Supplication and remembrance (dua and dhikr)
Awaiting scholar review
Simple remembrance and supplication for beginners, built around meaning and sources you can actually check.
What dua and dhikr mean
Dua (Glossary) is calling on Allah, asking Him for help, guidance, forgiveness, and good. Dhikr (Glossary) is remembering Allah through words, reflection, and worship. Both can be part of your day before you know much Arabic.
You can make dua in your own language. For dhikr and transmitted duas, learn from reliable sources so you know what you are saying and where it comes from.
Start with meaning
Do not begin with a huge list. Start with a few short phrases or duas and learn what they mean. Quality matters more than quantity here.
A good beginner rhythm is:
- Ask Allah for guidance in your own words.
- Learn one short remembrance accurately.
- Repeat it after prayer or before sleep.
- Add more only when that much feels steady.
Use sources carefully
Plenty of duas circulate online, and plenty of those posts cite nothing at all. Prefer collections that give you a Quran or hadith reference. If a dua speaks to you but has no source, you can still ask Allah for the same thing in your own words. Just do not pass it on as a Prophetic dua until someone qualified has checked it.
When you feel anxious or sad
Dua and dhikr bring real comfort, and they do not replace professional help when you are in crisis. If you have thoughts of self-harm, feel unsafe, or cannot function, call 9-1-1, call or text 9-8-8, or contact a qualified clinician. Faith and practical help belong together.
Related steps
Terms to know
- Duaدعاء
- A personal prayer or request made to Allah. Unlike the five daily prayers, dua has no fixed form: you can make it at any time, in any language, in your own words. It is talking to God directly.
- Dhikrذكر
- The practice of remembering Allah through short phrases, set prayers, or quiet reflection. You can do it anywhere and at any time, and it is one of the easiest ways to keep Allah in mind through an ordinary day.
- Sunnahسنة
- The teachings, practices, and way of life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Following the Sunnah shows Muslims how to put the Quran into practice. It covers prayer, manners, and small daily habits alike.
- Salahصلاة
- The formal Islamic prayer performed five times daily. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and a direct connection between you and Allah. Learning salah takes time, and it is okay to start slowly and build up.
Resources
Quran.com
AppFree Quran access on web and mobile, with translations, transliteration, and audio recitation.
Source: Quran Foundation
Best for: Listening, reading, and comparing translations
Run by Quran.Foundation, a nonprofit, with no ads. You do not need an account. The site uses Google Analytics.
Fortress of the Muslim
BookA widely used collection of duas and dhikr, each one sourced to the Quran or Sunnah.
Source: Darussalam
Best for: Daily dua and dhikr reference
The publisher's own page for the book, so you know where the text comes from.
Sources used
These sources support the general topic guidance. For personal rulings or sensitive situations, ask a qualified local imam, scholar, clinician, or professional as appropriate.
- Quran.comQuran source
Quran Foundation - Quran text and translation platform
Where the guide links Quran verses, so you can read the Arabic, compare an English translation of the meaning, and listen to the recitation.
- Sunnah.comHadith reference
Sunnah.com - Hadith reference platform
Where the guide links hadith, so collection names and numbering stay checkable.
- Darussalam UK storePublisher store
Darussalam UK - Islamic book publisher
The publisher store used for dua and dhikr books, in place of anonymous PDF mirrors. The site is the Darussalam UK store, with prices in pounds by default.
- Get help with mental healthPublic health source
Public Health Agency of Canada - Public health information
The Government of Canada page that says to call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical help. It also lists 9-8-8, Kids Help Phone, Hope for Wellness and each province's services. Page modified 2026-01-14. Numbers checked on 23 September 2026.
- 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis HelplineCrisis support
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), funded by the Government of Canada - Crisis support
Canada's national suicide crisis helpline. Call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in English and French. Led by CAMH and funded by the Government of Canada. Checked on 23 September 2026.