Here is a collection of 25 powerful duas from the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah that address various needs and circumstances. Each dua is presented with its Arabic text, transliteration, translation, and recommended time for recitation.
1. Dua for Protection (Ayat al-Kursi)
Protection
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Transliteration: Allahu la ilaha illa huwal hayyul qayyum, la ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm, lahu ma fissamawati wa ma fil ard, man tha alladhi yashfa'u indahu illa bi idhnihi, ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi shay'in min ilmihi illa bima sha'a, wasi'a kursiyyuhus samawati wal ard, wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma, wahuwal 'aliyyul 'adheem.
Translation: Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi (throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
When to recite: After each obligatory prayer, before sleeping, and for general protection throughout the day.
2. Dua for Guidance (Istikhara)
Guidance
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي (أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي (أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal 'adheem, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi, wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'hi waqdur lir khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bihi.
Translation: O Allah, I seek Your counsel through Your knowledge and seek Your assistance through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed You are able, and I am unable, and You know, while I do not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then decree it for me and facilitate it for me, and then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
When to recite: When facing an important decision or uncertain about which path to take.
3. Dua for Healing
Health
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
Transliteration: As'alullah al-'adheem rabb al-'arsh al-'adheem an yashfiyak.
Translation: I ask Allah the Great, Lord of the Great Throne, to heal you.
When to recite: When visiting someone who is ill or when seeking healing for oneself.
4. Dua for Forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar)
Forgiveness
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u laka bi dhanbi faghfirli fa innahu la yaghfirudh dhunuba illa anta.
Translation: O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity besides You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I am upon Your covenant and promise as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You.
When to recite: During the day, especially in the morning and evening, and when seeking forgiveness for sins.
5. Dua for Anxiety and Distress
Peace
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي
Transliteration: Allahumma inni 'abduka, ibnu 'abdika, ibnu amatika, nasiyati bi yadika, madin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya qada'uka, as'aluka bikulli ismin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, aw 'allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, aw anzaltahu fi kitabika, aw ista'tharta bihi fi 'ilmil ghaybi 'indaka, an taj'alal qur'ana rabiba qalbi, wa nura sadri, wa jala'a huzni, wa dhahaba hammi.
Translation: O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your command over me is forever executed, and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or taught to any of Your creation, or preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Quran the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety.
When to recite: When experiencing anxiety, sorrow, or distress.
6. Dua for Knowledge
Guidance
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Transliteration: Rabbi zidni 'ilman.
Translation: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.
When to recite: When seeking knowledge, studying, or before learning something new.
7. Dua for Ease in Matters
Success
اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا، وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا
Transliteration: Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja'altahu sahla, wa anta taj'alul hazna idha shi'ta sahla.
Translation: O Allah, there is no ease except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if You will.
When to recite: When facing difficult tasks, challenges, or when starting something new.
8. Dua for Protection from Evil
Protection
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Transliteration: Bismillahilladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil ardi wa la fissama'i, wa huwas sami'ul 'alim.
Translation: In the name of Allah with whose name nothing in the earth or the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
When to recite: Three times in the morning and three times in the evening for protection from all harm.
9. Dua for Good Character
Success
اللَّهُمَّ أَحْسَنْتَ خَلْقِي فَأَحْسِنْ خُلُقِي
Transliteration: Allahumma ahsanta khalqi fa ahsin khuluqi.
Translation: O Allah, You have made my creation good, so make my character good.
When to recite: Regularly, especially when working on improving one's character and manners.
10. Dua for Righteous Offspring
Success
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Transliteration: Rabbi hab li minas salihin.
Translation: My Lord, grant me from Yourself a righteous offspring.
When to recite: When seeking righteous children or praying for the righteousness of one's offspring.
11. Dua for Sufficient Provision
Success
اللَّهُمَّ كَفِينِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Transliteration: Allahumma kifini bi halalika 'an haramik, wa aghnini bifadlika 'amman siwak.
Translation: O Allah, suffice me with what You have made permissible against what You have made forbidden, and make me independent by Your bounty from others besides You.
When to recite: When seeking lawful provision and independence from needing others.
12. Dua for Entering and Leaving Home
Protection
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ الْمَوْلَجِ وَخَيْرَ الْمَخْرَجِ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as'aluka khayral mawlaj wa khayral makhraj, bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'alallahi rabbina tawakkalna.
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for the best of entrance and the best of exit. In the name of Allah we have entered, and in the name of Allah we have exited, and upon our Lord we have relied.
When to recite: When entering or leaving the home.
13. Dua for Protection from Satan
Protection
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Transliteration: A'udhu billahi minash shaytanir rajim.
Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.
When to recite: When feeling tempted, angry, or when Satan whispers evil thoughts.
14. Dua for a Good End
Success
اللَّهُمَّ أَحْسِنْ عَاقِبَتَنَا فِي الْأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا، وَأَجِرْنَا مِنْ خِزْيِ الدُّنْيَا وَعَذَابِ الْآخِرَةِ
Transliteration: Allahumma ahsin 'aqibatana fil umuri kulliha, wa ajirna min khizyid dunya wa 'adhabil akhirah.
Translation: O Allah, make our end good in all matters, and protect us from the disgrace of this world and the punishment of the Hereafter.
When to recite: Regularly, especially in prayers and when contemplating mortality.
15. Dua for Tranquility
Peace
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْكَنْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
Transliteration: Allahumma as'antu nafsi ilayka, wa fawwadtu amri ilayka, wa alja'tu zahri ilayka, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayka, la malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilayka, amantu bikitabikalladhi anzalta, wa binabiyyikalladhi arsalta.
Translation: O Allah, I have submitted my soul to You, and I have entrusted my affair to You, and I have turned my face toward You, out of desire and fear of You. There is no refuge nor escape from You except to You. I have believed in Your Book which You have revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You have sent.
When to recite: Before sleeping, when feeling anxious, or when in need of peace and tranquility.
16. Dua for Gratitude
Success
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِجَلَالِ وَجْهِكَ وَلِعَظِيمِ سُلْطَانِكَ
Transliteration: Allahumma lakal hamdu kama yanbaghi li jalali wajhika wa li 'adheemi sultanik.
Translation: O Allah, all praise is due to You as much as befits the glory of Your face and the greatness of Your authority.
When to recite: When expressing gratitude for blessings, especially after prayers or when receiving good news.
17. Dua for Protection from Calamities
Protection
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَهْدِ الْبَلَاءِ، وَدَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وَسُوءِ الْقَضَاءِ، وَشَمَاتَةِ الْأَعْدَاءِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inna na'udhu bika min jahdil bala'i, wa darakish shaqa'i, wa su'il qada'i, wa shamatatil a'da'i.
Translation: O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the severity of trials, from the depths of misery, from evil decrees, and from the rejoicing of enemies.
When to recite: When facing difficult trials, calamities, or when fearing misfortune.
18. Dua for Marriage
Success
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ زَوْجَةً طَيِّبَةً لَيْسَتْ بِكَافِرَةٍ وَلَا عَاهِرَةً
Transliteration: Rabbi hab li min ladunka zawjatan tayyibatan laysat bikafiratin wa la 'ahirah.
Translation: My Lord, grant me from Yourself a righteous spouse, not a disbeliever or an unchaste one.
When to recite: When seeking a righteous spouse or praying for one's marriage.
19. Dua for Protection from Debt
Success
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal hammi wal huzni, wa a'udhu bika minal 'ajzi wal kasali, wa a'udhu bika minal jubni wal bukhli, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid dayni wa qahrir rijal.
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from weakness and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from being overcome by debt and being overpowered by men.
When to recite: When in debt or fearing financial difficulties.
20. Dua for Blessings in Time
Success
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِي وَقْتِي
Transliteration: Allahumma barik li fi waqti.
Translation: O Allah, bless me in my time.
When to recite: In the morning to seek blessings in one's time throughout the day.
21. Dua for Blessings in Knowledge
Guidance
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ، وَأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ حَالِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Allahumma nfa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa 'allimani ma yanfa'uni, wa zidni 'ilman, alhamdulillahi 'ala kulli halin, wa a'udhu billahi min hali ahlin nar.
Translation: O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, and teach me what will benefit me, and increase me in knowledge. Praise is to Allah in all circumstances, and I seek refuge in Allah from the state of the people of the Fire.
When to recite: After acquiring knowledge, when studying, or when seeking beneficial knowledge.
22. Dua for Blessings in Wealth
Success
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِي مَالِهِمْ وَوَلَدِهِمْ
Transliteration: Allahumma barik lahum fi malihim wa waladihim.
Translation: O Allah, bless them in their wealth and their children.
When to recite: When seeking blessings in one's wealth and children, or when praying for others.
23. Dua for Protection from Evil Eye
Protection
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
Transliteration: A'udhu bikalimatillahit tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli 'aynin lammah.
Translation: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and poisonous creature, and from every evil eye.
When to recite: Three times in the morning and three times in the evening for protection from the evil eye.
24. Dua for a Sound Heart
Peace
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ قَلْبًا سَلِيمًا
Transliteration: Allahumma inna nas'aluka qalban saliman.
Translation: O Allah, we ask You for a sound heart.
When to recite: Regularly, especially when seeking spiritual purification and peace of heart.
25. Dua for the Hereafter
Success
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah wa qina 'adhaban nar.
Translation: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
When to recite: Regularly, especially in prayers, as it encompasses all good in this life and the next.