The Islamic Message

Best times to make Dua

6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrated that Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.S), said: 'The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (S.W.T) much in it. [Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (S.W.T) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (S.W.T) so it is best to invoke Allah (S.W.T) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

This prostration is what we do in the Salah.

7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.S) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (S.W.T) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (S.W.T) All the glories are for Allah (S.W.T) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (S.W.T) and Allah (S.W.T) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (S.W.T) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (S.W.T), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:
Narrated Abu Omamah (R.A) that Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.S) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (S.W.T), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi].

This time is after saying 'At-tahyat' , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer).

There was some difference of scholarly opinion concerning the phrase dabr al-salawaat al-maktoobah ("following the prescribed prayers") – does it mean before the salaam or afterwards?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah and his student Ibn al-Qayyim were of the view that it is before the salaam. Ibn Taymiyah said: "The word dabr refers to something that is part of a thing, like dabr al-haywaan (the hindquarters of an animal)." Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1.305.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: "What has been narrated of du'aa' following the prayer is before the salaam and what has been narrated of dhikr following the prayer is after the salaam, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times."
(Al-Qur'an- Surah An-Nisa' chapter 4 verse 103)

Lessons learnt by this verse:
– Constant remembrance of Allah whether sitting, standing, walking or resting. Dhikr of Allah brings tranquility to the heart of a believer. Never be neglectful of His remembrance.

– Praying complete rakahs are mandatory. Once you have returned from travel or out of the state of fear perform proper Salah.

– Salah should be offered at its appointed time fulfilling all the conditions. One can't postpone it because they are cooking in the kitchen or watching their favorite show. The Prophet sallAllahu aalyhi wa sallam said that the best deed is performing Salah at its proper time.