The best times wherein one's Du`a' is answered

Fatwas of Ibn Baz

Browse by Volume Number > Volume 9 > the times when prayers are answered The best times wherein one's Du`a' is answered (Part No. 9; Page No. 353) What are the times when invocations are most likely expected to be answered? A: There are many times specified as times when invocations are most likely to be answered by Allah. These times have been mentioned in the Sunnah. They include: 1- Du`a' (supplication) made between Adhan (call to Prayer) and Iqamah (call to start the Prayer). The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected. 2- Du`a' made at the last third of the night when people are sound asleep. There is an hour at night during which Allah answers the Du`a' of every supplicant. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Our Lord descends every night to the lower heaven when the last third of the night begins. He says: Who is calling Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him. Every believer, man or woman, should not miss making Du`a' at these times and choose a blessed all-encompassing formula of Du`a' in the middle and the last part of the night. Both the middle and the last third of the night are the best times to have one's Du'a` answered by Allah. When asking Allah to accept a Du`a', the supplicant is to invoke Allah with His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes. He must entreat Him and recite the Du`a' repeatedly. Entreating Allah, holding good thoughts about Him and not surrendering to despair are some of the greatest causes for having one's Du`a' answered by Allah. One should be aware of the fact that it may be Allah's wisdom to delay or grant an instant response to a certain Du`a'. He may give the supplicant something better than what he asked for. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: (Part No. 9; Page No. 354) Any Muslim who supplicates Allah in a Du’a which contains no sin or breaking of kinship, Allah will give him one of three things: either his Du’a will be immediately answered, or it will be saved for him in the hereafter, or it will turn away an equivalent amount of evil (from him)”. The companions said “...So we will ask more and more.” He replied, “Allah is more (generous).  He should hope that his Lord will answer his Du`a'. He should also entreat Him with His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes. He should avoid illegal earnings and strive to earn his livelihood in a lawful way because illegal earnings result in a Du`a' being rejected by Allah. There is no might or power except with Allah. 3- Du`a' made while prostrating. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also says: So far as Ruku` (bowing) is concerned, extol in it the Great and Glorious Lord, and while prostrating yourselves be earnest in supplication, for it is fitting that your supplications should be answered. Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih (Authentic Book of Hadith). 4- Du`a' made when the Imam ascends Minbar (pulpit) to deliver the Friday Khutbah (sermon) and until the Friday Prayer is over. 5- Du`a' made after Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/last unit of Prayer) and before Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer). After the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his Sahabah (Companions) the formula of Tashahhud, he said: “Then let him choose from supplication what he loves best and let him supplicate (with it)” (Part No. 9 ( Page No: 355) 6- Du`a' made in the late afternoon and until sunset provided that a person performs Wudu` (ablution) and waits until the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer is due. Du`a' should be made from `Asr (Noon) time up to sunset every Friday. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: There is an opportune time on Friday. If a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand. The Prophet (may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) pointed out that it is a short period of time. “On Friday there is an hour which no Muslim servant happens to be standing in prayer at that time, asking Allah, the Most Exalted, for something, but He will certainly give it to him.” Scholars explain that 'standing in prayer' here means that a person is waiting for Salah. In conclusion, one who sits waiting for the time of the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer takes the same ruling of someone who is performing Salah. Therefore, he should make frequent Du`a' before the sun sets. There is no difference whether a person makes Du`a' at the Masjid (mosque) or at home if a person is a woman or a sick person. One must perform Wudu' (ablution) and then wait for the Maghrib Prayer. The abovementioned times are considered the best times when Allah answers the Du`a'. Therefore, the Muslim does his best to make repeated Du`a's during these times while showing sincerity, humility, and placing dependence on Allah (Glorified be He). He should celebrate Allah's praises constantly and should start his Du`a' by praising Allah, invoking Him to send His peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) as this serves as a means towards having one's Du`a' answered by Allah. This is based on the authentic Hadith narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this regard.