Dua While In Ruku

Prayer (Salah) is one of the five pillars of Islam and holds great significance. It is a unique type of worship, which is also seen as a Muslim identity across the world. It comprises multiple acts and postures. Ruku (Bowing) is one of these special postures, which reflects submission and humility before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while Glorifying Him.

There are multiple positions and places in the performance of Prayer, where Muslims are enjoined to make specific duas. Ruku is one of the postures, alongside Sujood (Prostration), which are directly emphasized in the Quran in several verses, such as the 77^th verse of Surah Al-Hajj.

Translation - O you who believe, bow in adoration, worship your Lord and do what is good that you may find success.

Accordingly, reciting Dua during Ruku is also a highly virtuous and Sunnah act. What to say in Ruku or more precisely, what to recite in Ruku in Salah, is specifically advised by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, as communicated through different Hadiths, reported in authentic Hadith Collections. Bowing or bending into the position of Ruku is a gesture of Glorifying Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while saying Dua in Rukoo is a focal point in Prayer, where the believers affirm their unconditional and unwavering submission to their Creator. It is an act of humbleness and denying one’s ego, while acknowledging the absolute supremacy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. That’s why supplication during ruku is believed to be one of the special moments when the probability of acceptance of Dua is the highest.

The most virtuous and widely practiced dua for ruku in Salah, recited by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, is reported in many Hadiths, such as Hadith 1046 of Sunan An-Nasai.

Translation - It was narrated that Hudhaifah said: "I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he bowed and said when bowing: 'Subhana Rabbial-azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).' And when prostrating: 'Subhana Rabbial-'Ala (Glory be to my Lord Most High).”

The same Dua is also reported in Hadith 1133 and 1145 of Sunan An-Nasai, with more details. Additionally, there is another Dua to recite while in Ruku, which is also narrated in Hadith 1122 of Sunan An-Nasai, as follows:

Translation - It was narrated that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say when bowing and prostrating: 'Subhanakallahumma, Rabbana wa bihamdik. Allahumma-ghfirli (Glory be to You O Allah, Our Lord, and praise. O Allah, forgive me," following the command of the Quran.

The same dua is also reported in Hadith 1123 of Sunan An-Nasai. Similarly, another Dua, which the Prophet used to recite in Ruku, is also reported in Hadith 487a of Sahih Muslim:

Translation - A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to pronounce while bowing and prostrating himself: All Glorious, All Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Spirit.

Dua In Ruku In Arabic

Although there are multiple Duas, which can be recited while in ruku, as reported in different Hadiths, the most widely practiced dua, across the Muslim world, is as follows

Arabic Text - سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

This dua should be recited three times, while staying in the posture of Ruku.

Dua In Ruku Transliteration

Transliteration - Subhaana Rabbiyal-'Adheem.

Dua In Ruku In English

English Text - Glory to my Lord the Exalted

Dua In Ruku With Meaning

Dua - سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Meaning – By dictionary, this dua translates to “Glory to my Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, the Exalted”. While staying in the position of Ruku, reciting this Dua thrice reflects the total submission of the believers before the Almighty Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It is a reflection of humility in front of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and affirming His Glory. When we say these words while bending in Ruku, it is the denial of our ego and complete submission before the Glorious and Exalted Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Repeating it three times, consecutively, is a sort of reaffirmation of our submission.

The Etiquettes of Reciting Dua While in Rukoo

Prayer is when the believer stands before his creator, knowing the Almighty is listening to him. At such a moment, making a dua that voices the glory of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is an extremely potent way of attaining forgiveness of one's sins from Him in addition to multitudes of blessings and sustenance of Allah. Thus, while making this dua, one must fully concentrate and should wholeheartedly recite the dua.

The etiquette of reciting Dua while in Ruku includes the following:

• The complete process and procedure of bending in Ruku during Salah includes the following steps, which are required to be strictly followed:
  • Say takbir (Allah o Akbar) and start bending your body.
  • Bend forward, ensuring that your back remains straight.
  • Place your hands firmly on your knees, so as to support your body to bend properly.
  • Keep the head in a straight line with the back. Don't over-bend your head; keep it aligned with your back.
  • Recite the Dua at least three times, slowly, with a reasonable pause in between.
• While in Ruku, reciting the Quranic verses is not permissible.
• Avoid rushing through the process while bending in Ruku. Complete this step calmly, with complete focus on prayer and duas.
• While any authentic dua, as reported in authentic Hadiths, can be recited, the most common and widely practiced dua is “سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ”.
• Recite this specific dua slowly, while focusing on its meaning.
• Repeat this Dua at least three times, while staying in the posture of Ruku. The number of repetitions can be increased in odd numbers, if one wishes to. Accordingly, it can be repeated 3, 5, 7 times, and so on.
• While some scholars are of the view that any personal Dua can also be recited while in Ruku, the majority consensus is that one must restrict to only those Duas, which are narrated in authentic Hadiths. The scholars, who permit recitation of personal Duas during Ruku, also restrict that it should only be in Arabic. Dua during Ruku in languages other than Arabic is strictly prohibited.
• After making dua, give a slight pause, and then rise from the position of Ruku to complete the other essential steps of Salah.

IMORTANT

• Ruku is an essential part of every prayer (Fard, Sunnah, and Nafl), in each Rak’ah. Accordingly, Dua must be recited every time you bend in Ruku.
• You can recite the same dua every time, or alternately, you can recite different authentic Duas while going into ruku in subsequent Raka’hs.

Benefits of Reciting Dua While in Rukoo

Reciting the dua while in rukoo is a ticket to forgiveness from the Almighty. If you recite this dua, Allah Azzawajal will increase your good deeds and shower blessings upon you. Most notably, He will accept your salah as salah is incomplete without reciting this dua in rukoo. The dua reminds us of our place in the world, the sovereignty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and our ultimate dependence on Him for every small thing in life.

The significance and spiritual benefits of reciting Dua in Ruku can be summarized as follows:

• Physically bending before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and glorifying Him in Dua is a rich source of strengthening humility with a sense of total submission.
• While in Ruku, when we spend some time, Glorifying Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ in our supplication with complete focus, brings khushu in our prayer. Reflecting on its meaning also brings more concentration in prayer.
• Although Prayer itself is a source of connecting with Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, bowing down in Ruku and making specific Dua thrice, enhances this connection, which reflects firm belief and complete reliance on Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• It brings extra rewards, not only in this world but also on the Day of Resurrection.
• Making Dua during Ruku is an act of Sunnah. Practicing an act of Sunnah brings additional rewards.

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