Once, someone asked the Prophet ﷺ: “Which time’s supplication is the most accepted?”

The Prophet ﷺ replied: “During the middle of the night and after obligatory prayers.”

This hadith emphasizes the importance of supplication after Salah.

Supplication (du’a) is the believer’s weapon. Many calamities and hardships that may befall a person are removed through supplication. Supplication is the backbone of a person’s success in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ has said that it is only through supplication that one can even alter divine decree.

There are numerous sayings of the Prophet ﷺ that highlight the sanctity of the remembrance of Allah.

Here, we mention only one:

One day, a group of companions approached the Prophet ﷺ and said:

“O Prophet of Allah, the wealthy among us are reaping rewards through charity while we, lacking wealth, are unable to do so. They perform Salah and fast just as we do, but also give in charity.”

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Shall I not tell you something by which you can catch up with them in reward?”

He instructed:

“After each Salah, say Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) 33 times each.”

Whether one performs Salah individually or in congregation, it is Sunnah to engage in remembrance (dhikr) and supplication (du’a) after Salah.

Upon concluding Salah with Salam, one should immediately say “Astaghfirullahal Adheem” three times.

Then recite:

“Al-Qadim ar-Raheem, alladhi la ilaha illa huwa al-hayyul qayyum, min kulli dhanbin wa khati’atin wa atubu ilayh wa asaluhu at-tawbah.”

(O Ancient, Merciful One! There is no God but You, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. I seek forgiveness and turn to You, asking for repentance.)

Then say:

“Allahumma anta as-salam wa minka as-salam wa ilayka yarji’u as-salam. Hayyina Rabbana bis-salam wa adkhilna dar as-salam. Tabarakta Rabbana wa ta’alayta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram.”

(O Allah, You are Peace, and from You comes peace. To You returns peace. O our Lord, keep us alive with peace and admit us into the abode of peace. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted, O Lord of Glory and Honor.)

Then recite:

“La ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamd, wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.”(There is no god but Allah, alone without any partner. His is the dominion, His is the praise, and He is powerful over all things.)

Then recite:

“Allahumma la mani’a lima a’tayt, wa la mu’tiya lima mana’t, wa la yanfa’u dhal-jaddi minka al-jadd.”

(O Allah, none can withhold what You give, and none can give what You withhold. No wealth or fortune can benefit against Your Will.)

Then recite:

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Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255),

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Surah Al-Fatihah,

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Surah Al-Ikhlas,

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Surah Al-Falaq, and

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Surah An-Naas.

Afterwards, say:

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Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah) 33 times,

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Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) 33 times,

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Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) 33 times.

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Finally, once again say:

“La ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamd, wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.”

After this, recite “La ilaha illa Allah” ten times and then enter into supplication (du’a).

Special Practices After Fajr and Maghrib

After completing the Salam for Fajr (Subh) and Maghrib prayers, immediately recite:

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“La ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamd, wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer” ten times,

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And then “Allahumma ajirni min an-naar” (O Allah, protect me from the Fire) seven times.

After these, proceed to recite the earlier-mentioned dhikr and make supplication.

The Qur’an and hadiths contain many other prayers (du’as), and it is highly recommended to incorporate them into your supplication.

Nevertheless, it is perfectly valid to ask Allah for any worldly or hereafter-related need in any language.

Incident: Importance of Supplicating After Salah

There is a narration that shows how the Prophet ﷺ disliked leaving immediately after Salah without supplication:

One day, after Salah, a companion got up to leave without supplicating.

The Prophet ﷺ noticed and asked him sternly:

“Do you not have anything to ask from Allah?”

The man replied:

“O Prophet, I only have one garment. I have to leave so that my family may use it to pray.”

Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ gave him a garment.

Another incident: Once the Prophet ﷺ led a Salah with great companions like Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) praying behind him.

Immediately after Salah, a man stood up to perform Sunnah prayers.

The Prophet ﷺ was still sitting, turned to his right, and Umar (RA) seized the man’s shoulder and said:

“Sit down!”

He added:

“The destruction of the People of the Book was because there was no gap between their prayers.”

Hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“O son of Khattab, Allah has approved your action.”

Supplication Individually and Collectively

Supplication after Salah can be done individually or collectively.

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If praying alone, one should perform dhikr and du’a while sitting in the same posture after Salah.

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If praying in congregation, the Imam should turn to the congregation by slightly turning left towards the Qibla and right towards the congregation.

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When the Imam makes supplication, the congregation should say “Ameen” collectively, just as they do after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah during Salah.

This is the Prophetic tradition.

Protection Through Dhikr

The Prophets have taught us special forms of remembrance to protect against the harms and troubles of life.

Many times, calamities strike because such protections are neglected.

The Prophet ﷺ has taught different adhkar (remembrances) for:

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Morning and evening times,

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Before going to bed,

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Upon waking up,

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And various other occasions.

Every believer should strive to make these a part of daily practice.