It is the special Holy month for Ummat-e-Muslima which offers calmness and peace to the heart of performers with the sight of the crescent moon of Ramadan. It is a season of transformation and forgiveness, and most importantly it offers you to build a closer relationship with our Creator SWT. During this sacred month we are always preoccupied with whether we are doing enough, praying enough, or reciting the Quran in the right amount. It is one of the most beautiful means to organize our worship by the special themes of the Ashra. The first ten days of Mercy also known as Rehmat is an invitation of Allah to open our hearts. In this guide we are going to discuss the necessary Dua to be recited in the 1st Ashra of Ramadan. Ramadan is not only about not eating, but also feeding the soul so make this journey of search for Divine Mercy, and see that each moment of these first ten days will lead you still nearer to His grace.
The most commonly recited dua for this period is:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Rabbighfir warham wa anta khairur rahimeen
“My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the Best of those who show mercy”
Dua for Asking Forgiveness from Allah SWT:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ
Translation:
“O Allah! Forget my sins, big and little, the first and the last, the obvious ones and the ones concealed.
The Purpose:
We tend to recall the major errors that we have made, but we forget about the minor ones. This Dua covers everything. It requests Allah to purify your records with or without the sin being committed in the open in the presence of others or the darkness of the heart.
When to Recite:
This fits well during the 1 st Ashra at the end of the night (Tahajjud) or in your voluntary prayers during Sujood (prostration).
A Moment of Reflection:
Suppose you have a heavy backpack with you all the time. That is what it can be like being a spiritually unconfessed sinner. You are putting that backpack down, this Dua.
Dua for Divine Assistance
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغيثُ
Translation:
O Self-subsisting, O ever-living, and supporter of all, I beseech you, by your mercy, to help me.
The Purpose:
Ramadan may be physically exhausting and emotionally straining. We can be too weak or too burdened with our daily responsibilities. This is a sincere prayer of power. It recognizes that we cannot make it without the help of Allah to make it through the fast and the worship.
When to Recite:
Say it when you are tired during the day, when you are not able to focus on prayer or when you are in a bad mood spiritually.
A Moment of Reflection:
Humility is needed to confess we are in need of assistance. With Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, you are uniting with the one and only life source that does not have an end. Make this Dua your spiritual battery charger when you are tired of strength.
Dua for Protection
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Translation:
O Allah, protect me against the punishment of the grave, the torment of Hellfire, trials of life and death, and the evil affliction of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal.
The Purpose:
It is an all-embracing shield. We are in a confused and trying time (Fitnah). In this Dua, Allah is sought to safeguard your faith not only at this time, but also in the grave and the Day of Judgement. It guarantees your destination to the Hereafter.
When to Recite:
This is strongly advised to be recited in the morning and evening of your Adhkar, or at the conclusion of your mandatory prayers (Salah).
A Moment of Reflection:
Safety is a basic human need. When we close our doors to protect our physical security, this Dua closes the door of your heart to spiritual destruction. During the first 10 days of Mercy, request Allah to protect you against anything that might distract you from him.
Dua for Acceptance of Fasting and Worship:
اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنِي رَمَضَانَ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِي وَتَسَلَّمْهُ مِنِّي
Translation:
“O Allah! Keep me till Ramadan, protect Ramadan to me and take it to me.
The Purpose:
Most of us wish to make it to Ramadan but are we going to complete it? Will our efforts be accepted? This Dua is a form of thanksgiving that we have made it to the month and requests Allah to assist us to get through it. It transforms our fasting into a routine into a normal worship.
When to Recite:
Although this is commonly recited just before the beginning of Ramadan, it is ideal to recite this at 1st Ashra as a prayer to keep you going until the last 20 days.
A Moment of Reflection:
It is a blessing to be able to reach Ramadan, and it is a greater blessing to be able to complete it with faith. Introduce this Dua to make your intention: I do not simply want to fast, I want my fasting to be significant to You.
Dua for Breaking the Fast
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ
Translation:
O Allah I fasted in Thy name and I believe in Thy name and I put my trust in Thy name and I break my fast with Thy sustenance.
The Purpose:
It is the time of triumph at the conclusion of the day. It repeats the reason why you fast (in the name of Allah) and helps you realize the fact that the food you are about to consume is given to you by Allah SWT.
When to Recite:
Make sure to recite it when you break your fast with sincere intentions before you eat or drink anything.
A Moment of Reflection:
The first taste of water is most precious and thankful after hours of thirst and hunger. But this Dua makes it even more beneficial for you to drink with good health attached to it. It is to remind you that despite denying yourself food all day long, Allah fed you at the right time.
Read more: Dua and Prayers to Recite During Umrah
Final Words
Ramadan offers you a journey filled with Mercy and forgiveness from the Almighty Allah SWT for which it is important for the Muslims to spend this holy month with sincere intentions. These sacred Duas are essential to recite through the first Ashra of Ramadan which helps you uplift your religious pillar of Islam with dignity and faith.
