The Quran honours a mother who carries her child in weakness upon weakness (31:14). These authentic words cover the whole journey: asking for righteous children, ease in pain and distress, and protection for the newborn.
Rabbi hab li min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibah, innaka sami'u-d-du'a.
“My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.”
The prayer of Zakariya (AS) for a good and righteous child. It is a fitting Du'a for anyone asking Allah (SWT) for children or praying for the goodness of future offspring.
Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in nasina aw akhta'na. Rabbana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'ala-lladhina min qablina. Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih, wa'fu 'anna, wa-ghfir lana, wa-rhamna, anta Mawlana fa-nsurna 'ala-l-qawmi-l-kafirin.
“Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or err. Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with what we have no strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Protector, so help us against those who reject faith.”
The closing two verses of Surat al-Baqarah, whoever recites them at night, they suffice him.
Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a'yun, wa-j'alna li-l-muttaqina imama.
“Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the God-conscious.”
A Qur'anic prayer for spouses and children who bring deep joy through faith and good character, and for a family whose example helps others become mindful of Allah (SWT).
Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka-llati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayy, wa an a'mala salihan tardahu, wa aslih li fi dhurriyyati, inni tubtu ilayka wa inni mina-l-muslimin.
“My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for the favour You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do righteousness of which You approve, and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have turned to You, and I am among the Muslims.”
The du'a of one reaching maturity (forty). A complete prayer for gratitude, parents, good deeds, and children who will carry the good forward.
Rabbi-j'alni muqima-s-salah, wa min dhurriyyati. Rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'.
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
Ibrahim (AS), decades into his mission, still asking for prayer to be established in his line. The quiet prayer every parent should have on their lips.
La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu mina-dh-dhalimin.
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
The prayer of Prophet Yunus (AS) in profound distress: it begins with Allah's oneness, glorifies Him above every imperfection, and honestly admits one's own wrong. It is a sound dua when you feel trapped, regretful, or desperate for relief.
Anni massaniya-d-durru wa Anta arhamu-r-rahimin.
“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
Ayyub (AS) called on his Lord with these words after long illness and loss, and Allah (SWT) answered him and removed his hardship (21:84).
La ilaha illa-llahul-'adheemul-halim. La ilaha illa-llahu rabbul-'arshil-'adheem. La ilaha illa-llahu rabbus-samawati wa rabbul-ardi wa rabbul-'arshil-karim
“There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens, the earth, and the noble Throne.”
The Prophet ﷺ would say this in times of distress.
Bismillah (three times). A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir (seven times).
“In the name of Allah. I seek refuge in Allah and in His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”
Taught to 'Uthman ibn Abi al-'As when he complained of pain: place your hand where it hurts, say Bismillah three times, then the refuge seven times.
A'udhu bi-kalimati-llahi-t-tammah, min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli 'aynin lammah.
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and every poisonous creature, and from every evil eye.”
The Prophet ﷺ sought refuge for his grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn with these words, and said that Ibrahim (AS) sought refuge with them for Isma'il and Ishaq (AS).