In Islam, the Zikr (remembrance of Allah) is given great importance. In many places in the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has advised His servants to remember Him. The time after prayer is considered especially good for Zikr and duas. Because at this time a person is free from worldly affairs and turns to Allah with full attention. That is why the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught various adhkar and supplications during this time.
The importance of duas after salah is evident from the fact that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite these supplications regularly. These duas not only provide spiritual peace but also lead to forgiveness of sins and satisfaction of the heart.
Below is a complete description of the Sunnah duas recited after prayer.
Sunnah Adhkar and Duas after Salah
We should not get up immediately after finishing our prayer, but it is the Sunnah of the Prophet to sit for a while and remember Allah.
Say the Takbir once as soon as you finish your prayer.
Ibn Abbas (RA) that he said:
I used to think that the end of the prayer of the Prophet (ﷺ) was due to the Takbir “Allahu Akbar.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 842)
Dua for Forgiveness and Peace
Saying Astaghfirullah (اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللہَ) after finishing the obligatory prayer (Salah) is a beautiful Sunnah. It translates to “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللہَ
Transliteration: Astaghfirullah
English Translation: “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
Then recite this supplication:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his prayer, he would say: اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللہَ three times and then recite this dua. (Sahih Muslim)
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
Transliteration: Allahumma Antas-Salamu wa minkas-salamu tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram.
English Translation: “O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honor.”
Masnoon Dhikr
This powerful dua (Dhikr) is one of the most recommended phrases to recite after the daily prayers. It is a profound declaration of Tawhid (the oneness of God).
It is narrated from Mughirah bin Shu’bah that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite this supplication after every obligatory prayer: (Sahih Bukhari: 844, Sahih Muslim: 593)
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ
Transliteration: Lā ilāha illallāhu, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr. Allāhumma lā māni‘a limā a‘ṭayta, wa lā mu‘ṭiya limā mana‘ta, wa lā yanfa‘u dhal-jaddi minkal-jadd.
English Translation: “There is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things.
O Allah, none can withhold what You give, and none can give what You withhold, and no wealth or status can benefit anyone against You.”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) often recited this:
- Once after every obligatory prayer.
- Ten times specifically after Fajr (Dawn) and Maghrib (Sunset) prayers for extra protection and reward.
Note: Many scholars recommend reciting it after finishing the prayer, after saying Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) and Allahum antas-as-salamu (O Allah, You are the One with peace).
Tasbeeh of Fatima
The Tasbeeh of Fatima (Tasbih al-Zahra) is a beautiful and highly recommended act of worship (dhikr) performed after the five daily prayers. It was gifted by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to his daughter, Fatima (RA).
It is narrated that Fatima (RA) came to the Prophet (ﷺ) asking for a servant to help with household chores. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Shall I not tell you of something better than what you asked for? When you go to your bed (or after prayer), say ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty-four times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ thirty-three times, and ‘Subhan Allah’ thirty-three times. This is better for you than a servant.” Sahih Bukhari (5361) and Sahih Muslim (2727)
According to the authentic Hadith, the Tasbeeh consists of the following:
- Allahu Akbar (اللهُ أَكْبَرُ) — 34 Times (Allah is the Greatest)
- Alhamdulillah (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ) — 33 Times (Praise be to Allah)
- Subhan Allah (سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ) — 33 Times (Glory be to Allah)
Whoever recites this Tasbeeh after every prayer, his sins are forgiven, even if they are equal to the foam of the sea.
The importance of Ayatul Kursi
Hazrat Abu Umamah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.”
A person who recites Ayatul Kursi after prayer remains under the protection and safety of Allah Almighty until the next prayer. It is an excellent means of protecting a person from satanic whispers, the evil eye, and sudden disasters.
Try to make it a regular habit of your life to recite Ayatul Kursi along with other adhkars after completing your obligatory prayers, after saying the salaam and saying “Astaghfirullah”. It only takes a minute.
Dua for Gratitude and Good Worship
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) advised Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (RA) to never leave off reciting this prayer after every prayer:
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
Transliteration: Allahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibadatika.
English Translation: “O Allah, help me in remembering You, expressing gratitude to You, and worshipping You in the best manner.”
Recite Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq and Surah An-Nas
It is a proven Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) to recite Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, and Surah An-Nas after prayer. These Surahs are also called Muawwizat.
Hazrat Uqbah bin Amir (RA) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered me to recite the Muawwizat (Surah Ikhlas, Falaq, An-Nas) after every prayer.
(Sunan Abu Dawud: 1523, Sunan An-Nasa’i)
These supplications after prayer are not only a means of forgiveness of sins but also a means of solving human worldly problems and blessing in sustenance. Try to devote at least 5 to 10 minutes to these duas after salaam.
Remember: The real thing is the presence of the heart. Whatever you are saying with your tongue, consider its meaning so that your relationship with Allah is strong.