15 Times When Dua is Most Likely to be Accepted

Why Must We Pray?

Every human being faces life's challenges and naturally seeks solutions. However, for a Muslim, effort and intellect are not enough; they must be accompanied by tawakkal (trust in Allah) and prayer to Allah, as stated in Surah Al-Fatihah:

"You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help." (QS. Al-Fatihah: 5)

From this verse, it is clear that a Muslim must seek help only from Allah through prayer. Sometimes, even after our best efforts and constant prayer, our problems remain. This can be due to factors such as sincerity, patience, hope, and our specific needs. However, we should also pay attention to when we pray. Seeking the "mustajab" (highly responsive) times established in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a sign of a servant's earnestness in seeking an answer.

15 Mustajab Times to Know for Your Prayers to be Answered

1. The Time of Suhoor (The Last Third of the Night)

The Prophet said:

"Our Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains. He says: 'Whoever calls upon Me, I will answer him. Whoever asks of Me, I will give him. Whoever seeks My forgiveness, I will forgive him.'"

Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim

Imam An-Nawawi stated that this is a time when mercy is spread, requests are granted, and blessings are perfected. This is supported by the Qur'an: "And those who seek forgiveness before dawn." (QS. Ali Imran: 17).

2. When Breaking the Fast

The Prophet said: "There are three whose prayers are not rejected: (1) A parent's prayer for their child, (2) A fasting person when they break their fast, and (3) A traveler's prayer." (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi). Scholars explain that the most responsive time is just before breaking the fast, as the servant is in a state of humble devotion and physical need.

3. During Laylat al-Qadr

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "If I knew which night was Laylat al-Qadr, I would spend the most time asking Allah for forgiveness and wellness." This night is a prime time for supplication, and the dua taught by the Prophet to Aishah is highly recommended.

4. When the Adhan is Called

The Prophet said: "Two prayers are not rejected, or are rarely rejected: the prayer at the time of the Adhan and at the time of battle when the two sides clash." (Narrated by Abu Daud).

5. Between the Adhan and the Iqamah

The Prophet said: "A prayer between the Adhan and the Iqamah is not rejected." (Narrated by Tirmidzi).

6. While Prostrating (Sujud) in Prayer

The Prophet said: "The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase your supplications then." (Narrated by Muslim). Note that this is best practiced in voluntary (sunnah) prayers to avoid disrupting the congregational imam.

7. After the Tashahhud Before the Final Salam

The Prophet was asked which prayer is most heard, and he replied: "In the middle of the last part of the night and at the end of the obligatory prayers." (Narrated by Tirmidzi). Scholars explain this as the time after reciting the Tashahhud and before the final Salam.

8. On Friday

There is a specific hour on Friday when prayers are answered. Many scholars suggest this is between the time the Imam sits for the Khutbah until the end of the Friday prayer, or the last hour after Asr.

9. When It Rains

The Prophet included "when rain falls" as one of the times when prayers are answered. It is sunnah to say: "Allahumma shayyiban nafi'an" (O Allah, send us beneficial rain).

10. Wednesday Between Dhuhr and Asr

Jabir bin Abdillah reported that the Prophet prayed at the Masjid Al-Fath for three days, and his prayer was answered on Wednesday between the two prayers (Dhuhr and Asr).

11. The Day of Arafah

The Prophet said: "The best of supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah." (Narrated by Tirmidzi).

12. During Battle

As mentioned earlier, the time when armies clash is a moment when the gates of heaven are open to the prayers of the righteous.

13. While Drinking Zam-Zam Water

The Prophet said: "Zam-zam water is for whatever it is drunk for." (Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Majah).

14. When Seeing Others Receive Blessings

Reflecting on the story of Prophet Zakaria, who prayed for offspring after seeing the provisions Allah gave to Maryam, scholars note that witnessing Allah's bounty upon others is a moment to humbly ask Allah for one's own needs.

15. After Obligatory Prayers (Following Dhikr)

While some scholars emphasize the time before the final Salam, many also consider the time after the obligatory prayer—following the prescribed Dhikr—to be a blessed moment for personal supplication.

Pray, for Allah Will Answer

Allah commands us: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (QS. Ghafir: 60). If a prayer is not answered exactly as we wish in this world, Allah either saves it for the Hereafter or uses it to avert a calamity equal to the request. Allah is too generous to leave the hands of a servant who calls upon Him empty.