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in addition to asking Him for guidance towards the right path (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1625), (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3420). 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported the same dua in (Sahih Muslim 770).
Prayer Duas
Allaahumma baa'id baynee wa bayna khataayaaya kamaa baa'adta baynal-mashriqi walmaghribi, Allaahumma naqqinee min khataayaaya kamaa yunaqqath-thawbul-'abyadhu minad-danasi, Allaahum-maghsilnee min khataayaaya, bith-thalji walmaa'i walbarad.
O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah, wash away my sins with ice and water and frost.
Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta'aalaa jadduka, wa laa 'ilaaha ghayruka.
Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.
Wajjahtu wajhiya lillathee fataras-samawati wal-arda haneefan wama ana minal-mushrikeen, inna salatee wanusukee wamahyaya wamamatee lillahi rabbil-AAalameen, la shareeka lahu wabithalika omirtu wa-ana minal-muslimeen. Allahumma antal-maliku la ilaha illa ant. anta rabbee wa-ana AAabduk, thalamtu nafsee waAAtaraftu bithanbee faghfir lee thunoobee jameeAAan innahu la yaghfiruth-thunooba illa ant.wahdinee li-ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdee li-ahsaniha illa ant, wasrif AAannee sayyi-aha la yasrifu AAannee sayyi-aha illa ant, labbayka wasaAAdayk,walkhayru kulluhu biyadayk, washsharru laysa ilayk, ana bika wa-ilayk, tabarakta wataAAalayt, astaghfiruka wa-atoobu ilayk.
I have turned my face sincerely towards He who has brought forth the heavens and the Earth and I am not of those who associate (others with Allah). Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, no partner has He, with this I am commanded and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign, none has the right to be worshiped except You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant, I have wronged my own soul and have acknowledged my sin, so forgive me all my sins for no one forgives sins except You. Guide me to the best of characters for none can guide to it other than You, and deliver me from the worst of characters for none can deliver me from it other than You. Here I am, in answer to Your call, happy to serve you. All good is within Your hands and evil does not stem from You. I exist by your will and will return to you. Blessed and High are You, I seek Your forgiveness and repent unto You.
Allahumma rabba jibra-eel, wameeka-eel, wa-israfeel fatiras-samawati walard, AAalimal-ghaybi washshahadah, anta tahkumu bayna AAibadika feema kanoo feehi yakhtalifoon. ihdinee limakh-tulifa feehi minal-haqqi bi-ithnik, innaka tahdee man tasha-o ila siratin mustaqeem.
O Allah, Lord of Jibraeel, Meekaeel and Israfeel (great angles), Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen. You are the arbitrator between Your servants in that which they have disputed. Guide me to the truth by Your leave, in that which they have differed, for verily You guide whom You will to a straight path.
Allaahu 'Akbar Kabeera, Allaahu 'Akbar Kabeera, Allaahu 'Akbar Kabeera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, wa Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa'aseela.(1)'A 'oothu billaahi minash-Shaytaan: min nafkhihi, wa nafthihi, wa hamzihi.(2)
Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Glory is to Allah, at the break of day and at its end. (Three times)(1)I seek refuge in Allah from Satan. From his breath and from his voice and from his whisper.(2)
Allahumma lakal-hamdu 'Anta noon samaawaati wal'ardhi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu 'Anta qayyimus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu 'Anta Rabbus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa man feehinna wa lakal-hamdu laka mulkus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa man feehinna wa lakal-hamdu 'Anta Malikus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa lakal-hamdu 'Antal-haqq, wa wa'dukal-haqq, wa qawlukal-haqq wa liqaa'ukal-haqq, waljannatu haqq, wannaaru haqq, wannabiyy oona haqq, wa Muhammadun haqq, wassaa'atu haqq Allaahumma laka 'aslamtu, wa 'alayka tawakkaltu, wa bika 'aamantu, wa 'ilayka 'anabtu, wa bika khaasamtu, wa 'ilayka haakamtu. Faghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa 'akhkhartu, wa maa 'asrartu, wa maa 'a'lantu 'Antal-Muqaddimu, wa 'Antal-Mu'akhkhiru laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta 'Anta 'ilaahee laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta.
O Allah, praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Praise is to You, Yours is dominion of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Praise is to You, You are the King of the heavens and the earth. And praise is to You. You are the Truth, Your Promise is true, Your Word is true, Your audience is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Prophets are true, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is true, and the Hour of Judgment is true. O Allah, to You I have submitted, and upon You I depend. I have believed in You and to You I turn in repentance. For Your sake I dispute and by Your standard I judge. Forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have declared. You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays , there is none who has the right to be worshiped but You. You are my God, there is none who has the right to be worshiped but You.
Although there are around 6 different Duas in various Hadiths that can be recited as a Dua after takbir before Surah Fatiha, the following two simple, short ones are commonly recited by Muslims around the world.
Dua - سُبْـحَانَكَ اللَّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمْـدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُـكَ، وَتَعـَالَى جَـدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُك
Meaning - Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You
Dua - اللَّهُـمَّ باَعِـدْ بَيْـنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَـاياَيَ كَماَ باَعَدْتَ بَيْنَ المَشْرِقِ وَالمَغْرِبْ، اللَّهُـمَّ نَقِّنِـي مِنْ خَطَاياَيَ كَمـَا يُـنَقَّى الثَّـوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسْ، اللَّهُـمَّ اغْسِلْنِـي مِنْ خَطَايـَايَ بِالثَّلـجِ وَالمـَاءِ وَالْبَرَدِ
Meaning - O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah, wash away my sins with ice and water and frost.
The most popular and shortest dua that can be recited at the start of Salah is as follows:
سُبْـحَانَكَ اللَّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمْـدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُـكَ، وَتَعـَالَى جَـدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُك
Transliteration - Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta'aalaa jadduka, wa laa 'ilaaha ghayruka.
Translation - Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.
This Dua is mentioned in Hadith 806 of Sunan Ibn Majah and some others as follows:
Translation – It was narrated from 'Aishah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) started Salat he would say: "Subhanak Allahumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabarakas-muka wata'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk (Glory and praise is to You, O Allah, blessed is Your Name and exalted is Your majesty, none has the right to be worshipped but You)."
Dua al-Istifitah, or the opening supplication, refers to what to recite at the beginning of salah. This dua holds great significance in Islamic teachings and is widely regarded as an integral part of prayer, an emphasized Sunnah act. The significance of dua before starting prayer can be summarized as follows:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would usually fall silent before reciting the dua, thereby directing all his concentration toward what he was saying and what that meant for him. These duas should be recited with the utmost attention and a stern belief that what one is reciting is completely true. One should also recite the duas with total hope that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will grant them whatever, if it is good for them, is asked of Him.
The etiquette of reciting Dua at the start of prayer can be summarized as follows:
By far, the greatest benefit of dua for supplication at the start of the prayer is emphasizing and acknowledging the sovereignty and greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The dua helps beseech Allah to forgive our sins and wipe us clean like a white cloth that's been washed. The duas are also a means of reminding ourselves of the weakness of man and his total dependence on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The dua for supplication at the start of the prayer is an excellent method of asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for His guidance and help.
Recitation of specific Dua at the beginning of a prayer, known as “Dua al-Istiftah”, is not obligatory; it is a highly emphasized Sunnah, hence must be practiced regularly.
This dua must be recited silently, both by the Imam and followers, in the first Rak’ah of every prayer.
No, only one Dua should be recited in one prayer, and that too only in the first Raka’h.
Since it is not obligatory to recite the dua at the start of the prayer, your prayer will be valid. However, scholars strongly recommend reciting a dua at the beginning of prayer.