Need a Prayer Answered? Here's How to Perform Salat al-Hajah (The Prayer of Need)

In life, we all go through moments of hardship, whether it's facing a difficult decision, carrying a heavy burden, or harboring deep hopes we wish to come true. As Muslims, one of the most recommended spiritual practices during such times is performing Salat al-Hajah, the Prayer of Need.

This prayer is a form of personal supplication, a way to seek help, ease, and clarity from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. Simple yet profound, it can be performed in as few as 2 raka'ahs (units of prayer), and up to 12 raka'ahs depending on one’s capacity and sincerity.

The Intention (Niyyah) of Salat al-Hajah

Like all acts of worship in Islam, Salat al-Hajah begins with a clear intention. This distinguishes it from other sunnah prayers. The intention can be made silently in the heart or recited as follows:

أُصَلِّيْ سُنَّةَ الحَاجَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَدَاءً لِلهِ تَعَالَى

Ushallî sunnatal ḥâjati rak‘ataini adâ’an lillâhi ta‘âlâ

“I intend to pray two units of the sunnah prayer of need, for the sake of Allah the Most High.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Salat al-Hajah

Begin with Two Units of Prayer
Pray two raka'ahs as you would any other sunnah prayer.
Recommended Surahs to Recite
After Surah Al-Fatihah in each raka'ah, it is highly recommended to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah: 255).
End the Prayer with Salam
After completing the two raka'ahs, offer the closing salam.
Continue with Dhikr and Du’a
Follow your prayer with heartfelt remembrance (dhikr), salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ, and specific supplications.

Recommended Du’as After Salat al-Hajah

After concluding the prayer, it is advised to recite powerful supplications. One of the most notable du’as comes from the book Nihayatuz Zain by Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي لَبِسَ العِزَّ وَقَالَ بِهِ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي تَعَطَّفَ بِالمَجْدِ وَتَكَرَّمَ بِهِ، سُبْحَانَ ذِي العِزِّ وَالكَرَمِ، سُبْحَانَ ذِي الطَوْلِ أَسْأَلُكَ بِمَعَاقِدِ العِزِّ مِنْ عَرْشِكَ وَمُنْتَهَى الرَّحْمَةِ مِنْ كِتَابِكَ وَبِاسْمِكَ الأَعْظَمِ وَجَدِّكَ الأَعْلَى وَكَلِمَاتِكَ التَّامَّاتِ العَامَّاتِ الَّتِي لَا يُجَاوِزُهُنَّ بِرٌّ وَلَا فَاجِرٌ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ

Subḫânal-ladzî labisal-‘izza wa qâla bihi. Subḫânal-ladzî ta‘aththafa bil-majdi wa takarrama bihi. Subḫâna dzil-‘izzi wal-kirami, subḫâna dzith-thauli as’aluka bimu‘âqidil-‘izzi min ‘arsyika wa muntahar-raḫmati min kitâbika wa bismikal-a‘dhami wa jaddikal-a‘la wa kalimâtikat-tâmmâtil-‘âmmâtil-latî lâ yujâwizuhunna birrun wa lâ fâjirun an tushalliya ‘ala sayyidinâ Muḫammadin wa ‘ala âli sayyidinâ Muḫammadin.

“Glory be to the One who is clothed in majesty and speaks with it. Glory be to the One who is adorned in nobility and elevated by it. Glory be to the One who possesses greatness and generosity, the One who bestows grace. I ask You—by the ties of might from Your Throne, by the peak of mercy from Your Book, by Your greatest Name, Your supreme honor, and Your perfect and universal words, which no righteous or wicked soul can surpass—to send blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family.”

Du’a from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

It is also recommended to recite the authentic supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ. Among them:

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ الحَلِيمُ الكَرِيْمُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ العَلِيُّ العَظِيْمُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ رَبِّ العَرْشِ العَظِيْمِ والحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ

Lâ ilaha illallâhul-ḫalîmul-karîmu, lâ ilaha illallâhul-‘aliyyul-adhîmu subḫânallâhi rabbil-‘arsyil-‘adhîmi wal-ḫamdulillâhi rabbil-‘alamîna.

“There is no deity except Allah, the Most Forbearing, the Most Generous. There is no deity except Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.”

Another deeply touching du’a narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi is also suitable to be recited at this moment of need:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ مُوْجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ، وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ، وَالغَنِيْمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ، وَالسَلَامَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ، لَا تَدَعْ لِيْ ذَنْبًا إِلَّا غَفَرْتَهُ، وَلَا هَمًّا إِلَّا فَرَّجْتَهُ، وَلَا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضىً إِلَّا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

Allâḫumma innî as’aluka mûjibâti raḫmatika, wa ‘azâ’ima maghfiratika, wal-ghanîmata min kulli birrin, was-salâmata min kulli itsmin lâ tada‘ lî dzanban illâ ghafartahu, wa lâ hamman illâ farrajtahu, wa lâ ḫâjatan hiya laka ridlan illâ qadlaitahâ yâ arḫamar-râḫimîna.

“O Allah, I ask You for the means to attain Your mercy, the guarantees of Your forgiveness, the reward of every good deed, and safety from every sin. Do not leave me with a single sin without forgiving it, nor a worry without relieving it, nor a need that is pleasing to You without fulfilling it. O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

The Power of Salat al-Hajah

Salat al-Hajah is one of the most beautiful and intimate forms of prayer in Islam. It reminds us that even in our most vulnerable moments, we are never alone. Through this prayer, we open the door to divine mercy, ease, and clarity.

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala accept our prayers, fulfill our needs, and ease our difficulties. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.